- BGG rating
- 8.3
Code 3: Cover Now Officers Pack
- 2–4 players
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,397
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Code 3
2020
Rules assistance for Code 3
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 45–120 min
- 13+
- Complexity 3.0/5
Rules assistant for Code 3
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Code 3 is a board game released in 2020 for 2–4 players, 45–120 minutes per game, and ages 13 and up. It was designed by Brandon Byler and Matt Ruggiero and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Storytelling.
Expansions
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About the game
Code 3 is a cooperative, story-driven, 80s-themed crime fighting game. Can you save your city from badly-named mob bosses, fear-inducing serial killers, a rising crime rate, and a police Chief that isn’t always your friend? These officers may have 99 problems, but crime ain’t one. Code 3’s cooperative scenarios challenge players to complete goals and make choices before revealing the next part of a branching story arc. Of course, mob bosses aren’t the only thing hindering our officers, as 911 calls spread like wildfire about your city. If too many 911 calls go unanswered… the game is lost. Customize your crime fighting duo by selecting two officers (out of hundreds of officer combinations), each with their own unique deck, which are then shuffled together to create your “Beat Partners” deck. You can tailor your Beat Partners deck to answer 911 calls quickly, to investigate for witnesses and evidence, to complete scenario objectives, or even move your beat cops into position to help your allies. There are hundreds of character combinations that you can experiment with, and finding the best two cops (or canines!) is key to your team’s victory! Choices are everywhere! Most importantly, Code 3 gives players the opportunity to handle things by the book... or play just outside the rules. However, if players choose to step outside the Police Department’s Code of Conduct then the Internal Affairs Division starts investigating them. Players then shuffle "IA Heat" cards into their deck, and if two are ever drawn on the same turn, those players must immediately proceed to a contentious "Internal Affairs Interview." Unfortunately, this prevents players from hitting the street and handling those 911 calls. Your teammates can help you during the IA Interview by vouching for you... but at what cost? Are they willing to put their reputation on the line for you? Are they willing to risk their own IA Interview? Code-3 is a sand box of 80's cop action. Do you love rolling dice? Do you love pushing your luck? Do you love unraveling the story? The meta-game? Helping the team? Being in charge? And... do you do it by the book? Find out now! —descripton from the publisher
Designers
Publishers
- Black Key Games
Questions and answers
Code 3 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 Code 3 is 45–120 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 Code 3 for ages 13 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.
Code 3 has a complexity rating of 3.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
Code 3 belongs to these categories: Humor and Adventure. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Storytelling. 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 Code 3 are: Brandon Byler and Matt Ruggiero. 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 Code 3 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.