Dědicové trůnu Card Game Review

The Emperor of Oshra is dead, and tensions between the Highlanders and the Imperial Army are rising. The Merfolk struggle to maintain order and balance between these ancient enemies, while the Undead army hungers for war. The fate of the island rests on one of the six heirs to the throne. Who will manage to claim the crown and bring peace to the island?

Before we dive into the conflict, let's cover the basics. Dědicové trůnu is published in Czech by Rexhry. The recommended age is 10 and up. The game is designed for 2–6 players and takes about 20–40 minutes to play. The more players vying for the throne, the longer the game lasts.

First Impressions and Rules

Dědicové trůnu is a fantasy strategy card game packed with deduction and player interaction. The box is quite compact, fitting easily into a travel backpack. It includes a small game board of Oshra with a numerical scale, two wooden markers, a deck of hero cards, and six heir cards. The rules are laid out over about fifteen A5 pages, but don't worry—the text is clear, simple, and easy to grasp. You'll also find illustrated examples, which makes it quick for beginners to get started—always a nice plus.

The cards themselves are wider and sturdy enough that you don't have to worry about them wearing out from frequent play. What we really have to highlight, however, are the illustrations and the Czech translation. The cards feature a unique, almost fairytale-like art style that fits the game perfectly. As the cherry on top, you get to enjoy a truly amazing and witty translation. Just look at names like “úkladný úhoř” (treacherous eel) or “pyšný napichovač” (proud pin-sticker)—they’ll definitely put a smile on your face, right?

How to Play Dědicové trůnu

As mentioned, the game is beautifully simple, yet there are several ways to win. At the start, each player draws one of the six heirs, representing two of the four factions: Highlanders, Imperial Army, Undead, and Merfolk. You place your heir card face down in front of you. Then, you draw a set number of cards, and the race for the throne begins. By playing hero cards, you move the Highlander and Imperial Army markers on the game board's scale.

After playing a card, you place the hero on the table next to your heir. These heroes form your party. Once a player reaches the required number of cards in their party, the game ends. However, being first doesn't necessarily mean victory. The trick is that each faction has a different winning condition based on the positions of the markers on the board. At the end of the game, multiple players might meet their conditions, but the winner is the one who has the most hero cards of the winning faction in their party. One way to help yourself win is to use deduction to figure out which faction your opponents are supporting so you can sabotage them effectively. You’ll be taking heroes from opponents' parties, swapping their cards, or delaying or accelerating the end of the game… In short, doing whatever it takes to ensure your faction wins and your heir takes the throne.

Verdict

The game’s design, size, and gameplay are very pleasant, and you’ll learn it in just a few minutes. Whether you play with two, four, or six players, it’s equally enjoyable. With two players, it’s obviously easier to figure out which faction your opponent is supporting. You also have a much better overview of the cards they’ve played and the heroes in their party. With more players, the game becomes more demanding as you keep track of your opponents. You’ll often find yourself peeking at their cards to see which heroes they have, which naturally extends the playtime.

That doesn't change the fact that the game is truly great. Even if its appearance makes it look like a children's game, believe me, adults will enjoy it just as much. Plus, thanks to its modest size, you can take it anywhere—play it on a train, a bus, or on vacation. Dědicové trůnu is an accessible and very simple game that offers plenty of fun regardless of age, and with its short playtime, it won't take more than an hour.

So don't wait for anything and hurry to resolve the chaos on the island of Oshra!

Available Expansion

If you really enjoy the game, you can enhance it with the expansion titled Královny a Rádce, which adds 18 new cards and expands your options. If you take the game on the road, you’ll also appreciate another component of the expansion: cards that fully replace the cardboard game board, further reducing the space required to play.

author: Daniel Korčák