The rules of Murder of Crows are straightforward. Two to six players take turns drawing cards and playing card powers, attempting to spell “murder” before anyone else.

Overall Gameplay

On your turn, you draw two cards from the deck or one card from the discard pile (which may include cards played by other players). If you play a card, it must be played either adjacent to another card in front of you or directly behind one card already in front of you – thus, forming a 3×3 grid which represents your murder scene. The card’s special power takes place immediately, but it stays in place until someone plays a card that covers it up or until the end of the game. When all nine lines have been filled with cards, that round of play ends.

Types of Cards

To win, you have to be the first player to spell “murder” – each card played must touch at least one card of the same letter or row. The rules for word challenges are as follows:

A-Arrow cards (♣) can slide any card horizontally along a line, as long as it keeps touching at least one card. If multiple cards can be moved with an arrow card’s power, they move in turn from left to right; if two arrow cards affect the same card and there is no order specified (or that order is unclear), resolve them in reverse alphabetical order by card title (e.g., A then K).

I-If a card is played next to two cards with arrows on them, those card must slide according to both card’s directions. When an “I” card affects another card, the player controlling the card whose power is being used decides which direction it moves. If there are multiple players controlling those cards, they can choose their own directions for the card movement – but if they cannot agree, default to left unless otherwise specified (e.g., K♠ and I♥ would move the ♥ three spaces north and one space east).

Eligible words: all standard Scrabble words; additionally including names that start with I (e.g., Ike)

J-Jokers (♣) may be played anywhere, but once they are played they must be covered by another card (which does not necessarily have to be the card resulting from their power). If multiple jokers affect one card, they may choose any card direction.

Q-Once a card with an “Q” is placed it cannot be moved or uncovered during the game. However, you can put both of your cards on top of it to flag it for yourself so other players will know not to place additional cards there. At the end of each round, any player who has not yet spelled murder can cover their own “Q” card with one card of their choice (if they do not have any cards left, it does not count as a murder).

X-If an “X” card is placed at the end of a word (i.e., if it’s touching nothing), flip it over to its alternate side which reads “-x-” and use its power again. If instead you play an “X” card touching another card, use both card’s powers in order (e.g., I♥-I♣-IXX would move the ♥ three spaces north, then the ♣ four spaces west, then the XX one space south).

Z-Cards with “Z” card powers are wild and may be placed on any card played on the table, regardless of the card’s direction or original placement. A card on top of a card can completely cover an “X” card power, if necessary.

M U R D E R

Once someone plays their final card to spell murder, play continues in reverse alphabetical order until there is a clear winner or at least two players tie for the win. If multiple players tie, whoever played their final card most recently wins.

If a card is played next to two cards with arrows on them, those card must slide according to both card’s directions. When an “I” card affects another card, the player controlling the card whose power is being used decides which direction it moves. If there are multiple players controlling those cards, they can choose their own directions for the card movement – but if they cannot agree, default to left unless otherwise specified (e.g., K♠ and I♥ would move the ♥ three spaces north and one space east).

Spell Murder Today and buy Murder of Crows from Fantastic Games!