Barrage

2019

Immerse yourself in Barrage, a strategic resource management game. Compete to build the most efficient dams, utilize innovative mechanics, and master the flow of water to power your industrial progress in a contested Alpine region.

120
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

14+

Heavy

About the game

Barrage is a deeply strategic and competitive board game set in a dystopian reality where water is the world’s most valuable resource. Set in the 1930s, you will be transported to a world where nations are vying for control of hydropower. The game combines economic strategy with a captivating narrative, making it a truly immersive experience.

The core mechanics of Barrage revolve around resource management and strategic placement. As a player, you will be taking on the role of an international corporation. Your primary task is to construct dams, raise water levels, generate energy, and fulfill lucrative contracts. The game is played over five rounds, and the player with the most victory points at the end wins.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Barrage is a complex and highly strategic board game that includes a multitude of components, each serving its own unique purpose. Here’s a detailed description of each component and its function:

1. Game Board: The main platform where all the action takes place. It provides the landscape where players place their structures and manage their resources. The board includes various terrains and waterways that affect the gameplay.

2. Player Boards: Each player has their own board to manage their resources, technologies, and constructions. They keep track of their energy production and expenditure on their player board.

3. Wooden Components:

Water Droplets: Represents the primary resource in the game. Players collect and use water to generate energy through their constructed buildings.
Energy Tokens: Symbolize the energy produced by players. The goal of the game is to generate as much energy as possible, and these tokens represent that energy.
Player Markers: Used to represent each player’s progress on the scoring track. They also indicate the turn order.

4. Cardboard Tokens:

Construction Tiles: These tiles are used to construct buildings. They come in four types – Base, Elevation, Powerhouse, and Conduit, each with different costs and benefits.
Technology Tiles: Represent the advancements players can research to gain advantages. They allow players to perform actions more efficiently or provide bonuses.
Objective Cards: Set the specific goals each player aims to achieve during the game. Completing these objectives can provide substantial point bonuses.

5. Building Structures:

Bases: Are the foundations of a player’s power generation infrastructure. They are required to build other structures.
Elevations: Can be added to bases to increase their energy production efficiency.
Powerhouses: Are the final step in constructing a fully operational power station. They convert the water resource into energy tokens.
Conduits: Are used to transport water from the main game board to the player’s power stations.

6. Dice: Used during the game’s Production Phase. The roll of the dice determines how much water flows down the mountain streams on the game board.

Each of these components interacts with each other to create the intense and strategic gameplay that Barrage is known for. From constructing intricate power stations to managing scarce water resources, each piece plays a vital role in the game’s outcome.

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

Barrage is a strategic board game where players compete to build hydroelectric infrastructure and generate as much energy as possible. Here is a step-by-step guide to set up the game:

Step 1: Prepare the Game Board

Place the main board in the middle of the table. The game board is double-sided, with one side for 1-2 players and the other side for 3-4 players. Make sure the appropriate side is face up.

Step 2: Set the Starting Resources

Each player chooses a color and takes a player board of the same color, along with all the corresponding components. Each player starts with the following resources:

3 Excavators
3 Concrete Mixers
1 set of Engineers
15 water drops

Step 3: Set Up the Executive Officer Track

Shuffle the Executive Officer cards and place them on the corresponding spaces of the Executive Officer track.

Step 4: Prepare the Resource Market

Fill the Resource Market with the appropriate number of Machines and Resources, according to the number of players.

Step 5: Set Up the Initial Water Drops

Put the initial Water Drops onto the Water Flow track, following the pattern indicated on the game board.

Step 6: Assign Starting Player

Randomly determine the starting player. Give them the Starting Player token.

Step 7: Set Up the Contract Cards

Shuffle the Contract cards and place four of them face up next to the game board. The rest form a deck which is placed face down.

Step 8: Set Up the Power Station Market

Randomly place one Power Station of each type (Advanced, Traditional, Neutral) on the corresponding spaces of the Power Station Market.

Step 9: Set Up the Energy Track

Place each player’s Energy Marker on the 0 space of the Energy track.

Remember, the goal of the game is to produce the most energy over five rounds. Good luck!

Game flow Round and round we go

Barrage is a strategically complex board game where players take on the role of international companies in the 1920s, vying for control over the production and distribution of hydroelectric energy. The game is played over five rounds, which are subdivided into three phases: the Wheel Phase, the Action Phase, and the Production Phase.

The Wheel Phase

Turn Order Determination: Players determine the turn order based on the number of workers in the Management area of their player board. The player with the most workers goes first, and so on. In the case of ties, the player with the previously lower ranking goes first.
Wheel Rotation: Players rotate the Construction Wheel one segment clockwise, freeing up resources and technologies that were previously locked in. This mechanic determines the pace at which players can reuse their components.

The Action Phase

Workers Selection: Players choose how many and which workers to use from their Human Resources area. The number of workers determines how many actions the player can perform during this phase.
Action Execution: Players use their workers to perform actions such as constructing buildings, upgrading technologies, and producing energy. Each action requires certain resources and potentially locks components in the Construction Wheel for a number of rounds.
Income Collection: Players collect income based on their position on the Scoring Track and any bonuses from Contracts or Bonus Tiles they hold.

The Production Phase

Energy Production: Players use their water resources to generate energy in their powerhouses. The amount of energy produced depends on the size and efficiency of the powerhouse and the amount of water available.
Contract Fulfillment: Players can use the energy they produced to fulfill Contracts. Fulfilling a Contract provides victory points and potentially other benefits.
Scoring: Players score points based on the amount of energy they produced and the Contracts they fulfilled. They also score points for any Bonus Tiles they hold that match the current round.
Reset: Players prepare for the next round by returning any used workers to the Human Resources area and refilling the Contract and Bonus Tiles displays.

The game ends after five rounds, and the player with the most victory points is declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In the board game ‘Barrage’, each player’s turn is a series of strategic choices and actions. Understanding these options is crucial to mastering the game. Below is a detailed breakdown of what can happen during a player’s turn.

Phase 1: Action Selection

During this phase, the player must select one of their available actions and perform it. The options are as follows:

Construction: The player can construct a new structure on the game board. The available structures are: Powerhouses, Elevations, Conduits, and Water Management Tiles.
Production: The player can operate their powerhouses to generate energy. The amount of energy generated depends on the amount of water available and the power of the powerhouse.
Technology: The player can invest in new technology. This allows them to build more advanced structures or produce more energy.
Contracts: The player can fulfill contracts to earn victory points. Contracts require specific amounts of energy to fulfill.

Phase 2: Action Execution

After selecting an action, the player must execute it. This involves moving resources, adjusting the game board, and possibly interacting with other players. Here are the possible outcomes:

Construction: The player places a new structure on the game board. This may change the flow of water, which can impact all players.
Production: The player moves water from their reservoirs to their powerhouses, then generates energy. This energy can be used to fulfill contracts or saved for future rounds.
Technology: The player selects a new technology tile and adds it to their player board. This may provide immediate benefits or ongoing advantages.
Contracts: The player spends energy to fulfill a contract, earning victory points and potentially new resources.

Phase 3: End of Turn

After executing their action, the player’s turn ends. If they have any remaining actions, they will take another turn after all other players have gone. Otherwise, they must wait until the next round to take further actions. The game continues in this way until all rounds have been completed.

The strategic choices made during each turn can greatly affect the outcome of the game. By carefully managing their resources, constructing beneficial structures, and fulfilling lucrative contracts, players can accumulate the most victory points and win the game.

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

Barrage is a strategic resource management board game that requires players to build dams, elevate their company’s status, and fulfill contracts. The game is played over the course of five rounds, each representing a span of two years.

Game Ending:

The game of Barrage ends after the fifth round has been completed. Following the final round, players proceed to final scoring. No more actions are allowed after the last round, and players cannot perform any additional operations or actions to affect the final outcome.

Before Final Scoring:

There are no specific actions that players must take before final scoring. All actions should have been completed during the five rounds of play. However, it’s important to ensure that all resources have been properly accounted for, as these will contribute to the final scores.

Victory Conditions:

Victory Points: Players earn Victory Points for various actions during the game. The player who has the most Victory Points at the end of the game is the winner. Victory Points can be earned by completing contracts, constructing and activating structures, and performing successful actions.
Contracts: Players can earn Victory Points by fulfilling contracts. Each contract has specific requirements and rewards. Completed contracts are counted towards the final score at the end of the game.
Structures: Building and activating structures also contributes to the player’s Victory Points. Each structure has a specific point value, which is added to the player’s total score at the end of the game.

There are no alternative victory conditions in Barrage. The player with the most Victory Points following final scoring is declared the winner. All players should be aware of the scoring system and plan their strategies accordingly to maximize their point earnings.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Barrage is a highly strategic board game that involves players competing to build the most efficient hydroelectric energy system. Scoring in Barrage is based on a variety of factors, and the game is won by the player who has accumulated the most victory points by the end of the fifth round.

Scoring during the game:

Energy Production: Players score victory points for producing energy. The number of points depends on the position of their energy marker on the energy track.
Contract Fulfillment: Players can earn points by fulfilling contracts. The number of points varies depending on the contract.

Scoring at the end of the game:

Remaining Resources: Players earn 1 victory point for every 3 unspent resources (water, energy, and materials).
Completed Structures: Players score points equal to the total construction cost of all their completed structures on the board.
Headquarters Expansion: Players score points based on the level of expansion of their headquarters. The points vary as per the specific expansion level.
Unfulfilled Contracts: Players lose 5 points for each unfulfilled contract.

Tie-breaking rules: If two or more players have the same number of victory points at the end of the game, the following tie-breakers are used in order:

The player with the most completed contracts wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most remaining resources wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who went earlier in the turn order of the final round wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Barrage is a complex and strategic board game. Here are some important rules, exceptions, and clarifications that might be important when playing the game:

1. Building Structures:

When building a structure, it’s important to remember that you cannot build a structure in a basin that already contains one of your structures. However, you can build another structure upstream or downstream in the same river system.
You can build a structure in a basin with an opponent’s structure, but doing so requires you to pay an additional cost. This cost is equal to the base cost of the structure you are building.

2. Generating Energy:

Only the player who owns the powerhouse in a basin can generate energy there. Water on the powerhouse’s tile is used before water on the conduit’s tile.
If multiple players can generate energy from the same water flow, the player whose turn it is decides the order in which the energy is generated. This can affect how much energy each player generates.

3. Scoring and Victory Points:

Players do not score victory points immediately when they generate energy. Instead, they move their energy marker on their player board, and score points at the end of the round based on their position on the energy track.
At the end of the game, players also score points for completed contracts and for certain technologies they have acquired. It’s possible to lose points for unfulfilled contracts.

4. Rotation of the Water Wheel:

The Water Droplet on the Water Wheel moves one space forward at the end of each player’s turn, not at the end of the round. This means the Wheel may (and usually does) make multiple rotations in a single round.
When the droplet lands on or passes the ‘0’ space on the Wheel, a Maintenance Phase is triggered where players retrieve their workers and resources from the Wheel.

5. Advanced Rules:

There are advanced rules for a longer game and for a two-player game. In a two-player game, certain actions are blocked each round to simulate the presence of more players.
The advanced game also includes a draft for the initial contracts and technologies, adding an additional level of strategy.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Barrage is a strategic board game that requires careful planning, resource management, and a good understanding of the game’s mechanics to win. Here are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, and common mistakes to avoid that could help you optimize your gameplay.

Advanced Strategies:

Always plan your actions ahead: Barrage requires a good deal of forward thinking. Therefore, it’s important to plan your actions not just for the current round, but for future rounds as well.
Optimize your water management: Water is your most important resource in Barrage. Try to build your structures in such a way that you can maximize the water flow.
Take advantage of the weather: The weather mechanic in Barrage can greatly affect your gameplay. Pay attention to the weather forecast and plan your actions accordingly.

Beginner Tips:

Understand the game’s mechanics: Before you start playing, make sure you fully understand how the game works. This includes knowing how to build structures, how to generate energy, and how the scoring system works.
Start with easy contracts: When you’re just starting out, it’s best to take on easier contracts that require less resources to fulfill. As you get more comfortable with the game, you can start taking on more challenging contracts.
Don’t neglect your buildings: Your buildings are your main source of points in Barrage. Make sure to maintain them properly and upgrade them whenever possible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Don’t forget about your energy: It’s easy to get caught up in the game and forget about your energy. Make sure to keep an eye on your energy levels and use them wisely.
Don’t ignore the other players: Barrage is a competitive game, and you need to keep an eye on what the other players are doing. If you see a player building a structure that could disrupt your water flow, you need to act quickly to counter their move.
Don’t neglect the endgame: Barrage is a game that rewards long-term planning. Therefore, don’t just focus on the early game, but also plan for the endgame as well.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Use your resources wisely: Resources are finite in Barrage, so it’s important to use them wisely. This includes not only your physical resources, but also your energy and your actions.
Pay attention to the scoring system: The scoring system in Barrage can be a bit complex, but it’s worth learning. Understanding how the scoring works can help you make more informed decisions during the game.
Practice makes perfect: Like any strategy game, the more you play Barrage, the better you’ll get. So don’t be discouraged if you don’t win your first few games. Keep playing and you’ll soon start to see improvements.