Freedom: The Underground Railroad

2013

Immerse yourself in 'Freedom: The Underground Railroad' game, a cooperative, card-driven journey through the history of the U.S. abolitionist movement. Together, work towards ending slavery.

120
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

13+

Medium

About the game

Freedom: The Underground Railroad is an evocative and immersive board game that takes you back to the challenging times of the 19th century in the United States, a period marked by the struggle for the abolition of slavery. This cooperative game invites players to step into the shoes of courageous abolitionists combating the atrocities of slavery, while helping slaves escape to freedom.

The game’s setting is unique, as it offers a historical backdrop of the United States between 1800 and 1865. The board represents the southern states, the northern states, and Canada, with various paths indicating the notorious Underground Railroad – a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved African-Americans to escape into free states and Canada.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Freedom: The Underground Railroad is a cooperative game where players work together to help slaves escape to Canada. The game is set in the United States during the 19th century, and players must strategically move slaves from Southern States to Canada, while also struggling against the political and societal challenges of the time. Here are the steps to set up the game:

Step 1: Board Placement

The game board should be placed in the center of the play area where all players can easily access it. Make sure the side of the board showing the map of the United States is facing upwards.

Step 2: Preparing the Card Decks

The game comes with Abolitionist cards and Slave Market cards. Shuffle these decks separately and place them face down next to the game board.

Step 3: Preparing the Tokens

There are several types of tokens in the game. These include slave tokens, fundraising tokens, and conductor tokens. Separate these into different piles and place them next to the board.

Step 4: Initial Resources

Slave Tokens: Place the appropriate number of slave tokens in the Slave Market section of the board, according to the number of players.
Fundraising Tokens: Each player receives two fundraising tokens. These are used to generate money for the cause.
Conductor Tokens: Each player receives one conductor token. These are used to move slaves along the Underground Railroad.

Step 5: Player Roles

Each player selects a role card. Each role card represents a different historical figure or group from the abolitionist movement, and each provides a unique ability that can be used in the game.

Step 6: Random Elements

Slaves are randomly placed on plantations at the start of each round. The Slave Market cards dictate how many and which plantations the slaves are placed on. The Abolitionist deck also introduces random events and opportunities that can help or hinder the players’ progress throughout the game.

Once these steps are completed, you are ready to begin playing Freedom: The Underground Railroad.

Game flow Round and round we go

The game of ‘Freedom: The Underground Railroad’ is a cooperative, historical board game that puts players in the shoes of brave Abolitionists, striving to end slavery in the United States during the early 1800s. The game is played in rounds, each of which represents a decade from 1800 to 1860. Each round is divided into three phases.

Phase 1: Slave Catcher Phase

In the Slave Catcher Phase, the players move the Slave Catchers along predetermined routes on the board. The objective of the players is to avoid these catchers, as their movement can result in slaves being captured and returned to the plantations.

Slave Catcher Movement: At the start of each round, a slave catcher die is rolled. The result of the roll indicates the direction and distance the slave catcher tokens move.
Slave Catcher Patrol: If a player’s route intersects with a slave catcher’s route, the player’s slave token is returned to the plantation, and the player must start their journey again.

Phase 2: Planning Phase

The Planning Phase is when players strategize and plan their actions for the round. During this phase, players purchase tokens, move slaves along the Underground Railroad, and take actions to support their cause. Each player may perform two actions during this phase.

Buy Token: Players may purchase Abolitionist cards, conductor tokens, or fundraising tokens.
Move Slaves: Players may use conductor tokens to move slaves along the Underground Railroad towards Canada.
Use Abolitionist Card: Players can use their Abolitionist cards to take various actions such as gaining funds, moving slaves, or other beneficial effects.

Phase 3: Slave Market Phase

The Slave Market Phase represents the harsh reality of the slave trade during this time period. During this phase, slaves are moved from the Slave Market to the southern plantations on the game board. If there are not enough vacant spaces on the plantations to accommodate the new slaves, they are lost and moved to the Freedom track, which represents slaves who died in bondage. The game ends in defeat if too many slaves are lost in this manner.

Slave Market Refill: At the start of this phase, the Slave Market is refilled with new slave tokens.
Slave Movement: The slave tokens are then moved to the plantations. If the plantations are full, the excess slaves are moved to the Freedom track.

The game continues in this manner until either the players have successfully helped a certain number of slaves reach freedom in Canada, or too many slaves have been lost, resulting in defeat for all players.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Freedom: The Underground Railroad is a complex and strategic game. On each player’s turn, they can perform several actions that can significantly affect the gameplay. Here’s a breakdown of what can happen during a player’s turn:

Purchase Phase:

During the Purchase Phase, players can buy tokens from the Abolitionist card deck. These tokens include:

Conductor Tokens: These allow players to move slaves from the plantations to the north.
Support Tokens: These boost the player’s ability to purchase other tokens.
Fundraising Tokens: These help players generate funds.
Abolitionist Cards: These provide various benefits or abilities when purchased.

Action Phase:

During the Action Phase, players can perform several actions based on the tokens they have:

Moving Slaves: Using Conductor tokens, players can move slaves towards freedom. However, players must avoid Slave Catchers, who can capture slaves and return them to plantations.
Generating Funds: Players can use Fundraising tokens to generate funds, which can be used to buy more tokens.
Purchasing Tokens: Players can use Support tokens and funds to purchase more tokens. This can help the player advance their strategy.
Using Abolitionist Cards: If a player has purchased an Abolitionist card, they can use its ability during this phase.

Slave Catcher Phase:

During the Slave Catcher Phase, the Slave Catchers move on the board. If a slave is in the same space as a Slave Catcher, they are captured and returned to the plantations. The movement of Slave Catchers is determined by a dice roll.

Planning Phase:

During the Planning Phase, players can strategize for their next turn based on their current position, the positions of the Slave Catchers, and the tokens they have available.

Each of these phases and the choices made within them can drastically affect the outcome of the game. Success in Freedom: The Underground Railroad requires careful planning, strategy, and a little bit of luck.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

Freedom: The Underground Railroad is a unique board game that takes players back to the era of the abolitionist movement in the United States. To win, players must work together to help slaves escape from the South to Canada. However, the game ends in different circumstances and it’s important to understand all the victory conditions and actions needed before final scoring.

The game ends and players win under the following conditions:

Freeing a Certain Amount of Slaves: The primary victory condition in Freedom: The Underground Railroad is to successfully move a certain number of slaves from the plantations in the South to freedom in Canada. The exact number depends on the difficulty level of the game and the number of players.
Abolitionist Support: The players must also gain enough support for the abolitionist movement. This is represented by moving a token along the Abolitionist track, reaching the final space before the game ends. Players can do this by purchasing and playing certain cards.

However, the game ends immediately in a loss if any of the following situations occur:

Caught Slaves: If too many slaves are captured and moved to the ‘Slaves Lost’ section of the board, players lose the game. The number that triggers this loss varies based on the number of players and difficulty level.
Running Out Of Time: The game is divided into rounds that represent years. If the players do not meet their victory conditions by the end of the final round (1865), they lose the game.

Before final scoring, players must take the following actions:

Count Freed Slaves: Players count the number of slaves they have successfully moved to Canada.
Check Abolitionist Track: Players confirm whether they have reached the final space on the Abolitionist track.
Check Slaves Lost: Players need to check the ‘Slaves Lost’ section on the board to ensure they haven’t exceeded the loss limit.
Check Time: They also need to make sure they have not reached or exceeded the final round without meeting the victory conditions.

Victory in Freedom: The Underground Railroad is a combination of careful strategy, teamwork, and a bit of luck. Understanding the end game conditions and the actions required before final scoring is key to winning this immersive and historical board game.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the board game Freedom: The Underground Railroad, the scoring system is primarily based on the successful liberation of slaves and achieving objectives. However, the game is cooperative, so all players either win or lose together. Here is a detailed breakdown:

Slave Liberation:

Each slave that is successfully moved to Canada, thereby liberating them, is worth 1 point.

Objectives:

Each game of Freedom: The Underground Railroad has three specific objectives that the players need to accomplish. Completing an objective is worth 1 point.

The game ends in victory for all players if all three objectives are completed and a certain number of slaves, depending on the difficulty level, have been liberated. If the players do not manage to accomplish this before the slave catchers have captured a specific number of slaves, or before the turn marker reaches the end of the last round, all players lose. The game is not about personal victory, but about achieving the shared objectives.

As such, there are no traditional tie-breaking rules in Freedom: The Underground Railroad. If the players fulfill the victory conditions, they all win. If they do not, they all lose.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Freedom: The Underground Railroad is a unique and challenging cooperative board game that tasks players with operating the Underground Railroad in the 1800s. Although the game’s rules are straightforward, there are a number of important exceptions and special rules that players should be aware of.

First and foremost, slaves cannot move onto a route that is occupied by a slave catcher. If a player attempts to move a slave onto such a route, the move is not allowed and the slave remains in their original location.

Secondly, the abolitionist cards are a crucial element of the game. They provide players with a variety of special abilities and effects, but they also come with their own set of rules:

Abolitionist cards can only be purchased during the player’s turn.
Only one Abolitionist card can be purchased per turn.
Players cannot purchase an Abolitionist card if there are no remaining cards in the draw deck.

Another essential rule is related to the slave catchers. These game pieces move along the board in response to certain player actions. However, their movement is not random:

Slave catchers move towards the closest slave on a route.
If there is a tie for the closest slave, the slave catcher moves towards the slave on the route with the lowest number.
Slave catchers do not move if there are no slaves on the routes.

Finally, there are some specific rules regarding the game’s victory and defeat conditions:

Players win the game if they free a certain number of slaves (determined by the number of players and the difficulty level) and survive until the end of the eighth round.
Players lose the game if they fail to free the required number of slaves by the end of the eighth round, or if all of the slaves are lost.

These rules and exceptions add complexity and challenge to Freedom: The Underground Railroad. Players will need to strategize and work together to navigate these rules and achieve victory.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies:

Planning Ahead: Freedom: The Underground Railroad requires careful planning. You need to anticipate the movements of slave catchers and plan your routes to avoid them. Also, think about which role can best support your current strategy and select it during the role selection phase.
Use of Funds: Money is a vital resource in the game. Spend it wisely on purchasing support tokens and freeing slaves. Remember, you need to keep a balance between the two. Also, consider investing in Abolitionist cards. They can provide useful abilities or additional funds.
Optimal use of Actions: Every action counts. Make sure to use all your actions effectively. If possible, use your actions to move multiple slaves or to purchase multiple tokens in one turn.

Beginner Tips:

Understanding the Game: Before you start to play, take the time to understand the game mechanics, particularly how slave catchers move and how support tokens work. This understanding will form the basis of your strategy.
Teamwork: Freedom: The Underground Railroad is a cooperative game. Always communicate with your fellow players and coordinate your actions for maximum effect.
Role Selection: Each role has a unique ability. Choose your roles carefully to complement each other and to suit your strategy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring Slave Catchers: Slave catchers are a major threat. Ignoring them can lead to a quick loss. Always keep an eye on their movements and plan your routes accordingly.
Spending Funds Carelessly: It’s easy to spend all your funds on freeing slaves or buying support tokens. However, you must keep a balance between the two. Also, remember to save money for Abolitionist cards.
Not Using Actions Effectively: Sometimes, players waste actions on ineffective moves. Every action is precious. Make sure every action contributes to your overall strategy.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Study the Board: Pay close attention to the layout of the board. Understanding the placement of cities, slave catcher routes and the paths between them can help you formulate better strategies.
Use Roles Wisely: Each role has a unique ability. Use these abilities to their fullest extent. For example, the Preacher can generate additional funds, which can be very useful in the early game.
Balance Your Strategy: Don’t focus solely on freeing slaves or buying support tokens. You need to do both to win the game. Find the right balance that suits your current situation and strategy.