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Trieste
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Den of Thieves
2003
Rules assistance for Den of Thieves
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–5 players
- 90 min
- 9+
- Complexity 1.3/5
Rules assistant for Den of Thieves
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Den of Thieves is a board game released in 2003 for 2–5 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 9 and up. It was designed by Scott David Gray and Patrick Crusiau and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers and Simultaneous Action Selection.
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About the game
Den of Thieves is a strategic card game for two to five players. The criminal element of the city is in a race to steal the most -- from the bank or each other. Each player controls one of the dens, and each card in her/his hand represents one of the thieves in his/her den. Each player chooses which of her/his thieves to make active, knowing which thieves are in every player's den (and knowing that they know which cards s/he is choosing between). Guessing which thief another player is making active can help block and/or steal from that other player. Players bluff and back stab their way to victory, using the lower class thieves in the city -- including the Pickpocket, the Urchin, and the Woman of Easy Virtue. The game can be combined with Rival Den of Thieves for richer play. The game can accommodate 2-5 players -- up to 10 with a second deck or Rival Den of Thieves added.
Editions
- Den of ThievesenRogue Publishing2003
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Rogue Publishing
Questions and answers
Den of Thieves 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 Den of Thieves is 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 Den of Thieves for ages 9 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.
Den of Thieves has a complexity rating of 1.3 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.
Den of Thieves belongs to these categories: Card Game, Bluffing, and Medieval. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers and Simultaneous Action Selection. 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 Den of Thieves are: Scott David Gray and Patrick Crusiau. 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 Den of Thieves 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.