- BGG rank
- BGG #2,738
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Illuminati
- 2–6 players
- 60–180 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 1987
- BGG rank
- BGG #16,137
- BGG rating
- 5.9
Illuminati: Crime Lords
2004
Rules assistance for Illuminati: Crime Lords
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 60 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.6/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Illuminati: Crime Lords
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Illuminati: Crime Lords is a board game released in 2004 for 2–6 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Steve Jackson (I) and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Set Collection, and Auction / Bidding.
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About the game
Rival mobs battle for control of the city. Take over the rackets, rake in the dough, and rub out the opposition. It's the American dream. You'll start with a few gangsters and some cash. Recruit more crooks and take control of income-producing operations like bordellos, chop shops, and loan sharks. The police and the Feds are after you, but your biggest threats are your fellow mob bosses. Scheme, negotiate, back stab. You can share a victory, but it's much more satisfying to say "There can be only one Boss. And it's me." Crime Lords is based on the Illuminati system. It's not a supplement, but a separate stand-alone game created by Steve Jackson. Boxed game with 112 cards, rules, die-cut money and status counters, and dice. Illustrated by Dan Smith.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Steve Jackson Games
Questions and answers
Illuminati: Crime Lords supports 2–6 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 Illuminati: Crime Lords is 60 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 Illuminati: Crime Lords 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.
Illuminati: Crime Lords has a complexity rating of 2.6 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.
Illuminati: Crime Lords belongs to these categories: Card Game, Humor, and Political. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Set Collection, and Auction / Bidding. 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 Illuminati: Crime Lords are: Steve Jackson (I). 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 Illuminati: Crime Lords 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.