How to play Exploding Kittens is introduced as a unique and novel form of entertainment.
This game has been making waves everywhere recently. The rules of this game have many differences compared to other prominent board games.
What is Exploding Kittens? Introduction to the game
Exploding Kittens is a famous board game worldwide, known internationally as Exploding Kittens. This game was designed by Elan Lee and Shane Small based on the webcomic The Oatmeal by Matthew Inman. It is also known as Kamikaze Kittens, a game that allows 2 to 5 players to participate.
Exploding Kittens was created to raise funds from the community on Kickstarter. Exceeding expectations, it raised the target amount of $10,000 in just 8 minutes. It is rated as a game with simple yet incredibly engaging gameplay. Groups of young people often play it during gatherings at cafes or outdoors.
The cards in Exploding Kittens board game feature cute, funny, and whimsical illustrations. There is also an expanded version of Exploding Kittens that can accommodate up to 10 players.
Rules of Exploding Kittens and how to determine the winner
How to play Exploding Kittens includes a few basic to advanced rules; however, they are not too complicated. Each game will use a deck of Exploding Kittens cards throughout the play.
Players will take turns drawing cards; anyone who draws an Exploding Kitten card will be eliminated from the game immediately. However, if they have a Defuse card, they can continue the game. The game ends when only one player remains – the winner.
Preparation in the Exploding Kittens game
To start the game, players need to prepare a few basic steps in advance. The deck consists of 56 cards, which is suitable for 2 to 5 players.
If you combine 2 decks together, you can increase the number of players to 8 or 9. In this article, I will focus on the standard deck for a maximum of 5 players.
- Step 1: Remove 10 special cards from the deck: 4 Exploding Kittens and 6 Defuse cards. These cards determine whether a player can continue or not. Therefore, they cannot be dealt to players at the start but need to be accumulated during the game.
- Step 2: Shuffle the deck thoroughly and deal 4 face-down cards to each player.
- Step 3: Deal 1 Defuse card to each person. Thus, at the beginning of the game, each player will have 5 cards.
- Step 4: Shuffle the remaining cards back into the undealt pile randomly. The number of Exploding Kittens cards used = Total number of players – 1. If there are any left over, the extra Exploding Kittens cards will be discarded.
- Step 5: Shuffle the remaining Defuse cards back into the undealt pile randomly. The number of Defuse cards added = Total number of players.
- Step 6: Shuffle the deck one more time and place it in the center of the playing table.
- Step 7: Choose a player to start the game according to the rules of Exploding Kittens.
How to play Exploding Kittens: Unbreakable rules
The way to play Exploding Kittens includes several rules that everyone must follow. The rules in different regions may vary slightly but not significantly.
Unbreakable rules- When it’s your turn, you have the right to play one card or a group of cards from your hand onto the table. After that, you need to follow the instructions on those cards; of course, players have the right not to play any cards at all.
- If you have completed the instructions of the card or group of cards, you may play additional cards. Thus, in a turn, a player can play as many cards as they wish.
- End your turn by drawing a card from the pile in the center. The special point is that players will play first and then draw.
- Next, the player to your left will start their turn.
A few points to note in playing Exploding Kittens:
- Players are not allowed to count how many cards are left in the undealt pile.
- The cards are calculated so that when determining the winner, there are still cards left in the undealt pile.
- There are no specific regulations on the number of cards in a player’s hand. Playing all the cards in hand is completely normal.
Exploding Kittens cards
In the next Exploding Kittens gameplay guide, I will introduce and explain the function of all the cards. The deck consists of 56 cards encompassing 9 different types, each with a completely distinct function.
1/ Exploding Kittens card – Quantity: 4
As mentioned above, the Exploding Kittens card causes the player to lose immediately. If you draw it, you must reveal it immediately to inform the other players.
Unless you have a Defuse card in hand, you will explode and cannot continue the game. Otherwise, you must discard all the cards in your hand and end the game.
The cards in the Exploding Kittens game2/ Defuse card – Quantity: 6
The Defuse card allows players to avoid being eliminated from the game if they accidentally draw an Exploding Kittens card. In the unfortunate event, you can place the Defuse card down and continue the game.
After that, you can place the exploding kitten card in any position in the unplayed section. Of course, players can completely place the exploding card on top to eliminate the player behind them.
3/ Nope Card – Quantity: 5
Nope card is a card that can block any action of other cards except for Exploding Kittens and Defuse. Players have the right to use the Nope card to negate another player’s Nope card even if it is not their turn.
4/ Attack Card – Quantity: 4
The Attack card allows you to end your turn immediately without drawing any additional cards. Additionally, the next player will have to draw 2 cards consecutively.
That player will play their first card as usual, then draw 1 card. When the turn ends according to the basic exploding kitten game guide, they must draw 1 more card. Notably, if a player has received an Attack card and draws another similar card, they immediately end their turn and the next player will draw 2 cards.
5/ Skip Card – Quantity: 4
The Skip card allows you to end your turn without drawing any additional cards. If you use the Skip card to counter an Attack card, you will only skip 1 draw, and the remaining turns must still draw as usual.
According to the exploding kitten game guide, to skip both turns, you must play 2 Skip cards at once.
Special cards in exploding kittens6/ See the Future Card – Quantity: 5
The See the Future card in the exploding kitten game allows players to see the first 3 cards in the unplayed deck. Of course, you are not allowed to disclose this to other players.
7/ Shuffle Card – Quantity: 4
The Shuffle card allows you to shuffle the entire unplayed deck, which is an effective way to avoid the exploding kitten if the player does not have a Defuse card in hand.
8/ Favor Card – Quantity: 4
Once the Favor card is played, you have the right to ask any player to give you a card. However, as per the exploding kitten game, they have the right to decide which card to give you.
9/ Remaining Cards – Quantity: 4
These cards have no effect if played individually on the table, so they are not considered important. According to the exploding kitten game, the deck of 56 cards will have 5 types of such cards, each type having 4 cards.
However, if played in pairs, you have the right to choose any player and take a random card from their hand.
Example of a basic exploding kitten turn
The way to play exploding kittens always follows the rules regarding turns and the effects of the cards described above. Of course, each of your turns can unfold in many different directions.
But how to play optimally and effectively, I will illustrate with a typical example as follows:
- Turn 1: You use the peek card and see the top 3 cards. Unfortunately, the card you are about to draw is Exploding Kittens.
- Turn 2: You use the Attack card to end your turn immediately and force the next player to play 2 turns.
- Turn 3: Knowing your bad intentions, the opponent uses the Skip card.
- Turn 4: You decide to use the Shuffle card to avoid drawing the Exploding Kittens card.
- Turn 5: Draw a card and hope it’s not the Exploding Kittens card (you should have a Defuse card just in case).
Advanced Exploding Kittens Gameplay for Pros
In the content of explaining the rules of Exploding Kittens, the advanced part is mentioned at the end. If you are a beginner, you should master the basic gameplay before referring to this part.
Besides playing each card and following its requirements, you can play cards of the same type and multiply the effects multiple times.
Playing Exploding Kittens in combos may not follow the guidelines above:
- Play 2 cards of the same type: Only applies to cards without special effects. Effect: You can take a random card from any player’s hand.
- Play 3 cards of the same type: Only applies to cards without special effects. Effect: You can take a card of your choice from any player’s hand. If they do not have it, you will not get anything.
- Play 5 cards of the same type: Applies to both cards with and without special effects. Effect: You can take a card of your choice from the pile of played cards. However, other players can use a Nope card to block this action if you take too long to choose.
Conclusion
Exploding Kittens gameplay includes many different parts, but they are very easy to remember. The functions are clearly stated on the cards, so you don’t need to memorize them. This game is particularly suitable for cat lovers as the cards feature images related to this adorable pet.
