
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,856
- BGG rating
- 5.9
Hoax (Second Edition)
- 3–6 players
- 10–20 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2016

1999
Rules assistance for Die Erben von Hoax
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 3 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Die Erben von Hoax is a board game released in 1999 for 3–8 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Bill Eberle, Jack Kittredge, Peter Olotka, Edward Horn, Jr., and Volker Hesselmann and its main mechanics are Voting.
This is a reworking of an older Eon Products, Inc. (Eon) game known simply as Hoax. The new additions include a new character as well as a point system to replace the all-or-nothing nature of accusations. The basic idea is to pretend to be somebody you are not while working towards the goal of figuring out who other people are. Each player is assigned one of seven different characters -- each with its own unique abilities -- but can pretend to be any character and use its corresponding powers. Abilities are used to acquire three different types of goods, which can be spent to get clues to opponents' identities. If the majority of the other players think you're pretending to be a character that you're not, you must either admit that you are not that character (and permanently lose the use of its power), or reveal that you are and win the game. Is a re-implementation of: Hoax
Die Erben von Hoax supports 3–8 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 Die Erben von Hoax is 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 Die Erben von Hoax 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.
Die Erben von Hoax has a complexity rating of 2.2 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
Die Erben von Hoax belongs to these categories: Deduction and Bluffing. Its main mechanics are Voting. 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 Die Erben von Hoax are: Bill Eberle, Jack Kittredge, Peter Olotka, Edward Horn, Jr., and Volker Hesselmann. 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 Die Erben von Hoax 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.