
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,327
- BGG rating
- 8.1
Mutant Year Zero: Zone Wars
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2024

2005
Rules assistance for Gutshot
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.
Gutshot is a board game released in 2005 for 2–10 players, 240 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Mike Mitchell, Mike Murphy, and Paul Mauer and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Action Points.
WINNER -- 2006 Origins Award for "Historical Miniatures Game of the Year" Using 25mm miniatures and some dice, Gutshot is a fast-paced, easy-to-learn game that has you slappin’ leather and blowin’ away the bad guys in a matter of minutes. At its core is a simple system for running one-on-one and small-scale combat set in the American Wild West. It is a fun game that is easy to learn and play; it combines realism, pulp fiction, and a little bit of “Hollywood” thrown in for good measure. Gutshot is a game that captures the spirit and mystique of the American Wild West as portrayed in movies, television, pulp novels, and comic books. It’s the American Wild West of youth and fantasy, not a detailed recreation of history. [from the website]
Gutshot supports 2–10 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 Gutshot is 240 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 Gutshot 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.
Gutshot has a complexity rating of 2.9 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.
Gutshot belongs to these categories: Fighting, Wargame, and Miniatures. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Action Points. 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 Gutshot are: Mike Mitchell, Mike Murphy, and Paul Mauer. 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 Gutshot 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.