The World of SMOG: Rise of Moloch

About this board game

The World of SMOG: Rise of Moloch is a Victorian adventure board game for 2 to 5 players, with sessions lasting around 90 minutes. Set in an alternate England transformed by extraordinary magic and technology, it pits one Nemesis player against the Gentlemen, who strive to save the Crown.

Play through a connected campaign or enjoy individual adventures. Each mission presents a unique board setup and distinct goals for both sides, while the result of one mission can affect those that follow. These changing consequences weave the story and gameplay together, making every campaign a different journey through Moloch’s rise to power—or his defeat at the hands of the fearless Gentlemen.

The Gentlemen players each control one or more intrepid characters. The Nemesis player commands cunning Agents and Minions, each bringing unique powers and upgrades to the mission. Together, these asymmetric roles create a direct struggle between the forces defending the Crown and the threat seeking to overcome them.

• 2–5 players compete across a series of Victorian adventures.
• Choose between a connected campaign and individual missions.
• Secretly activate character orders to shape the action.
• Use steam power weapons and reserve special actions for crucial moments.
• Develop characters with unique powers and upgrades.

Timing matters throughout Rise of Moloch. Players must decide when to activate their characters, when to unleash steam power weapons, and when to save special actions—especially when an opportunity could make an opponent stronger. With mission goals, evolving outcomes, and distinctive characters on both sides, Rise of Moloch offers a dramatic campaign-driven contest in a richly imagined Victorian world.