Anno 1800: The Board Game

2020

Engage in Anno 1800, a strategic board game of industry building, trading, and population management. Outwit your competition and create the most prosperous island!

120
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

12+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Embark on an exciting journey through the Industrial Revolution with Anno 1800: The Board Game, a rich and immersive strategy board game that takes you back to the 19th century. In this game, players take on the role of industrialists building up the world around them, competing with other players to establish the most thriving empire.

The theme and setting of the game are deeply rooted in the 1800s, a time of rapid industrialization and technological advancements. As a player, you will be transported to this era and will need to navigate the challenges and opportunities it presents. The game beautifully captures the spirit of the age, with detailed illustrations and components that evoke the architectural and aesthetic elements of the period.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Below are the components of the ‘Anno 1800: The Board Game’, their functions, and how they interact with the game:

1. Game Board

The game board is a large, detailed map that represents the world in which you’ll be building your civilization. It contains various plots of land and sea where players can place their buildings, ships, and resources. The game board is the primary area of action in Anno 1800, where players make strategic decisions about expansion and resource management.

2. Player Boards

Each player in the game receives a player board. This is a personal board that keeps track of your resources, population, and buildings. It’s where you’ll plan and execute your strategies, and it’s essential for managing your civilization effectively.

3. Buildings

These are cardboard tokens representing various types of buildings that players can construct on their player boards. Buildings provide bonuses and abilities that can help players gain an advantage in the game. They are a crucial part of the game’s strategy, as the types of buildings you choose to build can significantly affect your civilization’s growth and development.

4. Population Tokens

These tokens represent your civilization’s population. They are placed on your player board and can be increased or decreased based on your actions in the game. The population is a key factor in determining your score at the end of the game, so managing your population effectively is a crucial part of the game’s strategy.

5. Ships

Ships are tokens that players can use to explore the game board, transport resources, and interact with other players. They are a vital part of the game’s exploration and trade mechanics, and using them effectively can be a key to victory.

6. Resource Tokens

These tokens represent the various resources that players can gather and use in the game, such as wood, stone, and food. Resources are used to build buildings, support your population, and trade with other players. Managing your resources effectively is a key part of the game’s strategy.

7. Cards

The game includes several types of cards, including action cards, event cards, and technology cards. These cards can be used to perform various actions in the game, such as building buildings, advancing technology, and responding to events. Using your cards effectively is a crucial part of the game’s strategy.

8. Dice

The dice in Anno 1800 are used to determine the outcomes of various actions, such as combat and resource gathering. The dice add an element of chance to the game, making each playthrough unique and unpredictable.

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

‘Anno 1800: The Board Game’ is a captivating board game that allows players to explore the world of the 19th century. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up the game.

Step 1: Board Placement

Firstly, place the main game board in the center of the play area. This board contains the blueprint spaces and the institute, and it is where all players will interact throughout the game.

Step 2: Player Boards

Each player should take a player board. These boards have spaces for constructing buildings and storing resources. Place the player boards in front of each player.

Step 3: Resources and Tokens

All the resource tokens should be placed in a general supply next to the game board. These tokens represent various goods such as coal, grain, and fish. Each player starts the game with a pre-determined number of each resource. Allocate these starting resources to each player.

Step 4: Exploration Cards

Shuffle the exploration cards and place them face down on the designated spot on the main game board. Draw the top five cards from the deck and place them face-up next to the deck.

Step 5: Population Cards

Separate the population cards into their three distinct decks: workers, artisans, and engineers. Shuffle each deck separately, then place them face down on their respective spots on the main game board.

Step 6: Building Tiles

Separate the building tiles by type and stack them in separate piles, placing them near the game board. The number of tiles in each stack should be equal to the number of players, with a minimum of three tiles per stack.

Step 7: Player Roles

Each player assumes the role of a colonial governor. The aim is to build prosperous colonies by managing resources and population, and by developing a thriving city. The player who manages their colony most effectively will come out on top.

Step 8: Random Elements

The game includes a few random elements, such as the exploration and population cards. These cards are shuffled and drawn randomly during the game, adding an element of surprise and unpredictability to the gameplay.

Game flow Round and round we go

Anno 1800: The Board Game is a complex and exciting game that requires strategic thinking and planning. The game is set in the 19th century where players are tasked with building their industrial and trade empire. The game is played in several rounds, each consisting of different phases. Below is a detailed description of each phase.

1. The Planning Phase:

Players Draw Cards: At the start of each round, players draw five cards from their personal deck. If a player’s deck is empty, they shuffle their discard pile and create a new deck.
Players Plan Their Actions: After drawing cards, each player takes some time to strategize and plan their actions for the round. They can decide to build structures, explore new territories, or engage in trade.

2. The Action Phase:

Players Perform Actions: In a clockwise order, each player performs one action. Actions include building, producing, trading, or exploring. The action is determined by the cards drawn during the planning phase.
Players Pay Costs: Each action has a cost. Players pay for actions by discarding the required cards from their hand.
Players Collect Rewards: After performing an action and paying the cost, players collect rewards. Rewards can be resources, buildings, or other beneficial items.

3. The End Phase:

Players Check Victory Points: At the end of each round, players check their victory points. These are gained from buildings, successful trades, and exploration.
Players Prepare for Next Round: All players discard any remaining cards in their hand, draw five new cards, and prepare for the next round.

The game continues in this manner until one player reaches a predetermined number of victory points, at which point the game ends and that player is declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In Anno 1800: The Board Game, players take turns to build and expand their industrial and cultural empire. Each player’s turn revolves around the following actions and strategic choices:

1. Population Increase

Each turn begins with the player deciding whether or not to increase their population. This is done by moving a cube from the player’s board onto a new house on their game board. Increasing population can be a strategic choice as it gives the player more workforce but also increases their needs for goods.

2. Action Phase

During the action phase, players can perform any number of actions in any order they choose. The possible actions include:

Building: Players can use their resources to build new buildings on their game board. Buildings can provide additional resources, new goods or increase the player’s influence.
Trading: Players can trade with the market or with other players. Trading can be a strategic choice as it allows players to gain resources they may not be able to produce themselves.
Expedition: Players can send expeditions to discover new lands. This can provide players with new opportunities and challenges.
Development: Players can upgrade their buildings to increase their capabilities. This can be a strategic choice as it allows players to become more efficient in their production.

3. End of Turn

After the player has completed their actions, they must then meet the needs of their population. This is done by providing the necessary goods for each house on their game board. If the player cannot meet these needs, they must remove houses until they can. This can be a strategic choice as it allows players to manage their resources and plan for future turns.

Overall, each player’s turn in Anno 1800: The Board Game involves a balance of resource management, strategic planning and interaction with other players. The choices made during each turn can greatly affect the outcome of the game.

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

Anno 1800: The Board Game is a complex, strategy board game that focuses on city-building and trading. The game ends as soon as a player has either built their third monument or the supply of non-renewable resources (coal or clay) has been exhausted.

Victory Conditions:

Monument Building: A player may claim victory by becoming the first to construct their third monument. Each monument requires a different combination of resources to build, and the process of building them can be quite challenging and resource-intensive.
Exhaustion of Non-renewable Resources: The game also concludes when the shared piles of non-renewable resources (coal or clay) are depleted. In this case, the player who has the highest number of victory points at the end of that round is declared the winner.

Before the final scoring, players must take the following actions:

Resource Conversion: Players convert any remaining resources in their personal supply into gold at a rate of 5 resources to 1 gold.
Gold Conversion: Players then convert their gold into victory points at a rate of 3 gold to 1 victory point. Any leftover gold that cannot be converted into victory points is lost.
Final Scoring: Players add up their victory points from their constructed buildings, fulfilled contracts, and converted gold. The player with the highest total is declared the winner. In case of a tie, the player with the most gold remaining (before conversion) wins.

Note, however, that the game’s complexity allows for various strategies, and players may need to adapt their game plan based on their opponents’ actions and the availability of resources.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In Anno 1800: The Board Game, players earn points through the strategic development of their own industrial empires. The scoring system is quite comprehensive and involves different aspects of gameplay. Here’s how points are awarded:

1. Building Points:

At the end of the game, each player scores points equal to the total value of all their constructed buildings. This includes both industrial and residential buildings. The value of each building is depicted on its respective card.

2. Population Points:

Players also score points based on the total population in their empire. This is calculated by adding up the population values of all your populated residential buildings. The higher the population, the more points you earn.

3. Bonus Card Points:

Throughout the game, players have the opportunity to acquire bonus cards. These cards offer additional points if certain conditions are met by the end of the game. The conditions and point values vary from card to card.

4. Expedition Points:

Players who successfully complete expeditions also add to their point totals. The exact number of points gained depends on the particular expedition.

In the event of a tie, Anno 1800: The Board Game has a specific set of tie-breaking rules:

The player with the most total population is the winner.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most constructed buildings wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most bonus cards wins.
If a tie still remains after all this, the player with the most successful expeditions wins.
In the very unlikely event that there is still a tie, the win is shared.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Anno 1800: The Board Game is a complex and intricate game based on resource management and civilization building. While playing, it’s important to keep in mind a few special rules, exceptions, and clarifications.

1. Resource Scarcity:

Unlike many other board games, Anno 1800 doesn’t restrict the number of available resources. If a player needs a resource cube and none are available in the supply, they can use a suitable replacement.

2. The Tie-Breaker Rule:

In case of a tie, the player with the most leftover gold wins. If there’s still a tie, the player with the most population tokens wins. If the tie persists, the player who reached their current population level first wins.

3. Building Placement:

Factories can only be built on empty island spaces. They cannot replace existing buildings.
Ships and trade houses can only be built in the Old World and cannot be moved to the New World.
Once a building is placed, it cannot be moved or replaced.

4. Population Level Advancement:

Players can only advance to the next population level if they have fulfilled all the needs of their current population. They cannot skip levels or fulfill needs for future levels in advance.

5. Expedition Cards:

Expedition cards are one-time use only. After being used, they should be removed from the game, not placed back into the deck.

6. Trade Token Usage:

Trade tokens can be used to take resources from the shared supply or from another player’s supply. However, they cannot be used to take resources from another player’s board.

7. End Game Scoring:

Players score points based on their population level, number of fulfilled population needs, number of buildings, and leftover resources.
Points are subtracted for unfulfilled needs and unused spaces on islands.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies:

1. Focus on the Long Term: Don’t get too caught up in immediate gains. It’s important to plan for the long term, investing in infrastructure and development that will pay off in the later stages of the game.

2. Optimize Production Chains: Efficiently managing your production chains is key to success in Anno 1800. Tailor your strategy to the specific requirements of your islands and make sure to always have a plan for surplus goods.

3. Balance Your Population: Different population tiers have different needs and produce different goods. Balancing your population tiers is essential to ensure a steady flow of all necessary goods.

Beginner Tips:

1. Learn the Basics: Familiarize yourself with the game mechanics and rules before you start playing. Understand the different types of cards, how to use them, and how to build and expand your civilization.

2. Plan Ahead: Try to think a few turns ahead and plan your moves accordingly. This can help you adapt more quickly to changing circumstances and keep you one step ahead of your opponents.

3. Don’t Neglect Your Population: Remember to always take care of your population’s needs. Neglecting their needs can lead to negative consequences, such as strikes and revolts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Overexpansion: It can be tempting to expand rapidly, but doing so without a solid plan can lead to a lack of resources and an unhappy population. Expand cautiously and always make sure you can support your new settlements.

2. Ignoring Your Opponents: While it’s important to focus on your own strategy, you should also keep an eye on what your opponents are doing. You can often predict their moves and plan your own strategy accordingly.

3. Failing to Plan for Surplus Goods: Surplus goods can quickly become a problem if not managed correctly. Always have a plan for surplus goods, whether it’s selling them, storing them, or using them to support further expansion.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Effective Resource Management: Make sure you’re always aware of your resource levels and plan your turns accordingly. Don’t waste resources on unnecessary buildings or units.
Strategic Population Growth: Don’t just grow your population for the sake of it. Make sure each new citizen has a purpose and contributes to your overall strategy.
Smart Exploration: Exploration is important, but it needs to be done strategically. Don’t waste time and resources exploring areas that don’t contribute to your goals.
Utilizing Trade Routes: Trade routes can be a great way to gain additional resources and income. Use them wisely and make sure to protect them from opponents.