Hero Brawl
Hero Brawl is a wrestling-themed card game where you compete for the HERO BRAWL TITLE BELT while trying to knock out all the cards in your opponents' hands.
How To Play
Watch the following video for a quick start and then reference the rest of this page for any additional questions or special scenarious you might run into when playing.
TABLE SETUP & TERMINOLOGY
The core idea: Your hand of cards is your health. Lose all your cards and you're eliminated. Last player standing wins — or whoever holds the Title Belt when the deck runs dry.
There are four basic card states:
1. Cards in hand: These are the cards a player has in their hand. Each player starts with 3 cards in hand. Players may end up with more or less cards in hand throughout the game. When a player is out of cards in their hand, they are eliminated from the game.
2. Cards in play: This is the card the current player is playing. The action on the card should be performed, and then the card should be placed on the discard pile (unless otherwise instructed by the card action). The card you play is not counted as being in your hand while its action is being resolved.
3. Draw pile: These are the un-dealt cards players will draw from at the start of each turn (or as actions require). When the title belt is revealed, this and the discard pile are shuffled back together and after that, once the draw pile is gone, each player gets one last turn to try and earn the title belt before the game ends.
4. Discard pile: Lost, discarded, and played cards are placed in this pile. When the title belt is revealed, the discard pile is shuffled back into the draw pile.
DEALING CARDS
1. Remove the title belt, reference, and how to play cards from the deck.
2. Shuffle the remaining cards and deal three cards to each player.
3. Add the title belt back to the undealt deck, re-shuffle, & place the deck in the middle of all the players. This is the draw pile.
4. Players choose as a group who play should begin with (e.g. youngest player, oldest player, strongest player, loudest player, most dressed like a wrestler, etc. etc.)
GAME PLAY (on each turn)
A player's turn consists of:
1. Draw a card.
2. Play a card (taking whatever action is detailed on the card played).
3. Played cards are moved to the discard pile once fully played.
WINNING THE GAME
There are two ways the game can end:
Trigger A — Elimination: If all other players run out of cards, the last remaining player wins. This is the most common outcome.
Trigger B — Deck Depleted: Once the draw pile runs out (after the Title Belt has been revealed and the discard reshuffled), each remaining player takes one final turn. The player holding the Title Belt at the end of that final round wins.
Double Knockout: If the final action eliminates all remaining players simultaneously, whoever held the belt at that moment wins. If the belt was vacant, the game ends with no winner.
HOW CARDS & PLAYERS ARE ELIMINATED
There are two primary ways players may lose cards from their hand:
1. They lose a Roshambo battle
2. A card action results in giving up or discarding a card (or multiple cards)
When a player is out of cards in their hand, they are considered eliminated and out of the game.
WHEN THE TITLE BELT IS REVEALED
1. It is placed face up in front of the player who drew the card (this completes their turn for that round).
2. All cards in the discard pile are shuffled back into the draw pile.
3. The end state of the game has begun (play will continue until all but one player is eliminated OR the draw pile is empty and everyone who still has cards in their hand has had one final turn).
Claiming the belt:
1. Draw the Title Belt card → you become champion and your turn ends.
2. Win a Roshambo battle when the current champion is your opponent → the belt moves to you.
3. Deal direct damage to the current champion via a card action (Rival, Manager, Loose Cannon, Jobber, High Flier, Heel, or Foreign Object) → you take the belt.
4. When the belt is vacant, the next winner of any Roshambo battle claims it.
Losing the belt:
5. Lose a Roshambo battle → the belt moves to your opponent.
6. A card action reduces your hand count → the belt moves to the player who caused the damage.
7. You are eliminated by another player → the belt moves to that player.
8. You eliminate yourself → the belt becomes vacant.
Vacant belt:
9. If the belt is vacant and the game ends with multiple players remaining, there is no winner.
FOREIGN OBJECTS & ROSHAMBO CHALLENGES
When a player plays a Foreign Object card a Roshambo Challenge is initiated (the game of rock, paper, scissors). Important: the comparison is private — only the two battling players should see the cards played. This keeps your hand secret from other players.
The battle flow:
1. The player who played the card picks another player to challenge.
2. Both players secretly choose one card from their hand (if you only have one card, that is the card you must use. If the played card was the last card in your hand, you cannot challenge anyone and are simply eliminated from the game).
3. The two players compare their chosen cards privately — rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper, paper beats rock. Ties are broken by the higher card number.
4. The winner keeps whichever of the two cards they prefer; the other is discarded. The loser is now down one card.
A few key things to know about Roshambo challenges:
1. If the loser of the challenge was the current belt holder, the belt moves to the winner of the challenge.
2. Players must choose from the cards currently in their hand.
3. If two players play the same symbol, the higher numbered card wins (ensuring ties are not possible).
4. The play of a referee card immediately after a Roshambo battle is resolved will result in flipping the results of the battle (meaning the loser of the Roshambo battle gets to pick which card to keep!).
5. The action details of cards played in Roshambo battles should be ignored. Only the symbol and the number apply when comparing cards for Roshambo. (e.g. if you use a referee in the actual Roshambo battle, you do not flip the results).
6. If you are out of cards after a Roshambo battle, you are eliminated from the game.
DEALING WITH SPECIAL CARDS, SCENARIOS & ADDITIONAL RULES
TAG TEAM CARDS
Tag Team cards are placed face up in front of the player who plays the card.
They remain in front of the player for one full round, and are discarded to the discard pile at the start of the players next turn (this helps all other players know they can not attack the player until the next round).
Player's protected by a Tag Team card do not partake in any hand or card swaps (swaps would skip over this player as if they were not in the game at that moment).
CEO CARD (INTERRUPT — can be played on any player's turn)
CEO cards can be played at any time (it does not have to be your turn) to claim the belt for your own.
Once a CEO card is played, the player should draw a new card for their hand (if the draw pile is empty, no new card can be drawn and the card is sacrificed via play).
REFEREE CARDS (INTERRUPT — can be played on any player's turn)
Referee cards can be played at any time (it does not have to be your turn) to prevent any action (including the loss of a Roshambo battle, which would flip the winner of the Roshambo battle!).
Once a referee card is played, the player should draw a new card for their hand (if the draw pile is empty, no new card can be drawn and the card is sacrificed via play).
Referee cards can also be played as part of a regular turn (which will not prevent an action on the table but should result in the player adding a card to their hand).
LOOSE CANNON CARDS
Loose Cannon cards force all players to pass their hand to the active player on their left.
If the Title Belt holder ends the hand swap with less cards than they started, the Title Belt should move to the player who played the Loose Cannon card.
If the Loose Cannon card was the last card in a player's hand when played, the person they would be 'giving' their hand to will be eliminated.
MANAGER CARDS
Manager cards force players to swap hands with another player.
If the Title Belt holder ends the hand swap with less cards than they started, the Title Belt should move to the player who played the Manager card.
If the Manager card was the last card in a player's hand when played, the person they are swapping their hand with will be eliminated.
FOREIGN OBJECT
All Foreign Object cards, when played, result in a Roshambo battle.
The winner of a Roshambo battle can choose which of the two cards played in the battle they keep for their own hand (they discard the other one to the discard pile).
If you play a ROSHAMBO card with no other cards left in your hand, you can not challenge another player (because you have no cards left) and are simply eliminated from the game (because you have no cards left).
HEEL CARDS
Heel cards let the player who plays them add a card to their own hand from the draw pile.
If the draw pile is empty, no card can be drawn and it acts as a pass of your turn.
FACE CARDS
Face cards let the player draw 3 cards from the draw pile, then discard 2 — a net gain of 1 card.
If fewer than 3 cards remain in the draw pile, draw what's left and discard 1 less than you drew (e.g. drew 2 → discard 1; drew 1 → discard 0; drew 0 → no effect, turn passes).
RIVAL CARDS
Rival cards let you target an opponent and choose a card to discard from their hand. They do not get to replace it.
If the targeted player was the Title Belt holder and ends the exchange with fewer cards, the belt moves to you.
TECHNICIAN CARDS
Technician cards let you discard a card from your hand and draw a new one from the draw pile — a straight swap.
If the draw pile is empty, you cannot make the swap and should not discard. It acts as a pass of your turn.
DIVA CARDS
Diva cards let you exchange one card with a chosen opponent — you each give the other one card from your hand.
If you only have one card left (the Diva card itself), the chosen opponent must give you a card without receiving one in return, potentially eliminating themselves if it was their last card.
JOBBER CARDS
Jobber cards let you deal direct damage to a chosen opponent — they must discard a card from their hand with no replacement.
If the targeted player was the Title Belt holder, the belt moves to you.
HIGH FLIER CARDS
High Flier cards allow you to attempt a high-risk attack against a chosen opponent. If executed accurately, the opponent must discard a card.
If the targeted player was the Title Belt holder and the attack lands, the belt moves to you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED GAME PLAY QUESTIONS
Can you have more than 3 cards in your hand?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of cards a player can have in their hand. Heel cards, Face cards, and Referee cards can all result in adding cards to a player's hand.
Can you have less than 3 cards in your hand?
Yes. It is very common to have less than 3 cards in your hand as other players are actively trying to knock cards of your hand throughout the game.
What happens if I am protected by a Tag Team card when the Loose Cannon card is played?
The shifting of hands skips over you (as if you were not in the game at that moment).
What happens if a Rival card is played against me and there is no more cards in the draw pile?
You must discard the card the player picked and you do not get to replace the card in your hand (if you were the title belt holder, because of the damage to your hand, the player takes the belt from you).
What happens if I play a Technician card when there are no more cards in the draw pile?
You should not discard a card from your hand, as you can not replace it with a new one. It's essentially a 'pass' of your turn.
What happens if I play a Jobber card, and it results in a double knockout to end the game?
If you had the belt at that time, you win. If the other player your knocked out had the belt at that time, they win. If neither of you had the belt, the game ends without a winner.
What happens if the last card in my hand is a Roshambo card?
When you play the card, because you have no cards in your hand, you can not play Roshambo against any other player and are simply eliminated from the game.
Can I play a Referee card as my regular turn?
Yes. When played as part of a regular turn it won't prevent any action, but you will add a card to your hand (as long as there is a draw pile left).
Can I play a CEO card as my regular turn?
Yes. When played as part of a regular turn you'll claim the belt and you will add a card to your hand (as long as there is a draw pile left).
Does the title belt move when a Loose Cannon card is played?
Yes, but only if the Title Belt holder ends the turn with fewer cards in hand then they started it with (in which case, the player who played the Loose Cannon card claims the Title Belt). Note: Tag Team and Title belt cards currently on the table are not considered part of a player's hand and do not move with hand or card swaps (unless as a result of taking damage).
What if I only have one card left in my hand to play, and it's a Foreign Object?
You do not challenge anyone (because you do not have any cards to challenge with). You are eliminated from the game (if you have the belt, it is vacated).
What if I only have one card left in my hand to play, and it's a Diva?
The player you chose must give you a card, and you do not give them a card in return (in the end game state, this is a potential way to eliminate another player with just one card left).
What if I only have one card left in my hand to play, and it's the Loose Cannon?
All players shift their hands to the active player to their left. The active player to your left is eliminated (since you have no more cards to provide them).
What if I play a Face card and there are less than 3 cards left in the draw pile?
You draw the remaining cards from the draw pile, and you discard 1 less than you drew (if you drew 2, you discard 1. If you drew 1, you discard 0. If you draw 0, you discard 0 and it's essentially a pass of your turn).
What if I play a Face card and there is no draw pile?
You do not get to add any cards to your hand.
Why does the title belt have a Roshambo symbol and number?
So that the card can be included and played in game two (The Roshambo Protocol).
QUICK REFERENCE
| Card Type | Action | Key Note |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Object | Initiate a Roshambo battle against a chosen opponent | Comparison is private; winner keeps one card, loser discards one |
| Tag Team | Place face up in front of you for protection for one full round | You are skipped in all hand swaps while protected |
| CEO (Interrupt) | Claim the Title Belt immediately | Can be played on any player's turn; draw a replacement card |
| Referee (Interrupt) | Cancel any action, including flipping a Roshambo result | Can be played on any player's turn; draw a replacement card |
| Loose Cannon | All players pass their hand to the active player on their left | Belt moves to you if the champion ends with fewer cards |
| Manager | Swap your hand with a chosen opponent's hand | Belt moves to you if the champion ends with fewer cards |
| Heel | Draw a card from the draw pile and add it to your hand | Acts as a pass if the draw pile is empty |
| Face | Draw 3 cards, then discard 2 (net +1 card) | If fewer than 3 cards remain in the pile, draw all and discard 1 fewer than drawn |
| Rival | Choose a card to discard from a chosen opponent's hand | Opponent does not draw a replacement; belt moves to you if they were champion |
| Technician | Discard a card from your hand and draw a new one | Acts as a pass if the draw pile is empty |
| Diva | Exchange one card with a chosen opponent | If you have only 1 card left, you take theirs without giving one back |
| Jobber | Force a chosen opponent to discard a card | Belt moves to you if they were the champion |
| High Flier | Attempt a skill-based attack; if it lands, opponent discards a card | Belt moves to you if they were the champion and the attack lands |
| Title Belt | Drawing it makes you the champion; discard reshuffles into draw pile | Triggers the end-game countdown |
The Hero Brawl Cards
HOW TO PLAY GAME TWO - THE ROSHAMBO PROTOCOL
1. Remove the Reference and How to Play cards from the deck.
2. Evenly deal all cards to players.
3. Each player flips a card from their deck to play each turn as a Roshambo match (rock beats scissors, scissors beat paper, paper beats rock. Highest number cards break initial ties and stalemates. All additional ties & stalemates are taken by the player who wins the next round).
4. The winner takes all played cards and places them in their own win pile.
5. When you've played all cards in your deck, shuffle your win pile. It becomes your new deck.
6. When a player is out of cards in their deck and win pile they are eliminated.
7. The last player with cards is the winner.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
No worries - email me directly any time. I'm always happy to chat about the game and answer any rare edge case rules or settle game debates that may come up (or to just hear about crazy strategy or situations that you encountered while playing).
And no matter what, please don't forget the most important rule, which is to -- HAVE FUN!