- BGG rating
- 7.5
Catacombs: Cavern of Soloth
- 2–5 players
- 30–90 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2011
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,800
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Catacombs
2010
Rules assistance for Catacombs
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–5 players
- 30–60 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.0/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Catacombs
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Catacombs is a board game released in 2010 for 2–5 players, 30–60 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Ryan Amos, Marc Kelsey, and Aron West and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Player Elimination, and Role Playing.
Expansions
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Catacombs: Dark Passageways
- 2–5 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2011
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Catacombs: Horde of Vermin
- 2–5 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2012
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- BGG #1,148
- BGG rating
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- 2–5 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2015
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,916
- BGG rating
- 6.8
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- 30–120 min
- Complexity 3.6/5
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Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)
- 1–5 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #629
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Mansions of Madness
- 2–5 players
- 120–180 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2011
- BGG rank
- BGG #636
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Descent: Journeys in the Dark
- 2–5 players
- 120–240 min
- Complexity 3.4/5
- 2005
- BGG rank
- BGG #711
- BGG rating
- 7.2
HeroQuest
- 2–5 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
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- BGG rank
- BGG #3,482
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Dungeon Saga: Dwarf King's Quest
- 2–5 players
- 30–120 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 2015
About the game
If you were directed here from the Catacombs Third Edition rulebook, then you are in the wrong forum. The game entries were split after the Catacombs Third Edition rulebook was printed. The forum for the new edition can be found at this link: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/195137/catacombs-third-edition Catacombs is an action/dexterity-based adventure board game. One player controls the Overseer, controlling the monsters of the catacombs; the other player(s) control the four heroes who cooperatively try to defeat the monsters and eventually the Catacomb Lord. Each of the heroes has special abilities that must also be used effectively if they are to prevail. The main mechanism of Catacombs is for the players to flick wooden discs representing the monsters and the heroes. Contact with an opposing piece inflicts damage, but missiles, spells, and other special abilities can cause other effects. When all of the monsters of a room have been cleared, the heroes can move further into the catacomb. Items and equipment upgrades can be purchased from the Merchant with gold taken from fallen monsters. The Catacomb Lord is the final danger that the heroes must defeat to win the game; conversely, the Overseer wins if all of the heroes are defeated. The game is designed for quick set-up and fast play within 30 to 60 minutes.
Designers
Publishers
- Elzra
Questions and answers
Catacombs 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 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 Catacombs for ages 12 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 has a complexity rating of 2.0 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.
Catacombs 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 are: Ryan Amos, Marc Kelsey, and 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 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.