Great Western Trail: New Zealand

2023

Experience the life of a 19th-century sheep station owner in Great Western Trail: New Zealand. Diversify your breeds, increase wool value and tackle new challenges!

150
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

12+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Welcome to the world of Great Western Trail: New Zealand, a board game that takes you on a riveting journey through the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand. This captivating game is a unique blend of strategy, skill, and competitive fun that immerses players into the fascinating realm of New Zealand’s livestock farming.

The game unfolds in the picturesque setting of New Zealand, famed for its rich pastoral landscapes. As players, you will adopt the roles of ranchers navigating your way through the lush green pastures, rugged mountains, and tranquil lakes of New Zealand. Your objective is to drive your cattle from the South Island to the markets in the bustling North Island.

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

Great Western Trail: New Zealand is a thrilling board game where players become cattle herders in the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand. The objective is to successfully manage your stock and navigate the unique terrain. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game:

Step 1: Board Placement

Place the main game board in the center of the playing area. Each player should be able to reach it. Ensure the side detailing the New Zealand landscape is face-up.

Step 2: Player Roles

Each player selects a color and takes the corresponding player pieces. This includes one player board, 14 discs, and one cowboy meeple. The cowboy meeple is placed in the starting area on the main game board.

Step 3: Initial Resources

On the player board, discs are placed on the designated spaces. These represent the players’ resources: money, cattle, and buildings. Each player starts with $6, two random cattle cards, and an overview card.

Step 4: Neutral Buildings and Workers

Depending on the number of players, certain neutral buildings and workers are placed on the main game board. Refer to the game manual for the specific placements based on player count.

Step 5: Train Setup

Each player places their train engine on the first space of the railway track on the main game board. The train is used to transport cattle and resources.

Step 6: Cattle Market

Shuffle the cattle cards and place them as a draw pile next to the game board. Reveal the top four cards and place them face up next to the draw pile. This creates the initial cattle market.

Step 7: Random Elements

Draw and reveal hazard tiles and tipi tiles randomly, placing them on the designated spaces on the game board. These represent various challenges and opportunities that players will encounter on the trail.

Once the setup is complete, you’re ready to start herding cattle on the Great Western Trail: New Zealand!

Game flow Round and round we go

Great Western Trail: New Zealand is a complex and engaging board game in which players are sheep ranchers trying to produce the most profitable herds. The game is played over several rounds, each divided into distinct phases. The general structure of a game round involves players taking turns to perform actions on the game board until they reach the end of the trail, at which point several end-of-round steps are taken before a new round begins.

The phases of a typical round of ‘Great Western Trail: New Zealand’ include:

Player’s Turn: During a player’s turn, they may move their rancher along the trail, up to a maximum number of spaces indicated by their player board. Each location on the board allows the player to take a certain action, such as buying new sheep, building structures, or hiring staff. Players may also choose to visit the market, where they can sell their sheep for money and points.
End of the Trail: When a player’s rancher reaches the end of the trail, they must ship their sheep. The player chooses a ship card from the display and places it in their personal discard pile, along with any sheep they are shipping. The player then scores points based on the number and quality of sheep they shipped.
Refresh Market: After a player has shipped their sheep, all players refresh the market by drawing new ship cards and placing them on the display. If there are not enough cards to fully replenish the display, a new round begins.
Start of New Round: At the start of a new round, all players’ ranchers return to the start of the trail. Players then take their turns as normal, moving their ranchers and taking actions. Additionally, at the start of each new round, players refresh their hand of sheep cards.

Gameplay continues in this way until the game end condition is met. The game ends when a player has shipped all of their sheep, or when there are no more ship cards left to draw. At this point, final scoring takes place. Players add up their points from shipped sheep, buildings, and staff, and the player with the most points is declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Great Western Trail: New Zealand is a board game where players are herders trying to deliver the most sheep to the ports of New Zealand while dealing with various challenges on the way. Here’s what a player’s turn in the game might look like, detailed with all possible actions and strategic choices.

Phase 1: Movement
The first part of a player’s turn is the movement phase. During this phase, a player can move their herder up to three spaces along the trail. This is a strategic decision as the number of spaces you move can significantly impact the actions you’re able to take on your turn.

Short movements: Moving one or two spaces allows you to take actions more frequently, but it might also limit your access to specific locations.
Long movements: Moving three spaces might give you access to better actions, but it also means you’ll take actions less frequently.

Phase 2: Location Action
Once a player has moved, they can take the action associated with the location they’ve landed on. There are various types of locations, each providing different types of actions.

Buildings: Allows the player to construct a building, which can provide various benefits like resources or victory points.
Trade Houses: Allows the player to trade their sheep for resources or to complete orders.
Ports: Allows the player to deliver their sheep, earning victory points.

Phase 3: Buying Sheep
After taking a location action, a player can choose to buy sheep from the sheep market. The cost of the sheep depends on its position in the market. Buying sheep is a strategic decision as it allows a player to increase their herd and potentially deliver more sheep on future turns.

Phase 4: Refresh Market
At the end of their turn, a player refreshes the sheep market. If there are any empty spaces in the market, they are filled with new sheep from the supply. This ensures that there are always sheep available to buy on future turns.

Strategic Choices
Throughout the game, players will need to make strategic decisions about how to use their turns. Some of these decisions might include:

When to move: Deciding when to move and how far to move can significantly impact a player’s strategy.
Which actions to take: The actions a player takes can determine their progress in the game. For example, building a lot of buildings might provide a player with a lot of resources, but it might also slow down their sheep deliveries.
When to buy sheep: Buying sheep is a key part of the game, but deciding when to buy sheep and which sheep to buy can be a challenging strategic decision.

By understanding the various actions and strategic choices in Great Western Trail: New Zealand, players can develop their own unique strategies and find new ways to approach the game.

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

The game of ‘Great Western Trail: New Zealand’ ends when all the Herdsman have been placed on the board. This signals that all players have completed their final turn, and the game moves into the end phase for final scoring.

The victory conditions in ‘Great Western Trail: New Zealand’ are based on the accumulation of victory points (VPs). These points can be gained through various actions and achievements throughout the game, and the player with the most VPs at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Victory Points can be earned in the following ways:

Sheep Tokens: Players earn VPs equal to the number of Sheep tokens they have collected.
Market Stalls: Each player earns VPs based on the number of Market Stalls they have built. The exact number of points can be found on the player’s farm board.
Shipping: Players earn VPs for each space their Shipping Marker has progressed on the Shipping track.
Building Bonus Tiles: At the end of the game, players gain VPs for the Building Bonus Tiles they have collected. The number of points depends on the type and number of Buildings the player has built.
Objective Cards: If a player fulfills the conditions of an Objective Card, they earn the VPs indicated on the card.

Before final scoring, players must complete the following actions:

Final Sheep Market: Each player can sell any number of Sheep tokens they have for the price indicated on the Sheep Market. This can be a strategic move to gain additional money for final purchases or to fulfill the conditions of Objective Cards.
Purchase Final Buildings or Upgrades: Players can use any remaining money to purchase Buildings or Upgrades. This could provide additional VPs through Building Bonus Tiles or progress on the Shipping track.

Once all these steps are complete, players tally up their VPs. The player with the highest total is declared the winner of ‘Great Western Trail: New Zealand’. In case of a tie, the player with the most money left is the winner. If there’s still a tie, the player who is first in the turn order wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the board game ‘Great Western Trail: New Zealand’, players earn points through various actions and achievements during gameplay, and the player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner. The scoring system works as follows:

Final Scoring:

Sheep: Players earn points based on the number of sheep in their herd. Each sheep is worth points equal to the number in the top left corner of the card.
Buildings: Players earn points for each building they have constructed. The points for each building are listed on the player’s building card.
Objective Cards: Players earn points for each objective card they have completed. The points for each objective are listed on the objective card.
Money: Players earn 1 point for every 5 coins they have at the end of the game.

Tie-Breaking Rules:

If two or more players have the same score at the end of the game, the tie is broken in the following order:

The player with the most completed objective cards wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most buildings wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most sheep in their herd wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most money wins.
If there is still a tie, the victory is shared.

Remember, the key to success in ‘Great Western Trail: New Zealand’ is to balance your strategy between increasing your herd, constructing buildings, completing objectives, and keeping an eye on your finances.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

There are several rare or special rules, exceptions, and important rule clarifications for ‘Great Western Trail: New Zealand’ that players should take note of to ensure a fair and enjoyable game.

1. Special Buildings:

In the gameplay, players can construct special buildings that provide additional benefits. However, these buildings cannot be upgraded or removed once they are placed on the game board.

2. The Double Railway Track:

The New Zealand expansion introduces a double railway track. While the first track functions as in the base game, the second track is only for use when the first track is fully occupied. This rule is unique to the New Zealand expansion and may not be widely known or understood.

3. Bonus from the Kauri Trees:

The Kauri Trees provide a unique bonus to players who pass through them. However, this bonus is only awarded once per journey, regardless of the number of Kauri Trees passed. This is a common point of confusion among new players.

4. Use of Maori Tokens:

Maori Tokens can be used to gain instant benefits or saved for end-game scoring. Players often forget that these tokens can be used immediately upon acquisition, not just during the scoring phase.

5. The Shepherd Rule:

The shepherd is a new role introduced in this expansion. The shepherd can move through areas occupied by other players’ buildings without paying the usual fee. This is an exception to the standard rule that players must pay to move through occupied areas.

6. Rule Clarification on Scoring:

At the end of the game, players score points based on their sheep and buildings. However, players do not score points for money or unused resources. This is a common misinterpretation of the rules.

7. Exception for Boat Movement:

Boats are a new addition to the New Zealand expansion. Players moving their boat must move it to the next available dock, they cannot skip docks. This is an important rule to remember when planning your moves.

Note 1: The special rules and exceptions mentioned above are specific to the ‘Great Western Trail: New Zealand’ expansion and do not apply to the base game or other expansions.
Note 2: It’s crucial to read and understand all rules and clarifications before starting the game to ensure a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Great Western Trail: New Zealand is a popular board game that combines strategy, planning, and a bit of luck. To help you optimize your gameplay and increase your chances of winning, here are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, and mistakes to avoid.

Advanced Strategies:

Utilize the Sheep Stations to your advantage. These can be a great source of income and points, especially when you can match the sheep’s color to the station.
Take full advantage of the Maori Villages. The bonuses obtained from these places can significantly boost your game.
Don’t underestimate the power of Trading. Trading sheep can bring you valuable resources and even victory points in the right circumstances.

Beginner Tips:

Start by focusing on understanding the basic mechanics of the game. Learn how to move your shepherd, trade, and manage your resources.
Practice planning your moves ahead of time. This will help you to optimize your actions and make the most of each turn.
Learn to balance your resource management. Don’t put all your resources into one strategy; diversify to keep your options open.

Common Mistakes:

Avoid focusing solely on short-term gains. While they can be helpful, it’s crucial to have a long-term strategy in place.
Don’t ignore the Maori Villages. They can provide valuable bonuses that can turn the tide of the game.
Be careful not to overextend yourself. It’s easy to run out of resources if you’re not careful about managing them.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Always try to plan a few moves ahead. This will allow you to anticipate your opponents’ actions and plan your strategy accordingly.
Consider the timing of your actions. Sometimes, it’s better to wait for the right moment to make your move.
Learn to adapt your strategy based on the current situation. Being flexible and ready to change your plans can often lead to victory.

The key to winning in Great Western Trail: New Zealand is a well-planned strategy that combines effective resource management, smart trading, and a good understanding of the game’s mechanics. By avoiding common mistakes and applying these tips and strategies, you can become a more successful player. Good luck!