Described as "the Game of Intrigue, Passion and Treachery", Hierarchy is played on a triangular board with players starting at the bottom right before progressing in a snake towards the top of the "pyramid". In turns, players roll two dice to determine the colour (subject) and the difficulty of the next question. Get the question right and the player gets another turn. Questions can be on: Economics & Politics, Initials & Abbreviations, Professions, Advertising, Media & People, and Companies. Players have the option to challenge other players on the same level as themselves - of which there are five - and the loser goes down a level. In the box are six stacks of cards containing questions and answers, graded by difficulty, a triangular board that folds into a hexagon, a hexagonal player aid with the subjects and their matching colours printed on it, and a velveteen bag containing 6 tetrahedron playing pieces and two dice - one with coloured spots on it to match the subject colours.