Orléans: Drawbridge

About this expansion

Orléans: Drawbridge is a level II place tile for use with Orléans, a game for 2–4 players released in 2017. It gives its owner a distinctive way to move a merchant when performing two specific actions.

With the Drawbridge in play, the owner may move their merchant along a Waterway when performing the Wagon action. This reverses the usual pairing of these movement types and makes the tile particularly relevant when planning routes across the game’s map.

The tile also changes the relationship between the other two movement options. When performing the Ship action, the owner may move their merchant along a Road. These permissions apply specifically to the Wagon and Ship actions, creating clear opportunities for careful action planning.

• Wagon action: Move your merchant along a Waterway.
• Ship action: Move your merchant along a Road.
• Other movement actions: The Drawbridge does not apply, including Horse Wagon.

Because the effect is tied to the owner of the place tile, Orléans: Drawbridge offers a focused movement benefit rather than a general change to all travel. Its value comes from recognizing when a Wagon or Ship action can be used to access the corresponding alternative route.

Orléans: Drawbridge was included later in Orleans – Promo Ortskarten N°3. As a compact addition for Orléans, it introduces a specific rule twist that rewards players who pay close attention to the available waterways, roads, and the actions they select.