Victorian Masterminds

Sherlock Holmes is dead, leaving London defenseless against villainous schemers. In Victorian Masterminds, each player commands a crew of five agents—Henchman, Machine, Saboteur, Pilot, and the enigmatic Number 2—and battles to spread chaos in a steampunk Victorian setting. The goal is to earn the most victory points by completing contracts, building unique contraptions, destroying buildings, kidnapping scientists, and finishing secret missions. Each round, players place one of their agents face‑down on one of five action spaces. When three agents gather on the same space, they are flipped and activated in FIFO order, allowing each agent type to perform its own special action in addition to the space’s default effect. This worker‑placement with different worker types creates asymmetric, highly strategic play. The game ends abruptly (sudden death) when a mastermind finishes their machine or the Secret Service shuts down the villainy, and the player with the most points wins. Detailed miniatures, steampunk visuals, and a villainy theme add extra flair. Rules are light on text and easy to memorize, yet strategic depth emerges from contracts, variable player powers, and resource management. Perfect for 45‑60 minute sessions with 2‑4 players who love feeling like the most diabolical mastermind in Victorian London.