
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,800
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Catacombs
- 2–5 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2010

Rules assistance for Catacombs: Crypt of Shaurath
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Catacombs: Crypt of Shaurath is an expansion for Catacombs (Third Edition) released in 2015 for 2–5 players, 30–90 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Aron West and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Player Elimination, and Role Playing.
In the pale light of dawn, four dark stars have aligned and the location of the entrance to the Crypt of Shaurath is revealed. With Semplara's Amulet firmly in her possession, the Raven Empress' perilous quest to assemble a party of willing heroes to defeat Soloth, the powerful Vampire Lord, begins! Crypt of Shaurath is a Kickstarter exclusive expansion, consisting of 4 new Catacomb Lords, 2 Heroes (the Ice Mage and Raven Empress), 3 Rooms, 2 Items, 1 Antient, 1 Monster and 1 Spell. For backers of the Cavern of Soloth expansion there were also the Vampire Noble hero and the Vermin Blade Item.
Catacombs: Crypt of Shaurath supports 2–5 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 Catacombs: Crypt of Shaurath is 30–90 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 Catacombs: Crypt of Shaurath 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.
Catacombs: Crypt of Shaurath 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.
Catacombs: Crypt of Shaurath belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Fighting, and Action / Dexterity. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Player Elimination, and Role Playing. 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 Catacombs: Crypt of Shaurath are: Aron West. 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 Catacombs: Crypt of Shaurath as an expansion for Catacombs (Third Edition). Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Catacombs (Third Edition) to use it. Check that your edition of Catacombs (Third Edition) is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.