Kingdomino
TILE-DRAFTING KINGDOM-BUILDING GAME (2016) by BRUNO CATHALA — players compete to build a 5x5 kingdom by placing DOUBLE-TILE DOMINOES (each showing 2 terrain types) drafted from a central market. Signature: TURN ORDER for next round is determined by which tile you take THIS round — a lower-numbered tile lets you pick first next round. Elegant simple design with rich puzzle. Won SPIEL DES JAHRES 2017. Family expandable to Queendomino, Age of Giants, Origins.
Quick facts
Category
Tile Games
Type
Individual
Players
2–4
Duration
~20 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇫🇷 France
Estimated origin
2016 first release; SPIEL DES JAHRES 2017 winner; expanded family (Queendomino, Age of Giants, Origins)
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Build kingdom scoring most points via connected terrain regions × their crown count.
Rules
Basic rules
Each turn: DRAFT 1 DOMINO from central market of 4
Signature draft.
TURN ORDER for next round determined by which tile you took (lower number = pick earlier next round)
Signature turn-order-via-draft mechanic.
PLACE domino adjacent to existing kingdom (must match one terrain edge)
Signature edge-match rule.
MUST fit within 5x5 kingdom grid; can discard if impossible (penalty)
Signature grid constraint.
SCORING: for each terrain region, multiply SIZE × CROWNS (max points)
Signature crown-multiplier scoring.
CROWN BONUS: 5 pts for center castle in exactly-fitted 5x5 kingdom
Signature center bonus.
Scoring
Sum of (terrain region size × crown count) + center + full-kingdom bonuses.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Terrain region (size × crown count) | Multiplied |
| Empty region (no crowns) | 0 pts |
| Center Castle Bonus | +10 (castle exactly in center of 5x5) |
| Harmony Bonus | +5 (all 25 tiles placed = complete kingdom) |
Win condition · Highest total score.
Equipment
48 domino tiles (2-terrain each, various terrains + crown counts)
Signature domino tiles
Castle tokens + player pawns
Standard components
Individual kingdom boards (5x5 grid)
Standard kingdom grid
Terminology
- Domino tile
- Double-square tile with 2 terrain types.
- Crown
- Symbol on terrain multiplier region score.
- Terrain
- 6 terrain types: forest, wheat, grass, water, mountain, mine.
- Harmony
- Bonus for filling 5x5 grid completely.
- Bruno Cathala
- Prolific French game designer (7 Wonders Duel, Cyclades, Five Tribes, etc.).
Where it is played
Sources & provenance
- Blue Orange Games — Kingdomino— Blue Orange Games
- BoardGameGeek— BGG