
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,124
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Clue: The Great Museum Caper
- 2–7 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 1991

1973
Rules assistance for Sub Search
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.
Sub Search is a board game released in 1973 for 2 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. Its main mechanics are Square Grid and Secret Unit Deployment.
A unique variation on the format of Battleship. The game is different in having a three dimensional board. Players hide their submarines and a mine on the three underwater levels on one side, and place their surface ships on the top surface level of the other side. Players move a ship to a desired grid location and then fire a depth charge, marking off hits, near misses, and misses on their opponent's submarines. Submarines can fire a torpedo at surface vessels that are in the same column. Play alternates back and forth until one player sinks all three of his opponent's subs or all of his opponent's surface ships (almost never happens).
Sub Search 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 Sub Search 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 Sub Search 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.
Sub Search 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.
Sub Search belongs to these categories: Children's Game, Deduction, and Nautical. Its main mechanics are Square Grid and Secret Unit Deployment. 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 catalogue lists Sub Search 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.