
- BGG rank
- BGG #452
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Abyss
- 2–4 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2014

2013
Rules assistance for Leonardo
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Leonardo is a board game released in 2013 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Charles Chevallier and its main mechanics are Set Collection.
Vinci, late 15th century: Someday Leonardo will become the great inventor and painter that we know so well today, but right now he is a young, exuberant, and inventive boy. He is always inventing the most incredible creations just by observing the world around him. In Leonardo, players must collect inventions, gathering the right materials (i.e., cards) for each one. Each invention has a point value based on how complex it is and based on the required materials. Before starting the game, place six collection cards and three invention cards on the matching spaces on the game board. Place the three stand-up character pawns on the correct positions around the invention cards. All players share these characters and can use any of them that they want each turn. On a turn, each player simultaneously reveals one of three character cards and one of three movement cards. The first player moves his chosen character clockwise around the circle the number of spaces shown on his movement card, then: If no cards are on the space, his turn ends; If a collection card is on the space, he places it face up in front of him; If an invention card is there and he has all of the required materials, he can take that card and the matching invention pawn; or If a painting card is there, he plays it immediately, gaining that card's special effect (take an extra turn, steal a player's material card, etc.) The remaining players take their turns in clockwise order in the same manner, then the player to the left of the first player becomes the first player for the next turn. If no invention or collection cards are available to fill spaces on the board, the game ends immediately. Players score points equal to the value of their inventions, plus 1 point for each material card they still have. The player with the highest score wins!
Leonardo 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 Leonardo is 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 Leonardo 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.
Leonardo 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.
Leonardo belongs to these categories: Renaissance. Its main mechanics are Set Collection. 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 Leonardo are: Charles Chevallier. 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 Leonardo 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.