- BGG rank
- BGG #25,390
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Quest for the Auburn Pelt: A PageQuest Game
- 1 player
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 1997
- BGG rank
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- BGG rating
- 5.6
HellRail
1998
Rules assistance for HellRail
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.0/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for HellRail
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
HellRail is a board game released in 1998 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by James Kyle, Chris Young, and Sandie Richardson and its main mechanics are Pick-up and Deliver.
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About the game
The first edition of HellRail was quite different from (and in most respects inferior to) subsequent editions. The easiest way to describe the first edition is to contrast it with the more widely known second and third (p)e(r)ditions, as only thirty (30) copies of the first edition were printed. One of the most significant differences is that the cards each have only one use in first edition, and so are divided into types: Circle cards, Rail cards, Passenger cards, and Damnations (one-use special powers). All cards are shuffled together at the start of the game, so the Circles are not laid out to begin as they are in later editions. The board is formed throughout the game by placing Rail and Circle cards. Another big difference is the fact that Circle cards have no special powers in first edition. Special game effects are only available to players fortunate enough to draw the Damnation cards. Components: 80 cards, Bridge-size (rectangular), full-color fronts, black & white backs, many miscut 4 engine tokens, cold-cast resin (poorly cast, as no vacuum table was used), unpainted (so all are white, distinguishable only by shape... spider, serpent, demon, and skull) Reimplemented by: HellRail: Second Perdition HellRail: Third Perdition
Mechanics
Publishers
- Glastyn Games
Questions and answers
HellRail 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 HellRail is 30 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 HellRail 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.
HellRail 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.
HellRail belongs to these categories: Card Game, Humor, and Trains. Its main mechanics are Pick-up and Deliver. 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 HellRail are: James Kyle, Chris Young, and Sandie Richardson. 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 HellRail 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.