8.0
rating
Ludopedia
7.5
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy trick-taking games with a twist and lots of interaction, Skull King is a treasure you need to unearth. It's pure pirate fun with bluffs and predictions!
Highlights
- Simultaneous bidding adds thrill
- Fun special cards
- Intense player interaction
- Scales well for many
- Engaging pirate theme
Keep in mind
- Can be chaotic with many
- Requires memory and attention
- Luck can influence outcomes
About the game
What you do in a play session
Hoist the flag and dive into Skull King, a trick-taking game that elevates the adrenaline of bidding to a new level! Inspired by classics like Oh Hell! and Wizard, here the excitement isn't just in winning, but in hitting your bid dead on. In each of the ten rounds, you receive more cards, and the tension mounts: all players simultaneously reveal their trick predictions, which can lead to chaotic and unpredictable rounds where luck and strategy intertwine.
Skull King's 66-card deck is a spectacle in itself, featuring numbered suits from 1 to 13 and an arsenal of special cards that turn the game upside down. We have 'Escape' cards (which lose to everything), 'Mermaids' (which beat numbered cards), 'Pirates' (who beat Mermaids), and the fearsome 'Skull King' (who dominates all, except when a Mermaid encounters and captures him!). To top it off, the 'Tigress' can be either an 'Escape' or a 'Pirate', depending on your strategy.
Nailing your bid is crucial: you score 20 points per trick if you hit the exact number. Missed it? You lose 10 points for each trick you're off. And if you're bold and bid zero tricks, you can earn many points, but be careful not to take even one! Additionally, there are bonuses for capturing Pirates with the Skull King, or the King himself with a Mermaid. Whoever has the most points after ten rounds of pure piracy and bluffing will be crowned the true Skull King!
Skull King's 66-card deck is a spectacle in itself, featuring numbered suits from 1 to 13 and an arsenal of special cards that turn the game upside down. We have 'Escape' cards (which lose to everything), 'Mermaids' (which beat numbered cards), 'Pirates' (who beat Mermaids), and the fearsome 'Skull King' (who dominates all, except when a Mermaid encounters and captures him!). To top it off, the 'Tigress' can be either an 'Escape' or a 'Pirate', depending on your strategy.
Nailing your bid is crucial: you score 20 points per trick if you hit the exact number. Missed it? You lose 10 points for each trick you're off. And if you're bold and bid zero tricks, you can earn many points, but be careful not to take even one! Additionally, there are bonuses for capturing Pirates with the Skull King, or the King himself with a Mermaid. Whoever has the most points after ten rounds of pure piracy and bluffing will be crowned the true Skull King!
Expansions
Published additional content
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Rules manual
Official PDF file
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
OK
3
REC
4
BEST
5
BEST
6
BEST
7
OK
8
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Where to Buy
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Grandpa Beck's Games, Broadway Toys LTD, Devir, Ghenos Games, OPEN'N PLAY, Playte
Designer
Brent Beck, Jeffrey Beck
Artist
Apryl Stott, David Bock, Eckhard Freytag
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
34,669owners
2,676wishlist
213want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can play Skull King?
Skull King is super versatile and can be played by 2 to 8 players, making it perfect for different group sizes, from a duel to a full table of pirates!
What is the average game duration?
A game of Skull King usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. It's quick enough for several rounds or to fit into a longer game night.
What is the complexity level of the game?
With a BGG weight of 1.7318/5, Skull King is considered a light to medium game. The basic rules are easy to pick up, but mastering the special cards and bidding requires a bit of practice and strategy.
What are the main components of the game?
The game primarily consists of a 66-card deck, including numbered suits and various special cards like Pirates, Mermaids, the Skull King, and the Tigress. Simple, yet full of possibilities!
Is Skull King good for board game beginners?
Absolutely! It's a great entry point into trick-taking games. The rules are intuitive, but the strategic depth of the special cards and bidding offers a growing challenge, keeping everyone engaged.
Are there any expansions for Skull King?
Yes, there are a few expansions that add new cards and rules, such as 'The Kraken' and 'The Skull King: Legendary Expansion', which bring even more twists and strategies to the base game.
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