Kill Doctor Lucky
- Designer James Ernest
- Publisher Cheapass Games , cosaic , Giochi Uniti , Greater Than Games, LLC , Paizo Publishing
- Illustration BJ Becker , James Ernest , Israel Evans , James Ryman
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players move secretly through a mansion, collecting murder weapons and cards to attempt killing Doctor Lucky unnoticed. Line of Sight and Hand Management create tactical depth, as you try to avoid being seen and mislead opponents into wasting failure cards. The race to be the first to succeed leads to tense and funny moments.
Who Is This Game For?
Suitable for players aged 12 and up, Kill Doctor Lucky is a medium-complexity game for 3 to 8 players with about 45 minutes playtime. It's aimed at hobby gamers interested in humorous mystery games with card and movement tactics. Prior experience with deduction or hand management games helps but isn't mandatory.
How It Works
Players move point to point around the mansion, using Open Drafting to gather cards. Hand Management is key to combine murder weapons and movement cards effectively. When you have a clear Line of Sight to Doctor Lucky, you may attempt a murder strengthened by your collected cards. Meanwhile, you bluff and force opponents to waste their failure cards first.
What Makes It Special
Designed by James Ernest, Kill Doctor Lucky won the 1997 Origins Award for Best Abstract Board Game. It flips the classic Clue formula by focusing on secret assassination attempts, combining humor with tactical hand and movement management. It's part of the Doctor Lucky family and stands out with its unique use of Line of Sight and open card drafting.
Awards
- 1997 Origins Awards Best Abstract Board Game — Winner
- 1996 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated
Pro
- Humorous take on a murder mystery theme
- Engaging card and movement management
- Supports 3 to 8 players
- 1997 Origins Award winner
Contra
- Not playable solo
- Moderate complexity may deter beginners
- Requires patience for full playtime
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set in a mansion, players try to secretly kill Doctor Lucky. The theme is humorous, centered on murder and deception in a mysterious environment.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on managing your cards smartly and avoid being seen to improve your chances of a successful murder attempt.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No, Kill Doctor Lucky requires a minimum of 3 players.
How long does a game really take?
A session typically lasts about 45 minutes, suitable for a short game night.
What prior experience do I need?
It's a medium-complexity game needing some familiarity with hand management and tactical movement.
How does this compare to similar games?
Kill Doctor Lucky inverts classic mystery games and uniquely combines Line of Sight with Open Drafting and Hand Management.
Is this suitable for families?
Suitable from age 12, better for hobby gamers than young children.
What mechanic makes it special?
The mix of Line of Sight, Hand Management, and Open Drafting defines its tactical gameplay.
Fazit
Kill Doctor Lucky is recommended for players who enjoy humorous deduction games with tactical depth and prefer games under an hour. Its player count of up to 8 suits larger groups well.
