Zards [Print-It-Yourself Edition]

• Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view/print
• Approximate download size: 1MB
• Ages 8 and up
• 3 to 6 players

$3.99 (Plus tax where applicable)

About Zards
Game Variants
Print-It-Yourself Information

Zards - A trick-taking game for tricky wizards.

Many moons ago, on a Wednesday, the wizard community gathered together for the game night. Apprentices tired quickly of the advanced gamers casting spells in order to cheat win. The lower-level wizards conspired together and invented a new game. They conjured a special deck of cards derived from the most potent magical ingredients, then challenged their mentors to try the new game. The advanced ones didn't like the first rule in which the lowest-level wizard plays first, but favored the next which stated that anyone who gains the lead has the advantage to cast rule-manipulating spells. The numerologists were slightly disadvantaged by the difference in card counting, but the seers were challenged by predetermining spells for upcoming rounds. The game was well received by the wizard community. Being the egomaniacal beings that wizards were, the game was named Zards after themselves.

Zards is a trick-taking card game, similar to Spades or Hearts, but with a serious twist. The player taking the trick is allowed to cast a spell to manipulate the rules governing the rest of the round. The further the game progresses, the more spells become available.

The game is played from a unique deck of 84 cards ordered by three characteristics: rank, set, and suit. The rank corresponds with the card's spell level. As players increase their score and achieve new levels, more spells open up to them. At the start of each round, players split the 13 cards dealt to them into a wand of 10 cards and a bag of 3 cards. The wand determines which cards are played during the round, while the bag is a selection of pre-determined spells to cast during the round. However, spells are only cast by a player taking the trick.

Zards is unique to other trick-taking games:

• Zards is adjustable to play 3 to 6 players without the need to add or remove cards from the deck.
• By not dealing out the entire deck, the ability to accurately count cards is reduced, providing more comfort for novices playing against experts.
• Players choose from over 20 spells to manipulate the game to their advantage.
• Each round allows the player in last place the advantage of playing first. Though, maintaining the lead depends on how cards are played and spells are cast.

Disclaimer: Pegamoose Games asks that you please game responsibly. That means no marking cards with cheese doodle dust or potato chip grease. We are not responsible for any magical side effects not associated with playing the game of Zards. Thank you, and have fun!

Game Variants

• [Coming Soon] Two Player rule variant.
• [Coming Soon] Rules for the alternate game, Alignment.

If you have invented a game using the deck of Zards cards, please send it to us and we will post it on this page.