- BGG rank
- BGG #1,319
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Boss Fighters QR
- 2–4 players
- 40–60 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2025
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- BGG #21,252
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Kyū
2024
Rules assistance for Kyū
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–5 players
- 20 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.0/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Kyū
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Kyū is a board game released in 2024 for 2–5 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Michael Palm and Lukas Zach and its main mechanics are Set Collection.
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About the game
Kyū, which means "nine" in Japanese, is a tactical card game in which you win by controlling three nobles at the same time. Each noble favors a different arrangement of cards, such as the longest straight, the most cards of the same color, or as many of the same card as possible. The deck consists of cards numbered 1-9 in either red or black. Each player starts with cards in hand, along with other cards in a face-up display. Gameplay takes place in phases, with players first swapping a card from the display with one from their hand or drawing from the deck, then discarding. After this phase ends, the nobles issue challenges, going to whoever best satisfies them, although they can be won away from you in the future. Ideally you can build a hand that's flexible enough to satisfy three nobles during a single challenge...
Questions and answers
Kyū supports 2–5 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 Kyū 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 Kyū 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.
Kyū has a complexity rating of 1.0 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.
Kyū belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Set Collection. 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 Kyū are: Michael Palm and Lukas Zach. 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 Kyū 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.