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MERCS: Recon – Assassination Protocol
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- 2015
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- 7.5
MERCS
2010
Rules assistance for MERCS
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–10 players
- 120 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.6/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for MERCS
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
MERCS is a board game released in 2010 for 2–10 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Brian Shotton and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Simultaneous Action Selection.
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About the game
MERCS is a skirmish game of miniature combat taking place in the future. Games consist of two squads of 5, which have all special equipment and skills. The miniatures act simultanously, using a system of initiative and reaction to determine the exact order of turns. MERCS uses unique cards as both reference and a means to measure. This streamlined approach means games are faster, with less rule-lawyering, providing a dynamic feel with combat that ebbs and flows. It also means that a game of MERCS is flexible; it can be played just about anywhere with any number of people. All that is needed is 1 fi g, 1 card, and 1d10. The game board can use 3D terrain, but is equally dynamic with the provided 2D terrain cards.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- MegaCon Games
Questions and answers
MERCS 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 MERCS is 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 MERCS 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.
MERCS has a complexity rating of 2.6 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.
MERCS belongs to these categories: Wargame, Miniatures, and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Simultaneous Action Selection. 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 MERCS are: Brian Shotton. 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 MERCS 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.