- BGG rank
- BGG #2,372
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Imperial Miners
- 1–5 players
- 20–60 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #30,029
- BGG rating
- 5.1
Bad Maps
2019
Rules assistance for Bad Maps
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 30–60 min
- 13+
- Complexity 2.3/5
Rules assistant for Bad Maps
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Bad Maps is a board game released in 2019 for 3–5 players, 30–60 minutes per game, and ages 13 and up. It was designed by Tim Armstrong (II) and its main mechanics are Betting and Bluffing and Action Queue.
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About the game
X marks the spot as you and other pirate captains piece together scraps of maps, sending minions stumbling around the island - leading some to traps and others to treasure. But beware, other captains’ instructions may work against you. Yargh! Are you a clever captain who can turn Bad Maps into Good Fortune? Gameplay** Bad Maps is a game of pirate programming and mixed up maps for 3 to 5 players that plays in about 30 minutes. Over the course of 2 rounds, players lay out pieces of treasure maps, collectively forming instructions for minions to follow. Each round has some map cards placed face up, and others face down -- hiding the card’s instruction, but showing its type. Minions follow these instructions, stumbling their way along as they collide and fall into pits. Players score victory points each round based on which minions are closest, or sometimes furthest, from the treasure. After the first round, Minions dig pits where they ended, pull up their bootstraps, and start all over again. During the second round, the stakes are higher and the island is more treacherous. In the end, the captain who pieces together the best treasure maps will be victorious in Bad Maps!
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Floodgate Games
Questions and answers
Bad Maps supports 3–5 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 Bad Maps is 30–60 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 Bad Maps for ages 13 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.
Bad Maps has a complexity rating of 2.3 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.
Bad Maps belongs to these categories: Pirates. Its main mechanics are Betting and Bluffing and Action Queue. 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 Bad Maps are: Tim Armstrong (II). 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 Bad Maps 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.