How to play “The Ramayana Card Game”?

The Ramayana Card Game is an engaging game that combines strategy and knowledge of the epic tale. This rulebook provides a comprehensive guide to help you play and enjoy the game.

1. Separate and Prepare the Decks

• Divide the cards into two separate decks: Character cards and Quest cards.
• Shuffle both decks thoroughly to ensure randomness.

2. Distribute Character Cards: Equally distribute the Character cards among all players. If there are extra cards left after distribution, remove them at random to ensure each player has an equal number of cards.

• Distribution Guide (32 Total Character Cards):
  • 2 players: Each player gets 16 cards.
  • 3 players: Each player gets 10 cards, and 2 cards are removed randomly.
  • 4 players: Each player gets 8 cards.
  • 5 players: Each player gets 6 cards, and 2 cards are removed randomly.

3. Set Up the Quest Deck: Place the shuffled Quest card deck face down in the center of the playing area.

4. Start the Game: Flip the top card from the Quest deck to reveal the current quest.

5. Complete the Quest

• Each player must choose and play one Character card to attempt to complete the quest based on the positive power points required.
• For example: If the quest is “Defeat Kumbhkaran” and it requires 8 positive power points, each player will try to play a card with a value of 8 or higher.

6. Determine the Outcome of the Quest: A quest can be won in four ways, using the example “Defeat Kumbhkaran” requiring 8 points:

1. Good Wins Over Evil: A player wins if they play a Character card with 8 or more positive points and no other player successfully reduces it with a negative card.
   • Examples:
     • 3-Player Scenario:
       • Player 1: Hanuman Ji (+9)
       • Player 2: Lakshman (+8)Player 3: Sugriva (+6)
       • Outcome: Player 1 wins with Hanuman Ji (highest positive card).
     • 2-Player Scenario:
       • Player 1: Shree Ram (+10)
       • Player 2: Vibhishana (+7)
       • Outcome: Player 1 wins since Shree Ram exceeds the quest requirements.
         
2. Evil Wins Over Good: If a player counters with a negative power card, it reduces the total points of the highest positive card, preventing the quest from being completed. The player who played the negative card wins.
   • Examples:
     • 3-Player Scenario:
       • Quest: 8 points required
       • Player 1: Lakshman (+8)
       • Player 2: Sugriva (+6)
       • Player 3: Ravana (-10)
       • Outcome: Ravana reduces Lakshman’s total to -2. Sugriva’s card is ignored because Ravana defeats the highest card. Player 3 (Ravana) wins.
     • 2-Player Scenario:
       • Quest: 7 points required
       • Player 1: Vibhishana (+7)
       • Player 2: Manthara (-7)
       • Outcome: Manthara cancels Vibhishana’s points to 0. Player 2 (Manthara) wins.
3. Highest Positive Card Wins: If no player meets or exceeds the required points, or negative cards nullify attempts, the player with the highest positive power wins.
   • Examples:
     • 3-Player Scenario:
       • Quest: 8 points required
       • Player 1: Sugriva (+6)
       • Player 2: Angad (+5)
       • Player 3: Dashrath (+5)
       • Outcome: Player 1 wins with Sugriva (+6), the highest positive power.
     • 2-Player Scenario:
       • Quest: 7 points required
       • Player 1: Nal (+3)
       • Player 2: Neel (+4)
       • Outcome: Player 2 wins with Neel (+4).
4. Ties: If two players play cards with the same winning power points, the quest remains unresolved, and no player wins that round.
   • Examples:
     • 3-Player Scenario:
       • Quest: 8 points required
       • Player 1: Lakshman (+8)
       • Player 2: Lakshman (+8)
       • Player 3: Sugriva (+6)
       • Outcome: A tie between Player 1 and Player 2. The quest remains unresolved.
     • 2-Player Scenario:
       • Quest: 7 points required
       • Player 1: Bharat (+7)
       • Player 2: Bharat (+7)
       • Outcome: It’s a tie. The quest is unresolved.

7. Continue Playing: Repeat the process for each new quest card, playing and resolving each round until all Character cards have been used.

8. Declare the Winner: At the end of the game, the player who has completed the most quests wins.

For Younger Children (Ages 3-7): The Ramayana Card Game is not just for competitive play! For children between the ages of 3-7 years, the cards can also be used as flashcards to learn about the characters and events of the Ramayana.

• Parents can use the Character cards to introduce heroes, villains, and supporting characters, explaining their role in the story.
• The Quest cards can help kids understand key events in the Ramayana in an engaging way, sparking curiosity and storytelling.