- BGG rank
- BGG #23,780
- BGG rating
- 5.7
Giraffe Raffe
- 1–5 players
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- 2024
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- BGG rating
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Exhaust
2022
Rules assistance for Exhaust
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–5 players
- 15–30 min
- 8+
For 1 player
Rules assistant for Exhaust
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Exhaust is a board game released in 2022 for 1–5 players, 15–30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Hisashi Hayashi and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Single Loser Game, and Solo / Solitaire Game.
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About the game
Exhaust is a game of one elimination. One player is eliminated and the other players win. In this game, each player is dealt a set number of 64 spell cards, consisting of four colors 1-15 and four special = cards. There are also up to 10 combo cards on the table, like poker roles. The game is played in a clockwise rotation. When it is your turn, you must either a) play a Spell Card according to the rules of the Combo Card, or b) play a Time Stop Card. Either of the two is performed. If neither can be done, the player is eliminated and loses the game. Since there is almost no hand replenishment, the key point is how to struggle to survive as the situation is getting worse and worse, as the number of cards in hand decreases and the conditions for being able to play combo cards become tougher and tougher. —description from the publisher
Designers
Publishers
- OKAZU Brand
Questions and answers
Exhaust 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 Exhaust is 15–30 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 Exhaust for ages 8 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.
Exhaust belongs to these categories: Card Game and Fantasy. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Single Loser Game, and Solo / Solitaire Game. 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 Exhaust are: Hisashi Hayashi. 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 Exhaust 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.