Saboteur is a fast-paced card-based party game with hidden roles and tile placement. Created in 2004 by game designer Fréderic Moyersoen, “Saboteur” skyrocketed to popularity almost instantly. Even better, it’s the subject of world championships, with participants receiving special cards each year.

Anniversary Edition

This is the 20th-anniversary edition. Beyond the base game, it includes the “Saboteur 2” expansion, three mini-expansions, eight special cards from world championships between 2016 and 2023, and two brand-new mini-expansions: “New Objectives” and “Treasure Chests.” Special mention goes to the book-shaped box design in a “royal” blue with gold embossing—still compact despite housing 210 cards and heaps of tokens.

About the Board Game Saboteur: 20th Anniversary Edition (Saboteur: 20 Jahre-Edition)

Dwarves are a hardworking folk with a deep love for all things gold. Armed with pickaxes and lanterns, they dig sprawling mine tunnels until they strike a nugget. Once found, they don’t stop—they hide the treasure and keep digging, endlessly. But among them lurk saboteurs: dwarves in disguise who’ll slyly steal the loot with minimal effort.

A Quick Rundown of the Rules

From two to twelve dwarves compete over three rounds to claim the most gold. At the start, each player secretly receives a role card (honest dwarf or saboteur) and a number of cards based on player count. A starting tunnel card is placed face-up in the center, with three goal cards laid face-down at a set distance—one hiding the coveted gold.

On your turn, you must play one card from your hand and take an action:

1. Play a tunnel card so the maze aligns (like a puzzle piece).
2. Play an action card and place it face-down in front of yourself or another player. For example, sabotage prevents someone from playing tunnel cards until they play a repair card. Collapse removes a tunnel section to the discard pile, while scouting lets you peek at a goal card secretly.
3. Skip your turn by discarding one card to the pile.

After your action, draw one card, and pass the turn to the next player.

When someone unearths the gold nugget, the round ends. Roles are revealed, honest dwarves claim treasure cards with victory points, and if the deck runs out without reaching the goal, saboteurs win the treasure cards instead. The player with the most points after the third round emerges victorious.

Saboteur 2 Expansion

Now, dwarves split into two rival teams—green and blue—though saboteurs remain in the mix. New roles emerge: a dwarf boss, geologist, and profiteer, each with unique goals. Alongside new tunnel cards featuring green and blue doors (for each team), bridges, and ladders, a slew of action cards add variety and tension to the game.

Mini-Expansions and Special Cards

These bring gold sacks, monsters, tunnel cards with random role reshuffles or hat swaps, and chests with varied effects. Plus, eight exclusive tournament cards introduce diverse actions to the deck.

We recommend watching the video rules in the “Video” section and, if you’d like, diving into the illustrated PDF rules in the “Files” section.

One Last Note

With simple rules and quick rounds, this game suits both large groups and family nights. That said, it truly shines with at least four players—that’s when “Saboteur” hits its stride. Gallu the Rooster urges you to snag this exclusive anniversary edition, even if you own the classic box, to inject heaps of variety into your sessions.