Orléans: The Plague

About this expansion

Orléans: The Plague is an expansion for 2–5 players that makes an Orléans game tougher from the start, with play lasting about 90 minutes. Released in 2023, it introduces rat cards, corpse tokens, indulgence cards, and a plague doctor.

The rat cards create immediate pressure through harsher game conditions. Depending on the cards in play, there may be fewer monks available, gears may be forbidden on place cards, or building trading stations may require an additional coin.

At the end of each round, players must place a certain number of corpse tokens in their bags. These tokens can be drawn at the beginning of a later round, occupying valuable space on the marketplace while providing no action.

• Rat cards: Add disruptive restrictions and extra costs.
• Corpse tokens: Fill the bag and marketplace without enabling actions.
• Indulgence cards: Offer ways to remove corpse tokens and earn victory points.
• Plague doctor: Provides a universally usable figure in almost every round.

Players can permanently get rid of corpse tokens by fulfilling indulgence cards through pilgrimage, donations, or other conditions. These cards also provide victory points at the end of the game, giving relief a meaningful reward.

Fortunately, every player receives a plague doctor. Available in almost every round, this flexible figure can be used universally, offering a limited but valuable source of relief amid the expanding misery. Orléans: The Plague brings a darker, more demanding layer to the game through restrictions, bag disruption, and difficult choices.