
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,311
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – The Game
- 1–2 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 2022

Rules assistance for The Downfall of Pompeii: The Dancing Flames
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
The Downfall of Pompeii: The Dancing Flames is an expansion for The Downfall of Pompeii released in 2013 for 2–4 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Morgan Dontanville and its main mechanics are Tile Placement.
PREPARATION - Mix these 3 tiles with the other Lava Tiles in the cloth sack. SECOND PHASE: RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! No Lava - if this is drawn, remove it from the game, no Lava is placed this turn. Draw 2 - if this is drawn, remove it from the game, draw 2 more tiles and place them. Wild - You may only place this adjacent to another lava tile. If this is the first tile of the game, draw another and return this to the bag. It is considered the same symbol of any adjacent tiles for the sake if future tile laying.
The Downfall of Pompeii: The Dancing Flames 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 The Downfall of Pompeii: The Dancing Flames 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 The Downfall of Pompeii: The Dancing Flames 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.
The Downfall of Pompeii: The Dancing Flames has a complexity rating of 1.6 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.
The Downfall of Pompeii: The Dancing Flames belongs to these categories: Expansion for Base-game. Its main mechanics are Tile Placement. 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 The Downfall of Pompeii: The Dancing Flames are: Morgan Dontanville. 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 The Downfall of Pompeii: The Dancing Flames as an expansion for The Downfall of Pompeii. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need The Downfall of Pompeii to use it. Check that your edition of The Downfall of Pompeii is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.