
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,102
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Pizarro & Co.
- 3–6 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2002

1994
Rules assistance for Age of Exploration
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Age of Exploration is a board game released in 1994 for 1–6 players, 180 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Thomas Lehmann and its main mechanics are Push Your Luck, Area Movement, and Simulation.
Each player represents a European syndicate backing expeditions. You begin by attracting a famous explorer such as Columbus, Magellan, Ponce de Leon or Cortez. Then you must outfit an expedition and set off on a voyage of discovery... At sea, you must brave scurvy, storms and superstitions. After making landfall, you may encounter friendly natives or find yourself embroiled in rivalries, civil wars and prophecies. These and other difficulties will challenge even the boldest of conquistadors on their path to glory.
Age of Exploration supports 1–6 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 Age of Exploration is 180 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 Age of Exploration 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.
Age of Exploration 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.
Age of Exploration belongs to these categories: Wargame, Exploration, and Renaissance. Its main mechanics are Push Your Luck, Area Movement, and Simulation. 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 Age of Exploration are: Thomas Lehmann. 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 Age of Exploration 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.