# Entomologists

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2026
- **BGG Rating**: —
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2
- **Duration**: 25-35 min
- **Weight**: —
- **Designers**: Nicolò Mengarelli
- **Publishers**: (Self-Published)
- **Categories**: Animals, Card Game, Educational
- **Mechanics**: Hand Management, Set Collection, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
Entomologists is a super charming and strategic card duel for two players who love biology and tactical challenges. If you enjoy games where every decision counts and hand management is crucial, you'll feel right at home. The experience is a mix of a race for collections with the excitement of using unique powers, all while learning about insects and famous naturalists. It's a game that hooks you with its theme and challenges you with its strategic depth, perfect for an afternoon game for two.Strategic and engaging duelCaptivating insect themeInteresting variable powersCrucial 'timing' decisionsEducational componentsTwo players onlyInitial learning curveMay have some analysis paralysisRECOMMENDED

## Description
In Entomologists, you and a friend embark on an exciting race to catalog new insect species, taking on the roles of historical entomologists. This two-player card game challenges you to be the most efficient in your research and capture. Each turn, you choose a single crucial action: buy a card from 'the forest' (a row of ten cards where those further away cost more), take 'overstepped' cards for free, play a cage, release insects for resources, upgrade your hand size, or, most importantly, capture a set of matching insects in an empty cage. Each insect species you capture not only scores points but also activates a unique power, which can grant you extra turns, allow you to steal resources from your opponent, or even reduce the cost of future purchases. Beyond the basic rules, each player chooses a famous naturalist from history, such as Maria Sibylla Merian or Charles Darwin, each with a special ability inspired by their actual work, adding a strategic and asymmetric layer to the game. Keep an eye out for predators – birds, reptiles, rodents – which allow you to sacrifice insects from your hand to steal resources from your rival, but remember that hand space is tight, so timing is everything! Is it better to capture now to free up space, or hold out for a bigger set and a stronger effect later? The game ends when the insect deck runs dry. Points come from captured insects, bonus cage cards (flowers, fruits, fungi), end-game character powers, the largest single cage, and even a small bonus for uncaptured species still in your hand. Each of the eleven species is illustrated based on a real insect, from the common seven-spot ladybird to the critically rare Lord Howe Island stick insect, making the experience educational and immersive.

## FAQ
### How many players can play Entomologists?
Entomologists is an exclusive two-player game, perfect for a duel of wits and strategies.

### What is the average game duration?
A game of Entomologists usually lasts between 25 and 35 minutes, ideal for quick and engaging sessions.

### Is it a complex game for beginners?
The game has straightforward rules, but hand management and action timing require some practice to master, making it accessible yet with depth. The BGG weight is not yet defined, but we estimate it to be light-medium.

### What are the main components of the game?
The game primarily consists of insect cards, cage cards, bonus cards, and naturalist cards, all beautifully illustrated with real insects.

### Does the game have any educational aspects?
Yes! Besides having fun, you learn about different insect species and historical naturalists, as each species and character is based on real facts.

### Are there any planned expansions for the future?
As of now, there is no information about expansions, but the base game already offers plenty of replayability with the variable powers of the naturalists and the diversity of insects.