File ID
02_GAME_STRUCTURE
Game Structure
Defines the structure and flow of a game of Viva La Dungeon.
Viva La Dungeon Official Rules ReferenceA Zontco board game created by The Lich, featuring art by Greedmaw Coffin.
Source metadata
Canonical definition
Defines the structure and flow of a game of Viva La Dungeon. Rules defined here are authoritative unless another active rules document explicitly overrides a specific rule.
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
- TURN_ACTION_REFUND: 1 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 exactly one Surviving Player remains, Victory occurs immediately unless another rule specifies otherwise.
SECTION_ID: GAME_FLOW
Game Flow
Rule
A game of Viva La Dungeon follows this sequence:
1. Setup
2. Begin Play
3. Players take Turns
4. Resolve Death Processes, Player Falls, and Final Deaths as they occur
5. Check for Victory
6. End Game
Rule
Turn Order is determined during Setup.
SECTION_ID: TURN_ORDER
Turn Order
Rule
Turn Order determines the sequence in which Player positions are resolved.
Rule
Turn Order is established during Setup.
Rule
After Turn Order is established, it remains unchanged unless a rule specifically states otherwise.
Rule
When a Player's position in Turn Order is reached, resolve that position according to the Player's current state.
Rule
A Surviving Player takes a normal Player Turn.
Rule
A Zombie Player takes a Zombie Turn according to RULES_EXTENSION_01_ZOMBIES.
Rule
A Fallen Player resolves Rising as a Zombie according to RULES_EXTENSION_01_ZOMBIES.
Rule
A Removed Player's position is skipped.
Rule
After the final position in Turn Order is resolved, play returns to the first position in Turn Order.
SECTION_ID: PLAYER_TURN
Player Turn
Definition
A Player Turn is a Surviving Player's opportunity to perform Actions and resolve Player Turn effects.
Rule
Each Surviving Player takes one Player Turn when their position in Turn Order is reached.
Rule
A Player Turn follows the Turn Sequence.
Rule
Fallen Players, Zombie Players, and Removed Players do not take normal Player Turns.
Rule
Zombie Turns and Rising as a Zombie are defined in RULES_EXTENSION_01_ZOMBIES.
SECTION_ID: TURN_SEQUENCE
Turn Sequence
Rule
A Player resolves the following sequence during their Turn:
1. Perform Turn Actions.
2. Resolve the End of Turn Process.
3. 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.
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.
SECTION_ID: END_OF_TURN_PROCESS
End of Turn Process
Rule
The standard End of Turn Process is resolved only during a Surviving Player's normal Player Turn.
Procedure
- Determine how many Turn Actions the Active Player did not spend.
- The Active Player gains
[TURN_ACTION_REFUND]for each unspent Turn Action. - Check whether the Active Player's Portrait is in a Cube Room according to 07_DUNGEON_BOMBS.
- If the Active Player is in a Cube Room, resolve any applicable Cube Room End Effects according to 07_DUNGEON_BOMBS.
- If Death, Player Fall, or Final Death is triggered, resolve the applicable procedure immediately.
- If the Active Player becomes a Fallen Player or Removed Player before the Dungeon Bomb Step begins, end the Turn immediately without resolving a Dungeon Bomb Step.
- If the Active Player remains a Surviving Player, resolve the standard Dungeon Bomb Step.
- If the Active Player becomes a Fallen Player or Removed Player during an already-begun Dungeon Bomb Step, complete the interrupted Dungeon Bomb resolution as far as its rules allow, then complete the Turn.
- Complete the Turn.
Rule
A Zombie Player does not resolve the standard End of Turn Process.
Rule
A Zombie Player resolves the Zombie End of Turn Process according to RULES_EXTENSION_01_ZOMBIES.
Rule
A Fallen Player or Removed Player does not resolve an End of Turn Process.
Reference
RULES_EXTENSION_01_ZOMBIES > FALL_DURING_ACTIVE_TURN (Fall During the Active Player's Turn)
Reference
RULES_EXTENSION_01_ZOMBIES > ZOMBIE_END_OF_TURN_PROCESS (Zombie End of Turn Process)
SECTION_ID: DUNGEON_BOMB_STEP
Dungeon Bomb Step
Rule
The Dungeon Bomb Step occurs during the End of Turn Process.
Rule
A Surviving Active Player resolves the standard Dungeon Bomb Step according to 07_DUNGEON_BOMBS.
Rule
A Zombie Active Player resolves the Zombie Dungeon Bomb Step according to RULES_EXTENSION_01_ZOMBIES.
Rule
A Fallen Player or Removed Player does not resolve a Dungeon Bomb Step.
Procedure
- The eligible Active Player resolves the top card of the Dungeon Bomb Deck according to the applicable Dungeon Bomb procedure.
- If the resolved card or effect requires placement, place it according to 07_DUNGEON_BOMBS or RULES_EXTENSION_01_ZOMBIES.
- If Death, Player Fall, or Final Death is triggered, resolve the applicable procedure immediately.
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, Player Fall, or Final Death occurs during a Combat Encounter, pause Combat and resolve the applicable procedure immediately before Combat continues or ends.
Rule
A Player who dies, falls, or resolves Final Death is removed from the current Combat Encounter and from Combat Order.
Rule
After the applicable procedure, continue the Combat Encounter only if its current Combat End Condition is still met.
Rule
If the Active Player is no longer a Surviving Player after the applicable procedure, the Active Player's Player Turn ends after the Combat Encounter and any interrupted effect are resolved as far as possible.
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 09_DEATH_AND_VICTORY.
Rule
Another rule may replace the normal Death Process with a different immediate procedure, such as Player Fall or Final Death.
Rule
When another rule replaces the normal Death Process, resolve that procedure before gameplay continues.
SECTION_ID: VICTORY_CHECKS
Victory Checks
Rule
Whenever a Death Process is completed, check whether only one Surviving Player remains.
Rule
Whenever a Player falls, check whether only one Surviving Player remains before looting or preparing that Player to rise as a Zombie.
Rule
If only one Surviving Player remains, Victory occurs immediately.
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.
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.
Preferred citation
Viva La Dungeon Board Game Rules Reference v1.0. Created by The Lich. Art by Greedmaw Coffin. Published by Zontco.