
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,700
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Wizard
- 2 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 1978

Rules assistance for Death Test
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.
Death Test is an expansion for Melee released in 1978 for 1–5 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Steve Jackson (I) and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, and Paper-and-Pencil.
Death Test was MicroQuest #1 in the Metagaming MicroQuests series, programmed adventures for Melee and Wizard. The Death Tests are basic slash-n-grab adventures. There's no plot and no objective other than to get out alive with all the booty you can carry. This is a good way to get accustomed to the game and to build up characters' statistics. These games introduced the Thorsz, who re-appears in Orb Quest (MQ #8). user comment this is also in the RPGG database Death Test Steve Jackson has reacquired rights to TFT and is publishing a new version of Death Test. More information can be found here... https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/256884/fantasy-trip-legacy-edition
Death Test supports 1–5 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 Death Test is 30 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 Death Test 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.
Death Test 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.
Death Test belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Fighting, and Wargame. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, and Paper-and-Pencil. 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 Death Test are: Steve Jackson (I). 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 Death Test as an expansion for Melee. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Melee to use it. Check that your edition of Melee is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.