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Betwixt and Between
- 1–4 players
- 90–120 min
- Complexity 2.6/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #13,934
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Fathom
2025
Rules assistance for Fathom
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 45–60 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.3/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Fathom
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Fathom is a board game released in 2025 for 2–4 players, 45–60 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Dan Helfer and its main mechanics are Set Collection, Tile Placement, and Pattern Building.
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About the game
Fathom is a tile-laying, pattern-building game of deep-sea exploration in which you take on the role of marine biology teams competing to uncover the secrets of an uncharted, underwater ecosystem around a fictional island. The depths are vast and time is limited, so savvy decision-making under pressure is crucial to a successful expedition. Choose wisely which creatures to investigate as those you don't pursue may be discovered by your opponents. Over six rounds of simultaneous play, guide your team's boat and submersible across the ocean. Scan the unmapped depths, and place tiles representing signs of marine life. Descend into the darkness and reveal these tiles to discover remarkable creatures. At game's end, you gain points based on the scoring criteria of species you've discovered. Some thrive in a homogenous environment; others fare better surrounded by diversity. The solitary life may suit certain creatures, but straying from the safety of a group spells disaster for others. Discover the most synergistic ecosystem to win! —description from the publisher
Designers
Publishers
- Paper Fort Games
Questions and answers
Fathom supports 2–4 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 Fathom is 45–60 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 Fathom for ages 10 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.
Fathom has a complexity rating of 2.3 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.
Fathom belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy, Exploration, and Adventure. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, Tile Placement, and Pattern Building. 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 Fathom are: Dan Helfer. 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 Fathom 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.