- BGG rating
- 6.7
Louis XIV: The Favourite
- 2–4 players
- 100 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2009
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,208
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Louis XIV
2005
Rules assistance for Louis XIV
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 75–100 min
- 12+
- Complexity 3.0/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Louis XIV
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Louis XIV is a board game released in 2005 for 2–4 players, 75–100 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Rüdiger Dorn and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and Area Majority / Influence.
Expansions
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About the game
Louis XIV, by Rüdiger Dorn, is about power and influence in the French court at the end of the 17th Century. The players take on the roles of members of the Court, where they carry out their missions and goals at Versailles. By using cards and influence markers, they influence high-ranking Court attendants, such as the King's Mother or one of the countless Royal mistresses. Naturally, the Sun King himself has a special role here too. An excellent time and a high level of tension are guaranteed. The final outcome is in doubt right up to the end. Each game is different. A change of pace but still a highly promising strategy game in the finest Alea tradition, one that sits at level 5 on the Alea complexity scale.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Ravensburger AG
- alea
- Rio Grande Games
Questions and answers
Louis XIV 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 Louis XIV is 75–100 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 Louis XIV 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.
Louis XIV has a complexity rating of 3.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
Louis XIV belongs to these categories: Card Game, Political, and Age of Reason. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and Area Majority / Influence. 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 Louis XIV are: Rüdiger Dorn. 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 Louis XIV 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.