- BGG rank
- BGG #4,652
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Maharani
- 2–4 players
- 40 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #12,483
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Kardinal
2000
Rules assistance for Kardinal
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.2/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Kardinal
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Kardinal is a board game released in 2000 for 2–4 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Wolfgang Panning and its main mechanics are Tile Placement.
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About the game
A quick little abstract strategy where players take turns placing buildings in a growing city. There are 7 rules that make placing buildings a little tricky (e.g. no buildings of the same type next to each other). When you place a building, you gain points in the colors that you placed your piece next to. At the end of the game, double the color you scored highest in and add up the rest (including the points in your color the other players didn't score) - Highest total wins.
Questions and answers
Kardinal supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Kardinal is 20 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 Kardinal for ages 10 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.
Kardinal has a complexity rating of 2.2 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
Kardinal belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Tile Placement. 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 Kardinal are: Wolfgang Panning. 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 Kardinal 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.