Area 1851

About this board game

Area 1851 is a game for 2–5 players that takes about 60 minutes, challenging you to become the most respected tinkerer in a Wild West town.

Each turn begins with a random event that players must deal with and negotiate before continuing under its circumstances. Draw Tinker cards until you have five, then roll the dice to determine the resources available for the turn.

Use those resources to build new Gadgets or improve existing ones with Modifications. Once your contraptions are ready, deliver them to the townsfolk to gain Reputation. You can also scrap cards from your hand, removing them from circulation as you shape your available options.

• Negotiate random events and adapt to their effects.
• Build Gadgets and enhance them with Modifications.
• Deliver inventions to townsfolk for Reputation.
• Complete Feats for additional Reputation during or at the end of the game.
• Use three Assistants, gained one at a time, for bonuses from locations around town.

Feats give you another way to demonstrate your worthiness. Completing them can provide a valuable Reputation boost during the game or at its conclusion, while your Assistants offer further help as play progresses.

At the end of each turn, pass your hand to a neighboring player, making it difficult to keep every plan in one place. In Area 1851, the winner is the tinkerer who earns the most Reputation from delivering Gadgets and accomplishing Feats.