- BGG rank
- BGG #8,751
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Jericho
- 3–5 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 2006
- BGG rank
- BGG #12,252
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Middle Kingdom
2008
Rules assistance for Middle Kingdom
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–5 players
- 40 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.0/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Middle Kingdom
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Middle Kingdom is a board game released in 2008 for 2–5 players, 40 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Thomas Lehmann and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and Auction / Bidding.
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About the game
A fast card game where players blind bid for dynasty cards such as warriors, nobles, bureaucrats, peasants, and merchants. You must balance your claims to score well at the end. There are special cards gotten from having the most in a category that give you a bonus, often affecting the bidding process. For example, the Palace lets you see all bids before placing yours and the Heir lets you claim an unclaimed dynasty card. From back of the box: Following the collapse of the Han Dynasty, warlords backed rival claimants to the Chinese Throne, while others sought influence among the merchants, nobles, farmers, and bureaucrats. Each round, players play Bid Cards to claim Dynasty Cards and take control of the Emperor, Heir, Palace, Market, and Harvest. However, the heavens in the guise of a Celestial Dragon, can disrupt the best laid plans. The game ends as the Emperor dies and whoever gains the most influence will ascen the throne.
Designers
Publishers
- Z-Man Games
Questions and answers
Middle Kingdom 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 Middle Kingdom is 40 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 Middle Kingdom for ages 12 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.
Middle Kingdom has a complexity rating of 2.0 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.
Middle Kingdom belongs to these categories: Card Game and Ancient. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and Auction / Bidding. 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 Middle Kingdom are: Thomas Lehmann. 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 Middle Kingdom 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.