
- BGG rank
- BGG #13,290
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Gruff: Rage of the Trolls
- 1–2 players
- 20–45 min
- Complexity 3.7/5
- 2017

2018
Rules assistance for Gruff: Stuff of Nightmares
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Gruff: Stuff of Nightmares is a board game released in 2018 for 1–4 players, 20–45 minutes per game, and ages 11 and up. It was designed by Brent Critchfield and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Open Drafting, and Campaign / Battle Card Driven.
Stuff of Nightmares is a stand-alone game within the Gruff rules system. Gruff is a tactical combat card game where players duel to the death with custom teams of Mutated Monster Goats! Gruff features unique positional and timing mechanics that create a constant state of attack and counter-play. Stuff of Nightmares provides the same visceral competitive experience as Gruff, but adds a new faction to the game to the game, plushy nightmare goats called The Stuffkin!
Gruff: Stuff of Nightmares 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 Gruff: Stuff of Nightmares is 20–45 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 Gruff: Stuff of Nightmares for ages 11 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.
Gruff: Stuff of Nightmares 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.
Gruff: Stuff of Nightmares belongs to these categories: Card Game, Fantasy, and Fighting. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Open Drafting, and Campaign / Battle Card Driven. 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 Gruff: Stuff of Nightmares are: Brent Critchfield. 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 Gruff: Stuff of Nightmares 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.