- BGG rank
- BGG #1,941
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Skulk Hollow
- 2 players
- 40 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #24,356
- BGG rating
- 5.9
SpyMaster
2019
Rules assistance for SpyMaster
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 30–60 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.5/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for SpyMaster
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
SpyMaster is a board game released in 2019 for 2–6 players, 30–60 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Seth Johnson and its main mechanics are Set Collection, Area Majority / Influence, and Action Points.
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About the game
As the head of a shadowy intelligence agency, you must manipulate agents around the world, using valuable intelligence to complete missions. Crucial choices, daring actions, and perfect timing will allow your agency to manipulate the world…and win the game! SpyMaster takes place over five rounds. Each round begins with intelligence being gathered using the "I split, you choose" mechanism, with the spymaster player divvying the available intelligence cards into files, after which the players go around and take one stack in clockwise order, ending with the spymaster. By playing intelligence cards from hand, players take turns moving agent meeples — both their own and ownerless freelance agents — into position so that they can control the areas, meet mission requirements, and claim the mission cards. At the end of five rounds, the player with the highest value in accomplished missions, along with bonuses for remaining intelligence in hand, wins! —description from publisher
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Calliope Games
Questions and answers
SpyMaster 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 SpyMaster 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 SpyMaster for ages 8 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.
SpyMaster has a complexity rating of 1.5 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.
SpyMaster belongs to these categories: Science Fiction and Spies / Secret Agents. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, Area Majority / Influence, and Action Points. 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 SpyMaster are: Seth Johnson. 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 SpyMaster 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.