- BGG rank
- BGG #15,956
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Die Erben von Hoax
- 3–8 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 1999
- BGG rank
- BGG #15,566
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Hoax
1981
Rules assistance for Hoax
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–12 players
- 45 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.3/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Hoax
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Hoax is a board game released in 1981 for 3–12 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Bill Eberle, Jack Kittredge, Peter Olotka, and Edward Horn, Jr. and its main mechanics are Deduction, Hidden Roles, and Voting.
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About the game
The basic idea in Hoax is to pretend to be somebody you are not while working towards the goal of figuring out who other people are. Each player is assigned one of six different characters -- each with its own unique abilities -- but can pretend to be any character and use its corresponding powers. Abilities are used to acquire 3 different types of goods, which can be spent to get clues to opponents' identities. If the majority of the other players think you're pretending to be a character that you're not, you must either admit that you are not that character (and permanently lose the use of its power), or reveal that you are and win the game. Re-implemented as: Die Erben von Hoax
Mechanics
Publishers
- Hexagames (I)
- Eon Products, Inc. (Eon)
Questions and answers
Hoax supports 3–12 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 Hoax is 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 Hoax for ages 10 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.
Hoax has a complexity rating of 1.3 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.
Hoax belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Deduction, and Bluffing. Its main mechanics are Deduction, Hidden Roles, and Voting. 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 Hoax are: Bill Eberle, Jack Kittredge, Peter Olotka, and Edward Horn, Jr.. 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 Hoax 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.