Magic Dragons FAQs
Gameplay
If I have more than one dragon card of a color, can I play both of them on my turn?
No, you can only play 1 card per turn.
Is it possible to have more than 1 stack of a certain color during a round?
Yes, but ONLY if a spell card has been played to change the color or cover the color.
Examples:
-An ice spell is placed on a purple stack. Purple is now available for play, and a new purple stack can be started.
-A fire spell is placed on a yellow card stack and moved to the center of the table. Yellow is now available for play, and a new yellow stack can be started.
-A color spell is placed on a black card stack, and the new color is red, even though a red stack already exists. This means that there could be 2 or more red stacks in play at the same time.
Can I play my card in someone else’s play area?
New card stacks are always started in the current player’s play area.
You can play a dragon card on someone else’s stack, but since it is a higher number, that stack automatically moves to your play area.
You can play a spell on an opponent’s stack in their play area, but the appropriate action still happens…for ice, the stack remains in their play area; for fire, the stack moves to the center of the table; for color, the stack is moved to the center and a new color is called out by you.
What do I do if I bid 0, but have a stack in my play area?
If you can, place a fire or color spell on the stack (so it moves to the center of the table). If you aren’t able to get rid of the stack, you will not make your bid (but you will get 1 point for every card at the end of the round in your play area).
Do I have to start a dragon stack with a 1 dragon?
No, but it is a good idea to play a lower-numbered dragon to start a color stack.
Can I start a card stack with a 7 dragon?
Yes, you can start a color stack with any numbered dragon. But don’t forget, each card is worth 1 point at the end of the round. Your stack will not be able to grow in point value without more cards.
What if I missed my chance to play a lower-numbered dragon? Can I still play my card?What if I missed my chance to play a lower-numbered dragon? Can I still play my card?
No. As long as a higher-numbered dragon of that color is on top of a stack, your lower-numbered dragon is unplayable. To play this card, you or an opponent can use a spell card. Anytime a spell card covers a stack, that color becomes available for play.
Can I change the color of a dragon stack by placing a same-number dragon of a different color (ie. Black 3 on top of a yellow 3)?
No, a dragon stack can ONLY change colors if a color spell card is placed on top of it.
What do I do if none of my cards can be played on my turn?
If you cannot play any of the cards in your hand, play skips you until you are either able to play a card or the round ends.
How many rounds are in a typical game?
The first player to reach 40 points wins. Usually this takes 3-4 rounds depending on the number of players.
Spell Cards
Can I place a dragon card on top of a spell card?
No, dragon cards can only be played on top of other dragon cards or start card stacks.
Can I place a spell card on top of a single dragon card (meaning, if the card stack has only 1 card)?
Yes. A spell card can be placed on any size dragon card stack.
After a spell card is placed on top of a dragon stack, can a new stack of that color be started?
Yes. When a card stack has a spell card on top, that card no longer has a color. This frees up the color underneath the spell for players to start a new card stack of that color.
COLOR SPELL: Can anyone claim a stack with a color spell card on it, or just the player who put the spell on it?
Anyone can claim the stack on their next turn, but it has to be the color that is determined by the player who placed the color spell card.
COLOR SPELL: Can I change the color to the same color?
Yes. This is especially helpful if you have a lower-numbered card still in your hand of that color.
COLOR SPELL: Who decides what color a stack is changed to after a color spell is placed on a stack?
The player who placed the color spell on a stack determines the color, even if they aren’t the player who claims the stack.
FIRE SPELL: What happens to a card stack with a fire spell?
The stack is moved to the center of the table. None of the cards can be played during the rest of the round.
FIRE SPELL: Can I place a fire spell on top of an ice spell?
No. Spell cards can NOT be placed on top of other spell cards.
Bidding
What happens if the bid card I want is not available?
Sorry. There are a limited number of each bid card on purpose. You may be forced to change your strategy, but that makes it fun. Hopefully the next round, you will get your bid card preference.
What happens if I don't make my bid? Do I lose points?
No. There is no penalty for not making your bid.
Do I keep the same bid card each round?
No. Gather the bid cards after each round. The bidding starts over at the beginning of each round.
Scoring
How do I keep track of the score, since there are several rounds to a game?
You will need to record the points for each round on a piece of paper. This will help you know when a player reaches 40 points.
(FYI, there are also some really great apps that can help you keep score. Our favorite is "Score Anything". It is FREE to download from the AppStore.)
Do you get bonus points for spell cards?
No. ALL cards in your play area at the end of the round are worth 1 point each.
What do I do with cards still in my hand at the end of the round (that I couldn't play)?
Each remaining card is worth -2 points. But don't worry, you can't go below 0.
If I didn’t score any points at the end of the round, but I do have a card still left in my hand, how do I score myself? Do I need to subtract points from my overall game score?
The points only count toward that round. If you score 0, and still have a card in your hand (which is -2 points), you still end up with 0 points. It doesn’t matter what your score was during the previous round.
For example, let’s say that you scored 7 points during round 1. Great job!! During round 2, you scored 0 points and have an extra card in your hand (which should give you -2 points). You still end up with 0 points for round 2, since you can’t go below 0. Your overall score is 7+0=7.
Who gets points for the card stacks in the center of the table?
No one. A card stack in the center of the table will not score points for any player.
Ending the Game
If 2 or more players reach 40 during the same round, who wins?
The player with the highest total points wins.
What happens if there is a tie?
If there is a tie, the player with the most cards in their play area at the end of the final round wins.