
- BGG rank
- BGG #553
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Fresco
- 2–4 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.6/5
- 2010

2018
Rules assistance for Kobold
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Kobold is a board game released in 2018 for 2–4 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 6 and up. It was designed by Marco Ruskowski and Marcel Süßelbeck and its main mechanics are Set Collection and Push Your Luck.
The kobolds are running wild, pilfering Maurice's favorite toys, and even his beloved gem collection! Though only simple fake gems, they sparkle so wonderfully that the kobolds must have them! In Kobold, the players send their kobolds to collect toys and gems, gaining points for them during and at the end of the game. But Maurice is hot on the trail of the little rascals with his flashlight: If a kobold is caught by its light beam (which is part of the clever 3D set-up), it takes to its heels as fast as it can. Whoever most skillfully avoids the light beam and collects the greatest number of points wins!
Kobold 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 Kobold is 20 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 Kobold for ages 6 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.
Kobold 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.
Kobold belongs to these categories: Fantasy and Children's Game. Its main mechanics are Set Collection and Push Your Luck. 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 Kobold are: Marco Ruskowski and Marcel Süßelbeck. 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 Kobold 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.