
- BGG rank
- BGG #999
- BGG rating
- 7.0
FUSE
- 1–5 players
- 10 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2015

2023
Rules assistance for FUSE Countdown
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
FUSE Countdown is a board game released in 2023 for 1–4 players, 10 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Kane Klenko and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Die Icon Resolution.
FUSE Countdown is a new entry in the FUSE family, one that’s playable both standalone or as an expansion for the original FUSE! Originally launched in 2015 as one of Renegade’s very first games, Kane Klenko’s FUSE brought the tense action of bomb defusal to the tabletop, in a quick and simple, but extraordinarily challenging cooperative game! Taking just ten minutes to play and minutes to teach, FUSE has appeal for all types of gamers! Veteran FUSE bomb-disposal techs may think they have the original game down to a science, but FUSE Countdown will throw some new obstacles in their way while also providing some great new tools! Multi-colored dice, Spark cards, new configurations, and Roles all add new elements to the game! Multi-colored dice can fill spots of either color, allowing a new level of flexibility AND challenge! FUSE Countdown Includes: Multi-colored Dice - can fulfill either color Spark Cards - When you can’t place a die, instead of rolling it and removing a related die, you draw a Spark card. They work like a mini-bomb card for you to fulfill. You cannot win the game unless all active Spark cards are resolved. Roles - Each player has a special player power. New Cards! New bomb cards using some of the new features/icons. *New Fuse cards featuring multiple colors/numbers —description from the publisher
FUSE Countdown supports 1–4 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 FUSE Countdown is 10 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 FUSE Countdown 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.
FUSE Countdown 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.
FUSE Countdown belongs to these categories: Dice, Action / Dexterity, and Real-time. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Die Icon Resolution. 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 FUSE Countdown are: Kane Klenko. 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 FUSE Countdown 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.