
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,772
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Crusader Kings
- 1–5 players
- 180 min
- Complexity 3.4/5
- 2019

2014
Rules assistance for Hawken: Real-Time Card Game
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Hawken: Real-Time Card Game is a board game released in 2014 for 2 players, 20–30 minutes per game, and ages 15 and up. It was designed by Matt Hyra and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Simultaneous Action Selection, and Campaign / Battle Card Driven.
NOTE: Hawken was released in two sets, Hawken: Real-Time Card Game – Sharpshooter vs. Bruiser and Hawken: Real-Time Card Game – Scout vs. Grenadier. There was never a release with everything together. Based on the hit video game, Hawken! Grab a Mech and get to fighting… fast! Your deck of cards contains primary and secondary weapons systems, thrusters, special abilities, and various other high-tech instruments of war. Draw cards and place them onto the table as fast as you can, but be careful or you might overheat! If you don't wish to play a card, place it face down and it acts as cover for the round, absorbing a bit of damage from your opponent. The action is in real-time, but a game round ends when a player snags the FIRE! button from the center of the table. The speed of the Mechs are calculated, which determines the engagement range. Then weapons are fired and internal heat is generated. Quick reflexes are helpful, but a quick mind will win every time!
Hawken: Real-Time Card Game supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Hawken: Real-Time Card Game is 20–30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Hawken: Real-Time Card Game for ages 15 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Hawken: Real-Time Card Game has a complexity rating of 1.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Hawken: Real-Time Card Game belongs to these categories: Card Game, Video Game Theme, and Real-time. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Simultaneous Action Selection, and Campaign / Battle Card Driven. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Hawken: Real-Time Card Game are: Matt Hyra. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Hawken: Real-Time Card Game as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.