Maleficium: Fall of the Witch Hunters

Ion Game Design · Board game · 2026
— Ludopedia 10.0 BGG 1–4 Solo 60–150 min
Buy · from US$ 66.99
— rating Ludopedia
10.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy strategy games with a strong historical theme and engaging mechanics, Maleficium will hook you! It's a chance to be the hero fighting injustice.

Highlights
  • Fighting historical injustice
  • Deep and engaging strategy
  • Versatile: solo, co-op, or competitive
Keep in mind
  • Theme can be heavy
  • Initial learning curve
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

In Maleficium, you become a beacon of reason amidst the hysteria of 17th-century English witch hunts. Forget the stereotypes and embrace the role of a leader who sees the injustice behind the persecution, dedicating themselves to unmasking the "maleficium" and bringing down the influence of witch hunters. Your goal is clear: end this cruel practice and restore justice by promoting Enlightenment, religious tolerance, and legal skepticism to change the country's laws.

To achieve this ambitious goal, you'll need to be strategic. Gather crucial evidence, directly confront witch hunters, dispel the panic plaguing society, and defend the innocent. Every action counts towards building your legacy as the savior who ended this dark era. The game features a vibrant market where you can acquire valuable allies and more evidence, strengthening your cause. These allies, once in your play area, grant extra actions and influence, allowing for bolder maneuvers. Movement across the board is essential for executing key actions and challenging your opponents, whether they are other players or the witch hunters themselves. Calming collective hysteria and thwarting rival plans are important tactics to ensure your victory.

Maleficium shines with its versatility, allowing you to play it competitively against other players, cooperatively where everyone fights the game together, or even in a challenging solo experience. With mechanics that blend hand management, worker placement, area influence, and set collection, the game promises a deep and engaging experience for those seeking strategy with an impactful historical theme.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 OK
2 OK
3 OK
4 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Admin: Upcoming Releases
Publisher Ion Game Design
Designer Björn Ekenberg, Jon Manker
Artist Laxmi Prasanna Chiluka

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

14owners
142wishlist
20want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the average playtime?
Maleficium's games can vary significantly, ranging from 60 to 150 minutes, depending on the number of players and the chosen mode (solo, cooperative, or competitive).
How many players can participate?
The game is quite flexible, playable by 1 to 4 players. There are dedicated modes for those who prefer playing alone as well as for groups.
Is the game based on a true story?
Yes, Maleficium is inspired by the witch hunts in 17th-century England, focusing on the perspective of those who opposed this irrational persecution.
Do I need to know how to play in a group to enjoy the solo mode?
Not necessarily! The solo mode is designed to be a complete and challenging experience on its own, with a system that simulates opposition.
What is the game's complexity level?
Based on its mechanics (worker placement, hand management, influence), Maleficium is considered a heavier game, ideal for those who enjoy strategic challenges.
Is the game heavily language-dependent?
While there's no explicit mention of language dependency in the sources, games with cards and text generally benefit from good language comprehension to fully enjoy the immersion and rules.

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