
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,396
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Vagrantsong
- 2–4 players
- 45–120 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2022

2019
Rules assistance for Malifaux (Third Edition)
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Malifaux (Third Edition) is a board game released in 2019 for 2 players, 90–120 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Matt Carter, Kyle Rowan, Aaron Darland, and Mason Crawford and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Action Points.
Welcome to Malifaux, a twisted mirror of an alternate Earth in the 1900s; a world of gothic horror, Victorian structures, steampunk constructs, and wild west gunslingers. Rife with undead amalgamations, monstrous vengeful apparitions, and other creatures that bump in the night, these near-lawless lands are still worth treading for some, as the Soulstones deep within the cavernous catacombs are worth more than the sweat and blood it takes to obtain them. Malifaux Third Edition is a story-driven skirmish game that carries the events from the lore directly into the characters’ mechanics. With a streamlined hiring system, straightforward and updated rules that don’t get in the way of the fun, and enough strategic depth to keep those mental gears turning for years to come, it’s never been a better time to dive into the world of Malifaux. Seek your fortune, test your luck, and stake your claim in this fast-paced and brutal tabletop miniature skirmish game. No longer do you have to trust the fickle fate of a dice roll. In Malifaux, you use cards called a Fate Deck to lead your crew to victory. If strategy, tactics, and resource management can’t help you achieve your goals, don’t worry, as you can always Cheat Fate. —description from the publisher
Malifaux (Third Edition) supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Malifaux (Third Edition) is 90–120 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 Malifaux (Third Edition) for ages 14 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.
Malifaux (Third Edition) has a complexity rating of 4.2 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a heavy 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.
Malifaux (Third Edition) belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Wargame, and Horror. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Action Points. 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 Malifaux (Third Edition) are: Matt Carter, Kyle Rowan, Aaron Darland, and Mason Crawford. 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 Malifaux (Third Edition) 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.