Many players mistakenly believe that an Attack card always forces a player to take two turns, but the rule can be interrupted by other cards.
According to the Exploding Kittens Official Rulebook, an Attack card can be negated by a Nope card, which prevents the forced double turn from occurring.
Regarding the interaction between Attack cards and Nope cards, the rules specify that a Nope card can be played at any time before an action has begun, even if it is not your turn. If a player attempts to play an Attack card to force the next player to take two turns, another player may play a Nope card to negate that action. Once a Nope is played, the action is cancelled, and the original player's turn continues. The rules state that any cards that have been noped are lost and must be left in the Discard Pile.
Step-by-Step
Step 1: A player plays an Attack card to force the next player to take two turns.
Step 2: Another player plays a Nope card before the action is completed.
Step 3: The Attack action is negated and the Nope card is placed in the Discard Pile.
Step 4: The player who played the Attack card continues their turn normally.
Example Play Situation
Alice plays an Attack card to force Bob to take two turns. Before the effect takes hold, Bob plays a Nope card to cancel the attack. Alice's turn continues, and she must now decide whether to play more cards or draw to end her turn.
Common Misconceptions
Thinking an Attack card is an unstoppable action
Believing you can only play a Nope on your own turn
Assuming an Attack card automatically ends the current player's turn
Quick Reference
You Can
You Cannot
You can play a Nope on another Nope to create a Yup
You cannot play a Nope on an Exploding Kitten
You can play a Nope on a Special Combo
You cannot play a Nope on a Defuse Card
You can play a Nope at any time before an action begins
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official rule for Attack cards in Exploding Kittens?
An Attack card forces the next player to take two turns unless negated by a Nope.
Can I use a Nope card to stop an Attack?
Yes, playing a Nope card cancels the action before it takes effect.
When is the best time to play a Nope card?
You can play it at any time before an action has officially begun.
What happens to cards that are noped?
Those cards are lost and must be placed in the Discard Pile.
David Noah is a board game rules specialist and content creator who writes clear, dispute‑free guides for modern tabletop games. On this site, he focuses on answering the exact rules questions players argue about at the table, using official rulebooks, expansions, and tournament rulings as his primary sources. His goal is to turn confusing edge cases into simple, step‑by‑step explanations so you can spend less time debating and more time playing.
