Monstrolicious

Monstrolicious, also known as Pecking Order in its earlier iterations, is a fast-paced, straightforward card game for two players where bluffing and bidding strategy are key. Each player leads a team of hungry monsters with a single goal: to conquer the most tempting desserts from a lavish buffet. The core mechanic revolves around playing cards to claim 'perches' (spots at the buffet), which represent various desserts of different values. If you play a card where an opponent's card already exists, the lower card is discarded, but in case of a tie, the defending card remains. The trick is that often only one of the contested cards is revealed, adding a layer of uncertainty and bluffing – are you betting big on something not worth it? The latest version features cards numbered 1-12, plus a 'jaguar' with special rules, and a buffet with ten spots, three of which have unique properties. The game is played over four rounds, and whoever accumulates the highest total value of claimed spots at the end wins. It's a tense and fun contest, perfect for those who enjoy card games with a touch of guessing and direct competition, all within under 20 minutes.