
- BGG rating
- 8.3
CATastrophe: A Game of 9 Lives – Paws Out, Claws Out Expansion
- 2–6 players
- 30–45 min
- 2022

2022
Rules assistance for CATastrophe: A Game of 9 Lives
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
CATastrophe: A Game of 9 Lives is a board game released in 2022 for 2–6 players, 30–45 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Josh Lee Norris and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, and Player Elimination.
Catastrophe is a game as spontaneous and unexpected as cats themselves. Players start with 9 lives. Your goal is to survive the chaotic mayhem. The last cat standing is crowned champion! Power Cats will help guide you to victory with unique abilities. But, be careful, it’s no catwalk! One second, you’re slapping down attack and curiosity cards, the next you're rolling a die and playing fun catastrophic mini-games to determine your destiny. However, magical Yarn Balls may alter your fate. You are eliminated when you lose all of your lives. Beware of the villain, the Grim Reapurr, who is plotting your untimely demise and attempting to be the sole victor! This is an all-out claws out kind of game with only one victor and many catfights! Will your strategy be to play with caution… or wild abandon… Either way, you’re in for a treat. —description from the designer
CATastrophe: A Game of 9 Lives supports 2–6 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 CATastrophe: A Game of 9 Lives is 30–45 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 CATastrophe: A Game of 9 Lives 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.
CATastrophe: A Game of 9 Lives has a complexity rating of 1.0 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.
CATastrophe: A Game of 9 Lives belongs to these categories: Card Game, Fighting, and Humor. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, and Player Elimination. 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 CATastrophe: A Game of 9 Lives are: Josh Lee Norris. 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 CATastrophe: A Game of 9 Lives 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.