Munchkin

Game Stats

Year: 2001
Players: 3-6
Duration: ~60 mins
Complexity: Easy
Age Range: 12+
Status: Owned

Overview

Munchkin is a comedic card game that parodies traditional role-playing adventures by focusing on monster slaying, treasure grabbing, and (often) shameless backstabbing. Players race to be the first to reach Level 10, using gear, special abilities, and cunning to outsmart both monsters and fellow players. Its humorous artwork, pun-filled cards, and simple rules make Munchkin a popular choice for lighthearted, fast-paced tabletop fun.

Components

Door deck (various monster, curse, and class/race cards)
Treasure deck (equipment, items, and special effect cards)
Level tracking method (often players use the included side card or any chosen system)
Rulebook

Setup

Separate the cards into two decks: Doors and Treasures. Shuffle each deck thoroughly.
Deal each player 2 Door cards and 2 Treasure cards.
Each player starts at Level 1.
You're ready to begin—pick a player to go first (house rule suggestion: whoever can make the best "Munchkin" face!).

How to Play

Kick Open the Door: Draw the top card from the Door deck. If it's a monster, fight it. If it's a curse, apply its effect. Otherwise, keep the card.
Look for Trouble / Loot the Room: If you didn't fight a monster, you may either play a monster from your hand to battle it or draw a face-down Door card to add to your hand.
Charity: If you have more than 5 cards at the end of your turn, give the excess to the player with the lowest level (or discard if you are the lowest).
Fighting Monsters: Compare your total combat strength (level + bonuses) with the monster's. Other players can help—or hinder—by playing cards. If you beat the monster, you go up a level and collect Treasure cards. If you lose, you suffer the monster's "Bad Stuff" effect.
Winning: The first player to reach Level 10 (by defeating a monster) wins!

Why You Might Enjoy It

Lighthearted humor and whimsical artwork make it accessible to nearly any group.
Quick setup and rules let you jump into the action without a lengthy tutorial.
High interactivity—you can help or backstab other players, creating lively table banter.
Ideal for anyone who likes a blend of luck, mild strategy, and comedic chaos.

Expansions

Major Expansions

Munchkin 2 – Unnatural Axe – Additional cards and mechanics
Munchkin 3 – Clerical Errors – Additional cards and mechanics
Munchkin 4 – The Need for Steed – Additional cards and mechanics
Munchkin 5 – De-Ranged – Additional cards and mechanics
Munchkin 6 – Demented Dungeons – Additional cards and mechanics
Munchkin 6.5 – Terrible Tombs – Additional cards and mechanics
Munchkin 7 – Cheat With Both Hands – Additional cards and mechanics
Munchkin 8 – Half Horse, Will Travel – Additional cards and mechanics
Munchkin 9 – Jurassic Snark – Additional cards and mechanics
Munchkin 10 – This One Goes to Eleven – Additional cards and mechanics
Munchkin 11 – Big Chunks – Additional cards and mechanics

Minor Expansions

Munchkin Fairy Dust – Mini expansion
Munchkin Fairy Dust Dice – Dice expansion
Munchkin Marked for Death – Mini expansion
Munchkin Dragons – Dragon-themed expansion
Munchkin Dragon's Trike – Dragon-themed expansion
Munchkin Knights – Knight-themed expansion
Munchkin The Guild – The Guild themed expansion
Munchkin Kittens – Kitten-themed expansion
Munchkin Puppies – Puppy-themed expansion
Munchkin Undead – Undead-themed expansion
Munchkin Monster Enhancers – Monster enhancement expansion
Munchkin Easter Eggs – Easter-themed expansion
Munchkin Valentine – Valentine-themed expansion
Munchkin Waiting for Santa – Christmas-themed expansion
Munchkin Santa's Revenge – Christmas-themed expansion
Munchkin Reindeer Games – Christmas-themed expansion
Munchkin Naughty & Nice – Christmas-themed expansion
Munchkin Holidazed – Holiday-themed expansion
Munchkinomicon – Special expansion