
- BGG rank
- BGG #23,159
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Gray Eminence
- 3–5 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2020

2023
Rules assistance for Tolerance
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 3 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Tolerance is a board game released in 2023 for 3–5 players, 60–90 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Ren Multamäki and Tony Cotterill and its main mechanics are End Game Bonuses, Deduction, and Trick-taking.
Tolerance is an asymmetric set collection game with variable player goals set in 16th and early 17th century Reformation England. Three to five players engage in the conflict between the Catholics and the Protestants. Tolerance uses a trick-taking mechanic, with the winner of each trick performing the actions on the played cards - whether or not they are beneficial! The game is played over three rounds, spanning the reigns of Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth I, and King James I, each round representing the reign of one monarch. The game aims to highlight the suffering mankind brings upon itself because of supposedly "wrong" beliefs - a topic which was just as valid almost 500 years ago as it still is today. The game lasts about 45 minutes so is short enough for multiple plays during one game night.
Tolerance supports 3–5 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 Tolerance is 60–90 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 Tolerance for ages 12 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.
Tolerance has a complexity rating of 3.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
Tolerance belongs to these categories: Card Game, Medieval, and Political. Its main mechanics are End Game Bonuses, Deduction, and Trick-taking. 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 Tolerance are: Ren Multamäki and Tony Cotterill. 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 Tolerance 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.