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- BGG rank
- BGG #18,441
- BGG rating
- 7.0
In A Bind Jr
- 3–7 players
- 10–25 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #15,043
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Killer
1981
Rules assistance for Killer
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–50 players
- 360 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.1/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Killer
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Killer is a board game released in 1981 for 3–50 players, 360 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Steve Jackson (I) and its main mechanics are Player Elimination, Team-Based Game, and Acting.
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About the game
Killer is a sort of "live action" role playing game. The goal is to successfully "kill" your opponents within the rules of the game. Don't worry, the rules are carefully constructed so that no dangerous weapons are used. Typically the game is played in real time -- that is, the game is more likely to be played at school or at a game convention over a period of days or weeks than at a friends house in an afternoon. There are many scenarios outlined in the game but the simplest is to give every player the name and picture (if necessary) of another player and a dart gun. If you successfully kill your target you take his target as your new target. You may not shoot at anyone who is not your target except in self defense. Obviously, there needs to be at least one moderator. There are several other interesting scenarios as well as suggestions for far more elaborate and interesting weapons than dart guns. For example, there are sci-fi, mafia and spy vs spy scenarios.
Designers
Publishers
- Steve Jackson Games
- Nexus Editrice
- Descartes Editeur
Questions and answers
Killer supports 3–50 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 Killer is 360 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 Killer 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.
Killer has a complexity rating of 2.1 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.
Killer belongs to these categories: Party Game, Murder / Mystery, and Action / Dexterity. Its main mechanics are Player Elimination, Team-Based Game, and Acting. 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 Killer 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 Killer 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.