Reign of Dragoness: A Card Game of Strategy and Fantasy

Go back in time to an era full of magic and mystery, where the mighty Dragoness ruled as queen over all dragons and led her loyal Dragon Knights. Dragons from every corner of the realm gather every summer solstice to battle for glory in the realm's grandest and most magnificent tournament. You are invited to experience the wonder of those enchanted times when dragons, knights, squires, and pages all came together to pay homage to the majestic Dragoness. Join the festivities and compete for the ultimate prize of being crowned the Grand Champion of the Dragoness!

Published by Grandpa Beck's Games, Reign of Dragoness delivers the publisher's vision of designing family games in which "time spent playing is time spent building relationships."

Reign of Dragoness is recommended for 3-8 players and is suitable for ages eight and above.

Gameplay – The Battle for Glory Begins

The playing deck is set up based on the number of players to determine the Dragon sets used. Each set has a number from 1-12 and a ranking based on how many gems it has. Each player receives 13 cards, and the game begins with the player with the lowest number or gem card. The first player sets the first challenge by playing a pattern to be defeated by the other players. A pattern consists of a single card, a run of three to five cards, or a set of two or more cards of the same number. Additional cards like the Knight, Squire, and Paige represent different number ranges and can be used as wild cards. And if that's not thrilling enough, there's the Dragoness, a 13-value Dragon that can end a challenge immediately! Fortunately, there's a Revive card that can restart the value of the current pattern. But watch out; it also adds everyone back into the competition, making the game even more thrilling. 

In each turn, you attempt to defeat the active pattern. You need a higher number in the mix or a higher gem count to match a single, set, or run. If you can't beat a pattern, you must pass.

The last player will choose a new challenge, a pattern that needs to be beaten. The game continues until one player lays down their last card and scores three points. The player with the smallest hand scores two points, followed by the next with one point. Reshuffle all cards and start the next round. A new first player is assigned in a clockwise manner.

The game consists of five rounds, and the player with the most points wins! However, there's more to it; in addition to the basic version, there are advanced rules if you are up to heightening the challenge. The most advanced version includes Dragon Hordes, which disrupt the patterns played, making it harder to get your cards out.

So, let's shuffle up and deal! It's time to show off your strategy skills and have a blast!

Review – A Deep Strategy Card Game for Newbies and Experts Alike

My first mistake when reviewing Reign of Dragoness was comparing it to Scout. Both are ladder-climbing and trick-taking card games, which misled me into thinking they were similar and that it was fair to review one game alongside the other. I was wrong. Both games are different beasts in the same genre but excel at their unique and diverse gameplay. I cannot deny that there are similarities between Reign of Dragoness and Scout at first sight. However, they are superficial, and at their core, they are entirely different games. So let's put Scout aside, which is an excellent game, stop comparisons here, and review Reign of Dragoness for its merits and flaws.

Reign of Dragoness is the "light abstract strategy game with deep strategy" kind of game that is quick to pick up, learn, and play but takes time to master. Although cards are distributed randomly, the game's clever design prevents stochastic contingency from stealing the show. Performance contingency prevails, and it is a challenge to compete against experienced players. Players' agency means diverse approaches and strategies to planning and playing this game. A skilled player knows how to exploit the weaknesses of their cards and turn the odds of the game even with a "bad hand." And if they lose one tournament, there will be plenty of opportunities to make up for a poor round.

Complexity, setup, and downtime are remarkably low. Yet, Reign of Dragoness is fast-paced but lengthy. Playing five tournaments with a high player count can take a long time. Even with just four players, a full match can take thirty minutes to an hour; do not believe the numbers on the side of the game box! The game is always thrilling, no matter how long a match takes. However, it is only suitable as a filler game with three players. It excels as a gateway ladder-climbing card game, though, as it is well-suited to a wide range of players, especially board game newbies.

The game artwork is stunning. Though the game theme is secondary in abstract strategy games, in Reign of Dragoness, it is superbly represented by the card design. The game mechanics also lend themselves to the fantasy theme with eight dragon clans of varying strength. There are unique cards with special abilities, including a Page, Squire, a Dragon Knight, and Dragoness, the ultimate dragon!

Players interact using deductive reasoning, deception, and bluffing. And if you can count cards, that will undoubtedly give you the upper hand. If you want to master this game, you need to be analytical and make deductions about your opponents' hands. If you can infer your opponents' strategy, you can plan to outmaneuver them and set up challenges that cannot be defeated. When you get the gist of it, you can make everyone's gameplay extremely tough. Social involvement is paramount, especially at a high player count. This highly competitive game requires significant player interaction if you are serious about beating your opponents.

Final Thoughts

Reign of Dragoness is a casual family card game with deep gameplay. It is a ladder-climbing and trick-taking card game where players race to empty their hands through various challenges during five tournaments. However, it is not just another ladder-climbing card game. Reign of Dragoness stands out in the crowded genre with its mechanics, option of adopting advanced rules, special cards and abilities, and outstanding artwork. For those serious about it, get ready for fierce competition to become the Dragoness Grand Champion!

Pros:

• Reign of Dragoness is a "light abstract strategy game with deep strategy" where players can adopt diverse approaches and strategies.
• The game is designed to be family-friendly, with the publisher's vision being to build relationships through playing games.
• The game artwork is stunning, adding to the immersive experience.

Cons:

• Playing five tournaments with a high player count can take a long time, making it unsuitable for those looking for a quick game.
• While it's easy to learn, it may take time to master, which may discourage casual players.
• Players who prefer to avoid bluffing, deception, and deductive reasoning may not enjoy the game's mechanics.

Disclosure: we received a complimentary review copy of this game.

Note: This article is provided by Roll & Mind.