7 Wonders: Duel is a fast-paced strategic card-based board game, designed in 2015 by the brilliant Bruno Cathala and Antoine Bauza. Ranked in the top 20 board games worldwide according to Board Game Geek, it has garnered an astonishing number of awards, including Game of the Year titles from 2015 to 2017! While 7 Wonders: Duel shares much with its "big sister" “7 Wonders”, it stands apart with one key difference, as the name suggests: it’s designed exclusively for two players.

About the Board Game 7 Wonders: Duel

In this game, you and your opponent will compete over three ages to develop ancient cities and construct wonders of the world. The game offers three paths to victory: military, scientific, or by amassing the most victory points.

Game Rules Overview

At the start, players use a drafting mechanic (card selection) to choose 4 wonders of the world each and receive 7 coins. Unlike “7 Wonders,” building cards aren’t acquired through drafting but via a unique system: they’re arranged in a pyramid, partially overlapping (the layout changes with each age).

Players take turns. On their turn, the active player has three possible actions:

1. Build a Structure. The player takes a card from the table and places it in their city, usually paying its cost in coins or resources. If resources are lacking, they can be purchased from the bank.
2. Discard a Card for coins. The player discards a card from the table, gaining two coins plus one additional coin for each yellow (trade) building in their city.
3. Construct a Wonder. The player pays the wonder’s resource cost, takes a card from the table (not their city), and places it beneath the wonder card.

As mentioned earlier, the game offers three victory conditions:

1. Military Victory is achieved by building red cards. Shields on these cards move a token along the conflict track toward the opponent’s city based on their number. If the token reaches the end, the game ends instantly with a win.
2. Scientific Victory comes from building green cards with special symbols. Collecting six unique symbols triggers an immediate victory.
3. If neither military nor scientific victory occurs, players tally points from buildings and wonders at the end of the third age. The one with the most points wins.

We recommend checking out the video rules in the “Video” section and, if desired, exploring a detailed, illustrated PDF version of the rules in the “Files” section.

In Conclusion

With its engaging mechanics and swift gameplay, Gallu the Rooster considers “7 Wonders: Duel” the ultimate two-player strategic game. Gallu also advises sleeving the cards with protectors—after hundreds of plays, it’d be a shame to see your favorite game’s cards worn out.