- BGG rank
- BGG #1,442
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Claim
- 2 players
- 25 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #21,957
- BGG rating
- 8.4
STYX
2025
Rules assistance for STYX
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 45 min
- 14+
- Complexity 2.5/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for STYX
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
STYX is a board game released in 2025 for 2–6 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Pierre Lahmi and its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding and Auction: Once Around.
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About the game
The Throne of the Underworld stands empty, and every Overlord intends to claim it. In STYX, two Emissaries arrive before the council each round. Secretly decide their fate: Tithe them for wealth, Muster them into your army, or Eliminate them to harvest their Soul while denying them to your rivals. Then reveal everyone's choices at once. What seemed like a simple decision erupts into bidding wars—fought with gold to recruit followers and with military Strength to decide who survives. Every Emissary offers different rewards: Influence, income, Elements, Souls, or powerful abilities. Building the strongest army isn't always enough; knowing when to sacrifice a valuable card—or prevent an opponent from claiming it—can be even more important. Multiple paths lead to victory, but time is never on your side. Every Emissary left behind fuels Chaos, bringing the game closer to a final confrontation where the strongest surviving army may seize the Throne instead. Featuring simultaneous hidden decisions, tense bidding, engine building, and constant player interaction, STYX is a game of calculated betrayal where every choice strengthens you... or weakens everyone else. —description from the publisher
Designers
Publishers
- Don't Panic Games
Questions and answers
STYX 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 STYX 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 STYX for ages 14 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.
STYX has a complexity rating of 2.5 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.
STYX belongs to these categories: Fantasy and Bluffing. Its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding and Auction: Once Around. 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 STYX are: Pierre Lahmi. 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 STYX 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.