
- BGG rank
- BGG #12,207
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Starlink
- 3–6 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2020

2021
Rules assistance for Hot & Cold
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 3 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Hot & Cold is a board game released in 2021 for 3–8 players, 15–30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Markus Slawitscheck and its main mechanics are Variable Phase Order, Semi-Cooperative Game, and Victory Points as a Resource.
In Hot & Cold you will be making your teammate guess your temperature by giving them a clue based on your shared secret word! Will they understand that your clue is very close (hot), similar (warm) or very different (cold) to your secret word? Be quick and sharp, because your opponents will do whatever it takes to score points! —user summary
Hot & Cold supports 3–8 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 Hot & Cold is 15–30 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 Hot & Cold for ages 8 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.
Hot & Cold 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.
Hot & Cold belongs to these categories: Word Game and Party Game. Its main mechanics are Variable Phase Order, Semi-Cooperative Game, and Victory Points as a Resource. 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 Hot & Cold are: Markus Slawitscheck. 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 Hot & Cold 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.