Three Dragon Ante: Modifications.

So I have been tinkering with a beloved card game that I own. Three Dragon Ante. In an effort to expand the number of cards to increase the number of players I have added the Neutral Dragons and a few mortals and a neutral Dragon card. After playtesting the cards I have modified 2 of the Neutral dragon suits and the Bard card. This was to preserve game balance. Things I noticed when we playtested these: Color Flights are more rare. Strength Flights are more common, Mortal flights are a bit more common but not enough to be noticalbe.

So here are the new Neutral Dragons after Modification:


Take 1 random card from strongest opponent pay weakest opponent 1 gold

The opponent with the strongest flight chooses to give you any dragon. If the dragon is stronger than this card than you pay 5 gold to the stakes, if the dragon is weaker than this card then the opponent gives 5 gold to the weakest player.

Take a random card from the opponent with the strongest flight, give a card to that opponent of your choice.

Pay 2 gold to the stakes for each card you wish to draw up to 3 and discard the same number of cards you draw up to 3 cards, if you do so then your opponents may pay 4 gold to draw a card and discard 1.

Discard this card, shuffle the discard pile and take a random card from it. That card's power activates normally, if it is a crystal dragon then take the top of the draw card to play instead, the power activates normally.


I hope those are readalbe. From those that helped the initial playtest, thanks. Here are the updated suits of dragons.

Here are the mortals:


Commoner: Take one gold from the stakes for every mortal in play.

Bard: Each opponent with a stronger flight than you chooses to give you a random card from their hand or 5 gold.

Pay 2 gold to the stakes, this card counts as a Gold, Silver, or Bronze dragon for the purposes of Strenght or Color flights or other custom flights.

And Lastly the Neurtral Dragon God is the Ruby Dragon: Sardior.



Discard any number of cards from your hand, draw that many cards from the draw pile.

Other Modifications to the game: Add 5 gold to each person's base hoard of 50 for each player beyond 6.

It has been mentioned to me that I should create a Balance flight, a flight of 1 good dragon, 1 neutral dragon and 1 evil dragon. Due to the commoness of this I have decided not to do so as it would be easy to do.

Also, I have been asked to create a Mortal flight. Now that mortals are a bit more common too I like the Idea. One House rule was that if you could do it then you could discard any number of cards and draw the same number of cards. Very powerful. I think something lesser should be in order. Not sure what.

So, I am looking for help on the internet here about creating variations of play. A new flight Idea or two. Suggestions on the cards I presented and suggested new playing methods.

One Idea I had was double ante. Each player plays 2 cards for the ante and the total is added up and put in the stakes. This is basically a "Let's end the game" type of alternate style.

Another Idea was to have team play for the pot. See the Idea is to play the game with more people than 6. You can team up with someone and play happens normally with 2 flights of 3 but the twist is you and your partner can mix the flights to get a special flight AND if you or your team mate win the pot you both split the pot evenly.

Any Ideas out there, or comments. All are welcome.

Dave