Grand Master (1986)

About this game

In this Mille Bornes-like game, players seek to become the Grand Master by training for 22,000 days, mastering six martial arts, such as Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Boxing, or Karate, and defeating other players in battles and wars. Beginning the game as the master of one martial art (holding one Master card), players play Days cards in denominations of 500, 1000, or 2000 days, a total of 3000 days being necessary to gain mastery of a new martial art (an additional Master card). Players also, with the appropriate cards, attack opponents, the loser forfeiting one (in a battle) or two (in a war) Master cards. Attacks and defenses can be enhanced with cards representing such things as weapons and ki. Shorter variants can be played.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 6.
• Rules load. At 1.2/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.