
- BGG rank
- BGG #518
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Flip 7
3–18 players20 min2024

Rules assistance for Star Catcher
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with saved question history.

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Star Catcher is a board game released in 2026 for 2–4 players, 15–20 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Eric Olsen and Ali Nooriala and its main mechanics are Matching.
Star Catcher is a card-catching game where players compete to earn points, primarily by collecting stars. Each round begins with 4 cards dealt face-up to the table and 4 dealt face-down to each player. On a turn, a player plays one card from their hand: if it matches the number on a table card, or equals the sum of two or more table cards, they catch those cards into their score pile. Magnet Cards catch every Diamond Card on the table, but not Circle Cards. Clearing the table entirely earns a Bonus Card that is worth a star. Once all players have played their starting hand, the dealer deals 4 more cards to each player without replenishing the table, and play continues with the starting player rotating clockwise. Any card that doesn't match or sum stays on the table, available to be caught later. A round ends when the deck is exhausted and all hands are played; cards left on the table at that point score nothing. Players then count 1 point per star, plus a 3-point bonus for whoever collected the most non-star cards. The game is played over as many rounds as there are players, and the highest cumulative score wins.
Star Catcher supports 2–4 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 Star Catcher is 15–20 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 Star Catcher 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.
Star Catcher 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.
Star Catcher belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Matching. 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 Star Catcher are: Eric Olsen and Ali Nooriala. 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 Star Catcher 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.