
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,182
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Blink
- 2–3 players
- 10 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 1995

2011
Rules assistance for Fusion
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.
Fusion is a board game released in 2011 for 2–4 players, 10 minutes per game, and ages 6 and up. It was designed by Reinhard Staupe and its main mechanics are Pattern Recognition.
Fusion is a twist by designer Reinhard Staupe on his own Speed/Blink. The card deck consists of 72 cards with each card having a number (1-6), a letter (one of six, which spell out "fusion"), and a color on that letter (one of six). Three rule cards are placed face-up, with one card from the deck placed next to each rule to start a pile. The remaining cards are dealt evenly among the players, and each player draws the top three cards in hand. Then they simultaneously play cards from their hands onto the three piles, following the rules for play and refilling their hands to three cards whenever they desire. The rules for playing: "=" – The card being played must match the color or letter of the card being covered. "+1/-1" – The number on the card being played must be one higher or one lower than the card being covered. "≠" – The card being played cannot match the number, color or letter of the card being covered. The first player to run out of cards wins the game.
Fusion 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 Fusion 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 Fusion for ages 6 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.
Fusion has a complexity rating of 1.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
Fusion belongs to these categories: Card Game, Action / Dexterity, and Real-time. Its main mechanics are Pattern Recognition. 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 Fusion are: Reinhard Staupe. 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 Fusion 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.