- BGG rank
- BGG #4
- BGG rating
- 8.5
Gloomhaven
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,725
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Aftermath
2019
Rules assistance for Aftermath
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- 14+
- Complexity 2.9/5
For 1 player
Rules assistant for Aftermath
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Aftermath is a board game released in 2019 for 1–4 players, 60–120 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Jerry Hawthorne and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Player Elimination.
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About the game
Aftermath is an Adventure Book Game in which players take on the role of small critters struggling to survive and thrive in a big, dangerous world. Humans have mysteriously vanished, and the remnants of civilization are quickly being reclaimed by nature and the animals who still remain. In the game, you play as a misfit band of critters known by their colony as "providers". There's the guinea pig with anger issues, a hamster that talks fast and drives faster, a small mouse with keen eyes and a lot to prove, and a mysterious vole who's borderline feral. These characters each have their own personalities, play-styles, and personal goals. You'll leave the safety of your colony and venture out into the abandoned world on one of 20+ story-driven missions and side missions. Scavenge the ruins of mankind in search of food and supplies for your colony, but beware — the world is filled with bandits and predators, and you must fight or flee to stay alive. Return to your colony with resources and information that will help your friends and family survive. Grow your colony and keep it safe by building structures and improvements with the spoils of your adventures, but plan accordingly, for the colony will face hardship each time you leave it... —description from the publisher
Mechanics
- Variable Player Powers
- Hand Management
- Player Elimination
- Area Movement
- Dice Rolling
- Variable Set-up
- Storytelling
- Role Playing
- Cooperative Game
- Events
- Solo / Solitaire Game
- Pick-up and Deliver
- Card Play Conflict Resolution
- Line of Sight
- Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game
- Contracts
- Turn Order: Progressive
- Narrative Choice / Paragraph
- Movement Points
- Stat Check Resolution
- Multiple Maps
Designers
Publishers
- ADC Blackfire Entertainment
- Gémklub
- GoKids 玩樂小子
- Z-Man Games
- Plaid Hat Games
- CrowD Games
Questions and answers
Aftermath supports 1–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Aftermath is 60–120 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Aftermath for ages 14 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Aftermath has a complexity rating of 2.9 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Aftermath belongs to these categories: Animals, Exploration, and Adventure. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Player Elimination. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Aftermath are: Jerry Hawthorne. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Aftermath as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.