
- BGG rank
- BGG #24,685
- BGG rating
- 5.7
Black Hole
- 2 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 1978

1977
Rules assistance for Rivets
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.
Rivets is a board game released in 1977 for 2 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Robert Taylor and its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and Action Queue.
Microgame #5 in the Metagaming Microgames series. From the rulebook... "The Boppers were robotic war machines. When the war ended and everyone was dead, the Boppers kept on fighting. But what else could you expect from robots with an average intelligence of an electric can opener? Rivets is a tactical level science fiction game of robotical warfare in the 22nd century. The players choose their robot armies, program them, and maneuver them to destroy the computer complex that controls the enemy's robots. Game components include this rulebook, an 8 1/4" by 14' game map, and 118 counters"
Rivets supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Rivets 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 Rivets 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.
Rivets has a complexity rating of 2.0 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.
Rivets belongs to these categories: Wargame and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and Action Queue. 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 Rivets are: Robert Taylor. 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 Rivets 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.