
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,073
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Run Fight or Die: Reloaded
- 1–4 players
- 20–40 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2019

2019
Rules assistance for Dragonscales
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.
Dragonscales is a board game released in 2019 for 3–5 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Richard Launius and its main mechanics are Take That, Push Your Luck, and Dice Rolling.
You are a formidable villain; your sinister conquests are innumerable. But there is one foe that even you cannot vanquish alone, Archerex, the lord of Dragons. A hoard of treasure beyond imagining waits to be claimed, and the scales of this dragon are more valuable than any amount of gold or gems! Will your loose alliance be able to take down Archerex, or will this great dragon’s rage consume you all? Dragonscales is a game of villainy and treasure-grabbing where players are sinister villains, each with their own unique advantages, tactics, and style! Show your strength by slaying the dragon… while grabbing as much treasure as possible! Or maybe you will find an opportune moment and rush for the exit leaving your “allies” to be consumed by the dragon’s rage! Designed by Richard Launius, Dragonscales, gives players multiple victory conditions to work towards while providing constant player interaction. Devise a devious strategy and set forth into the great dragon’s lair, pushing your luck against that of the other players as you strive to be the most formidable villain! —description from the publisher
Dragonscales supports 3–5 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 Dragonscales is 60 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 Dragonscales for ages 14 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.
Dragonscales has a complexity rating of 2.0 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.
Dragonscales belongs to these categories: Fantasy. Its main mechanics are Take That, Push Your Luck, and Dice Rolling. 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 Dragonscales are: Richard Launius. 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 Dragonscales 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.