
- BGG rank
- BGG #14,852
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Dicke Kartoffeln
- 2–6 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 1989

1994
Rules assistance for Fugger, Welser, Medici
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.
Fugger, Welser, Medici is a board game released in 1994 for 2–6 players, 360 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Doris Matthäus and Frank Nestel and its main mechanics are Trading, Auction / Bidding, and Commodity Speculation.
A trading game set at the dawn of the modern age. The trading houses of wealthy families conduct far-reaching business deals, support the discovery of America, and finance the election of the Emperor. But their goal is not just wealth and prosperity, but also a noble title and a country estate befitting their status. Each player manages their own trading post and sends out three merchants who travel from city to city across Europe, where they must outbid their competitors in blind auctions. But before that, they have to organize transport routes, load the right goods, calculate customs duties, and avoid thieves and bandits. To top it all off, poor roads and inclement weather also stand in the way of success. Finally, the accumulated wealth is used to bribe nobles and thus gain advantages. Only in this way can a successful merchant become a new Prince...
Fugger, Welser, Medici supports 2–6 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 Fugger, Welser, Medici is 360 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 Fugger, Welser, Medici 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.
Fugger, Welser, Medici has a complexity rating of 3.6 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
Fugger, Welser, Medici belongs to these categories: Economic, Medieval, and Political. Its main mechanics are Trading, Auction / Bidding, and Commodity Speculation. 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 Fugger, Welser, Medici are: Doris Matthäus and Frank Nestel. 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 Fugger, Welser, Medici 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.