Secret Kingdoms is known by many names: Kingdoms, Commander Mafia, EDH Bang, Roles, Usurper, and more. Regardless of the name, the rules (more or less) remain the same.
The game is made up of the following roles:
You begin the game with 10 extra life. You win by surviving alone or with the KNIGHT.
If you are defeated by the USURPER exchange roles with them (if this happens during your turn end it). As the new USURPER your life total becomes 5. Reset all commander damage done to you and any counters put on you.
Your goal is to make sure the KING wins the game.
If the KING is defeated by the USURPER you become an ASSASSIN. As an ASSASSIN you win the game by making sure the KING is the very last to be defeated.
Your goal is to make sure the KING is the very last to be defeated. If the KING is defeated by the Usurper, you become the KNIGHT. As the KNIGHT you win the game by making sure the KING wins the game.
You are one of two BANDITS. Your goal is to survive long enough to see the KING die.
You cannot win the game as the USURPER.
If you kill the KING, reveal this card, When you reveal this card, you become the KING and your life total becomes 10 plus your starting life. The new USURPER’s life become 5.
At the start of the game each player is dealt a role facedown. Each player may look at their role but they must keep their role a secret, unless their roles says otherwise.
In a 5 player game you’ll use the following roles: 1 King, 1 Knight, 2 Bandits, and 1 Assassin.
In a 6 player game you’ll use the following roles: 1 King, 1 Knight, 2 Bandits, 1 Assassin, and 1 Usurper
1. Normal commander rules apply
2. No one is considered a "teammate" in regards to magic card effects (things that would normally work in two-headed giant won't work here).
3. Unless a role explicitly states to reveal it, no one should reveal their role until the end of the game.
After almost exclusively playing this format for 2 years, my playgroup and I began to make changes to the existing roles we felt made this already fun variant event better!
We created the following new roles:
Your goal is to be killed by the KING as the JESTER.
Once more than half of the starting players have been eliminated, you become an ASSASSIN and are no longer a JESTER. As an ASSASSIN you win the game by making sure the KING is the very last to be defeated.
You cannot win as the VIZIER.
When you kill a player you may look at their role, if you do, exchange roles with them. The new VIZIER’s life becomes 5. Remove all commander damage and any counters put on them.
Your goal is to win with the KING.
If the KING kills you, the USURPER may reveal themselves. If they do, they become the KING. You become the USURPER and the KING is eliminated. (If this happens during your turn, end it). Reset all commander damage done to you and any counters put on you.
5 Players: 1 King, 1 Knight, 2 Bandits, 1 Assassin (this always remains the same).
6 Players: 1 King, 1 Knight, 2 Bandits, 1 Assassin, and 1 Jester, Vizier or Usurper
7 Players: 1 King, 1 Knight, 2 Bandits, 1 Assassin, 1 Usurper, and 1 Jester, Queen or Vizier (you can also swap the Usurper and the Queen for the Jester and Vizier instead)
8 Players: 1 King, 1 Knight, 2 Bandits, 1 Assassin, 1 Usurper, 1 Queen, and 1 Jester or Vizier (you can also remove the Queen and play with the Jester and Vizier instead).
9 players: LITERALLY TOO MANY PEOPLE I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD DO IT! However; if you find yourself in a situation where you must play a 9 person game because you have too many friends and you hate yourselves, use the following: 1 King, 1 Knight, 2 Bandits, 1 Assassin, 1 Usurper, 1 Queen, 1 Jester and 1 Vizier.
To play the basic version of Secret Kingdoms, you only need magic’s 5 basic lands:
Forest: King
Plains: Knight
Mountain: Bandit(s)
Island: Assassin
Swamp: Usurper
If you’d like to get some more unique tokens with all the rules and roles you can find some in our store.
King: You have inherited the kingdom after the previous King died under mysterious circumstances. You have enemies on all sides and must figure out who you can trust before it is too late!
Knight: You served as head of the previous King's royal guard and were tasked with protecting him but you failed and he died under your watch. You know you had nothing to do with the previous King's murder but that doesn't stop the new King from looking at you as a suspect. Whether he trusts you or not you must protect (and if need be - avenge) the new King and do away with his enemies, before he does away with you!
Bandit: You're a new member of an illegal enterprise working within the kingdom. You have no idea what happened to the last King but word has it another Bandit has worked his way on the inside and is planning to take out the new King. You know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to quickly grow within your ranks so you set out to assist this mysterious Bandit, and if you're lucky maybe you'll be the one to pull the trigger!
Assassin: An unknown client has promised you immense wealth and power if you aid them in taking down the new King. Lucky for them you love both of those things and you're great at what you do. You just have 2 rules. You'll work for anyone so long as you're paid, and no witnesses.
Usurper: You were ecstatic to learn about the previous King's demise because it meant you were to take over as the new ruler! That was until you were bumped in line for some no-name with zero experience. You know deep down that under your leadership the Kingdom would prosper, and if left unchecked this new King will run it all into the ground! There's only one option. You must take what is rightfully yours! After all, only you know what's best.
Jester: Most think that being a royal Jester is demeaning but for you it is everything! You loved putting on shows for the previous King and although the new King isn't familiar with your work, you're positive that once he see's you in action he'll name you his Jester! However; if this new King decides not to give you the one thing in your life that gives you meaning...well lets just say he won't live long enough to regret it.
Queen: If there is one thing you love more than your people its power and your partner the new King, has inherited plenty of it. You’re happy to rule by their side so long as they do as you say and you’ll make sure no one gets in the way of that. Not even the King.
