Last Updated on August 27, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Exploding Kittens: NSFW Edition is the raunchier, more chaotic version of the hit card game Exploding Kittens, where survival is all about bluffing, strategy, and a little luck. It’s quick to learn, ridiculous to play, and guaranteed to make your game night unforgettable.

Whether you’re brand new or just need a refresher, here’s everything you need to know.

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How to Play Exploding Kittens: NSFW Edition

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Game Overview

At its core, Exploding Kittens is Russian Roulette with kittens (and a lot more jokes). Players take turns drawing cards until someone draws an Exploding Kitten. Unless you can defuse it, you’re out of the game. The last person standing wins.

This NSFW Edition has the same rules as the original, but the artwork is, well… definitely not family-friendly.

Players: 2–5
Playtime: 15–20 minutes
Contents: 56 cards

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Setup

1. Remove the Exploding Kittens and Defuse cards from the deck.
   • There are 4 Exploding Kittens and 6 Defuses.
2. Deal 1 Defuse card to each player. These are your lifelines.
3. Shuffle the deck and deal 7 additional cards to each player.
   • Everyone starts with 8 cards total (7 random + 1 Defuse).
4. Adjust the number of Kittens in play. Insert 1 fewer Exploding Kitten than the number of players.
   • Example: In a 4-player game, use 3 Exploding Kittens.
5. Shuffle the deck again and place it face down in the center. That’s your Draw Pile. Leave space for a Discard Pile.

Choose a first player however you’d like (most tattoos, shortest spleen, worst breath—you get the idea).

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How a Turn Works

On your turn, you must either:

• Play cards: Put a card (or multiple cards) face up into the Discard Pile and follow its instructions.
• Or Pass: Do nothing.

At the end of your turn, you must draw a card. If it’s an Exploding Kitten and you don’t have a Defuse, you’re out.

That’s it. Simple, but the cards add all the chaos.

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The Cards

Here’s what you’ll find in the deck:

• Exploding Kitten (4 cards): If you draw one, reveal it immediately. Without a Defuse, you’re out.
• Defuse (6 cards): Saves you from an Exploding Kitten. After playing it, secretly put the Kitten back in the deck wherever you like.
• Nope (5 cards): Cancels any action except an Exploding Kitten or a Defuse. Can even cancel another Nope.
• Attack (4 cards): Skip your turn and force the next player to take 2 turns. Stacks if chained.
• Skip (4 cards): End your turn without drawing. Great defense against Attacks.
• Favor (4 cards): Force another player to give you one card of their choice.
• Shuffle (4 cards): Shuffle the Draw Pile. Useful if you suspect a Kitten is on top.
• See the Future (5 cards): Peek at the top 3 cards of the deck in secret.
• Cat Cards (4 sets of pairs): On their own, they do nothing. But play two of the same to steal a random card from another player.

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Special Combos

Once you’re comfortable, add these extra combos into play:

• Two of a Kind: Play a matching pair of any cards to steal a random card from another player.
• Three of a Kind: Play three of a kind and name a specific card. If the chosen player has it, you take it.

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How to Win

Play continues clockwise until all but one player has exploded. The last player standing wins the game.

You’ll never run out of cards, since the deck is balanced with just enough Exploding Kittens to eventually eliminate everyone else.

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Strategy Tips

• Save your good cards early. The odds of drawing a Kitten at the start are low.
• Track the deck. Counting cards gives you a sense of when the Kittens are coming.
• Bluff with Defuses. Even if you’re out, act like you’ve got one to bait others into riskier moves.
• Don’t waste a Nope too soon. It’s one of the most powerful cards in the game—timing matters.

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Quick Variant (Great for 2–3 Players)

For shorter, riskier games:

1. Before adding Kittens, remove about one-third of the deck at random.
2. Shuffle in the correct number of Kittens for your group size.
3. Start playing.

This keeps the pace quick and ups the tension.

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FAQ for Exploding Kittens NSFW Edition

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Final Thoughts

Exploding Kittens: NSFW Edition keeps the silly, strategic chaos of the original but adds a not-so-family-friendly twist. It’s easy to learn, endlessly replayable, and perfect as a party starter or quick filler game. Just remember:

• Explode = Lose
• Survive = Win

Now stop reading. Go blow up your friends (in the game, of course).