Unlock the Secrets of Mysterium: The Ultimate Guide

Unravel the spectral mystery in Mysterium, a cooperative deduction board game for 2-7 players designed by Oleksandr Nevskiy and Oleg Sidorenko, published by Libellud in 2015. Imagine a spooky séance where, instead of contacting your Great Aunt Mildred, you’re solving a ghostly murder! Mysterium blends elements of Clue and Dixit, creating a unique gameplay experience reminiscent of other popular social deduction games like Codenames or Secret Hitler, but with a more artistic, dreamlike twist. If you enjoy the collaborative storytelling aspects of Dixit, Mysterium’s abstract Vision Cards will feel instantly familiar. Like Pictionary or Telestrations, conveying meaning through visual cues is central to the game, but the Ghost in Mysterium must rely on evocative imagery rather than direct representation. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to play Mysterium, from setup to successfully solving the murder mystery, identifying the Suspect, Location, and Weapon before the clock strikes midnight (or, you know, round 7, whichever comes first). So, gather your Intuition Tokens, prepare for cryptic clues, and let the séance begin!

Mysterium Overview

Mysterium is a cooperative deduction card game for 2-7 players where one player takes on the role of a murdered Ghost, tragically struck with amnesia. Unable to speak, the Ghost communicates through a unique language of richly illustrated Vision Cards – abstract and dreamlike images designed to evoke associations and subtly guide the other players, the Psychics, towards the truth.

The objective of the game is for the Psychics to work collaboratively, each deciphering the Ghost’s visual clues within a limited timeframe (approximately 42 minutes). The Ghost’s goal is to lead the Psychics to uncover three crucial pieces of information relating to their murder: the identity of the killer (Suspect), the location where the crime occurred (Location), and the murder Weapon. Players win if, within seven rounds (represented by the in-game clock), they successfully identify all three elements. Failure to do so before the connection to the spectral realm fades results in a restless Ghost and a shared loss for the Psychics. Only through successful teamwork and astute interpretation of the Ghost’s visions can the Psychics bring closure to the unsolved murder, achieving victory and peace for the wandering spirit.

Game Setup

Preparing for a game of Mysterium is essential for a smooth and spooky experience. This section provides a detailed guide to setting up the game, covering player count, difficulty levels, component overview, and board preparation. The setup time should take approximately 5-10 minutes.

1. Choose Player Count and Difficulty

Mysterium accommodates 2-7 players, with varying difficulty levels to match your group’s experience. The chosen difficulty affects the number of Suspect, Location, and Weapon cards used, directly influencing the complexity of the Ghost’s task and the Psychic’s deductions. Consult the table below to determine the correct number of cards per player:

Each “Cards” entry above refers to the number of Suspect, Location, and Weapon cards needed per player.

2. Game Components

Mysterium includes the following game components:

• Suspect, Location, and Weapon Cards: These illustrated cards present the possibilities within the murder mystery. Each card has a unique back number for the Ghost to match with player choices.
• Vision Cards: The Ghost uses this deck of surreal art to provide cryptic clues to the Psychics.
• Ghost Screen: A cardboard screen hides the Ghost’s card dealings, adding a sense of mystery and suspense to the game.
• Intuition Tokens (Crystal Balls): Colored tokens used by Psychics to mark their guesses on the game board.
• Clairvoyance Tokens (4+ Players): Numbered tokens for wagering on other Psychic’s guesses (used in games with 4+ players).
• Clairvoyance Tracker: Tracks Clairvoyance points earned by the Psychics.
• Crow Tokens: The Ghost uses these tokens to discard and redraw Vision Cards. The quantity varies with difficulty (Easy: 1 per round, Medium: 3 per game, Hard: 1 per game).
• Sand Timer: A two-minute timer to limit the Psychic’s discussion time.
• Clock: Tracks the game rounds, with the game ending after seven rounds.

3. Psychic Setup: Each Psychic chooses a color, takes the corresponding Intuition Token, Clairvoyance Tracker, sets their tracker to “0”, and takes Clairvoyance Tokens (if playing with 4+ players).

4. Ghost Setup: The Ghost sets up their Ghost Screen. After the Psychics choose their secret Suspect, Location, and Weapon cards, the Ghost retrieves matching numbered cards and places them behind their screen. The Ghost shuffles the Vision Card deck, draws seven, and takes the appropriate Crow Tokens.

5. Game Board Setup: Place the remaining Suspect, Location, and Weapon cards face-up on the board. Set the Clock to 1 o’clock. You’re now ready to begin your spectral investigation in Mysterium!

How to Play Mysterium

Mysterium’s gameplay unfolds over a series of rounds, each representing an hour on the in-game Clock. The goal of each round is for the Psychics to correctly interpret the Ghost’s Vision Cards and progress in their investigation. The game continues until the mystery is solved or the seventh round concludes.

A. The Ghost’s Silent Turn

The Ghost, burdened by amnesia, cannot speak. Their communication is entirely limited to the evocative, yet often abstract, Vision Cards.

1. Draw Vision Cards: The Ghost begins their turn by ensuring they have seven Vision Cards in hand.
2. Give Vision Cards: The Ghost carefully selects one Vision Card for each Psychic that they believe subtly relates to the Psychic’s secret Suspect card. Consider visual elements such as color, depicted objects, overall theme, or even emotional undertones present in both the Vision Card and the Suspect card. The connections you create as the Ghost can be obvious or incredibly subtle, putting the Psychic’s interpretative skills to the test. Distribute the chosen Vision Cards face down to each Psychic. Important: You cannot give a Psychic a second Vision Card in a single round until every Psychic has received at least one.
3. Use Crow Tokens (Optional): If your hand lacks suitable visions, you may use a Crow Token to discard any number of Vision Cards and draw back up to seven. Crow Tokens are a precious resource, limited by the chosen difficulty level, so use them strategically.

B. The Psychics’ Turn: Interpreting the Visions

1. Start the Timer: The Psychics flip the sand timer, beginning their two-minute deliberation period.
2. Discuss and Interpret: During this time, the Psychics examine their Vision Cards, openly discuss potential interpretations, and collaborate to deduce which Suspect the Ghost is guiding them towards. Communication is crucial, as different Psychics may have varying interpretations of the same Vision Card.
3. Place Intuition Tokens: After careful consideration, each Psychic places their Intuition Token (crystal ball) on their chosen Suspect card on the game board.
4. Clairvoyance (4+ Players): In games with four or more players, the Clairvoyance mechanic adds an exciting layer of strategic interaction. After placing their Intuition Tokens, Psychics may use their numbered Clairvoyance Tokens to wager on the accuracy of other Psychics’ guesses. A green checkmark token placed on another player’s Suspect indicates confidence in their deduction; a red ‘X’ token signifies doubt. Correct Clairvoyance guesses earn that Psychic Clairvoyance points, which are tracked on the Clairvoyance Tracker. These points are crucial for the Final Séance, as they determine how many Vision Cards a Psychic gets to see before making their final guess – giving a significant advantage. Incorrect Clairvoyance guesses result in the loss of the Clairvoyance token, removed from play until the start of round four.

C. Revealing the Truth and Advancing the Clock

1. Ghost Reveals Answers: When the sand timer runs out, the Ghost reveals whether each Psychic correctly identified their Suspect.
2. Move Tokens/Advance Clock: Correct guesses allow Psychics to move their Intuition Token to the Location row on the game board. Incorrect guesses require the Psychic to remain at the Suspect row. If a Psychic successfully identifies all three of their assigned cards (Suspect, Location, and Weapon), they then move to the Final Séance area of the game board. In the Final Séance, correct guesses add Clairvoyance points based on the remaining time on the Clock.
3. Discard and Prepare for Next Round: Discard used Vision Cards. The Ghost replenishes their hand to seven Vision Cards. The Clock is advanced one hour, marking the end of the round. The game continues with the next round, repeating steps A, B, and C until the mystery is solved or the seventh round concludes.

The Final Séance

The Final Séance in Mysterium marks the culmination of the investigation, a final opportunity for the Psychics to collectively solve the Ghost’s murder. This climactic phase occurs only if all Psychics successfully identify their assigned Suspect, Location, and Weapon cards before the end of the seventh round. If any Psychic fails to complete their individual investigation before the in-game Clock reaches 8:00, the game ends in defeat for all players, and the Ghost’s spirit remains restless.

1. Preparing for the Final Séance: Each Psychic gathers their correctly identified Suspect, Location, and Weapon cards and arranges them face-up in a numbered pile in front of them. The Ghost assigns a unique number to each player’s set, making these numbers visible to everyone. The Ghost must remember which numbered set corresponds to the correct solution.
2. The Ghost’s Final Visions: The Ghost selects three final Vision Cards. One card should relate to the correct Suspect, one to the correct Location, and one to the correct Weapon. These Vision Cards are the Ghost’s last, cryptic messages from beyond the veil. The Ghost reveals these cards one at a time, building suspense.
3. Psychics’ Final Guesses: The Psychics now leverage their accumulated Clairvoyance Points. These points, earned during rounds 1-7, determine how many Vision Cards a Psychic gets to see before making their final decision.
   • 0-6 Clairvoyance Points: See only the first Vision Card.
   • 7-9 Clairvoyance Points: See the first two Vision Cards.
   • 10+ Clairvoyance Points: See all three Vision Cards.
   • After reviewing their allotted Vision Cards, each Psychic secretly writes down the number of the card set they believe is the correct solution. They give their written vote to the Ghost.
4. The Big Reveal and Shared Outcome: The Ghost reveals the number corresponding to the true set of Suspect, Location, and Weapon cards. If the majority of Psychics correctly identified the true set, all Psychics win the game, bringing peace to the Ghost. In case of a tie, the Psychic furthest along the Clairvoyance track wins the tie breaker. If there’s a tie for Clairvoyance track position as well, then the older player win. If the majority chose incorrectly, all Psychics lose, and the Ghost’s spirit continues to wander.

Clairvoyance in Detail

Clairvoyance in Mysterium adds a layer of strategic depth to the cooperative gameplay. This mechanic, utilizing Clairvoyance Tokens, introduces an element of psychic wagering that rewards astute observation and insightful deductions. Clairvoyance Tokens become active during the main gameplay rounds (1-7) and have a significant impact on the Final Séance.

1. Earning and Losing Clairvoyance Points: After a Psychic places their Intuition Token on a Suspect, Location, or Weapon card, they can use their Clairvoyance Tokens to bet on the guesses of other Psychics. This mechanic is only used in games with four or more players.
   • Betting on Correct Guesses: If a Psychic believes another player has made a correct guess, they place a green checkmark Clairvoyance Token on that player’s chosen card.
   • Betting on Incorrect Guesses: If a Psychic suspects another player is incorrect, they place a red X Clairvoyance Token on that player’s chosen card.
   • Earning Clairvoyance Points: A correct wager earns the Psychic a point, which they mark by advancing their marker on the Clairvoyance Tracker. They also retrieve their used Clairvoyance Token.
   • Losing Clairvoyance Tokens: An incorrect wager results in the loss of the Clairvoyance Token. It’s removed from play until the beginning of the fourth round, when all spent Clairvoyance Tokens are returned to their owners.
2. Why Clairvoyance Matters: Impact on the Final Séance: Clairvoyance points, earned during the main gameplay, are essential for the Final Séance, as they directly determine how much information a Psychic receives. The more Clairvoyance Points a Psychic has, the more of the Ghost’s final Vision Cards they get to see before making their final guess, providing a crucial advantage. This creates a tiered system:
   • 0-6 Clairvoyance Points: May only view the Ghost’s first Vision Card.
   • 7-9 Clairvoyance Points: May view the Ghost’s first two Vision Cards.
   • 10+ Clairvoyance Points: May view all three of the Ghost’s final Vision Cards.

Therefore, strategically using Clairvoyance Tokens to accumulate Clairvoyance Points throughout the game is highly beneficial. By wagering wisely and building up Clairvoyance points, Psychics increase their likelihood of making a correct final guess, significantly contributing to the shared goal of solving the murder mystery and winning the game.

Strategies for Spectral Sleuths: Mastering Mysterium

Whether you’re the Ghost weaving cryptic clues or a Psychic deciphering abstract visions, strategic thinking is essential for success in Mysterium. These tips and strategies will enhance your gameplay and improve your chances of solving the ghostly murder mystery.

Ghostly Guidance: Communicating Beyond the Veil

As the Ghost, your role is to guide the Psychics toward the truth using only Vision Cards. These strategies will help you communicate more effectively:

1. Color-Coding: Consider the color palettes of the Suspect, Location, and Weapon cards when selecting Vision Cards. A predominantly blue Vision Card might subtly suggest a Suspect dressed in blue. This can be particularly useful on higher difficulty settings where there are more cards to choose from.
2. Thematic Connections: Look for thematic resonance between the Vision Cards and the cards you want the Psychics to choose. The link might be direct (a Vision Card with books for a library Location) or more abstract (a bird in flight representing a character’s free spirit). Strive for consistent thematic cues for each Psychic throughout the game.
3. Crow Control (Discard Strategy): Use Crow Tokens judiciously to redraw Vision Cards. They are a finite resource, especially on Medium and Hard difficulties. Save Crow Tokens for crucial moments when your hand offers no viable connections to a Psychic’s set of potential cards.
4. Advanced Tip: Misdirection (Medium/Hard): On higher difficulties, consider using a Vision Card that connects to a card the Psychic isn’t meant to find. This can add complexity and test deduction skills.

Psychic Prowess: Deciphering the Ghost’s Messages

As a Psychic, your challenge is to interpret the Ghost’s abstract messages conveyed through Vision Cards.

1. Effective Communication is Key: Openly discuss your interpretations with fellow Psychics. Share your reasoning, explore different perspectives, and consider alternative interpretations. One Psychic might identify a connection another has missed. Collaborative discussion is crucial for uncovering the truth.
2. Interpreting the Abstract: Don’t get too literal when interpreting the dreamlike Vision Cards. Consider the overall mood, themes, symbolism, and feelings evoked by the images. Trust your intuition and embrace the ambiguity of the artwork.
3. Strategic Clairvoyance (4+ Players): In games with four or more players, use Clairvoyance Tokens after placing your Intuition Token, but before the Ghost reveals the correct Suspect. This provides the chance to gain extra Clairvoyance points. Observe patterns in the Ghost’s clues and the other Psychics’ interpretations. Bet strategically by backing Psychics who show consistent accuracy or by taking a risk and predicting incorrect guesses. The higher your Clairvoyance, the more vision cards you get during the Final Séance, and the better your chance of winning.
4. Advanced Tip: Consider Player Order: If a Psychic before you makes a guess that seems likely, it might influence your decision or clairvoyance wager. If their guess is correct it might influence the kinds of clues the Ghost gives and therefore how you should interpret the vision cards you are given.

By employing these strategies, both Ghosts and Psychics can enhance their gameplay and maximize their chances of solving the spectral mystery that lies at the heart of Mysterium.

Variations and Expansions

Once you’ve mastered the Mysterium base game and grown comfortable navigating the spectral realm, you might seek new challenges and deeper mysteries. Mysterium offers official expansions, as well as a wealth of community-created house rules and variants, to enhance your gameplay experience.

Official Expansions (Requires Mysterium Base Game)

Mysterium: Hidden Signs: This expansion introduces a plethora of new Vision Cards, expanding the Ghost’s vocabulary of cryptic clues and inspiring even more creative interpretations. Hidden Signs also introduces new story elements and optional rules to deepen the game’s narrative.

Mysterium: Secrets & Lies: Broadening the scope of the investigation, Secrets & Lies adds new Suspect, Location, and Weapon cards to the game. The increased number of potential clues adds complexity, encouraging more strategic Vision Card choices from the Ghost and challenging the Psychics’ deduction skills.

House Rules and Fan-Made Variants

The Mysterium community thrives with creative players crafting unique house rules and fan-made variants. These additions can introduce fresh twists, modify existing game mechanics, and offer customized experiences.

Examples of House Rules:

• Simplified Clairvoyance: Instead of numbered tokens, use only checkmark and X tokens for simpler Clairvoyance betting.
• Thematic Vision Card Decks: Create themed decks of Vision Cards (e.g., nature, fantasy, historical) to align with specific scenarios or preferences.

Find More Variations: Connect with the Mysterium community online for a wealth of fan-created content and house rules.

By exploring expansions, house rules, and fan-made variations, you can significantly extend the replayability and enjoyment of Mysterium, tailoring the game to your group’s preferences and uncovering even more spectral secrets.