- BGG rank
- BGG #143
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Troyes
- 1–4 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 3.4/5
- 2010
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,096
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Obscurians
2024
Rules assistance for Obscurians
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 4–6 players
- 30–60 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.4/5
For 4 players
Rules assistant for Obscurians
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Obscurians is a board game released in 2024 for 4–6 players, 30–60 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Rocky Bogdanski and Kai Wetzel and its main mechanics are Take That, Set Collection, and Hot Potato.
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About the game
Introducing the Shadow Bazaar: Become an Obscurian! Step into the enigmatic realm of the Obscurians, a clandestine shadow market nestled within a remote desert planet. As an Obscurian, your mission is to uncover elusive combinations of goods while contending with rival players bent on thwarting your plans. Navigate the intricate webs of your fellow Obscurians to achieve your covert objectives with finesse. Employ subtle deception and strategic maneuvers to outwit your opponents, all without uttering a single falsehood. Each Obscurian conceals a clandestine client with specific procurement requirements. Fulfill these missions shrewdly while deciphering the intentions of your adversaries to amass the most points by game's end. Obscurians offers a blend of intrigue, deception, and deduction, where actions speak louder than words. Utilize henchman dice judiciously to manipulate ever-changing circumstances in your favor while concealing your true aims from prying eyes. Adapt your strategy to the shifting landscape of the game to maintain your advantage. Harness the tactical potential of the henchman dice to orchestrate cunning exchanges, bolster your resources, or subtly influence your rivals' actions. Navigate the dynamic gameplay to subtly sway the Obscurians to your cause. Each round presents unique challenges, from unexpected visitors to sudden sandstorms, demanding strategic adaptability to prevail. Beware the looming threat of a sandstorm-induced endgame, striking a balance between efficiency and caution. —description from the publisher
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- HUCH!
- Game Harbor
- Outset Media
- Niza Gams
- Funtails
Questions and answers
Obscurians supports 4–6 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 Obscurians is 30–60 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 Obscurians 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.
Obscurians 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.
Obscurians belongs to these categories: Deduction, Dice, and Bluffing. Its main mechanics are Take That, Set Collection, and Hot Potato. 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 Obscurians are: Rocky Bogdanski and Kai Wetzel. 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 Obscurians 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.