
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Death Test
- 1–5 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 1978

1977
Rules assistance for Melee
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.
Melee is a board game released in 1977 for 2 players, 15 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Steve Jackson (I) and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Grid Movement.
Microgame #3 in the Metagaming Microgames series is a board game of pre-gunpowder individual combat. On a hex map representing an arena, players fight it out with cardboard counters. Fighters are rated for Strength and Dexterity and can carry weapons and armors of various advantages and disadvantages. Included a 32-page booklet (4¼" by 7", or half-legal size), with a hex map (8½" by 14", or "legal" size) and counter sheet. Melee was released with three different covers, the first two both appearing in 1977 and the third in 1979. All were released in plastic ziplock bags. In 1981 there was a fourth edition which was boxed with a cover almost identical to the second edition (lettering changed from red to white). This system was later developed into Advanced Melee, one of the three books of the The Fantasy Trip role-playing system. After Steve Jackson and Metagaming had parted he lost control of his creation. He responded to this by adapting the basic rules into a new system: GURPS, the Generic and Universal Role Playing System. Steve Jackson has reacquired rights to TFT and is publishing the Legacy version. More information can be found here... https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/256884/fantasy-trip-legacy-edition Integrates with: Wizard Reimplemented by: Legends of the Ancient World (RPG) Heroes & Other Worlds (RPG)
Melee 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 Melee is 15 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 Melee for ages 10 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.
Melee has a complexity rating of 2.2 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.
Melee belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Wargame, and Adventure. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Grid Movement. 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 Melee are: Steve Jackson (I). 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 Melee 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.