Crits & Tricks

Crits & Tricks takes trick-taking somewhere it hasn't been before — into a fantasy tavern where every hand is a quest, every suit is a mercenary class, and the win condition changes depending on who's at the table. It's a clever, flavourful design that layers RPG trappings onto a tight card game structure without losing the sharpness that makes trick-takers satisfying.

Each round, players draft quests with unique objectives, then pair rolled polyhedral dice with mercenaries from seven different classes. Each class changes how the trick is won — and each comes with a CRIT ability that can swing the game at the right moment. Between the quest drafting, the Barkeep's Challenge, and the shifting win conditions, there's a lot of game packed into a compact box.

What's good?

• Seven mercenary classes each change the win condition of the trick
• Quest drafting adds a strategic layer before each hand is played
• Polyhedral dice integrate naturally rather than feeling bolted on
• CRIT abilities create memorable moments and genuine swings
• Compact and quick — plays in 20–40 minutes

Who is it for?

• ✔ Trick-taking fans looking for something with more texture and variety
• ✔ RPG-adjacent players who enjoy fantasy theming in card games
• ✔ Groups who want a game that plays differently each session
• ✖ Players who prefer traditional, rules-light trick-takers

Pair with: Browse our Card Games collection for more great titles that reward sharp play and quick thinking.