Sherlock 13

BoardM Factory, Magpie (Korean Co), Arcane Wonders · Board game · 2013
13.0 Ludopedia 6.3 BGG 2–4 · best 4 15 min Weight 1.6/5
Buy · from US$ 12.57
13.0 rating Ludopedia
6.3 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Perfect for those who love fast deduction games and want something more dynamic than Clue. Its strength lies in the simplicity of the elimination mechanic.

Highlights
  • Rules explained in 2 minutes
  • Very short and intense matches
  • Pure and satisfying logical deduction
  • Great as a filler between games
Keep in mind
  • Player elimination can be frustrating
  • Limited variety after several games
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get your magnifying glass and your logical thinking ready, because in Sherlock 13 the goal is simple yet challenging: unmask the master of disguise, Arsene Lupin. The game puts you and your friends in the shoes of detectives trying to figure out which identity the villain has assumed to infiltrate the group. The gameplay is elegant and fast: there are 13 character cards, each with specific characteristics (such as being a 'genius' or 'female'). At the start of the game, one of these cards is secretly removed — this is Lupin's disguise. The remaining cards are distributed among the players.

From there, the hunt begins. You need to analyze the cards in your hand and ask strategic questions to eliminate possibilities. You can ask the whole table who possesses a certain characteristic or question a specific player about how many of a certain attribute they hold. The fun lies in cross-referencing the answers: if you know who has characteristics 'X' and 'Y', and the missing card also possesses them, you're getting close to the answer!

But be careful: the tension rises when someone decides to make the final guess. If you announce which character is Lupin and you're correct, the victory is yours. However, if you're wrong, you are eliminated from the investigation, and your opponents continue the search. It's a game of pure deduction and information management, where every right question brings you closer to the solution, but every mistake can knock you out of the game. Ideal for those who enjoy a quick mental challenge that doesn't require hours of rule-reading but demands total attention to detail.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

3 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 OK
3 REC
4 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Books: Mystery Novels Books: Sherlock Holmes Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Misc: LongPack Games
Publisher BoardM Factory, Magpie (Korean Co), Arcane Wonders, Asterion Press, Broadway Toys LTD, Granna, Korea Boardgames, Letheia, Mandala Jogos, MEBO Games, Morapiaf
Designer Hope S. Hwang
Artist Vincent Dutrait

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

2,260owners
228wishlist
24want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
How long does a game last?
It's super fast! Games usually last about 15 minutes, making it a great game-night opener.
Is it hard to learn?
Not at all! The complexity is low. In a few minutes, everyone will be questioning and deducing.
How many people can play?
The game supports 2 to 4 players.
Do I need pen and paper?
While not mandatory, having a place to note down characteristics helps a lot in organizing your thoughts.
Is the game thematic or just a skin?
The Sherlock and Lupin theme fits the deduction mechanic perfectly, creating a great investigative atmosphere.

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