Board Game Complexity Ratings
On dice, pips are small dots on each face of a multisided die. These pips are typically arranged in patterns denoting the number of faces of the dice. We use a six sided dice (D6) to express how complex a board game or tabletop game is to play.
1 Pip - Anyone Can Play
- All ages
- Rulebook not required
- Pick up and play
- Minimal components
- 5 to 30 minute playtimes
- Party games, child friendly games, family games
2 Pips - Easy as 1, 2, ...
- Age range of 8 and older
- One page rulesheet or a rulebook of a couple of pages in length
- Learn time is approximately 5 minutes
- Minimal setup time and components
- 10 to 45 minute playtime
- Party games, child friendly games, and family games
3 Pips - Read the Rules
- Age range of 8 and older
- Short rulebook. Usually less than 12 pages
- Learn time can be up to approximately 10 minutes
- Entry-level board games, usually requiring a table setup with an approximate time of 5 to 10 minutes
- More than 30 minutes of playtime
- Individual player components and/or cards
- Family games, social games, roll and write games, entry level adventure games
4 Pips - Moderately Advanced
- Age range of 12 and older
- Rulebook length of 10 to 25 pages
- Learning can be more 15 minutes or more
- Moderately challenging board game requiring more table space for components
- More than 45 minutes of playtime
- Individual player components, decision making, and strategies will be involved
- Gameplay may include multiple "phases", tracking, and upkeep
- Strategy games, eurogames, and cooperative games, family games
5 Pips - Challenge Accepted
- Age range of 14 or older
- Rulebook length of 20 or more pages. Rules learning and explanation time may take 10 to 15 minutes or more
- Set up time may be more than 10 minutes and will require a large table space
- More than 60 minutes of playtime
- Gameplay may include multiple "phases", tracking, and upkeep
- Components would include many tokens, game pieces, cards, and miniatures
- Strategy games, lifestyle games, legacy games, adventure games, and eurogames
6 Pips - Hardcore Game Night
- Age range of 14 or older
- Large or multiple rulebooks. Learning the game may take extensive reading and multiple play-throughs
- Set up times may be 30 minutes or more and will require a large table space
- More than 120 minutes of playtime
- Individual player components, decision making, and strategies will be involved
- Gameplay may include multiple "phases", tracking, and upkeep
- Components would include many tokens, game pieces, cards, miniatures, and several pay areas to focus on
- Strategy games, lifestyle games, legacy games, adventure games, eurogames, 4X games, campaign games, collectible games, role playing games, and tabletop games
- CAUTION: Recommended for experienced gamers only