- BGG rank
- BGG #4,229
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Leader 1: Hell of the North
- 2–10 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 2011
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,949
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Leader 1
2008
Rules assistance for Leader 1
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–10 players
- 90–150 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.5/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Leader 1
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Leader 1 is a board game released in 2008 for 2–10 players, 90–150 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Alain Ollier and Christophe Leclercq and its main mechanics are Race, Modular Board, and Simulation.
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About the game
Leader 1, the legend of cycling, is a cycling race simulation by Ghenos games. In each of the 5 teams there are different types of cyclists: 1 rouleur, 1 climber and 1 leader. Different tracks can be arranged with the hexagons reproducing different types of routes: plain, ground rise, mountain pass and downhill. Every cyclist enjoys the benefits of a free base movement which varies according to his specialty and according to the hexagon at the beginning of his movement. After this kind of movement every racer can add a paying movement. Therefore, the race is based on the riders’ energy management: initially the riders are all inside the peloton, where it is easier to save energy, but then they will have to find the proper moment to break away to open the definitive gap ahead of the peloton. The slipstreaming rule assures the simulation of the easier breaking away with a fellow, saving energy by swapping places. Cracks, falls and punctures make the simulation more complete. Leader 1 has a simple yet fascinating mechanism: players decide the placement and energy management of their riders, facing all the elements of a “classic” or “stage” race. Re-implemented as: Giro d'Italia: the Game Stand-alone expansion: Leader 1: Hell of the North
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Ghenos Games
Questions and answers
Leader 1 supports 2–10 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 Leader 1 is 90–150 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 Leader 1 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.
Leader 1 has a complexity rating of 2.5 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.
Leader 1 belongs to these categories: Racing and Sports. Its main mechanics are Race, Modular Board, and Simulation. 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 Leader 1 are: Alain Ollier and Christophe Leclercq. 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 Leader 1 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.