
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,553
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Element
- 2–4 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2017

2008
Rules assistance for Element
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Element is a board game released in 2008 for 2 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 9 and up. It was designed by Mike Richie and its main mechanics are Area Movement and Area Majority / Influence.
By using various elements (glass stones) and their corresponding properties, players try to surround their opponents wizard so that they are unable to make any further moves. At the beginning of each turn 4 dice are rolled that will tell you which elements you can add to the board. Special element properties correspond to placing the element stones. At any time during during their turn, a player can move their wizard. Players can only move their own Wizard piece but elements can be controlled by either player.
Element supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Element 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 Element 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.
Element 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.
Element belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Area Movement and Area Majority / Influence. 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 Element are: Mike Richie. 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 Element 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.