Duel for Cardia
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You choose 7. He plays 9. You win by skill. Then you realize he needed exactly your 7 to activate his combo. And now he laughs.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Sixteen cards, zero luck, a city to conquer
Designed by Faouzi Boughida and Mathieu Rivero (originally Duel for Cardia), this tactical card game distills the essence of strategic dueling into a deck of just 16 cards. A djinn created the magnificent city of Cardia: whoever conquers the four factions and collects the five seal rings becomes its lord. Art by Florian Herold, Qistina Khalidah, Dominik Mayer, Ingram Schell, and Jonas Schmutzler.
Both players have the exact same deck: cards from 1 to 16, each with a unique ability. Each turn, you simultaneously choose a card, reveal it, and whoever played the highest value wins the clash — but the cards' abilities turn everything upside down. Pure hand management: luck doesn't exist, only when and how you play your cards matters. Lightning-fast games, intense tension.
What they say abroad
"A tight duel where every card choice matters and bluffing is as important as the numbers."
A tight duel where every choice counts and bluffing is as important as the numbers.
— Meeple Mountain
Duel for Cardia comes with very few cards and zero luck: reading your opponent is everything. Every game is a small masterpiece of timing and bluffing, until one of the two realizes too late what you were planning.
— FroGames
Duel for Cardia
FrogScore · FroGames.it editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews and play sessionsWhat's in your deck
Sixteen cards, sixteen abilities, infinite combinations
Numbered cards 1-16
Each card has a value from 1 to 16. The highest value wins the hand's clash — but abilities can turn everything around. You must decide when to burn strong cards and when to bluff with low ones.
Unique abilities for each card
Each card (from 1 to 16) has a unique power: some make you steal rings, others protect you, still others modify the value of cards in play. The same card can be devastating or useless depending on when you play it.
Rings of the four factions
You acquire rings by winning clashes. You must collect the five seal rings (one for each color, plus one joker) to become lord of Cardia. You lose a ring if your opponent activates the right ability at the right time.
Faction tracker
The central board marks who controls which faction. Each won clash brings you closer to a ring, but your opponent can overturn control with a well-played card. The tension grows every turn.
Recommended sleeves 76 cards in 1 size ▼
If you play often, we recommend protecting your cards with transparent sleeves to make them last longer.
| Size | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 56 × 87 mm | 76 |
| Total cards | 76 |
🎲How to playThe rules in four steps▼
How to play
The flow of each round
Each round is identical: choose, reveal, resolve. But each choice changes everything.
Both players choose a card from their hand and place it face down on the table. No communication, no verbal bluff: the card you choose is your only message.
Reveal the cards simultaneously. The player with the highest value wins the clash — but first, the card abilities are resolved, which can modify values, steal rings, or change faction control.
Each card has a unique ability: some always activate, others only if you win or lose the clash. Resolve the lowest card's ability first, then the highest. Some ability combos completely turn the tide.
The winner of the clash advances the corresponding faction tracker. If you reach the end of the tracker, you conquer that faction's seal ring. First to five rings wins. Played cards are discarded: each turn you have fewer options.
⏱️Your first gameThe chronicle, moment by moment▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
Studying each other
Look at your 16 cards (identical for both), read the abilities. Some already plan three turns ahead, others focus on key cards. No one speaks, but the tension is already palpable: you know you're thinking the same thing.
The first moves
You choose the first card simultaneously, then reveal it. One wins the clash, takes a ring. The other immediately understands if the opponent is aggressive or cautious. Every card played is information: now you know what they no longer have in hand.
The read
You're halfway through the deck. One of you has two rings, the other only one. You start to reason: 'He's already played the 12, he's probably saving the 15 for the endgame.' Bluffing enters the scene: you play a low card with a devastating ability, and he doesn't expect it.
The turnaround
One of you plays a card that triggers a chain ability: steals a ring, changes faction control, reverses the clash. The other is left speechless. The game that seemed decided is now wide open again. The last cards in hand become gold.
The last card
Few cards remain. One of you has four rings, the other three. You choose the last card simultaneously. You reveal it. Silence. Then one of them bursts out laughing (or swearing). 'Rematch immediately.' Always.
🐸Good to know firstThree honest things, from friends▼
Good to know first
Three things you need to know
The first game is accessible, but against an experienced player, you'll be crushed until you learn to read the patterns. The abilities are all on the table, but understanding WHEN to use them requires multiple games. Expect to lose the first two or three against someone who knows the game.
If you always play against the same person, after 10-15 games you'll start to read each other too well: 'I know that you know that I know.' The game remains fun, but it loses a bit of unpredictability. It's better to vary opponents or take breaks.
The four factions of Cardia are visually beautiful but mechanically they are just colors: there is no narrative asymmetry. If you're looking for a deep thematic duel (like Star Wars: Rebellion), this is abstract dressed up as fantasy. Excellent mechanics, average atmosphere.
🏆Victory and defeatWhat the ending rewards▼
How it ends
How to win (and how to lose badly)
The game ends when someone conquers the fifth seal ring. Or when one of the two realizes they've burned all the wrong cards.
Victory
- Collect five seal rings (one for each of the four factions + one joker)
- Win enough clashes to advance on the faction trackers before your opponent
- Use abilities at the right moment to steal rings already conquered by the other
Defeat
- Your opponent conquers five rings before you
- You play strong cards too early and are left defenseless in the endgame
- You misread your opponent's hand and they anticipate your every key move
It's not a game of luck: it's a duel of wits. Every card played is a gamble on what the other has in hand. And every game ends with an immediate request for a rematch.
💬Frequently asked questionsQuick answers before checkout▼
Frequently asked questions
FAQ on Duel for Cardia
Is it true that the decks are identical for both players?
Yes: you both have the same 16 cards, with the same values and abilities. The only difference is when and how you play them. Zero setup asymmetry, pure skill in resource management and reading your opponent.
What mechanics does Duel for Cardia use?
It's a mix of hand management, simultaneous selection, and trick-taking with asymmetric abilities. Each turn you secretly choose a card, reveal it simultaneously with your opponent, and whoever has the highest value wins — but abilities can turn everything around. It's pure tactics, no luck.
How long does a game last?
A game lasts 10-15 minutes. It's lightning-fast: perfect for playing 3-4 games in a row (and you will, because a rematch is automatic). Excellent as a filler or a single-elimination tournament among friends.
Is it suitable for people who never play board games?
Yes, the rules can be explained in 5 minutes and the first game is immediate. But the tactical depth emerges after 2-3 games: at first it seems simple, then you understand the layers of bluff and timing. A perfect gateway for those who want something strategic without 3-hour heavy games.
Is Duel for Cardia available in English?
Yes, the Giochi Uniti edition we sell is completely in Italian: cards, rulebook, components. The game has medium language dependency (each card has a written ability), so the localized edition is essential.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who designed it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
Duel for Cardia (Duello Per Cardia) is a tactical card game for 2 players, ages 9+, lasting 15 minutes, designed by Faouzi Boughida and Mathieu Rivero, published by Hans im Glück and localized in Italy by Giochi Uniti. Each player has an identical deck of 16 cards (values from 1 to 16), each with a unique ability: the core mechanic is simultaneous selection (choose a card secretly, reveal it simultaneously with your opponent, whoever has the highest value wins the clash) combined with pure hand management and tactical trick-taking. The goal is to conquer five seal rings by controlling the four factions of Cardia: zero luck, only reading your opponent and perfect timing. Available on FroGames.it.
Duel for Cardia
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
The photos on the website often come from BoardGameGeek and are intended to give you an idea of the game. They may vary slightly from the version you receive. The content declared by the publisher is always binding.
📦Does the content of the box match what is indicated?
We always strive to provide the correct content, but minor variations are possible due to reprints or updates. The information comes directly from the publishers. If you have any questions, please contact us!
⏳How do pre-orders work?
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