
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,043
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Oregon
- 2–4 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2007

Rules assistance for Rattus: Africanus
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Rattus: Africanus is an expansion for Rattus released in 2011 for 2–6 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Henrik Berg and Åse Berg and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers and Area Majority / Influence.
Rattus: Africanus, a new expansion for the 2010 release Rattus, introduces a caravan and diplomats to add more strategic possibilities to the game. What's more, with the introduction of region cards, players will have more control on possible outbreaks of the Black Death. In addition to making Rattus feel like a completely new gaming experience, Rattus Africanus makes it possible to play the game with up to six players.
Rattus: Africanus 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 Rattus: Africanus is 45 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 Rattus: Africanus for ages 10 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.
Rattus: Africanus has a complexity rating of 2.1 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.
Rattus: Africanus belongs to these categories: Medieval and Expansion for Base-game. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers and Area Majority / Influence. 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 Rattus: Africanus are: Henrik Berg and Åse Berg. 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 Rattus: Africanus as an expansion for Rattus. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Rattus to use it. Check that your edition of Rattus is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.