- BGG rank
- BGG #1,058
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- 7.3
The Duke
- 2 players
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Anachronism
2005
Rules assistance for Anachronism
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 5 min
- 12+
- Complexity 1.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Anachronism
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Anachronism is a board game released in 2005 for 2–4 players, 5 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Stephen McLaughlin and Michael A. Brown and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling and Deck Construction.
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About the game
A non-random collectible combat game presented by The History Channel and TriKing Games, Anachronism allows you to take control of some of the greatest warriors in history and pit them against each other in a one-on-one battle to the death. Anachronism began with a 2-player starter set pitting Japanese warrior Musashi against the Norse legend Beowulf. The game now includes cards featuring such notables as Julius Caesar, Sun Tzu, Spartacus, Alexander the Great, Blackbeard and Genghis Khan, as well as weapons and armor from various eras. Decks can be added-to with various booster packs, each of which include a set selection of cards initially focusing on Greek, Japanese, Norse, and Roman heroes, with other periods of history, including the eras of Genghis Khan and Richard the Lionheart,now in the mix. And of course, historical accuracy within the cards is sure to be high, as the game does bear the seal of approval from The History Channel. Variant formats exist for more than 2 players, and some cards in the game are geared toward multi-player games.
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Nexus Editrice
- TriKing
- The History Channel
Questions and answers
Anachronism supports 2–4 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 Anachronism is 5 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 Anachronism for ages 12 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.
Anachronism has a complexity rating of 1.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
Anachronism belongs to these categories: Card Game, Fighting, and Medieval. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling and Deck Construction. 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 Anachronism are: Stephen McLaughlin and Michael A. Brown. 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 Anachronism 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.