Welcome to the Exciting World of Dragon Castle!

Are you ready to embark on a thrilling adventure filled with dragons, castles, and epic quests? Look no further! In this game, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in a fantastical realm where danger lurks around every corner.

Let’s delve into the rules of the game, so you can start your journey with confidence. Remember, staying informed is the key to victory!

Game Objective:

The main aim of Dragon Castle is to become the greatest hero in the realm by defeating powerful dragons and claiming their treasures. You’ll need cunning, strategy, and a touch of bravery to succeed.

Game Setup:

Before we begin our adventure, we need to set up the game board. First, place the dragon cards face down on one side of the table. These cards represent the fearsome dragons you’ll encounter.

Next, shuffle the treasure cards and deal a certain number to each player. These cards contain valuable items and magical artifacts that will aid you on your quest.

Finally, decide who goes first and let the adventure begin!

The Turns:

Dragon Castle is played in turns. On your turn, you’ll have three actions that you can take:

1. Hunt Dragons: Flip one of the dragon cards to reveal a mighty dragon. Battle it using the power of your treasure cards. Be careful, though, as the dragons can be tough!
2. Collect Treasures: Take a treasure card from the deck. These cards will be crucial for your battles, so stock up strategically.
3. Use Special Abilities: Some treasure cards have special abilities. Use them wisely to boost your chances of victory.

Battling Dragons:

When facing a dragon, you’ll need to play treasure cards that match its color and value. Each dragon card specifies the necessary treasure cards to defeat it. Use your wits and the power of your treasures to overcome the dragon’s defenses.

If you defeat a dragon, it’s time for the spoils of war! Claim the dragon’s treasure cards as your own and revel in your victory.

Game End:

The game continues until all the dragon cards have been defeated and their treasures claimed. The player with the most valuable treasures at the end of the game is crowned the greatest hero of Dragon Castle!

Remember, a great adventure awaits you in Dragon Castle. Unleash your inner hero, face fierce dragons, and conquer the realm with your strategic brilliance. Are you ready? Let the battle begin!

Welcome to the Dragon Castle, the most ancient and vital center of power in our realm. Unfortunately, its influence has been waning for decades, and now that the mighty Eldest Dragon has turned their back on us, people are leaving the city in search of a new place to call home, one where they can thrive.

But fear not, lords of the nearby realms, because this is your opportunity to shine! No longer living in the Dragon Castle’s shadow, you can rise to power and become the leaders your people deserve. The question is, can you win the trust and support of the powerful Spirits? Will you capture the favor of the magnificent Eldest Dragon? Are you up to the challenge of constructing the next remarkable Dragon Castle?

Welcome to Dragon Castle, a game inspired by the classic Chinese game, Mahjong. In this game, you’ll delve into the crumbling Dragon Castle and collect tiles to create your own majestic structure. By assembling sets of tiles with the same symbols, you can build powerful Shrines that will earn you valuable points. But be careful – the Elder Dragon has requirements you must fulfill if you want to claim victory!

What You’ll Need

• There are 4 Player Reference cards for the game.
• There are 2 Central boards.
• There is 1 first player token.
• You will find 7 Countdown tokens.
• There are 40 Shrines in total.
• You will handle 85 Victory Point tokens.
• There are 10 Spirit Cards to use.
• There are 10 Dragon Cards.
• You will work with 72 Faction tiles of 3 types.
• There are 44 Special tiles of 3 types.
• There are 4 Realm Boards.

Setting Up the Game

Here’s how you set up the game:

1. Put the Central board that corresponds to the number of players in the middle of the table. Then, use all 116 tiles to build the Dragon Castle. This is a task that all players will do together. Shuffle all the tiles and place them face up on the Central board, using the castle layout you have chosen.

2. Place all the Shrines and Victory Point tokens (VP) next to the Central board. This will be the general pool.

First, let’s start by setting up the Countdown track. Take all of the Countdown tokens and stack them on the leftmost space of the track. Then, move one token from the stack to each space on the right, covering the space that corresponds to the number of players.

If you’re new to the game, we suggest playing your first few games without using the Spirit and Dragon cards. This will help you get familiar with the basic rules before adding in the extra complexity of those cards.

Now, let’s bring in the Dragon cards. Shuffle them up, then draw one card randomly and place it next to the Central board where all players can see it. This card will be the bonus objective for this game. You can put the rest of the Dragon cards back in the box for now.

Alright, let’s get started with setting up the game!

First, we need to shuffle the Spirit cards. Once they’re shuffled, we’ll randomly draw one of them and place it next to the Central board where everyone can see it. This card represents the Spirit Power that will be available for this game. The remaining Spirit cards can go back in the box for now.

Next, each player takes a Realm board and puts it in front of themselves. You also get to choose 1 Shrine from the general pool and place it on your Realm board. This creates your own Shrine Pool. It’s like your special place in the game.

Now, we need to figure out who goes first. The player who has seen a Dragon most recently gets to be the First Player. Just make sure it’s not one of the Dragons in this game, because they don’t count! The First Player gets the First Player token, which will be a helpful reminder during the final round when the game is coming to an end.

How To Build A Dragon Castle

Before we can even begin to play the thrilling game of Dragon Castle, the first thing we need to do is build the Dragon Castle itself! If you want to guarantee a fun and fair experience, especially for your initial games, I highly recommend using one of our basic setups. The process is quite simple – just follow these steps:

1. Start by placing the Central board in the middle of the table, making sure it’s visible to all players.
2. Next, grab all of the tiles and give them a good shuffle to mix them up.
3. Now, you’re ready to begin building the Dragon Castle. The example I’ll provide is for a game with 4 players, but don’t worry, the process is pretty much the same no matter how many players there are.

When it comes to setting up the game, here’s what you need to do:

I’ll start by laying out stacks of 3 random face-up tiles on the spaces marked with a 3. This is an important step because it sets the foundation for the game.

I’m not sure why I have to do it this way, but I guess it adds an element of surprise and unpredictability. It’s like starting with a blank canvas and waiting to see what will emerge.

So, now that you know how to set up the game, let’s move on to the next step.

By following these instructions, you’ll be ready to dive into the captivating world of tile games. Good luck!

First, I place 2 random face-down tiles on the spaces marked with a 2.

Next, I lay out small piles of 2 random face-up tiles on the spaces marked with a 2.

Finally, I place individual random face-up tiles on the spaces marked with a 1.

4. This is what your castle should look like!

Go Ahead and Create Your Own

Once you get the hang of the game, go ahead and let your imagination run wild! Try out different castle designs and see how they affect the pace and atmosphere of the game.

Types of Tiles

Hey there! When you select a tile from the Dragon Castle, you have to make sure it’s an “Available” tile. What does that mean? Well, an Available tile is one that has at least one free long side. This means that there isn’t another tile right next to it on that side.

Now, here’s the cool part – you don’t have to make a decision on the spot. The first thing you do is simply take an Available tile from the top floor of the Dragon Castle. Once you’ve got your tile, you can take a moment to see what’s going on and then decide what action to take next.

Same Tiles

Important: When you play the “Pair of Tiles” move, both tiles must have the same symbols. Just having the same color or type is not enough!

My Turn in the Game

In Dragon Castle, we take turns playing the game. Each player takes their turn in order, going clockwise. It’s my turn now, and I have to choose one of the available actions to perform. After that, I’ll place any tiles I’ve collected on my Realm board.

Also, during my turn, I can choose to discard tiles from my Realm or Shrines from my Shrine Pool to activate the Spirit Power. I can do this at any point during my turn.

Taking an Action

When it’s my turn, I have to choose one Action to perform. There are three options:

Pair of Tiles

When you’re at the Dragon Castle, you get to choose a tile from the top floor. It doesn’t matter which one you pick, just grab any tile that’s available. Then, you’ll need to pick a second tile from any floor of the Dragon Castle. Here’s the catch: the second tile you choose must have the same symbol as the first one you picked. It’s like finding a matching pair!

The Symbols Matter

When you’re at the top floor of the Dragon Castle, you have the freedom to choose any tile that is available to you. Once you make your selection, you’ll want to take 1 Shrine from the general pool and add it to your shrine pool.

Getting Rid of a Tile

When you’re in the Dragon Castle, you have the freedom to choose a tile from the top floor. Once you’ve made your selection, don’t forget to discard that tile. But here’s the exciting part: you get to take 1 victory point (VP) from the general pool and add it to your personal VP pool! This means you’re one step closer to victory.

Oh, and be sure to keep those discarded tiles face down and place them next to your Realm board for safekeeping. We wouldn’t want to lose track of them!

Now, let’s talk about placing tiles. It’s a crucial part of the game, and it’s where you can really flex your strategic muscles. But don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

You see, when you place a tile, you’ll need to take into account its shape and color. The goal is to create sets of matching tiles that are adjacent to each other. It’s like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, except you’re building a beautiful castle.

But wait, there’s more! If you manage to place a tile in such a way that it matches the colors of the tiles it’s touching, you’ll earn even more victory points. It’s like a double-edged sword of strategy and luck.

So, as you navigate the Dragon Castle, remember to choose your tiles wisely, discard them for victory points, and strategically place them to build your castle and earn even more points. Are you ready to embark on this exciting journey? Then let’s get started!

Once I finish my turn, I need to decide where to put the tiles I collected. I can place them anywhere on my Realm board, face up, but only in empty spaces or on top of face-down tiles.

However, I need to remember that I can’t place tiles on top of face-up tiles or on face-down tiles where I’ve already placed a Shrine.

Don’t forget: It’s not necessary to place the tiles next to each other, although sometimes it’s a good idea to do so.

Grouping Tiles Together

There are six different types of tiles. If I manage to place at least 4 tiles of the same type next to each other, I must “Group” them together by flipping them face down.

Note: When playing this game, you need to keep in mind a few important rules. For a set of tiles to be valid, they must be the same type, but they can have different numbers or symbols. Also, for tiles to be considered part of a set, they must be next to each other horizontally or vertically (not diagonally). Lastly, it’s possible for tiles to be on different floors and still be part of the same set.

Consolidating a set of tiles has its perks. You can earn victory points (VPs) based on the number of tiles in the set. The more tiles you include, the more VPs you receive. These VPs come from the general pool and are added to your VP Pool, which is located next to your Realm board.

Note: If you have more than 8 tiles, you’ll earn an additional victory point for each one.

The Different Kinds of Tiles

There are six different types of tiles:

Faction Tiles

Special Tiles

Let’s talk about special tiles! They may seem like ordinary tiles at first glance, but they actually have some unique features that can totally change your game. I’m here to explain all about them!

The first special tile I want to tell you about is the Bomb Tile. When you match four tiles in a line, either horizontally or vertically, a Bomb Tile is created. And let me tell you, this tile is explosive! When you match the Bomb Tile in a line with other tiles, it will explode and clear out a bunch of tiles around it. Talk about a blast!

Next up is the Line Blaster Tile. You can create this special tile by matching five tiles in a line, either horizontally or vertically. The Line Blaster Tile is super powerful! When you match it with other tiles, it will destroy the entire row or column it’s in. It’s like a laser beam that zaps everything in its path!

Now, let me introduce you to the Square Tile. This special tile is created when you match six tiles in a 2×3 square. The Square Tile has a cool trick up its sleeve. When you match it with other tiles, it will explode and take out a big chunk of the board. It’s perfect for those tricky situations when you need a big space cleared quickly.

Last but not least, we have the Color Bomb Tile. This special tile is created when you match five tiles in a T or L shape. It’s a game-changer! When you match the Color Bomb Tile with any other tile, it will clear out all tiles of that color from the board. It’s like a magic eraser that wipes away a whole color!

So, now you know all about the special tiles. They can really make a difference in your game and help you achieve those high scores. Don’t underestimate their power! Keep an eye out for them and see how they can take your gameplay to a whole new level. Happy matching!

Building Shrines

When you combine a group of tiles, you have the option to construct Shrines on top of some or all of those tiles.

The number of Shrines you can construct depends on the type of tiles you’re combining. If you’re combining Faction tiles, you can build 1 Shrine. If you’re combining Special tiles, you can build 2 Shrines instead. And if you’re combining Dragon tiles, you can take 1 VP from the general pool and add it to your VP Pool, on top of the regular VPs you earn from combining tiles.

When the game comes to an end, every Shrine in your Realm will earn you points according to the floor it is on. But here’s the catch: once you’ve placed a Shrine on a face-down tile, you can’t stack any more tiles on top of it.

Scoring Shrines

When the game ends, the Shrines on the first floor will give you 1 Victory Point (VP). If your Shrines are on the second floor, you’ll score 2 VPs. And if your Shrines are on the third floor or higher, you’ll earn 3 VPs.

Remember, you can only have one Shrine on each tile. Plus, you can’t place Shrines on top of any face-down tiles that you Consolidated in a previous turn. You’ll need to build the Shrine right after you Consolidate the tile where you want to place it.

Meet the Spirits and Dragons

Once you get the hang of the basic rules of the game, it’s time to level up and play with Spirit and Dragon cards. But don’t worry, I still suggest starting with the “beginner” cards. You can spot them easily because they have a special mark.

The Power of the Spirits

The Spirit cards give every player a special ability that can be used during the game. You can activate the Spirit card at any point during your turn to trigger its Spirit Power. To activate the Spirit, you need to discard either a face-up tile from your Realm board or a Shrine from your Shrine Pool. Keep in mind that you can only activate a Spirit once per turn.

Important: You are not allowed to discard a tile from your Realm without using the effects of the Spirit Power. So be strategic in your choices.

Note: Hey there! Just wanted to give you a heads up about something cool. When you activate certain Spirit Powers, you might be able to make more than 1 set of at least 4 tiles in a single turn. And guess what? You can actually consolidate those sets when you make them. That means you could even trigger extra Consolidations! How awesome is that?

A Castle that Pleases the Dragons

Hey there! Did you know that there’s a secret to gaining extra points in the game? Let me tell you all about it. So, the Dragon card is something you should definitely keep in mind while building your castle. It offers you a unique way to score some bonus points!

Now, what makes the dragons happy, you might ask? Well, it’s all about creating a castle that pleases their fancy. For example, if you manage to build a symmetrical castle, it’s sure to catch their attention. They also appreciate it when you leave certain tiles face up at the end of the game.

Remember, these bonus points are awarded to you at the end of the game, if they apply to your castle. And trust me, they can really give you an advantage over your opponents. So, don’t forget to consider the dragons’ preferences when you’re constructing your castle. It’s a clever way to boost your score!

How to Activate a Spirit Power

If you want to activate a Spirit Power, you have two options: you can either discard a tile that is face-up in your Realm, or you can use a specific ability that allows you to activate it.

Hey there! So, you know all about Shrines, right? Those neat little buildings that you can place on your island in the Animal Crossing game? Well, let me tell you, they are pretty cool! You can collect different types of Shrines and use them to boost your island’s stats and make it more unique. I mean, who doesn’t want their island to stand out?

Now, when it comes to choosing the right Shrines for your island, there are a few things you need to consider. First off, you should think about what kind of vibe you want your island to have. Are you all about nature and tranquility? Or maybe you’re into that mystical, magical feel? Whatever it is, there’s a Shrine out there for you.

Another thing to keep in mind is the effect that each Shrine has on your island. Different Shrines will give you different bonuses, like increased flower growth or faster tree growth. So, make sure to pick the Shrines that align with your goals and will help you create the island of your dreams.

And here’s a pro tip: don’t be afraid to experiment! You can always change or remove a Shrine from your collection if it’s not working out for you. It’s all about finding what works best for your island and your vision.

So, whether you’re looking for that extra touch of magic or wanting to take your nature-loving island to the next level, Shrines are the way to go. They add a unique flair to your island and can help you achieve your goals. So go out there, explore, and find the perfect Shrines for your island. Happy gaming!

Once you’re feeling really confident in the game, you can challenge yourself by playing with multiple Spirit and/or Dragon cards at once. Having more Spirits will open up strategic possibilities, while dealing with more Dragons will make the game more intense! Go ahead and give it a shot, if you’re brave enough.

Reaching the End

If, at the start of any player’s turn, the Dragon Castle only has tiles left on the ground floor, the game is reaching its conclusion. At this point, all players gain a new option: the ability to perform a “Summon the Dragon” action as their turn.

Summon the Dragon: Choose the rightmost token from the Countdown track. Each token is worth 2 victory points at the end of the game.

You could still opt for any of the regular Actions if you want. But if there are no more tiles left in the Dragon Castle, you HAVE TO Summon the Dragon.

When you see the exclamation mark symbol on the Countdown track, it means the Eldest Dragon has been summoned, and the game will end soon (see “Triggering the Final Round” on the left). However, the game continues with all players taking turns until the player to the right of the First Player finishes their next turn (so that everyone plays the same number of turns).

If you want to, you can still Summon the Dragon by drawing tokens from the remaining stack on the final space of the track.

Once all the players have taken their final turns and the game is coming to a close, it’s time to calculate our points and determine the winner. Let’s go through the different factors to consider:

First, let’s count up the points from the VP tokens we have gathered throughout the game. These tokens represent our accomplishments and progress, so each one adds to our total score. Next, we’ll take into account the Shrines we have constructed. These impressive structures are worth a significant number of points and can elevate our score.

We should also check if we have collected any Countdown tokens. These tokens can give us a boost in points, so we’ll include them in our calculations. Lastly, we need to remember to consider the objective on our Dragon card. Meeting the objective will earn us additional points to add to our total.

Now that we have accounted for all the different elements, it’s time to determine the winner. The player with the highest number of points will be crowned the champion! But what happens if there is a tie?

If multiple players have the same number of points, we need to dig deeper to find a winner. First, we’ll look at the number of stacks of tiles with a face-down tile on top. The player with the most of these stacks will take the lead. If there is still a tie after this, we’ll move on to the number of Shrines in each player’s Realm. The player with the most Shrines will then secure the victory.

But sometimes, against all odds, there is still a tie. In this rare scenario, the victory will be shared among the tied players. It’s a testament to their skill and strategy that they managed to achieve such a remarkable result.

How Do We Trigger the Final Round?

If you see an exclamation mark, it means the last round is starting.

If you don’t have any tiles you like, but you don’t want the game to end, you can still discard a tile. This way, you’ll still earn points without making the game finish! You can also use this action to take away a tile that another player wants!