- BGG rank
- BGG #14,179
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Backpacks & Blisters (Second Edition)
- 1–6 players
- 20–60 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #16,321
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Backpacks and Blisters
1993
Rules assistance for Backpacks and Blisters
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–6 players
- 30–45 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.0/5
Rules assistant for Backpacks and Blisters
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Backpacks and Blisters is a board game released in 1993 for 1–6 players, 30–45 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Gary Dicken, Steve Kendall, and Phil Kendall and its main mechanics are Hand Management and Point to Point Movement.
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About the game
Set in the Lake District of Cumbria, England, players attempt to visit as many cafes, scenic views and beauty spots as possible in the time allotted. Players manage their cards to move as efficiently as possible over the network of routes printed on the map. As the day wears on players "tire" and move more slowly as their hand diminishes from 4 to 3 to 2 cards. Other hindrances include blister cards which are useless to your hand, and the heavy rucksack which slows your movement. To aid your movement there are bus and ferry routes and bars of chocolate which all help speed your movement. The game includes rules, a linen "tea-towel" map, a deck of laminated cards, plastic pawns, and several sheets of cardboard counters.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Ragnar Brothers
Questions and answers
Backpacks and Blisters 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 Backpacks and Blisters is 30–45 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 Backpacks and Blisters for ages 10 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.
Backpacks and Blisters has a complexity rating of 2.0 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.
Backpacks and Blisters belongs to these categories: Humor, Travel, and Exploration. Its main mechanics are Hand Management and Point to Point Movement. 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 Backpacks and Blisters are: Gary Dicken, Steve Kendall, and Phil Kendall. 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 Backpacks and Blisters 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.