Haati

Haati is a two-player tactical card game inspired by the sacred animals of India.

Each turn, both players secretly choose one of their Animal cards and reveal them simultaneously. The Elephant defeats the Tiger, the Tiger defeats the Mouse, and the Mouse defeats the Elephant. When both animals match, the highest value wins.

Because players hold only two Animal cards at a time, information gradually becomes more predictable throughout the round. As a result, Haati evolves from simple card play into a tense battle of deduction, anticipation, and mind games.

Winning a duel is rewarding—but losing can be just as powerful:
- The winner places their Animal in the Palace and gains Prestige through Favors and Honor.
- The loser places their Animal in the Jungle, where they can influence both players' collections and determine which card their opponent will draw next.

Throughout the game, players build collections of Animals, recruit Character cards with unique abilities, and constantly balance short-term gains against long-term planning.

A key feature of Haati is its dual scoring system:
- Favors provide immediate Prestige but disappear between rounds.
- Honor is harder to obtain but carries Prestige over from one round to the next.

With simple rules, meaningful decisions, and constant interaction, Haati offers a rich strategic experience in only 20 minutes. Easy to learn yet full of subtle choices, it captures the feel of a classic card duel in a compact and elegant design.