Wu 2026

Compete in a clash of the Five Chinese Elements!

"Wu" means "five" in Chinese. And in this game, five is everything: five elements, five numbers, five ingots. At the heart of Wu lies the ancient Chinese philosophy of the Five Elements 金木水火土 (pronounced “Jin Mu Shui Huo Tu”). Each Element flows into another in an endless, yet balanced, cycle.

Combo your Cards! In this elemental hand management game, play (and conserve!) your cards strategically to win Gold Ingots!

All players start with a hand of 8 cards, which they view privately. On your turn, you choose whether to Play or Pass. To Play, form a Set of cards from your hand, that is the same or next Element as what was just played. Your Set must also be of the same or higher level than what was just played.

If you are unable to Play, or want to conserve cards, you may Pass. Take the top 2 cards of the deck and add them to your hand. Once you Pass, you are out of that Round. All other players continue, until only 1 player is left (i.e. all other players Passed). That player wins the Round, gains 1 Gold Ingot, and starts the next Round.

Unleash epic Beasts! Guarding each element is one of five legendary Beasts of Chinese mythology. Revered across China, Japan, and Korea, they appear on palace walls, temple rooftops, and imperial armour as symbols of protection and cosmic order.

In the game, these Beasts are Wild cards that can represent any number for their respective Element. Additionally, if you form a Wild Pair (2 of the same Wild card), that is the highest level Set in the game.

Win Gold Ingots! First player to gain 5 Gold Ingots wins!

—description from the designer