Official Bang! Rules

Last Updated on April 3, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Bang! is a fast-paced, wild west-themed card game where players take on hidden roles and engage in a shootout to achieve their faction’s goal. The Sheriff and their Deputies aim to eliminate the Outlaws and Renegade, while the Outlaws must take down the Sheriff. The Renegade, a lone wolf, seeks to be the last player standing.

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How to Play Bang!

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Objective:

In Bang!, players take on hidden roles and engage in a wild west shootout. The game is played in teams with each team trying to eliminate the other players or fulfill specific objectives based on the character’s role. There are three main factions: the Sheriff and their Deputies, the Outlaws, and the Renegade. The Sheriff’s goal is to eliminate all the Outlaws and the Renegade, while the Outlaws must take down the Sheriff. The Renegade is a lone wolf trying to be the last player standing by eliminating both the Sheriff and the Outlaws.

Setup:

• Players: 4 to 7 players
• Cards: 80 cards, including Character cards, Role cards, and Action cards (such as Bang!, Missed!, Beer, etc.)
• Character Cards: Each player draws a Character card at the beginning of the game, which gives them a unique ability.
• Role Cards: At the start of the game, each player secretly receives a Role card. The roles are:
  • Sheriff (1 player): The only player whose role is public knowledge. Their goal is to eliminate all Outlaws and the Renegade.
  • Deputy (1 or 2 players): They support the Sheriff and help eliminate Outlaws and the Renegade.
  • Outlaws (2 or 3 players): They try to eliminate the Sheriff.
  • Renegade (1 player): Their goal is to be the last player standing, eliminating the Sheriff and then the Outlaws.

Gameplay:

• Turns: Players take turns in clockwise order. Each turn consists of three phases:
  1. Draw Phase: Draw two cards from the deck.
  2. Play Phase: Play any number of cards from your hand.
  3. Discard Phase: Discard any excess cards if you have more than 7 cards in your hand.

Cards You Can Play:

• Bang!: This is the main attack card. You play it to shoot at another player within range (distance 1, unless stated otherwise by abilities or cards).
• Missed!: Play this card to cancel a “Bang!” aimed at you.
• Beer: Play this card to gain 1 life point.
• Dynamite: This card stays in play and has a chance to deal damage to all players when it explodes.
• Gatling: This card allows you to attack all other players simultaneously.
• Stagecoach: Draw 2 cards.
• Wells Fargo: Draw 3 cards.
• Saloon: All players gain 1 life, except for the player who played it.
• Cat Balou: Discard a card from any other player’s hand.

Shooting and Range:

• You can shoot a player who is within your range. Your range is typically 1, but certain cards (like Mustang) can increase your range.
• You can only shoot players who are within your range, which is measured by counting the number of players seated between you and your target.
• Missed! can be played to avoid an attack.

Special Abilities and Role Mechanics:

• Each Character card has a unique ability, which can provide strategic advantages (e.g., Jesse Jones allows you to draw extra cards, or Bart Cassidy lets you draw cards to replace cards that are discarded).
• As the game progresses, players may be eliminated or lose all their life points. A player’s role (and who is on their team) is hidden until their elimination, which adds an element of mystery to the game.

Winning the Game:

Renegade: The Renegade wins if they eliminate the Sheriff and all the Outlaws, making them the last player standing.

Sheriff: The Sheriff and their Deputies win if all the Outlaws and the Renegade are eliminated.

Outlaws: The Outlaws win if they successfully eliminate the Sheriff.