- BGG rank
- BGG #1,835
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Happy Salmon
- 3–8 players
- 2 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #8,110
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Monster Match
2018
Rules assistance for Monster Match
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 10 min
- 6+
- Complexity 1.1/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Monster Match
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Monster Match is a board game released in 2018 for 2–6 players, 10 minutes per game, and ages 6 and up. It was designed by Ken Gruhl and Quentin Weir and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling and Pattern Recognition.
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About the game
Monster Match is unique among speed games for one simple reason: more than 1 person can get a match every round. This sounds minor but it makes a huge difference in game play. There is usually a dominant player in any given speed game which makes the game frustrating for the other players who have a hard time getting points. In Monster Match, it is possible for every player to score in a round. This makes the game more fun for a greater number of players and it adds a layer of strategy to the game as players decide whether to grab the first match they see or search longer for a match that might be worth more points. Another unique element in Monster Match is that the number of cards on the table changes every round. This creates a dynamic landscape which directly affects your strategic decisions each round between grabbing quickly or taking more time to find a high point card. The end result is a game that is more fun and engaging than other alternatives on the market. Rules - Scatter 10 Monster Cards face-up on the table. - Roll the special Monster Dice. - Everyone races to find a monster that matches the roll. - Touch a card with your finger to claim it. You cannot change your claim once you've touched a card. - Each player scores 1 - 3 points depending on the number of donuts on the card they claimed. Incorrect claims lose points. - The Monster Dice passes to the left. Rinse and repeat. - Be the first to claim the "Zilch" token if there are no matches after the die roll. Get a random card as points and then scatter 10 new Monster Cards on the table. - The game ends immediately when you cannot replenish the table with 10 new Monster Cards after a Zilch has occurred.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Reflexshop
- KOSMOS
- DV Games
- Mercurio
- North Star Games, LLC
Questions and answers
Monster Match supports 2–6 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 Monster Match is 10 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 Monster Match for ages 6 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.
Monster Match has a complexity rating of 1.1 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
Monster Match belongs to these categories: Children's Game, Party Game, and Real-time. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling and Pattern Recognition. 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 Monster Match are: Ken Gruhl and Quentin Weir. 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 Monster Match 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.