7/25/2026

👑 Crownfall

crownfall

RogueHashrate

Sometimes I have a point.

6 min read

cardgame ttrpg playcard game

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**CROWNFALL** is a fast-paced, high-stakes press-your-luck card game played with a single standard deck of cards. You are fighting your way through a tower of royal enemies (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) and lethal hazard traps using the mechanics of Blackjack. Your goal is to reach or exceed each enemy's Target threshold in a single strike without going over 21!

---

## 📦 Components & Requirements

* **1 Standard 54-Card Deck** (52 standard cards + 2 Jokers)
* **1 d20 Die** or scrap paper to track your **Player Life Points**
* **Starting Health:** **20 HP** *(Max HP: 20)*

---

## 🛠️ Game Setup

### 1. Split the Deck into Two Piles

#### 🏰 Enemy Tower (14 Cards)
Separate and shuffle the following **14 cards** face-down into a single stack:
* 4 Jacks
* 4 Queens
* 4 Kings
* 2 Jokers

#### ⚔️ Player Deck (40 Cards)
Shuffle the remaining **40 cards** (Ace through 10 of all four suits: ♣️, ❤️, ♠️, ♦️) face-down. This is your draw deck.

---

### 2. Layout the Play Area

Place the **Enemy Tower** face-down at the top of the table.

```
                    ┌──────────────────┐
                    │   ACTIVE ENEMY   │  (Center)
                    └──────────────────┘
                         ▲        │
     (Your Target)       │        │ (When Defeated)
                         │        ▼
┌──────────────────┐ ┌───┴──────────────┐ ┌──────────────────┐
│   PLAYER DECK    │ │   STRIKE PILE    │ │   ENEMY DISCARD  │
└────────┬─────────┘ └──────────────────┘ └──────────────────┘
         │                                   (Defeated Enemies)
         ▼
┌──────────────────┐
│  PLAYER DISCARD  │
└──────────────────┘
```

Flip the top card of the Enemy Tower face-up into the **Active Enemy** slot to start combat!

---

## 🎯 Enemy Targets & Attack Values

Each royal rank has a **Target Number** (the score you must reach or exceed in a single strike to defeat them) and an **Attack Value** (the damage you take if you fail to defeat them).

| Card | Enemy Type | Target to Defeat | Attack Value (Damage to You) |
| :---: | :--- | :---: | :---: |
| **Jack** | Minion | **12** | **2 Damage** |
| **Queen** | Elite | **15** | **3 Damage** |
| **King** | Boss | **18** | **5 Damage** |
| 🃏 **Joker** | Hazard | *Special Trap* | **4 Damage** *(Double or Nothing: 8)* |

---

## 🎮 Combat Flow

During your turn, flip cards one-by-one from your **Player Deck** face-up into your **Strike Pile**, summing their point values:

* **2 through 10** = Face Value
* **Ace** = **1 or 11** *(your choice on the fly!)*

After flipping each card, calculate your current total score and choose one of two actions:

### Action A: PUSH (Draw Another Card)
If your current Strike total is **under 22**, you may flip another card off your Player Deck to increase your total.

### Action B: BANK (Stop & Strike)
Choose to stop drawing and compare your total Strike score against the Active Enemy's Target:

---

### ⚔️ Round Outcomes

#### 🟢 SUCCESS (Total is EQUAL TO or HIGHER than Target, up to 21)
* You land a fatal strike! The enemy dies instantly and **never gets to attack you**.
* Discard your Strike Pile and the defeated Enemy.
* **✨ Bonus Healing (Only Perfect 21s Heal):**
  * **Exact Target Match:** Clearing the target defeats the enemy safely (0 Damage taken), but **grants 0 HP heal**.
  * **Perfect 21:** 
    * Hitting **21** against a **Jack** or **Queen** → **Heal 2 HP**.
    * Hitting **21** against a **King** → **Heal 3 HP** *(Max HP cap: 20)*.
* Flip the top card of the Enemy Tower into the Active Enemy slot to face the next foe.

#### 🟡 STOPPED SHORT / GUARD (Total is LESS than Target)
You stopped drawing before reaching the target. You failed to defeat the enemy, but your guard is up to cushion the blow.

1. **Check Your Guard Zone:** Look at how far your total is from the enemy's Target score:
   * **Within 1 or 2 Points (In the Guard Zone):** You take **Reduced Damage**.
     * **Jack** (Base 2) → Take **1 Damage**
     * **Queen** (Base 3) → Take **2 Damage**
     * **King** (Base 5) → Take **3 Damage**
   * **3 or More Points Away (Missed Guard):** Take full **Base Attack Damage** (Jack: 2, Queen: 3, King: 5).
2. **Apply Damage:** Subtract the damage taken from your HP.
3. **Reset for Next Turn:** Discard your Strike Pile. **The enemy remains in combat—the fight continues until one of you falls.**

#### 🔴 BUST (Total is 22 or HIGHER)
* You overcharged your attack and exploded! You deal 0 damage and gain no Guard protection.
* **The Enemy Attacks!** Take full **Base Attack Damage** to your HP (Jack: 2, Queen: 3, King: 5).
* Discard your Strike Pile. **The enemy remains in combat—the fight continues until one of you falls.**

---

## 🛡️ Guard & Damage Quick Reference

| Enemy | Target / Base Dmg | 2 Away | 1 Away | Exact Target Hit | Perfect 21 |
| :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: |
| **Jack** | Target **12** / 2 Dmg | **10** → Take **1 Dmg** | **11** → Take **1 Dmg** | **12** → Defeated *(0 Dmg / 0 Heal)* | Defeated + **Heal 2 HP** |
| **Queen** | Target **15** / 3 Dmg | **13** → Take **2 Dmg** | **14** → Take **2 Dmg** | **15** → Defeated *(0 Dmg / 0 Heal)* | Defeated + **Heal 2 HP** |
| **King** | Target **18** / 5 Dmg | **16** → Take **3 Dmg** | **17** → Take **3 Dmg** | **18** → Defeated *(0 Dmg / 0 Heal)* | Defeated + **Heal 3 HP** |

---

## 🃏 Special Rules: Jokers ("Double or Nothing")

When a **Joker** is flipped from the Enemy Tower into the Active Enemy slot:

1. It does **not** have a Target score. Immediately flip the top card of your Player Deck to test your luck:
2. **If EVEN (2, 4, 6, 8, 10):** You disarm the hazard! Discard the Joker and the flipped card, then reveal the next enemy.
3. **If ODD (Ace, 3, 5, 7, 9):** The trap springs! Take **4 Damage** immediately, **OR** push your luck:
   * **🎲 Double or Nothing:** Flip a *second* card from your Player Deck.
     * **EVEN Result:** Dodge successful! Take **0 Damage**.
     * **ODD Result:** **CRUSHING BLOW.** Take **8 Damage**.
4. Discard the Joker and all flipped cards used during the Hazard, then reveal the next enemy.

---

## 🔄 Deck Reshuffling

When your 40-card Player Deck runs out of cards during combat:
* Take your **Discard Pile**, shuffle it thoroughly, and place it face-down as your new Player Deck. Continue drawing without interruption!

---

## 🏆 Victory and Defeat

* 🏁 **VICTORY:** Defeat all 14 cards in the Enemy Tower to make the **Crown Fall**!
* 💀 **DEFEAT:** Your Life Points drop to **0 HP**.

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**CROWNFALL** is a fast-paced, high-stakes press-your-luck card game played with a single standard deck of cards. You are fighting your way through a tower of royal enemies (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) and lethal hazard traps using the mechanics of Blackjack. Your goal is to reach or exceed each enemy's Target threshold in a single strike without going over 21! --- ## 📦 Components & Requirements * **1 Standard 54-Card Deck** (52 standard cards + 2 Jokers) * **1 d20 Die** or scrap paper to track your **Player Life Points** * **Starting Health:** **20 HP** *(Max HP: 20)* --- ## 🛠️ Game Setup ### 1. Split the Deck into Two Piles #### 🏰 Enemy Tower (14 Cards) Separate and shuffle the following **14 cards** face-down into a single stack: * 4 Jacks * 4 Queens * 4 Kings * 2 Jokers #### ⚔️ Player Deck (40 Cards) Shuffle the remaining **40 cards** (Ace through 10 of all four suits: ♣️, ❤️, ♠️, ♦️) face-down. This is your draw deck. --- ### 2. Layout the Play Area Place the **Enemy Tower** face-down at the top of the table. ``` ┌──────────────────┐ │ ACTIVE ENEMY │ (Center) └──────────────────┘ ▲ │ (Your Target) │ │ (When Defeated) │ ▼ ┌──────────────────┐ ┌───┴──────────────┐ ┌──────────────────┐ │ PLAYER DECK │ │ STRIKE PILE │ │ ENEMY DISCARD │ └────────┬─────────┘ └──────────────────┘ └──────────────────┘ │ (Defeated Enemies) ▼ ┌──────────────────┐ │ PLAYER DISCARD │ └──────────────────┘ ``` Flip the top card of the Enemy Tower face-up into the **Active Enemy** slot to start combat! --- ## 🎯 Enemy Targets & Attack Values Each royal rank has a **Target Number** (the score you must reach or exceed in a single strike to defeat them) and an **Attack Value** (the damage you take if you fail to defeat them). | Card | Enemy Type | Target to Defeat | Attack Value (Damage to You) | | :---: | :--- | :---: | :---: | | **Jack** | Minion | **12** | **2 Damage** | | **Queen** | Elite | **15** | **3 Damage** | | **King** | Boss | **18** | **5 Damage** | | 🃏 **Joker** | Hazard | *Special Trap* | **4 Damage** *(Double or Nothing: 8)* | --- ## 🎮 Combat Flow During your turn, flip cards one-by-one from your **Player Deck** face-up into your **Strike Pile**, summing their point values: * **2 through 10** = Face Value * **Ace** = **1 or 11** *(your choice on the fly!)* After flipping each card, calculate your current total score and choose one of two actions: ### Action A: PUSH (Draw Another Card) If your current Strike total is **under 22**, you may flip another card off your Player Deck to increase your total. ### Action B: BANK (Stop & Strike) Choose to stop drawing and compare your total Strike score against the Active Enemy's Target: --- ### ⚔️ Round Outcomes #### 🟢 SUCCESS (Total is EQUAL TO or HIGHER than Target, up to 21) * You land a fatal strike! The enemy dies instantly and **never gets to attack you**. * Discard your Strike Pile and the defeated Enemy. * **✨ Bonus Healing (Only Perfect 21s Heal):** * **Exact Target Match:** Clearing the target defeats the enemy safely (0 Damage taken), but **grants 0 HP heal**. * **Perfect 21:** * Hitting **21** against a **Jack** or **Queen** → **Heal 2 HP**. * Hitting **21** against a **King** → **Heal 3 HP** *(Max HP cap: 20)*. * Flip the top card of the Enemy Tower into the Active Enemy slot to face the next foe. #### 🟡 STOPPED SHORT / GUARD (Total is LESS than Target) You stopped drawing before reaching the target. You failed to defeat the enemy, but your guard is up to cushion the blow. 1. **Check Your Guard Zone:** Look at how far your total is from the enemy's Target score: * **Within 1 or 2 Points (In the Guard Zone):** You take **Reduced Damage**. * **Jack** (Base 2) → Take **1 Damage** * **Queen** (Base 3) → Take **2 Damage** * **King** (Base 5) → Take **3 Damage** * **3 or More Points Away (Missed Guard):** Take full **Base Attack Damage** (Jack: 2, Queen: 3, King: 5). 2. **Apply Damage:** Subtract the damage taken from your HP. 3. **Reset for Next Turn:** Discard your Strike Pile. **The enemy remains in combat—the fight continues until one of you falls.** #### 🔴 BUST (Total is 22 or HIGHER) * You overcharged your attack and exploded! You deal 0 damage and gain no Guard protection. * **The Enemy Attacks!** Take full **Base Attack Damage** to your HP (Jack: 2, Queen: 3, King: 5). * Discard your Strike Pile. **The enemy remains in combat—the fight continues until one of you falls.** --- ## 🛡️ Guard & Damage Quick Reference | Enemy | Target / Base Dmg | 2 Away | 1 Away | Exact Target Hit | Perfect 21 | | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | | **Jack** | Target **12** / 2 Dmg | **10** → Take **1 Dmg** | **11** → Take **1 Dmg** | **12** → Defeated *(0 Dmg / 0 Heal)* | Defeated + **Heal 2 HP** | | **Queen** | Target **15** / 3 Dmg | **13** → Take **2 Dmg** | **14** → Take **2 Dmg** | **15** → Defeated *(0 Dmg / 0 Heal)* | Defeated + **Heal 2 HP** | | **King** | Target **18** / 5 Dmg | **16** → Take **3 Dmg** | **17** → Take **3 Dmg** | **18** → Defeated *(0 Dmg / 0 Heal)* | Defeated + **Heal 3 HP** | --- ## 🃏 Special Rules: Jokers ("Double or Nothing") When a **Joker** is flipped from the Enemy Tower into the Active Enemy slot: 1. It does **not** have a Target score. Immediately flip the top card of your Player Deck to test your luck: 2. **If EVEN (2, 4, 6, 8, 10):** You disarm the hazard! Discard the Joker and the flipped card, then reveal the next enemy. 3. **If ODD (Ace, 3, 5, 7, 9):** The trap springs! Take **4 Damage** immediately, **OR** push your luck: * **🎲 Double or Nothing:** Flip a *second* card from your Player Deck. * **EVEN Result:** Dodge successful! Take **0 Damage**. * **ODD Result:** **CRUSHING BLOW.** Take **8 Damage**. 4. Discard the Joker and all flipped cards used during the Hazard, then reveal the next enemy. --- ## 🔄 Deck Reshuffling When your 40-card Player Deck runs out of cards during combat: * Take your **Discard Pile**, shuffle it thoroughly, and place it face-down as your new Player Deck. Continue drawing without interruption! --- ## 🏆 Victory and Defeat * 🏁 **VICTORY:** Defeat all 14 cards in the Enemy Tower to make the **Crown Fall**! * 💀 **DEFEAT:** Your Life Points drop to **0 HP**.