
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,275
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Histrio
- 2–5 players
- 40 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 2016

2019
Rules assistance for Cairn
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Cairn is a board game released in 2019 for 2 players, 25 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Christian Martinez and its main mechanics are Tile Placement and Grid Movement.
Inhabitants of the forest and of the sea, it is time to awaken! You will embody shamans and build Megaliths to expand your power and dominate the rival tribe. Activate the unique powers of each new Megalith, but beware: shamans from the opposing tribe can also activate them! In this intense duel, you must consider each move carefully as you advance your shamans across the play area, banish the opposing shaman and build Megaliths to make your way to victory! Do you have the soul of a shaman? A game of simple mechanics A great depth of play An intense duel where each move counts
Cairn supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Cairn is 25 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 Cairn 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.
Cairn has a complexity rating of 1.9 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.
Cairn belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Abstract Strategy, and Miniatures. Its main mechanics are Tile Placement and Grid 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 Cairn are: Christian Martinez. 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 Cairn 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.