
- BGG rank
- BGG #277
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Calico
- 1–4 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 2020

2006
Rules assistance for Mimic
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.
Mimic is a board game released in 2006 for 2–3 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Doug Cook and its main mechanics are Set Collection, Enclosure, and Pattern Building.
Mimic is a new game by a first time publisher, Funmaker Games. Players attempt to collect sets of like animals of the same color from a set of cards laid out on a 7 x 7 card grid. Players also have a set of special power cards that allow you to bend the rules (play an extra card, etc.) The first player to get rid of their cubes wins the game. From the publisher: MIMIC is a quick strategic card game based on a new twist on set building. Two ways to play: BASIC and ADVANCED Your goal is to strategically utilize the Power Cards in the game, your wit, and a little bit of luck to create the necessary sets of Mimic Cards that would enable you to place your Cubes and win the game. It originally was a 2-3 player game, but NOW EXPANDED FOR 1-4 PLAYERS AND TEAM PLAY It takes from 20 to 30 minutes to play.
Mimic supports 2–3 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 Mimic 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 Mimic 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.
Mimic has a complexity rating of 2.4 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.
Mimic belongs to these categories: Card Game and Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, Enclosure, and Pattern Building. 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 Mimic are: Doug Cook. 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 Mimic 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.