# PLAGUE: The Card Game

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2012
- **BGG Rating**: 6.3
- **BGG Rank**: #17624
- **Players**: 2-6 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 20 min
- **Weight**: 1.80 / 5
- **Designers**: Jason Glover
- **Artists**: Jason Glover
- **Publishers**: The Game Crafter, LLC, Grey Gnome Games
- **Categories**: Card Game, Medieval
- **Mechanics**: Trick-taking

## Verdict
Perfect for those who love fast, competitive card games with a touch of cunning.Extremely fast game sessionsCreative blend of mechanicsConstant tension between playersEasy to learn and playScoring can be confusing initiallyHeavily dependent on group interactionFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
Imagine Medieval Europe, but with a touch of dark fantasy and a massive problem: while three kingdoms fight for power in bloody wars, a relentless plague is sweeping through everything. This is the chaotic setting of PLAGUE: The Card Game. Here, you aren't just trying to defeat your opponents on the battlefield, but fighting desperately to prevent the pestilence from annihilating your lands and people. It's a fast-paced and cunning card game that takes the foundation of classic trick-taking games (like Spades or Hearts) and gives it a modern, cruel twist.

What makes the experience interesting is the blend of mechanics. Beyond managing your cards to win tricks, the game introduces a 'rock-paper-scissors' dynamic, adding a layer of prediction and bluffing that keeps everyone on their toes. You must decide when to attack and when to retreat, knowing that every victory might come with a cost and that the plague spares no one. The scoring system is unique and challenging, requiring quick thinking to avoid being blindsided by a sudden shift in the score.

If you enjoy games with high player interaction and constant tension, PLAGUE delivers this in very short sessions. It's the perfect kind of game to whet the appetite before a longer session or for those who want a quick dose of competitiveness. The goal is simple on paper — protect your kingdom and survive — but the execution requires cunning and strategy. You provide the bodies, and the game provides the fun (and the desperation of watching your population vanish). Ready your deck, try to predict your neighbor's move, and above all, try not to die of the plague before the game ends!

## FAQ
### Is the game complex to learn?
Not at all! The basics are simple for those familiar with trick-taking, and newcomers pick it up quickly.

### How long does a game last?
It's lightning fast! Games last about 20 minutes, making it great as a filler.

### How many people can play?
From 2 to 6 players, and it works great with larger groups.

### Do I need any prior historical knowledge?
Nope. The medieval theme is just the flavor; the rules are completely independent.

### Is it suitable for children?
Yes, as long as they are okay with the concept of 'plagues' and 'wars' within a gaming context.