How To Be VILLAINS: Rules And Strategies For The Disney Card Game

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VILLAINS is a Disney-themed hand-shedding card game designed for 3 to 6 players, ages 8 and up, published by Ravensburger. The game centers around players taking on the role of iconic Disney villains, Maleficent, Jafar, Captain Hook, Scar, Ursula, and Cruella de Vil—each with a unique deck of 20 cards, including numbered cards (1–6) and special power cards unique to each villain.

What You Need To Play VILLAINS

• Objective: Build a strong team of villains, avoid the heroes, and have the most points by the end of the game
• Number of players: 3 to 6 players
• Materials: 120-card deck, instruction manual
• Type of game: Card game
• Audience: Ages 8+

Setting Up The Game

1. Choose a Villain: Each player selects a villain and takes the matching deck.
2. Decks: Each villain has a deck of cards, typically numbered and colored.
3. Shuffle: Shuffle your deck and draw a starting hand (usually 4 cards).
4. Determine First Player: The player with the most villainous laugh goes first; play proceeds clockwise.
5. Objective: Build the strongest VILLAINS team, avoid giving points to opponents, and finish with the most points.

How To Play VILLAINS

On Your Turn:

1. Play a card from your hand to a discard pile, either your own or an adjacent opponent’s.
2. The card must match the color or number of the top card on the chosen discard pile.
3. If your card matches both adjacent opponents’ piles, choose which one to play on.
4. You must always play a card on your turn.

Scoring In VILLAINS:

1. Cards in your own discard pile score points for you at the end.
2. Cards you play on opponents’ piles score points for them, so avoid this if possible.

Special Abilities:

Some cards have special effects, such as moving cards between piles or forcing discards.

How To End The Game

1. Game End: The VILLAINS ends when all cards have been played.
2. Scoring: Each player counts the points from the cards in their own discard pile.
3. Winner: The player with the most points is the winner.

Strategies To Win VILLAINS

1. Maximize Your Pile: Try to play as many cards as possible onto your own discard pile to maximize your end-game points.
2. Minimize Opponents’ Points: Avoid playing cards onto opponents’ piles unless forced by the rules.
3. Card Management: Hold onto cards that only match your own pile to avoid helping others.
4. Use Special Abilities Wisely: Time your special cards to disrupt opponents or protect your own pile.
5. Observe Opponents: Watch their discard piles and anticipate their moves to block high-value plays.
6. Tip: The key is balancing offense (building your pile) and defense (blocking opponents), while adapting to the ever-changing card colors and numbers in play.

Also Read: How To Play BLURBLE: Rules, Setup, And Winning Tips