Bluffing · Card Game

Maligman

In 1947, a hidden vault beneath an ancient cathedral was discovered, rumored to hold a vast treasure—gold coins mixed with cursed ones that brought misfortune to their holders. The treasure was locked inside 40 chests. A group of treasure hunters set out to claim the fortune, but among them lurked the Maligman—mysterious figures with a secret agenda. Their goal: to keep the pure gold for themselves while tricking others into taking the cursed coins.

4–8 players20 min

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About the game

What is Maligman

In Maligman players aim to collect the most gold coins while avoiding cursed coins, which decrease their wealth. The Maligmen, hidden among the players, secretly deceive others into collecting cursed coins while securing enough gold to win.

Each turn, a player picks a treasure chest (card), looks inside, and passes it to a Recipient via a chosen Carrier. The Carrier mixes the received card with their hand, shuffles, and selects one to pass. Positive cards contain genuine gold, while negative ones hold cursed coins. The team with the highest net fortune at the end—either the Treasure Hunters or the Maligmen—wins the game. Action cards are mixed into the game deck to help treasure hunters identify the Maligmen.

Designed for 4-8 players, ages 8 and up, Maligman brings suspense, laughter, and unexpected twists to every game night. The simple yet deep mechanics make it perfect for casual players and competitive strategists alike. Each round is filled with tense moments, clever bluffs, and unpredictable betrayals that will keep you coming back for more!

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