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How to play King of Tokyo (2026): King of Tokyo is a dice game for two to six players who play giant monsters fighting for control of Tokyo. Roll dice up to three times, keep what you like, then score points, gain energy, heal or smash other monsters. Be the first to reach 20 victory points or the last monster standing. This guide follows IELLO's current rulebook and covers setup, the five-step turn, Tokyo City and Tokyo Bay, power cards and smart tips.
The game you need: King of Tokyo (New Edition)
The current IELLO box includes monster boards and figures, six black dice, two green dice, energy cubes, power cards and the Tokyo board. It seats two to six players.
Price band: $30+ (about $45) · Check today’s price on Amazon
King of Tokyo setup
- Shuffle the power cards and reveal three face up beside the board.
- Each player picks a monster, sets its life dial to 10 and its victory point dial to 0.
- Place the Tokyo board in the middle. With two to four players use only Tokyo City; with five or six use Tokyo City and Tokyo Bay.
- Put the six black dice in the center and set the green dice aside; some cards use them.
- Make a pool of energy cubes. Everyone rolls the six black dice to decide who goes first, as the rulebook describes.
A King of Tokyo turn in five steps
1. Roll dice
Roll the six black dice. You may reroll any or all of them up to two more times, keeping the ones you like. You can stop at any time.
2. Resolve the dice
| Die face | What it does |
|---|---|
| 1, 2 or 3 | Three of the same number score that many points; each extra matching die adds 1 |
| Energy | Take one energy cube per face |
| Heart | Heal one life per face (not while in Tokyo), up to 10 |
| Claw | Deal one damage per face to monsters in the other area |
Claws work by location. If you are in Tokyo, your claws hit every monster outside. If you are outside, your claws hit the monster or monsters in Tokyo. A monster in Tokyo that takes damage may yield and leave.
3. Enter Tokyo
If Tokyo is empty, you must move in, and you gain 1 victory point for entering. If a monster you just damaged yields, you take its place. Since nobody starts in Tokyo, the first player's claws hit no one and that player simply walks in.
4. Buy power cards
Spend energy to buy any of the three face-up cards, replacing each right away. You may also pay 2 energy to sweep all three into the discard pile and reveal new ones. Keep cards stay in front of you; discard cards take effect once.
5. End your turn
Play passes to the left. When you start a turn already in Tokyo, you gain 2 victory points.
Tokyo City and Tokyo Bay
With five or six players, Tokyo Bay opens as a second space so two monsters can be in Tokyo at once. Both count as Tokyo for every rule. When only four or fewer monsters remain, Tokyo Bay closes and its monster must leave.
Winning King of Tokyo
The game ends at the end of a turn in which a monster reaches 20 victory points, or when only one monster is left standing. That monster is crowned King of Tokyo. A monster at zero life is eliminated and discards its cards and energy.
A sample King of Tokyo turn
Imagine CyberKitty sits in Tokyo City and it is Gigazaur's turn. Gigazaur rolls two 3s, an energy, a heart and two claws. He keeps the 3s and rerolls the rest, hoping for a third 3. He gets a 3, an energy and two claws. Now he scores 3 points for the triple 3s, takes one energy cube and hits CyberKitty for two damage. CyberKitty is hurt and decides to yield, so Gigazaur must move into Tokyo City and gains 1 more point. Next turn, if he survives, he collects 2 points just for starting there.
King of Tokyo strategy tips
- Know when to leave. Tokyo pays well but you cannot heal there. Yield before your life gets too low.
- Energy wins long games. A couple of strong keep cards can carry you to 20 points.
- Chase numbers when it is quiet. A set of 3s plus extras can jump you ahead without risk.
- Watch the leader. Gang up on whoever is closest to 20 points by hitting them in Tokyo.
Love dice games? Try our Yahtzee rules, Liar’s Dice guide or browse our game night picks. Once this one is a table staple, King of New York vs King of Monster Island helps you pick a bigger sequel.
King of Tokyo rules questions
Can you heal in Tokyo?
No. Hearts do nothing while you are in Tokyo, though some power cards can still restore life.
Do you have to enter Tokyo?
Yes. If Tokyo is empty at that step of your turn, you must move in.
How many players can play King of Tokyo?
Two to six. With five or six, the game adds Tokyo Bay.
