In Smoking Gun, players are junior detectives competing for promotion at the Fahler Police Department by investigating a 1985 murder at Gelp Wellness Resort. Victory goes not to whoever solves the case first, but to whoever proves they contributed the most through Credibility Points. Players navigate six locations within Gelp Manor, gathering Investigation Clues to verify evidence across four categories: Suspect, Weapon, Time of Death, and Motive. Two matching clues verify evidence—single clues mean nothing. Detectives question suspects, examine Physical Evidence, and strategically position the Detective marker to control information flow. What sets Smoking Gun apart is its unique scoring through narrative style. Players earn Credibility by presenting Case Updates—playing up to four Case cards while weaving 1980s cultural references into their theories. Accuse Tina Turnin of poisoning Printz while mentioning Lettuce Patch Dolls or MTV? That's bonus points. This rewards creative storytelling alongside deductive reasoning. The innovative Red Herring mechanic adds strategic bluffing—play your token to discard a card face-down, but opponents never know if it's legitimate or a bluff. Players can advance their cases with unverified evidence, creating lasting uncertainty. With over 38,000 unique murder combinations and solo mode included, Smoking Gun blends competitive deduction with theatrical 80s storytelling for fresh experiences every game. —description from the publisher

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