- BGG rank
- BGG #3,134
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Exceed Fighting System
- 2 players
- 5–30 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #28,686
- BGG rating
- 5.5
Ninjan
2024
Rules assistance for Ninjan
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–5 players
- 15–30 min
- 7+
- Complexity 1.0/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Ninjan
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Ninjan is a board game released in 2024 for 2–5 players, 15–30 minutes per game, and ages 7 and up. It was designed by 6jizo and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, and Simultaneous Action Selection.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,158
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Village Pillage
- 2–5 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,334
- BGG rating
- 8.2
BattleCON Fighting System
- 2–4 players
- 10–45 min
- Complexity 3.7/5
- 2010
- BGG rank
- BGG #13,641
- BGG rating
- 5.8
Crazy Karts
- 3–8 players
- 45–60 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #25,080
- BGG rating
- 5.7
IncrediBrawl
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #22,535
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Legendary Showdown: Machines & Magic
- 2–7 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2015
- BGG rank
- BGG #25,296
- BGG rating
- 5.8
Lab Wars
- 2–4 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #28,506
- BGG rating
- 5.4
Obscura Tempora
- 2–6 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 2005
- BGG rank
- BGG #31,250
- BGG rating
- 5.4
We Didn't Playtest This at All
- 2–10 players
- 1–10 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2007
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,104
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Yomi
- 2 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2011
- BGG rank
- BGG #8,324
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Critical Mass: Raijin vs Archon
- 2 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,540
- BGG rating
- 7.6
BattleCON: War of Indines
- 2–4 players
- 15–60 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2012
About the game
Ninjas bring rocks, scissors, and paper to a fight in Ninjan to help you recruit the strongest ninjas possible. Each player starts with a hand of nine cards, with cards belonging to one of three suits — rock/paper/scissor — and being valued from -6 to 10. Place three random cards face up on the table in separate piles; these are your first targets. Each turn, each player chooses a card from their hand, then reveals them simultaneously. Going from high value to low, breaking ties according to the RPS rule, players see whether they will claim one of the piles in the center of the table. If you play 8 rock, for example, you must claim one of the piles with a scissor card on top, placing these claimed cards face up in front of you, then starting a new pile with your 8 rock. If you cannot claim a card, place your played card on a pile, leaving all numbers in the pile visible. After nine rounds, sum the values of the cards you've claimed. Whoever has the highest score wins.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Helvetiq
Questions and answers
Ninjan supports 2–5 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 Ninjan is 15–30 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 Ninjan for ages 7 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.
Ninjan has a complexity rating of 1.0 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.
Ninjan belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, 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 Ninjan are: 6jizo. 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 Ninjan 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.