How to play King of Tokyo: rules, kaiju and strategies explained

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By: Melanie Davis

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King of Tokyo is the hilarious board game where players take on the roles of giant, city-destroying monsters. Think of it as a mix between a Saturday morning cartoon and a kaiju-themed comedy show.

You and your friends will engage in epic battles while embodying the most outlandish creatures imaginable – from radioactive lizards to disco-loving aliens. Your goal? To become the King (or Queen) of Tokyo by either obliterating your fellow monsters or amassing enough Victory Points to rule the city.

As you roll giant dice, you’ll unleash bizarre abilities and engage in absurd battles, like a lizard trying to out-hippo a hippo or a robot cat attempting to out-jump a bunny.

So, whether you’re smacking your pals out of Tokyo, stealing energy from power plants, or simply plotting diabolical monster mayhem, “King of Tokyo” is a riotous romp that guarantees a monstrous good time for all!

What’s included in King of Tokyo

  1. Game Board: The board represents Tokyo City, with two zones: Tokyo City and Tokyo Bay.
  2. Monster Standees: Each player selects a monster and places its standee in the starting zone.
  3. Energy Cubes: Energy cubes are the game’s currency and can be used to buy power-up cards.
  4. Special Power Cards: These cards provide unique abilities and are purchased with energy cubes.
  5. Victory Point (VP) Tokens: Used to track your victory points.
  6. Dice: Six dice with various symbols, including numbers, claws, hearts, energy, and lightning bolt.

How to play King of Tokyo?

King of Tokyo is a fun and fast-paced board game where players take on the roles of giant monsters competing to become the King of Tokyo. In this game, you’ll roll dice, use special powers, and battle other monsters to achieve victory. Here’s a detailed guide on how to play King of Tokyo:

Setup

  1. Each player chooses a monster and takes its corresponding standee, VP tokens (starting with 0), and energy cubes (starting with 0).
  2. Place the game board in the center of the table.
  3. All special power cards are shuffled into a face-down deck.
  4. Roll all the dice and place them nearby.

Rules for King of Tokyo

King of Tokyo is played in turns, with the following phases:

1. Roll Dice

  • At the start of your turn, roll all the dice.
  • You can re-roll any number of dice up to two times, keeping the results you want between rolls.

2. Resolve Dice

  • Dice results can have various effects:
    • Numbers (1-3): Each number rolled scores you 1 victory point per number.
    • Claws: These are attacks. If you roll claws, you can choose to attack monsters in Tokyo (if you’re outside) or monsters outside Tokyo (if you’re inside). Each claw dealt to another monster forces them to lose 1 VP.
    • Hearts: Hearts represent healing. Each heart rolled allows you to recover 1 lost VP.
    • Energy: Energy cubes are collected for later use. You gain 1 energy cube per energy symbol rolled.
    • Lightning Bolt: These symbols are used to buy special power cards from the available cards or discard piles.

3. Choose Action

  • Based on your dice results, you can choose different actions:
    • Score Victory Points: You can keep any numbers rolled as VP.
    • Attack: If you rolled claws, you can attack other monsters as described above.
    • Heal: You can heal by using hearts to recover lost VP.
    • Collect Energy: Collect energy cubes based on your dice rolls.
    • Buy Special Power Cards: Spend energy cubes to purchase available special power cards.

4. Move into or out of Tokyo

  • If you’re not in Tokyo, you can choose to move in. If you’re already in Tokyo, you can choose to leave. When you enter Tokyo, you gain 1 VP.

5. End Turn

  • After taking actions, your turn ends. Pass the dice to the next player clockwise.

Special Power Cards

  • Special power cards provide unique abilities that can change the game dynamics. You can buy them during your turn using energy cubes.

Leaving Tokyo

  • If you leave Tokyo voluntarily, the monster that caused you to leave takes your place. If you leave involuntarily (due to damage), you choose who enters Tokyo in your place.

Entering Tokyo

  • When you enter Tokyo, you gain 1 VP. If you enter Tokyo when it’s empty, you also gain 2 VP.

Special Tokyo Rules

  • In a 5- or 6-player game, Tokyo City and Tokyo Bay can be occupied simultaneously. The first monster to enter Tokyo claims Tokyo City, and the second claims Tokyo Bay. Attacks and effects apply to all monsters in both zones.

Winning the Game

  • To win, a player must either reach 20 VP or be the last monster standing (i.e., all other monsters are defeated).

For the official rules, see the link below:

All kaiju in-game

Here’s a detailed look at the monsters you can encounter in the game:

  1. The King: The game’s titular character, The King, is a massive gorilla with a crown on his head. He’s known for his brutish strength and relentless desire to rule Tokyo.
  2. Cyber Kitty: This high-tech robotic cat is the embodiment of the future. Cyber Kitty’s abilities are often energy-based, reflecting the advanced technology it possesses.
  3. Alienoid: Alienoid is a classic extraterrestrial creature with a flying saucer on its back. Its abilities are often related to UFOs and alien technology, making it a formidable adversary.
  4. Gigazaur: Gigazaur is a towering dinosaur, reminiscent of Godzilla. With its immense size and raw power, Gigazaur is a force to be reckoned with in the city.
  5. Meka Dragon: This mechanical dragon boasts a futuristic, cyberpunk aesthetic. Meka Dragon’s abilities focus on energy manipulation and advanced weaponry.
  6. The Kraken: The Kraken is a legendary sea monster, released from the depths of the ocean to terrorize Tokyo. It often uses tentacles and water-themed abilities.
  7. Pandakai: Pandakai is a giant, rampaging panda with a penchant for destruction. Its abilities are a mix of brute strength and panda-themed chaos.
  8. Space Penguin: A quirky addition to the monster lineup, Space Penguin is a penguin in a space helmet. Its abilities are often cosmic and whimsical, reflecting its interstellar adventures.
  9. Boogie Woogie: Boogie Woogie is a dance-loving, disco-dancing alien. Its abilities revolve around dance moves, music, and the power of rhythm.
  10. Captain Fish: Captain Fish is a futuristic, underwater hero with a humanoid appearance and fish-like characteristics. His abilities often involve aquatic themes and underwater adventures.

Strategies to be the ultimate Kaiju

  1. Balancing Act: Striking a balance between attacking and collecting Victory Points (VP) is essential. While attacking other monsters can be beneficial, focusing solely on VP can also lead to victory. Keep an eye on the VP track, and if you’re close to winning through points, consider avoiding conflicts to stay in the game longer.
  2. Assess Risk vs. Reward: Attacking monsters in Tokyo can be lucrative, but it also makes you a target. Calculate the risk of taking damage versus the rewards of dealing damage or earning energy cubes. Sometimes, playing it safe is the better option.
  3. Energy Management: Energy cubes are a valuable resource. Use them to purchase special power cards that grant unique abilities and advantages. Some of these cards can significantly impact the game, so collect energy cubes when possible.
  4. Controlling Tokyo: When in Tokyo, your goal is to maximize your points while maintaining your health. Consider staying in Tokyo to accumulate VP, but be ready to vacate if your HP gets too low. Don’t linger in Tokyo for too long, as you’ll become a prime target.
  5. Purchasing Special Powers: Invest in special power cards that complement your monster’s abilities or give you an edge in specific situations. Some cards provide healing, protection, or extra attacks, enhancing your overall strategy.
  6. Timing: Pay attention to the number of players and their statuses. If another player is close to winning, it may be in your best interest to focus on attacking them rather than pursuing VP for yourself.
  7. Adapt to Your Monster: Each monster has unique abilities and strengths. Tailor your strategy to your monster’s strengths. For example, if you’re playing Gigazaur, capitalize on its high attack potential. If you’re Cyber Kitty, focus on collecting energy and using special power cards.
  8. Avoid Risks When Necessary: Sometimes, it’s better to play defensively. If you have low health and are not close to winning through VP, prioritize healing and avoiding damage to stay in the game.
  9. Eliminating Threats: If a specific player is consistently gaining VP or poses a significant threat, target them to reduce their chances of winning. Cooperative strategies can emerge naturally as players try to prevent a potential victor.
  10. Mind the Dice: Be mindful of the dice combinations. For instance, a roll that includes multiple hearts can be an opportunity to heal and stay in Tokyo longer. Understanding the dice probabilities can help you make informed decisions.
  11. Stay Engaged: Pay attention to the game and other players’ moves. Player interaction is a key aspect of King of Tokyo, and keeping an eye on your opponents can help you formulate effective strategies.
  12. Enjoy the Chaos: King of Tokyo is a lighthearted and often unpredictable game. Embrace the chaos and humor of the game, and don’t be afraid to take risks or make bold moves for the sake of entertainment.

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