- BGG rank
- BGG #9,242
- BGG rating
- 7.1
The Champion of the Wild (Second Edition)
- 3–8 players
- 20–90 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,388
- BGG rating
- 6.8
The Champion of the Wild
2018
Rules assistance for The Champion of the Wild
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–8 players
- 20–35 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.2/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for The Champion of the Wild
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
The Champion of the Wild is a board game released in 2018 for 3–8 players, 20–35 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Tom Clare and its main mechanics are Voting.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,573
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Once Upon a Time: The Storytelling Card Game
- 2–6 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 1993
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,755
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Muse: Awakenings
- 2–12 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,087
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Имаджинариум (Imaginarium)
- 4–7 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2011
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,384
- BGG rating
- 6.7
El portero Baldomero
- 3–8 players
- 15–20 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #267
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Secret Hitler
- 5–10 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #362
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Dixit: Odyssey
- 3–12 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2011
- BGG rank
- BGG #436
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Dixit
- 3–8 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2008
- BGG rank
- BGG #901
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Detective Club
- 4–8 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #911
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Dixit: Journey
- 3–6 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,385
- BGG rating
- 6.5
The Chameleon
- 3–8 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,061
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Muse
- 2–12 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2017
About the game
The Champion of the Wild, formerly known as The Animal Games, is a light-hearted card-based social game for 3-8 players based on the following theme: Players have attained super-stardom and handsome riches over many years due to their innate ability to communicate with and to coach animals of all different species. Now the greatest animal coaches from around the world (the participating players) have gathered for the ultimate test of their training prowess to see who will become The Champion of the Wild. Three events are first selected - one from each of five different categories (speed, power, endurance, technical and team). These events can be any measurable activity, examples including the 100m sprint, high jump, ballroom dancing and hide-and-seek. Players are then dealt a hand of animal cards to choose from and must select one single animal to represent them across all three events, competing against the animals selected by the other players. These events are then played out by way of animated discussion and players then vote according to their opinion on the likely rankings (excluding their own animal when voting). Votes score points for the appropriate players and the player with the most points after three events wins. The Champion of the Wild combines the fun and laughter of a conversation-driven social game with the challenge of strategic thinking required for animal selection and event tactics. Who will be your champion?
Questions and answers
The Champion of the Wild supports 3–8 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 The Champion of the Wild is 20–35 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 The Champion of the Wild for ages 8 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.
The Champion of the Wild has a complexity rating of 1.2 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.
The Champion of the Wild belongs to these categories: Card Game, Humor, and Animals. Its main mechanics are Voting. 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 The Champion of the Wild are: Tom Clare. 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 The Champion of the Wild 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.