Kemet

Officially Kemet: Blood and Sand

FAST AREA-CONTROL WARGAME set in MYTHIC EGYPT, designed by JACQUES BARIOT + GUILLAUME MONTIAGE + published by MATAGOT (France, 2012). Refreshed as KEMET: BLOOD AND SAND (2021 Matagot). 3-5 players lead EGYPTIAN CITY-STATES vying for control via BATTLES, PYRAMIDS, DIVINE INTERVENTIONS. Fast turn-based combat with dice + card play. Signature POWER TILE draft — buy tiles from 3 color pyramids for game-length powers. Signature TOTEMS + MYTHIC MONSTERS (Sphinx, Mummy, Elephant, Scorpion King, etc.). Fast games (90 min) + high player interaction. Considered a MODERN AREA-CONTROL CLASSIC.

📐Standard tabletop⏱~90 min🌤indoor

What is Kemet?

KEMET is a FAST AREA-CONTROL WARGAME set in MYTHIC EGYPT. Original design by JACQUES BARIOT + GUILLAUME MONTIAGE + illustrated by CHRISTIAN CHAUSSARD; published by MATAGOT (France, 2012). Refreshed + updated as KEMET: BLOOD AND SAND (2021 Matagot Kickstarter — significant graphic + gameplay refresh; considered definitive version). 3-5 PLAYERS lead EGYPTIAN CITY-STATES vying for control of Egypt via BATTLES, PYRAMIDS, DIVINE INTERVENTIONS. Setting: mythic Ancient Egypt with dieties + monsters. GAMEPLAY: 5 rounds (or first-to-8 VP variant), each round 3 phases: (1) NIGHT (day/night marker + draw cards), (2) DAY (take actions — Recruit, Move, Attack, Buy Power Tile, Level Up Pyramid, Pray for Prayer Points), (3) DUSK (score end-of-turn). SIGNATURE POWER TILE DRAFT: buy tiles from 3 COLOR PYRAMIDS (Red = combat/aggression, White = movement/utility, Blue = economy/defense); pyramids have 3 levels; each level unlocks more powerful tiles. Signature TOTEMS + MYTHIC MONSTERS: buy MYTHIC CREATURES (Sphinx, Mummy, Elephant, Scorpion King, Giant Snake, Phoenix, plus more in expansions) as army units OR summon via power tiles. FAST TURN-BASED COMBAT: attacker vs defender each play a card face-down + reveal; higher attack value + card modifiers wins; loser retreats or dies. Card play is DETERMINISTIC (no dice) — modifiers from tiles + card cost. Deep combat despite quick resolution. 5 ROUNDS or first-to-8 VP wins. VP earned via: winning battles, controlling temples, upgrading pyramids, glory tiles (secret objectives). Fast games (60-120 min) + high player interaction. Considered a MODERN AREA-CONTROL CLASSIC + gateway heavier euro-warhybrid. KEMET: TA-SETI (2015) expansion adds 3-4 more factions + power tiles + monsters. BLOOD AND SAND (2021) is refresh + expansion collection.

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

First to 8 VP wins immediately (Blood and Sand variant). Alternatively play 5 rounds + highest VP wins.

Rules

Basic rules

Each round: Night (draw cards) → Day (actions) → Dusk (scoring)
Cyclical structure.
Day actions: Recruit troops, Move troops, Attack, Buy Power Tile, Level Up Pyramid, Pray
Menu of 6 actions.
Buy Power Tiles from 3 color pyramids (Red/White/Blue) at 3 levels
Personal tech tree.
Combat: play card face-down; reveal + resolve deterministically
No dice in combat.
Score VP via battles won, temples held, pyramids leveled, glory tiles
Multiple VP paths.
First to 8 VP wins (Blood and Sand)
Fast game.

Scoring

VP-based. First to 8 VP wins (or highest after 5 rounds).

Action	Points
Win battle	1 VP
Control temple at Dusk	1-2 VP
Fully upgrade pyramid (level 4)	1 VP
Secret Glory Tile fulfillment	1-2 VP
First to 8 VP wins immediately	Game end

Win condition · First to 8 VP wins immediately (in Blood and Sand). Original: highest VP after 5 rounds.

Playing area

Called

Standard tabletop

Dimensions

Large board (~60cm × 80cm)

Home tabletop; requires table for map + player boards + tiles + cards.

Equipment

Kemet: Blood and Sand ($100 USD, 2021 refresh)
Definitive modern version; retail
Kemet: Blood and Sand Kickstarter box ($150-200)
All-in with monsters + upgrades
Kemet original + Ta-Seti expansion (out of print, $80+)
Original 2012 game with expansion

Strategies

Choose power tile focus: Red aggression vs Blue defense
Commit to strategy.
Recruit + attack early for VP
Battles are 1 VP each.
Temples: control temples at Dusk for VP
Consistent VP source.
Save cards for critical fights
Card management wins combat.
Path to 8 VP: multiple wins + temples + upgrades
Multiple paths, not single.

Terminology

Pyramid: Player-owned tech tree; 3 colors, 4 levels each.
Power Tile: Ability card bought from pyramid; permanent.
Temple: Controllable structure; VP source.
Divine Intervention: One-time powerful ability from cards.
Glory Tile: Secret personal objective for bonus VP.
Mythic Creature: Elite unit (Sphinx, Mummy, Elephant, etc.).
Totem: Player marker for territory.
Prayer Point: Currency; used to buy tiles + cards.
Day/Night/Dusk: 3 phases per round.
Blood and Sand: 2021 refresh; definitive version.

Major competitions

Matagot demos + expo tournaments
annual · Europe · since 2013
Essen Spiel + BGG.CON demos
annual · worldwide · since 2013

Where it is played

Governing bodies

Matagot (publisher)
Founded 2003 · Paris, France
BoardGameGeek (community tracking)
Founded 2000 · USA

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

Jacques Bariot + Guillaume Montiage (FR) — Designers
Christian Chaussard (FR) — Illustrator

Learn this sport

beginner

1
Buy Kemet: Blood and Sand ($100)
Definitive version.
2
Watch Watch It Played tutorial
Learn combat + pyramid draft.

intermediate

1
Play with 4-5 players for full interaction
3p also works.

advanced

1
Add Book of the Dead + expansion content
More monsters + tiles.

Frequently asked

What is Kemet?+

FAST AREA-CONTROL WARGAME set in MYTHIC EGYPT, designed by JACQUES BARIOT + GUILLAUME MONTIAGE + published by MATAGOT (France, 2012). Refreshed as KEMET: BLOOD AND SAND (2021). 3-5 players lead EGYPTIAN CITY-STATES vying for control via BATTLES, PYRAMIDS, DIVINE INTERVENTIONS. Fast turn-based combat with dice + card play. Signature POWER TILE draft. Signature TOTEMS + MYTHIC MONSTERS. Fast games (90 min) + high player interaction. Considered a MODERN AREA-CONTROL CLASSIC + gateway wargame.

Kemet original vs Blood and Sand?+

BUY BLOOD AND SAND (2021 refresh). Blood and Sand is a full refresh + graphic upgrade + gameplay refinements + includes Ta-Seti expansion factions + upgraded miniatures. Original Kemet (2012) is out of print + collectible; not needed if you have Blood and Sand. Blood and Sand = definitive version. Available for $100 retail; Kickstarter box $150-200 with additional monsters + upgrades.

Sources & provenance

Matagot — Kemet Blood and Sand— Matagot
BoardGameGeek — Kemet— BoardGameGeek

Last verified 2026-08-27.verified