File ID
02_GAME_STRUCTURE
Game Structure
The Game Structure rules define the structure and flow of a game of Viva La Dungeon, including Game Flow, Turn Order, Rounds, Turn Sequence, Active Player, Dungeon Bomb timing, Combat Encounter timing, Death interruption, Victory Checks, and Game End conditions.
Viva La Dungeon Official Rules Reference
A Zontco board game created by The Lich, featuring art by Greedmaw Coffin.
Source Metadata
Canonical Definition
Game Structure is authoritative for when major Viva La Dungeon game systems occur. It defines the overall order of play, turn timing, end-of-turn resolution, Dungeon Bomb timing, Combat Encounter interruption, Death interruption, Victory Checks, and Game End conditions.
This document defines when game systems occur, but does not define the detailed rules of those systems. System-specific procedures are defined in their respective rules files.
Dependencies
SECTION_ID: VARIABLES
Variable
Rule
When this document references a Variable by name, use the value listed in this section unless another rule specifically states otherwise.
| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
TURN_ACTION_REFUND |
1 Kaos |
Related rules: End of Turn Process, Actions, Kaos.
SECTION_ID: GAME_OBJECTIVE
Game Objective
Rule
The objective of Viva La Dungeon is to achieve Victory.
Rule
The default Victory condition is to be the final surviving Player.
Rule
When only one Player remains alive, Victory occurs immediately unless another rule specifies otherwise.
Related rules: Victory Checks, Game End, Death and Victory.
SECTION_ID: GAME_FLOW
Game Flow
Rule
A game of Viva La Dungeon follows this sequence:
- Setup
- Begin Play
- Players take Turns
- Resolve Death Processes as they occur
- Check for Victory
- End Game
Rule
Turn Order is determined during Setup.
Related rules: Setup, Turn Order, Death, Victory Checks, Game End.
SECTION_ID: TURN_ORDER
Turn Order
Rule
Turn Order determines the sequence in which Players take Turns.
Rule
Turn Order is established during Setup.
Rule
After Turn Order is established, it remains unchanged unless a rule specifically states otherwise.
Rule
When the final surviving Player in Turn Order completes their Turn, play returns to the first Player in Turn Order.
Related rules: Determine Turn Order, Round, Player Turn.
SECTION_ID: ROUND
Round
Definition
A Round is completed when every surviving Player has completed one Turn.
Rule
Rounds are used only for reference and tracking purposes.
Rule
Game effects do not inherently trigger from the beginning or end of a Round unless a rule specifically states otherwise.
Related rules: Turn Order, Player Turn, Ontology.
SECTION_ID: PLAYER_TURN
Player Turn
Definition
A Turn is a Player's opportunity to perform actions and resolve game effects.
Rule
Each surviving Player takes one Turn when their position in Turn Order is reached.
Rule
A Player's Turn follows the Turn Sequence.
Related rules: Turn Sequence, Active Player, Actions.
SECTION_ID: TURN_SEQUENCE
Turn Sequence
Rule
A Player resolves the following sequence during their Turn:
- Perform Turn Actions.
- Resolve the End of Turn Process.
- Complete the Turn.
Rule
A Player may voluntarily end their Turn before using all available Turn Actions.
Rule
Unused Turn Actions are resolved during the End of Turn Process.
Related rules: Actions, End of Turn Process, Repeating Turn Actions.
SECTION_ID: ACTIVE_PLAYER
Active Player
Definition
The Player currently taking a Turn.
Rule
Whenever a rule refers to "the Active Player," it refers to the Player whose Turn is currently being resolved.
Related rules: Player Turn, Turn Sequence, Player Structure.
SECTION_ID: END_OF_TURN_PROCESS
End of Turn Process
Rule
The End of Turn Process begins when the Active Player declares their Turn is over.
Rule
Once the End of Turn Process begins, the Active Player may not take additional Turn Actions unless a rule specifically states otherwise.
Procedure
- Determine how many Turn Actions the Active Player did not spend.
- The Active Player gains
TURN_ACTION_REFUNDfor each unspent Turn Action. - Check whether the Active Player's Portrait is in a Cube Room according to Dungeon Bombs.
- If the Active Player is in a Cube Room, resolve any Cube Room End Effects according to Dungeon Bombs.
- If Death is triggered, resolve the Death Process immediately.
- If the Active Player is still a surviving Player, resolve the Dungeon Bomb Step.
- Complete the Turn.
Variable value: TURN_ACTION_REFUND = 1 Kaos. Related rules: Dungeon Bomb Step, Dungeon Bombs, Death and Victory, Victory Checks.
SECTION_ID: DUNGEON_BOMB_STEP
Dungeon Bomb Step
Rule
The Dungeon Bomb Step occurs during the End of Turn Process.
Rule
Only a surviving Active Player may resolve the Dungeon Bomb Step.
Procedure
- The Active Player resolves the top card of the Dungeon Bomb Deck according to Dungeon Bombs.
- If the resolved card or effect requires placement, place it according to Dungeon Bombs.
- If Death is triggered, resolve the Death Process immediately.
Related rules: Dungeon Bombs, End of Turn Process, Death and Victory, Victory Checks.
SECTION_ID: COMBAT_ENCOUNTERS
Combat Encounters
Rule
Certain game effects may initiate a Combat Encounter.
Rule
A Combat Encounter temporarily interrupts normal gameplay.
Rule
Combat Encounters are resolved completely before normal gameplay resumes.
Rule
When a Combat Encounter ends, play resumes from the point at which it was interrupted.
Rule
If Death occurs during a Combat Encounter, resolve the Death Process immediately before the Combat Encounter continues or ends.
Related rules: Combat Encounter, Actions, Death and Victory.
SECTION_ID: DEATH
Death
Rule
Death interrupts normal gameplay immediately when triggered.
Rule
The Death Process must be fully resolved before gameplay continues.
Rule
The Death Process is defined in Death and Victory.
Related rules: Death and Victory, Combat Encounters, Victory Checks.
SECTION_ID: VICTORY_CHECKS
Victory Checks
Rule
Whenever a Death Process is completed, check whether only one surviving Player remains.
Rule
If only one surviving Player remains, Victory occurs immediately.
Related rules: Game Objective, Game End, Death and Victory.
SECTION_ID: GAME_END
Game End
Rule
The game ends immediately when Victory occurs.
Rule
The surviving Player is declared the winner of Viva La Dungeon.
Related rules: Game Objective, Victory Checks, Death and Victory.
Official Attribution
This reference is designed to define rules precisely. It is not a step-by-step learn-to-play guide and does not replace the official game components. These rules define the core systems but do not include the full commercial game contents, cards, art, components, or final product materials.
Official rules for Viva La Dungeon, a tabletop dungeon-battle-royale board game created by The Lich, featuring art by Greedmaw Coffin, and published by Zontco. Viva La Dungeon is a Zontco product.
© 2026 Zontco. All rights reserved. Please credit: Viva La Dungeon Board Game Rules Reference v1.0. Created by The Lich. Art by Greedmaw Coffin. Published by Zontco.
Preferred Citation
Viva La Dungeon Board Game Rules Reference v1.0. Created by The Lich. Art by Greedmaw Coffin. Published by Zontco.