Hnefatafl
The Game of the Vikings
FreeOffers In-App Purchases
3.91for iPhone, iPad and more
Age Rating
Hnefatafl Screenshots
About Hnefatafl
Hnefatafl is an ancient Scandinavian board game whose variants were played all over medieval Europe before chess was even invented. In those so called Tafl games two different sized armies fight each other. The invading black army tries to capture the white king, while the defending white army tries to protect their king and help him escape.
Often also called the Game of the Vikings Hnefatafl tells many stories, like the Moskowites invasion of Sweden or the Viking hordes pillaging Britain. But no matter what the story is one thing always stays the same: The hunt for the king.
Even though the rules aren't complicated the game offers fascinating strategies and rewards tactical play. Try to surround the enemy pieces, plan ahead, lay traps and force your opponent into surrender. Will you capture the king for gold and glory? Can the loyal guards hold back the invading forces and secure the flight of their king?
You can create your own custom variants -- with over 200,000 different variants possible! The online multiplayer supports crossplatform play. Play on any supported platform with just a single account*.
This game features:
- Variant "Hnefatafl"
- Variant "Hnefatafl - Copenhagen"
- Variant "Hnefatafl - Historical"
- Variant "Hnefatafl - Berserk"
- Variant "Hnefatafl - Fetlar"
- Variant "Old Hnefatafl"
- Variant "Simple Tafl"
- Variant "Sea Battle 11x11"
- Variant "Sea Battle 13x13"
- Variant "Tablut"
- Variant "Tablut - Historical ("Saami")"
- Variant "Linnaeus' Tablut"
- Variant "Foteviken Tablut"
- Variant "Ard Ri"
- Variant "Historical Ard Ri"
- Variant "Brandubh"
- Variant "Historical Brandubh"
- Variant "Magpie"
- Variant "Tawlbwrdd"
- Variant "Historical Tawlbwrdd"
- Variant "Tyr 13x13"
- Variant "Tyr 15x15"
- Variant "Tyr 19x19"
- Variant "Coppergate 15x15"
- Variant "Alea Evangelii"
- Variant "Historical Alea Evangelii"
- Custom variants for offline and Online Play*
- Offline play for two humans
- Offline play against various computer opponents
- Offline play between two computer opponents
- Online Play*
- Ingame Chat for Online Play*
- Crossplatform Online Play*
- Achievements*
- ELO scores*
- Match Browser to find the right opponent
- Match History to review your past matches
- Annotate and share matches
- Tutorial/Rules included
*) These features require the creation of a free Fellhuhn account, valid on all supported platforms.
This app is supported by advertisement which can be disabled through an one-time purchase of IAP.
Often also called the Game of the Vikings Hnefatafl tells many stories, like the Moskowites invasion of Sweden or the Viking hordes pillaging Britain. But no matter what the story is one thing always stays the same: The hunt for the king.
Even though the rules aren't complicated the game offers fascinating strategies and rewards tactical play. Try to surround the enemy pieces, plan ahead, lay traps and force your opponent into surrender. Will you capture the king for gold and glory? Can the loyal guards hold back the invading forces and secure the flight of their king?
You can create your own custom variants -- with over 200,000 different variants possible! The online multiplayer supports crossplatform play. Play on any supported platform with just a single account*.
This game features:
- Variant "Hnefatafl"
- Variant "Hnefatafl - Copenhagen"
- Variant "Hnefatafl - Historical"
- Variant "Hnefatafl - Berserk"
- Variant "Hnefatafl - Fetlar"
- Variant "Old Hnefatafl"
- Variant "Simple Tafl"
- Variant "Sea Battle 11x11"
- Variant "Sea Battle 13x13"
- Variant "Tablut"
- Variant "Tablut - Historical ("Saami")"
- Variant "Linnaeus' Tablut"
- Variant "Foteviken Tablut"
- Variant "Ard Ri"
- Variant "Historical Ard Ri"
- Variant "Brandubh"
- Variant "Historical Brandubh"
- Variant "Magpie"
- Variant "Tawlbwrdd"
- Variant "Historical Tawlbwrdd"
- Variant "Tyr 13x13"
- Variant "Tyr 15x15"
- Variant "Tyr 19x19"
- Variant "Coppergate 15x15"
- Variant "Alea Evangelii"
- Variant "Historical Alea Evangelii"
- Custom variants for offline and Online Play*
- Offline play for two humans
- Offline play against various computer opponents
- Offline play between two computer opponents
- Online Play*
- Ingame Chat for Online Play*
- Crossplatform Online Play*
- Achievements*
- ELO scores*
- Match Browser to find the right opponent
- Match History to review your past matches
- Annotate and share matches
- Tutorial/Rules included
*) These features require the creation of a free Fellhuhn account, valid on all supported platforms.
This app is supported by advertisement which can be disabled through an one-time purchase of IAP.
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What's New in the Latest Version 3.91
Last updated on Nov 23, 2022
Old Versions
-Long Clicking (or right clicking) an offline match in the main menu will now offer the option to rename matches.
- Added the option to always display the remaining time in an online match that has a timeout set. This was previously only available for quick matches.
- Updated the translations.
- When searching for opponents for new online matches the ignore button now also works.
- When using the "Next Match" button it will now respect the selected order for online matches.
- Tournament matches that timed out will now be shown in a different
- Added the option to always display the remaining time in an online match that has a timeout set. This was previously only available for quick matches.
- Updated the translations.
- When searching for opponents for new online matches the ignore button now also works.
- When using the "Next Match" button it will now respect the selected order for online matches.
- Tournament matches that timed out will now be shown in a different
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Version History
3.91
Nov 23, 2022
-Long Clicking (or right clicking) an offline match in the main menu will now offer the option to rename matches.
- Added the option to always display the remaining time in an online match that has a timeout set. This was previously only available for quick matches.
- Updated the translations.
- When searching for opponents for new online matches the ignore button now also works.
- When using the "Next Match" button it will now respect the selected order for online matches.
- Tournament matches that timed out will now be shown in a different
- Added the option to always display the remaining time in an online match that has a timeout set. This was previously only available for quick matches.
- Updated the translations.
- When searching for opponents for new online matches the ignore button now also works.
- When using the "Next Match" button it will now respect the selected order for online matches.
- Tournament matches that timed out will now be shown in a different
3.90
Aug 15, 2022
Added the first version of the Hungarian translation.
Updated third party libraries to improve stability and support for newer hardware.
The tournament list will now be limited to display ten tournamets at a time with the option to load more. This should prevent any problems once there are even more tournaments.
When creating a new match the variant selection images will now show the individual setups of the pieces.
Added a new setup for 9x9 custom variants.
Updated third party libraries to improve stability and support for newer hardware.
The tournament list will now be limited to display ten tournamets at a time with the option to load more. This should prevent any problems once there are even more tournaments.
When creating a new match the variant selection images will now show the individual setups of the pieces.
Added a new setup for 9x9 custom variants.
3.88
Aug 23, 2021
Improved the stability of the game which should reduce the chance of matches getting corrupted.
3.86
Aug 10, 2021
Improved the cordon detection in case the black piece stands directly next to a hostile corner tile.
Added the "no moves left" rule to the ingame rules summary.
Fixed the default color of the timeout display in the match browser to increase the readability.
Added the "no moves left" rule to the ingame rules summary.
Fixed the default color of the timeout display in the match browser to increase the readability.
3.85
Jul 28, 2021
Fixed a rule in the new Tyr variants: Commanders and Knights can now jump over their own ordinary pieces.
If Knights behave exactly as Commanders they will now also be called Commanders and not explicitly mentioned in the rules/tutorial.
Annotations are now only available in ranked matches (including tournaments).
If Knights behave exactly as Commanders they will now also be called Commanders and not explicitly mentioned in the rules/tutorial.
Annotations are now only available in ranked matches (including tournaments).
3.84
Jul 23, 2021
Added a new custom setup for 17x17 boards.
The three old Tyr variants are now marked as Legacy.
Added two new Tyr variants (without the variegated men).
The accented Heads pieces now has a higher contrast for the Knight and Commander pieces as well.
The three old Tyr variants are now marked as Legacy.
Added two new Tyr variants (without the variegated men).
The accented Heads pieces now has a higher contrast for the Knight and Commander pieces as well.
3.83
Jul 17, 2021
- Changed Rule: "Jump from and to restricted tiles" now looks for escape tiles instead of corner tiles. So it also gives the King an advantage in edge escape games.
- The opponent selection when creating a new online match will now also show the Glicko2 rating of the opponent (if ELO isn't still selected).
- The opponent selection when creating a new online match will now also show the Glicko2 rating of the opponent (if ELO isn't still selected).
3.82
Jul 12, 2021
Changed Rule: In edge escape berserk variants in which the King can jump he can now use his berserk move to jump over an enemy to reach an edge tile.
Changed Rule: In variants where blocked off corners lead to a victory for black the pieces blocking off a corner now also need to be secure. So two pieces are not enough anymore to secure a corner.
Improved the loading of third party mods. Absolute image links work now and the game is not as picky about the config file's name.
Changed Rule: In variants where blocked off corners lead to a victory for black the pieces blocking off a corner now also need to be secure. So two pieces are not enough anymore to secure a corner.
Improved the loading of third party mods. Absolute image links work now and the game is not as picky about the config file's name.
3.81
Jun 30, 2021
- New rating system introduced: Glicko2. It has better handling of new players and should result in more accurate ratings. The old ELO ratings are still calculated and can be shown instead of the new Glicko ratings via the settings.
- Due to the new rating system the ELO points had to be recalculated which might lead to some minor changes of the values.
- Fixed the text on the "Manage Mods" button in the settings.
- The 17x17 chalk board now fits the screen again.
- Added five new layouts for 17x17 custom cariants.
- Fixed the display of draws in the move history and Hnefatafl 2000.
- You can now, via the Edit Profile menu, delete your account if desired.
- Added a new Avatar
- Due to the new rating system the ELO points had to be recalculated which might lead to some minor changes of the values.
- Fixed the text on the "Manage Mods" button in the settings.
- The 17x17 chalk board now fits the screen again.
- Added five new layouts for 17x17 custom cariants.
- Fixed the display of draws in the move history and Hnefatafl 2000.
- You can now, via the Edit Profile menu, delete your account if desired.
- Added a new Avatar
3.77
May 23, 2021
Rule change for Legacy variants (excluding Legacy Berserk): If the white player gets completely surrounded without any border access he now has lost.
The online statistics now use multi-column sorting (if you click the headers) to make it easier to read them.
Fixed a problem in the tournament tree view for tournaments where a Bye has been added but it hasn't been decided yet who gets it.
Official variants can now be copied/converted into custom variants.
Added mod support.
The online statistics now use multi-column sorting (if you click the headers) to make it easier to read them.
Fixed a problem in the tournament tree view for tournaments where a Bye has been added but it hasn't been decided yet who gets it.
Official variants can now be copied/converted into custom variants.
Added mod support.
3.76
May 8, 2021
The 'Skip' option during berserk won't be offered anymore once the game is over.
Due to an error the last Simple Tafl tournament created twice the matches it should have created. Those have been split into two separate tournaments.
Improved some unclear parts of the tutorial in regards of King capture and edge berserk variants.
Added the option to search for annotated matches.
The draw and surrender buttons will now be shown after the first few moves in an online game. It isn't necessary anymore to return to the main menu for them to show up.
Due to an error the last Simple Tafl tournament created twice the matches it should have created. Those have been split into two separate tournaments.
Improved some unclear parts of the tutorial in regards of King capture and edge berserk variants.
Added the option to search for annotated matches.
The draw and surrender buttons will now be shown after the first few moves in an online game. It isn't necessary anymore to return to the main menu for them to show up.
3.75
May 4, 2021
The message bubbles in the main menu will now be correctly hidden after opening a match with such a bubble.
When revisiting the main menu the colors of the matches won't be mixed up anymore.
Added online statistics with various filtering options.
Added offline statistics with various filtering options (these only include new games).
Added three new achievements.
Added support for the Discord meta game of conquering channels.
The list of running online matches will now be updated more regularly.
When revisiting the main menu the colors of the matches won't be mixed up anymore.
Added online statistics with various filtering options.
Added offline statistics with various filtering options (these only include new games).
Added three new achievements.
Added support for the Discord meta game of conquering channels.
The list of running online matches will now be updated more regularly.
3.73
Apr 26, 2021
Further improved the chat notification system.
Improved the performance of the main menu and match loading.
When watching a match of other players their turn state will now also be displayed.
Corrected the rules of Old Hnefatafl and Fetlar: Enclosing the white player completely will now lead to a loss for white.
It is not possible anymore to join tournaments that use variants which aren't supported by the app yet and it will recommend updating now.
Improved the performance of the main menu and match loading.
When watching a match of other players their turn state will now also be displayed.
Corrected the rules of Old Hnefatafl and Fetlar: Enclosing the white player completely will now lead to a loss for white.
It is not possible anymore to join tournaments that use variants which aren't supported by the app yet and it will recommend updating now.
3.71
Apr 18, 2021
Searching for players during match creation works again.
Timeout warnings will now be send multiple times during a single match instead of only once.
When searching for matches 20 matches are now listed by default and the option to load more matches has been added.
Rotating the screen/device won't break the layout of the main menu anymore.
Fixed the artifacts in the icons of the rules in a game's overview.
Variants without thrones won't claim they are hostile to the King anymore.
Annotations will now show the correct timestamp.
The "unbalanced variant" hint will now also be shown in the match's details in the match browser.
The Discord server will now show important tournament updates automatically.
Improved the handling of new chat messages.
Fixed some translation issues in the custom rules creation dialog.
The time contingent display will now stop the countdown if the match ended.
Variants that are deemed as unbalanced will now be marked as such in the match browser and match history.
Local matches will now default to Historical Hnefatafl for new players as it is one of the easier ones to learn.
Custom tournaments (non-knockout) won't offer the tree view options anymore as it wouldn't work anyway.
Added the option to search for matches using different filters (two swords at the top).
If a matchmaking game has been deleted (or joined by someone else) right before you select it, a better message will now be shown.
Timeout warnings will now be send multiple times during a single match instead of only once.
When searching for matches 20 matches are now listed by default and the option to load more matches has been added.
Rotating the screen/device won't break the layout of the main menu anymore.
Fixed the artifacts in the icons of the rules in a game's overview.
Variants without thrones won't claim they are hostile to the King anymore.
Annotations will now show the correct timestamp.
The "unbalanced variant" hint will now also be shown in the match's details in the match browser.
The Discord server will now show important tournament updates automatically.
Improved the handling of new chat messages.
Fixed some translation issues in the custom rules creation dialog.
The time contingent display will now stop the countdown if the match ended.
Variants that are deemed as unbalanced will now be marked as such in the match browser and match history.
Local matches will now default to Historical Hnefatafl for new players as it is one of the easier ones to learn.
Custom tournaments (non-knockout) won't offer the tree view options anymore as it wouldn't work anyway.
Added the option to search for matches using different filters (two swords at the top).
If a matchmaking game has been deleted (or joined by someone else) right before you select it, a better message will now be shown.
3.68
Mar 31, 2021
The match browser's details view will now show the correct value for the starting time contingent and not 60 times the value.
Clicking a chat notification in the system tray will now open the app, load the match and open the chat window.
The Hnefatafl 2000 will now correctly display surrenders and draws.
Fixed the tree view display of tournaments where a player got a bye due to the disqualification of others.
The ELO list can now also shows the Legacy Berserk variant.
... and more.
Clicking a chat notification in the system tray will now open the app, load the match and open the chat window.
The Hnefatafl 2000 will now correctly display surrenders and draws.
Fixed the tree view display of tournaments where a player got a bye due to the disqualification of others.
The ELO list can now also shows the Legacy Berserk variant.
... and more.
3.67
Mar 21, 2021
Rematching a quick match will now reset the timers and not use the ones from the last player as starting value.
The rematch option will now be shown when a player times out (during a quick match).
In portrait mode the time contingent display for the white player will now show the correct value and not that of the black player anymore.
The rematch option will now be shown when a player times out (during a quick match).
In portrait mode the time contingent display for the white player will now show the correct value and not that of the black player anymore.
3.66
Mar 20, 2021
Added a new quick mode which uses time contingents that get refilled with each move. This encourages quicker matches that shall be finished in one sitting.
Tournaments now support Byes which allows them to have any number of players. Those get distributed randomly and allow those players to directly advance to the second round.
The online matches in the main menu can now be sorted by the time left or by their recency.
Fixed custom rules where the King gets captured by four pieces. This was ignored if there was no throne and the King could be captured by just two pieces. The change will affect existing custom rules and ongoing matches using them.
The planning mode in Berserk games now also allows to skip a berserk move.
Improved the description of the Commander's abilities in the tutorial and rules summary of the Berserk variant.
If during a tournament two players get disqualified because their matches timeout, their opponent in the next round will now receive a Bye.
The timeout warning symbol won't be shown for completed matches anymore.
Tournaments now support Byes which allows them to have any number of players. Those get distributed randomly and allow those players to directly advance to the second round.
The online matches in the main menu can now be sorted by the time left or by their recency.
Fixed custom rules where the King gets captured by four pieces. This was ignored if there was no throne and the King could be captured by just two pieces. The change will affect existing custom rules and ongoing matches using them.
The planning mode in Berserk games now also allows to skip a berserk move.
Improved the description of the Commander's abilities in the tutorial and rules summary of the Berserk variant.
If during a tournament two players get disqualified because their matches timeout, their opponent in the next round will now receive a Bye.
The timeout warning symbol won't be shown for completed matches anymore.
3.63
Mar 7, 2021
Added quick matches as an option.
The ELO list will now also offer to filter for Historical Hnefatafl.
Your placing will now be shown in the tournaments list.
Opening the settings won't change the currently running music track anymore.
The tiles of the last move can now be highlighted (source and target) as well as captured pieces.
The move animation can be disabled allowing faster movement now.
... and more.
The ELO list will now also offer to filter for Historical Hnefatafl.
Your placing will now be shown in the tournaments list.
Opening the settings won't change the currently running music track anymore.
The tiles of the last move can now be highlighted (source and target) as well as captured pieces.
The move animation can be disabled allowing faster movement now.
... and more.
3.60
Jan 4, 2021
If a match ends by the move of an opponent while you watch the match you will now be shown the gameover screen instead of having to reopen the match again.
The ad banner shouldn't obscure the rules displayed during a match while in landscape mode on some phones anymore.
The tournament tree view will now correctly show who moved on to the next round if both players won one match each.
The tournament button in the main menu will now beg for attention if a new tournament has been created.
Ties in tournaments (each player won once) will now be correctly resolved if there have been hundreds of moves.
In the settings you can now control whether online or offline matches should be shown first.
The tournament tree view can now be scaled by pinching the screen.
In the tournament tree view the current round will now be highlighted.
The ad banner shouldn't obscure the rules displayed during a match while in landscape mode on some phones anymore.
The tournament tree view will now correctly show who moved on to the next round if both players won one match each.
The tournament button in the main menu will now beg for attention if a new tournament has been created.
Ties in tournaments (each player won once) will now be correctly resolved if there have been hundreds of moves.
In the settings you can now control whether online or offline matches should be shown first.
The tournament tree view can now be scaled by pinching the screen.
In the tournament tree view the current round will now be highlighted.
3.59
Dec 12, 2020
All supported kind of tournaments now also show upcoming rounds in the tree view.
The upcoming round in a tournament will now also show those who have already qualified.
A freshly started tournament won't show the "not started yet" state anymore.
The tournament list now also has a link to a FAQ about tournaments.
Added better descriptions to the password reset process.
Added a new avatar.
Now it should always be possible to undo moves during the planning mode, even if you started the mode from a previous state.
When opening the "Edit Profile" window the first time it will now show the correct avatar.
Notifications won't tell you you finished first place in case of a draw anymore.
When finishing a match the correct turn number will now be transmitted to the server to better resolve ties in tournaments.
The upcoming round in a tournament will now also show those who have already qualified.
A freshly started tournament won't show the "not started yet" state anymore.
The tournament list now also has a link to a FAQ about tournaments.
Added better descriptions to the password reset process.
Added a new avatar.
Now it should always be possible to undo moves during the planning mode, even if you started the mode from a previous state.
When opening the "Edit Profile" window the first time it will now show the correct avatar.
Notifications won't tell you you finished first place in case of a draw anymore.
When finishing a match the correct turn number will now be transmitted to the server to better resolve ties in tournaments.
3.58
Dec 6, 2020
Tournaments can be joined again...
3.57
Dec 3, 2020
The tournament tree view can now be panned horizontally even if the upcoming matches haven't been created yet.
Removed the empty space between the tournament details and the round display which was reserved for the display of the winners.
The list of participants in a tournament are sorted by their placings again.
Added support for tournaments where each player has to play each side against each other instead of playing once with random sides.
Removed the empty space between the tournament details and the round display which was reserved for the display of the winners.
The list of participants in a tournament are sorted by their placings again.
Added support for tournaments where each player has to play each side against each other instead of playing once with random sides.
3.56
Dec 1, 2020
The placings of participants is now visible in the participant view of tournaments on narrow phones and portrait orientation.
Fixed the displayed board in the setup preview in the tournament details screen.
Won't show achievements in the achievement view anymore that haven't been released yet.
A matchmaking game that times out before someone joins is now now marked as "won" anymore.
he rules display of tournaments will now fit into landscape screens.
Expired matches won't show any timeout animations in the main menu anymore.
Fixed the displayed board in the setup preview in the tournament details screen.
Won't show achievements in the achievement view anymore that haven't been released yet.
A matchmaking game that times out before someone joins is now now marked as "won" anymore.
he rules display of tournaments will now fit into landscape screens.
Expired matches won't show any timeout animations in the main menu anymore.
3.55
Nov 30, 2020
Tournaments are now available. We will regularly create new tournaments for everyone to participate in.
Opponents will be marked with an "activity indicator" during a match to show if they have been online during the recent minutes.
When watching a match of other players you can now toggle it as watched match (shown under "Spectate Matches" in the main menu) and toggle the notifications for this match.
Added a new achievement.
Matches without timeouts won't show a timeout warning anymore.
Opponents will be marked with an "activity indicator" during a match to show if they have been online during the recent minutes.
When watching a match of other players you can now toggle it as watched match (shown under "Spectate Matches" in the main menu) and toggle the notifications for this match.
Added a new achievement.
Matches without timeouts won't show a timeout warning anymore.
3.54
Nov 23, 2020
During a match you can now activate the Planning Mode which will allow you to play as both sides, trying out moves and strategies without affecting the match itself.
Finally fixed the invitation bug where the invite remained in the main menu even after accepting or declining it.
Finally fixed the invitation bug where the invite remained in the main menu even after accepting or declining it.
Hnefatafl FAQ
Click here to learn how to download Hnefatafl in restricted country or region.
Check the following list to see the minimum requirements of Hnefatafl.
iPhone
Requires iOS 11.0 or later.
iPad
Requires iPadOS 11.0 or later.
iPod touch
Requires iOS 11.0 or later.
Hnefatafl supports English
Hnefatafl contains in-app purchases. Please check the pricing plan as below:
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$4.99
