- BGG rank
- BGG #25,198
- BGG rating
- 5.6
Atta Ants
- 2–4 players
- 15–45 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2003
- BGG rank
- BGG #29,508
- BGG rating
- 4.6
Black Molly
2004
Rules assistance for Black Molly
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Black Molly
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Black Molly is a board game released in 2004 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Richard de Rijk and its main mechanics are Area Movement and Modular Board.
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About the game
The game simulates a fish tank with 2 Black Mollies (hence the name) and a number of "machines", which are harmful to fish. Each player has four fish and the objective is to keep them alive as long as possible. The game board is variable and made up of 24 cards. The roll of a D4 die decides about the machines being turned on or off or the current in the tank being activated. If a fish ends its turn on a card with the Black Molly or an activated machine it is taken out of the game. The last player with fish(es) on the board wins the game.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- The Realm of Fantasy
Questions and answers
Black Molly 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 Black Molly is 30 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 Black Molly for ages 8 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.
Black Molly 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.
Black Molly belongs to these categories: Animals. Its main mechanics are Area Movement and Modular Board. 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 Black Molly are: Richard de Rijk. 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 Black Molly 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.