About the game
Claim is a fast, clever two-player card game about winning over five factions to become the new king after the old one is found dead in a wine barrel. Play unfolds in two phases: first, players use a hand of cards to recruit followers, then they deploy those followers to compete for the favor of the realm's factions. Each faction has its own special power, and that power can change between the two phases, adding a layer of trick-taking style tension to every decision. Whoever wins the majority in at least three of the five factions claims the crown.
Hobbli's Notes
Claim packs a surprising amount of push-and-pull strategy into an 18-card deck and a 25-minute playtime, which makes it a favorite pocket duel. The dual-phase structure, where faction powers shift, keeps both players second-guessing right up to the final card. It won't hold the attention of players wanting a bigger table experience, but as a quick two-player sparring match it's excellent.
What we like
- Extremely portable with just 18 cards.
- Surprising depth from a tiny card count.
- Fast to teach and fast to play.
- Two-phase structure keeps faction powers unpredictable.
Keep in mind
- Only supports two players.
- Limited variety between sessions since the deck is small.
- Thin theme dressed over an abstract card duel.
Who it's for
Great for two players who like quick, sharp card duels; fans of trick-taking and bidding games looking for a portable filler will enjoy it most.
