Last Updated on July 29, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Citadels is a strategic card game where players take on secret roles, build unique city districts, and race to construct the most impressive city. This guide explains how to play Citadels step by step, based on the full rulebook.

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How to Play Citadels

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Components

• 18 Character Cards
• 80 District Cards
• 14 Bonus Purple District Cards (marked with a white star)
• 10 Bonus Character Cards (marked with a white star)
• 8 Reference Cards
• 30 Gold Counters
• 1 Wooden Crown Marker
• Rulebook

Before your first game, remove all bonus character and district cards. Rules for using them are found later in this guide.

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Objective

Each player leads a city and earns points by building district cards. The game ends when a player builds 8 districts (or 7 if agreed upon). The player with the most points at the end wins.

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Setup (Basic Game for 4–6 Players)

1. Remove Bonus Cards: Set aside cards with white stars.
2. Create Decks:
   • Shuffle the 8 basic Character Cards into the Character Deck.
   • Shuffle the remaining District Cards into the District Deck.
3. Deal Starting Hands:
   • Each player gets 4 random District Cards.
   • Each player receives 2 gold from the bank.
4. Crown Marker: Given to the oldest player. This player will begin the game.

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Game Overview

Citadels is played over a series of rounds. Each round has 4 steps:

1. Remove Characters
2. Choose Characters
3. Player Turns
4. End of Round

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Step 1: Remove Characters

• Randomly draw 1 Character Card facedown and set it aside.
• Place additional faceup Character Cards aside depending on player count:
  • 4 players: 2 faceup
  • 5 players: 1 faceup
  • 6–7 players: none faceup

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Step 2: Choose Characters

1. The Crown holder takes the Character Deck, looks at it, and secretly selects one card.
2. The remaining cards are passed clockwise, each player choosing a card.
3. The final unchosen card is placed facedown in the center.

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Step 3: Player Turns (In Character Rank Order)

Characters are activated by rank (1–9):

• When your character is called, reveal the card and take your turn.
• If a character was removed or assassinated, skip it and call the next one.

On Your Turn

1. Take One Action:
   • Take 2 gold from the bank; or
   • Draw 2 District Cards, keep one, place the other on the bottom of the deck.
2. Build One District (Optional):
   • Pay gold equal to the cost on the card.
   • Place the card in front of you.
   • You cannot have two identical districts.
3. Use Your Character’s Special Ability (once per turn):
   • Abilities vary (e.g., stealing gold, destroying districts).
   • You may use it any time on your turn.

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Step 4: End of Round

• All Character Cards are returned to the deck.
• The deck is reshuffled.
• A new round begins.

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Game End and Scoring

The game ends after a player builds their 8th district (or 7th if agreed).

Scoring Points:

1. Total gold cost of all built District Cards.
2. +3 points if you have districts of all 5 colors.
3. +4 points if you’re the first to build 8 districts.
4. +2 points for other players who reach 8 districts by game end.

Winning: The player with the most points wins.

• In case of a tie, the player with the highest total card cost wins.
• If still tied, the player with the most gold wins.

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Character Powers (Standard)

1. Assassin – Silences a character for the round.
2. Thief – Steals all gold from a character.
3. Magician – Swap hands with a player or redraw cards.
4. King – Takes the Crown and earns gold from yellow (noble) districts.
5. Bishop – Earns gold from blue (religious) districts. Immune to Warlord.
6. Merchant – Earns gold from green (trade) districts. Gets +1 gold.
7. Architect – Draws 2 extra cards and may build up to 3 districts.
8. Warlord – Earns gold from red (military) districts. Can destroy a district.

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Playing with 2–3 or 7 Players

2–3 Players:

• Each player selects 2 characters.
• Players take 2 turns each round.
• Characters are chosen using a modified selection method.

7 Players:

• The 7th player views the final facedown card and chooses between it and the last card passed.

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Using Bonus Characters and Districts

• Marked by a white star.
• Can replace standard characters of the same rank.
• Add variety and new powers.
• May allow up to 8 players with special setup rules.

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Sample Bonus Character Powers

• Witch – Bewitches another character and resumes their turn.
• Tax Collector – Collects 1 gold from players who build districts.
• Diplomat – Swap a district from your city with another’s, paying the cost difference.
• Alchemist – Refunds all gold spent building.
• Artist – Beautify districts for bonus points and protection.

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Advanced Rules and Tips

• Gold is limited. Manage it wisely.
• Plan district builds to maximize income and bonus points.
• Use bluffing and deduction to outplay others in character selection.
• Watch for synergies between character powers and district effects.

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Citadels Strategy Notes

• Don’t build too fast—be strategic.
• Pay attention to which characters get picked or skipped.
• Protect high-value districts, especially with Bishop or Artist.
• Mix up your playstyle using bonus cards for replay value.

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Citadels is a game of strategy, deduction, and clever card play. With secret roles and shifting powers each round, no two games are ever the same.

Use this guide alongside your reference cards and character abilities to master the full depth of Citadels gameplay.