Black Mold

Terrible Games · Board game · 2024

2–5 · best 4, 5 60–120 min Weight 2.5/5

— rating Ludopedia

6.8 rating BGG

Buy

— rating Ludopedia

6.8 rating BGG

Buy Ask about Rules

Our Verdict

FOR GENRE FANS

If you enjoy a tense game where every second counts and paranoia is always lurking, Black Mold might be your jam! It's a desperate escape with a heavy theme and mechanics that will leave you breathless (literally!).

Highlights

Immersive and tense experience
Well-executed horror theme
Unique breath-holding mechanic
High replayability with scenarios

Keep in mind

Player elimination can be a bummer
Can be quite stressful
Dice luck dependency

Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Waking up in a dark, unfamiliar place, with sinister fungi growing everywhere and a toxic fog forcing you to hold your breath to survive... welcome to Black Mold! In this semi-cooperative horror and survival game, you and your friends are prisoners trying to escape a sinister underground prison. Each turn, you have the time of a breath to move, search for items, craft essential gear, or perhaps even bribe someone to help you. But beware, the hallucinogenic fog and fungal creatures offer no respite, and paranoia might make you distrust even your cellmate. With 70 areas to explore, items to craft, and six prisoners with unique abilities, each escape is a new, tense story full of twists. Will you manage to get out, or will you become part of the mold? The game blends dice rolling, real-time exploration, and hidden roles, creating an immersive and challenging experience where trust is a luxury few can afford. Prepare for a dark adventure where cooperation might be key, but betrayal could be the only way out. Can you withstand the pressure and escape before it's too late?

Gallery

Box and component photos

6 photos · from the community

01 / 06

Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–5 players

2 REC

3 REC

4 BEST

5 BEST

Where to Buy

Prices monitored daily

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Publisher Terrible Games

Designer John de Campos, Phillip Doccolo

Artist John de Campos

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions

What is the average playtime for Black Mold?

Games typically last between 60 and 120 minutes, depending on the number of players and how quickly you can manage your escape.

How many players can participate?

The game is designed for 2 to 5 players, perfect for a group that enjoys cooperative challenges with a hint of distrust.

Is it a pure cooperative game?

No, Black Mold is semi-cooperative. You need to work together to survive, but in the end, only one can be the ultimate escapee (or you all die trying!).

Is the breath-holding mechanic difficult?

It's the heart of the game! It simulates exposure to toxic fog by limiting your turn time. It requires good timing and can be quite stressful, but it sets the tone for the game.

Is there a lot of text on the cards?

The game has low language dependency, with easily memorizable text, which aids immersion and speed.

Is this a game for those who enjoy heavy themes?

Absolutely! The theme of horror, sinister fungi, and desperate escape is quite strong. If you're not into this kind of atmosphere, it might not be the best fit.

What happens if I get eliminated?

Player elimination is a possibility. Depending on the scenario or rules, you might be out of the game or perhaps even return as a threat!