Prologue: A Deck in the Flames

The old king and the enemy monarch recognized each other on the battlefield—twenty years ago, they were young comrades-in-arms fighting side by side while fleeing for their lives.

"Klenz," said the old king, "look at what I've brought you."

"A deck, and a war."

War broke out between the two kingdoms, and those who fell were the strength of the nations and the beloved of their people. So they made a pact: to replace actual war with a card game.

However, the pact of peace was betrayed. The old king was ambushed by fire on his way back to the city, falling in a pool of blood; while the enemy monarch was struck down by divine judgment on his own journey home. The two nations became mortal enemies. The cards that symbolized peace, and the secrets of the two kings, all turned to ashes.

Years later, you become the heir of one of the six kingdoms, taking your seat at the council table to attend the annual Alliance Peace Conference. Six nations vie for the Crown at the conference, and the card game has become the battlefield.

In the world of Crown's Gambit, the six kingdoms hold a council each year to battle for the crown symbolizing supreme royal authority. War is forbidden during the council; instead, card battles take its place.

Core Gameplay: The Six Kingdoms' War at the Council Table

Six monarchs are divided into two federations, engaging in a 3v3 federal duel. Your seat at the table determines your fate:

• Sitting directly opposite you is your Arch-Rival. Stop them at all costs. If they fail to escort the Queen back to the city (fail to Open) or fail to be the first to finish their cards and claim the crown, they become vassals of your kingdom and must pay tribute to you at the next council to redeem their captured Queen. (Tribute requires a certain number of high cards; Papal/Bishop cards are not included in tribute.)

• To your left and right are the Pact Nations, with whom you have signed a peace treaty. They are opponents, but you cannot attack their Royal Knights during the council. Attacking the Knights of a Pact Nation or an Ally will invoke God's Punishment (it is said that King Klenz died from divine judgment after breaking his pact). If you break the pact, you must play the Bishop cards (the Jokers) to avoid divine judgment, or you will become a vassal of the enemy nation. But if you successfully break the pact and claim the crown, you will capture the opposing Queen and force them to pay tribute to redeem her at the next council.

• Across the table, one seat removed, are your Allies. They will help you claim the crown. Of course, attacking an Ally's Royal Knights will also invoke divine punishment.

【Core Card Types】

• The Royal Knights are your trump cards: formed by combinations like five 10s, four Jacks, three Queens, or two Kings. Only Knight members can escort the Queen.

• Your Queen (Small 4): Must be escorted back by the Royal Knights. If you fail, the Queen is captured, and you must pay tribute to redeem her next year.

• Your King (Single 3): Must be played as your very last card, safely reaching the finish line. If trapped by the opponent, the entire alliance becomes passive.

• Commoners (5-9): Basic card types, where quantity determines their strength.

【Three Phases of Battle】

• Act I (The Prelude): The Queen is on her way to the council, and even the Royal Knights cannot escort her back to the capital yet.

• Act II (The Council): You can now escort the Queen, and attacking the Royal Knights of non-enemy nations will invoke divine judgment.

• Act III (The Mêlée): Unlocks when only 4 or fewer nations remain. Escorting the Queen is no longer allowed, and divine judgment is suspended. Fight to your heart's content to claim the final Crown!

【Coronation Moment & Systems】

• Card Announcement: When a player's hand drops to 10 cards or fewer, they must publicly reveal the remaining count. From this moment on, you become the focus of the whole table—your allies will support you with all their might to push for the throne, while your opponents will do everything in their power to stop you.

• Federal Scoring: Points are calculated for the alliance as a whole each round; the honor belongs to the federation. Even if the federation fails, individuals who perform exceptionally well can still earn high points—honor is not limited to victory.

• Customization: Each nation features unique backgrounds, emotes, and monarch skins. Define your kingdom your way.

• Six Factions: Each monarch has a unique backstory and initial inclinations—which faction will you represent?

How long can your honor defend the throne?

“Unite your allies, seize the crown.”

Crown's Gambit is more than just a poker game; it is a narrative of trust, betrayal, and honor. Every card is either a stepping stone to the throne or a trap leading into the abyss.