Bruxelles 1897 Game Rules

Introduction

Welcome to the world of Bruxelles 1897! In this game, you’ll step into the shoes of an architect in Brussels during the late 19th century. Your goal is to design and build magnificent buildings, gain influence, and leave your mark on the city’s landscape. But be careful, because your opponents are trying to do the same!

Game Components

Before we dive into the details, let’s take a look at what you’ll find in the box:

A game board depicting Brussels
Architect tiles representing different buildings
Character tiles, each with their own special abilities
Action cards to help you in your endeavors
Money tokens for financial transactions
Influence cubes to track your influence on the city
Building tiles that you’ll place on the board

Objective

To win Bruxelles 1897, you must earn the most victory points. How do you do that? By constructing buildings, gaining influence in different districts, and fulfilling projects. Each action you take will bring you closer to victory, so use your resources wisely!

Gameplay

The game is played over several rounds, with each round divided into two phases: the Action phase and the Scoring phase.

Action Phase

In the Action phase, players take turns performing actions. Each turn, you’ll choose one of the available actions or use your character’s special ability. You can acquire architect tiles, build buildings, gain influence, or draw new action cards. Watch out for your opponents’ moves and adapt your strategy accordingly!

Scoring Phase

After the Action phase, it’s time to score! You’ll earn victory points based on the influence you have in each district and the projects you’ve completed. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins!

Conclusion

Now that you understand the basics of Bruxelles 1897, it’s time to dive in and start building! Remember, strategy and planning are key to victory. So gather your resources, outwit your opponents, and leave your mark on the city of Brussels!

Welcome to the vibrant streets of Brussels in the year 1897! Art Nouveau is flourishing, and the World’s Fair is upon us. This is your chance to make your mark on the grand stage of Art History. To establish your legacy, you’ll need to showcase and sell your art, create stunning architectural wonders, and expand your social network.

In the game of Bruxelles 1897, your strategic prowess will be put to the test in four intense rounds. Each turn, you’ll utilize your collection of Architect cards to carry out actions in both the Art Nouveau and Brussels locales.

As each round concludes, the arrangement of your cards will define your influence and determine which bonuses you’ll receive. When the game comes to an end, the player with the most victory points will be honored with the esteemed title of Architect of the Year!

What’s Included

1 Game Board
4 Bonus cards
1 Prison card
3 Brussels cards
16 markers
1 Round marker
1 First Player card
28 Architect cards
83 Action Cards
Rulebook

Setting Up

Unfold the Game Board and put it at the top of the play area. Put the Round marker on the first square of the Round track A and the Expo card onto the Exhibition area B.
Put the 3 Brussels cards and the Prison card face up in front of the Game Board. This is the Brussels area C.
Sort the 82 remaining Action cards by type, and then:
I have a task for you! Let’s dive into the world of “Game of Art Nouveau.” First things first, each player gets a Georges Brugmann Noble card and puts it in front of them. If there are extra Georges Brugmann cards, just put them back in the box.

Now, let’s set up the play area. Take the Money cards and make a pile at the bottom. Next, shuffle the Artwork, Material, House, and Noble cards separately. From each pile, take 3 cards for a game with 2-3 players, or 4 cards for a game with 4 players. Don’t forget about the Expo card! Put it somewhere in the middle. Mix all these cards together for a good shuffle.

That’s it! You’re all set up and ready to play the game. Have fun exploring the world of Art Nouveau!

I’m going to give you a rewritten version of the text you provided, maintaining the same meaning, but infusing it with a fresh and engaging tone.
- Choose 12 random cards (if you’re playing with 2 or 3 players) or 16 cards (if you’re playing with 4 players), and place them face up. Make sure the Money cards show the side with 3 Belgian Francs (BEF).

If you’re playing with 2 players, remove the Action cards from the corners of the bottom row. Replace them with 2 Architect cards of an unused color with a value of 2.

Put any extra Artwork, Material, House, and Noble cards face up in front of their respective draw piles G. Return any extra Money cards to their pile. If the Expo card isn’t being used, place it in the Exhibition area.

It’s possible that there won’t be a certain type of Action card in the Art Nouveau area during a round.

Beginning the game, I get ready: I shuffle the 4 Bonus cards and put one face up under each column H.

I give you and me the 7 Architect cards and 4 markers in our chosen colors. We each put:

Down beneath the Prison card, I place one 2/4 card and one 2/5 card. If it’s just you and me playing, I only put the 2/5 card there I.

I put one of my markers on the first square of the Victory Point (VP) track and another on the first square of the Architecture, Nobility, and Prestige tracks J.

Let’s start by determining who will go first. The first player gets the 1st Player card and 4 Belgian Francs (BEF). The second player receives 5 BEF, the third player gets 6 BEF, and the fourth player gets 7 BEF. Keep your Money cards face up in front of you so everyone can see. The total value of your Money cards determines how much money you have in BEF.

The Game Play

The game is played over 4 rounds, each with 3 phases: the Preparation phase, the Action phase, and the Majority phase.

1. Preparation Phase

In the second round and onwards, the preparation phase happens like this:

To start the next round, I need to move the Round marker one square to the right. Then, the 1st Player card goes to the player holding the Expo card, and the Expo card goes back onto the Exhibition area. If no one has taken the Expo card, the 1st Player card goes to the player seated to the left of the previous first player.
Now, I can take my Architect cards back into my hand, except for the ones under the Prison card.
I should discard any Action cards from the Art Nouveau area that I didn’t buy in the previous round.
I should reset (untap) my Noble cards so I can use them again.
Next, I need to prepare a new Art Nouveau area. This means I have to shuffle any empty draw piles, including their respective discard piles, and create new face-down draw piles.
I should also shuffle the 4 Bonus cards and randomly place one face up beneath each column.

2. Action Time

When it’s my turn, I get to do something fun! I can choose to do an action in the Art Nouveau Area or the Brussels area, or I can decide to skip my turn and pass. To do these actions, I’ll use my special Architect cards. These cards are important because they let me take different actions, like building buildings or creating masterpieces. I can keep my Architect cards in my hand, but everyone else can also see them. If they want, they can even ask to take a look at my cards during the game.

A. Actions in the Art Nouveau Area

Let’s switch an Action card from the Art Nouveau area with one of our Architect cards.

You get to choose which side of your Architect card you want to use, but you have to pay the amount of money shown on that side right away.

If you can’t afford to pay for the actions in the Art Nouveau area, you’re not allowed to perform them. The Money cards you used go back to their draw pile.

After that, we can do the action that goes with the card we just bought:

Creation: We place the Artwork card face up in front of us. We need to own an Artwork in order to do the Sale action.

Sale: Here’s how the Sale works. Take the Money card and put it in front of you, with the 3 value facing up. But there’s a catch. You have to discard one of your Artwork cards. Oh, and remember, you can’t use the money from the sale to pay for the Architect card you just played.

Supply: The Supply is where the Material card comes in. Place it face up in front of you. This card shows you two types of materials: steel, brick, or wood. To be able to build anything, you need to have Material cards. They’re like the building blocks of your construction.

About Building a House: Let me guide you through the process of building a house and help you understand the steps involved. First, you need to place the House card in front of you with the face-up. Then, depending on the cost of construction, you will have to discard one or more Material cards. If it’s your first house, you only need to discard 1 Material card. For your second house, you will need to discard 2 Material cards, and so on.

It’s important to note that even if a Material card depicts 2 Materials, you can only use 1 of them. So, you must discard a Material card for each house, regardless of the number of Materials it shows. You have the freedom to spend any type of Material for construction. However, keep in mind that you will receive 1 Victory Point (VP) for each different type of Material used in the construction.

Power of Influence: When you have a Noble card, it can greatly impact your game strategy. You have a choice to make – either get rid of the card or keep it in front of you to use its power throughout the game. But remember, you can’t keep two identical Noble cards.

If you decide to keep the Noble card, simply rotate it 90 degrees to show that you have already used it for this round. Keep in mind that each Noble power can only be activated once per round.

Just keep in mind that at the end of the game, there’s a cost associated with holding onto your Noble cards. For each one you decide to keep, you’ll need to pay 2 BEF.

Example: I’m building my third House, and it requires 3 Materials. I decide to discard 2 Material cards – one has 2 bricks and the other has 1 brick and 1 wood. This means I’m using 2 different types of Materials. Unfortunately, I lose the third brick. On the bright side, I gain 2 Victory Points – 1 for the brick and another 1 for the wood.

The Nobles’ Impact

Georges Brugmann: Collect 4 BEF.

Hey there, it’s me, Georges Brugmann. How about you collect 4 Belgian francs (BEF)?

Prince Albert: Move your marker 1 square forward on the Nobility track.

Hey there, I’m Charles Buis! Ready to level up? Move your marker 1 square forward on the Prestige track!

Victor Horta: Move your piece 1 space ahead on the Architecture track.

I’m Victor Horta and I have a special ability that allows me to create innovative and beautiful designs. I’ve made significant contributions to the field of architecture, and my legacy continues to inspire and influence architects today.

Being an architect is more than just a profession—it’s an art. It’s about combining functionality with creativity, and creating spaces that not only serve a purpose but also evoke emotions. Architecture has the power to shape our experiences and enhance our lives.

When you think about architecture, what comes to mind? Perhaps grand buildings with intricate details and soaring structures. But architecture is not just about the big and impressive—it’s also about the small and intimate. It’s about understanding how people interact with spaces and designing environments that promote well-being and connection.

As an architect, you have the power to transform spaces and leave a lasting impact on the world. Whether it’s designing a home that brings families together or creating a public space that fosters community, your work has the potential to shape the way people live, work, and play.

But being an architect is not without its challenges. It requires a deep understanding of design principles, construction techniques, and project management. It requires the ability to balance creativity with practicality, and to navigate the complex world of regulations and codes.

But despite the challenges, being an architect is incredibly rewarding. It’s a profession that allows you to combine art and science, and to leave a tangible mark on the world. It’s a profession that celebrates innovation and beauty, and that values the power of design to enhance lives.

So, if you’re passionate about design and have a love for creating spaces that inspire and uplift, then architecture might just be the career for you. And if you like the idea of leaving a lasting legacy, then you’ll love the world of architecture.

Just remember, being an architect is not just about the buildings you create—it’s about the people you serve and the impact you have on their lives. It’s about creating spaces that not only meet functional needs but also elevate the human experience.

So, if you’re ready to embark on a journey of creativity, innovation, and impact, then follow your passion and explore the world of architecture. With the right combination of skills, knowledge, and determination, you can become a successful architect and make a difference in the world.

Move your piece 1 space ahead on the Architecture track and let the world be your canvas.

This message is an AI-generated adaptation of the original message written by a human. While the content has been modified, the main ideas and concepts remain the same.

Paul Hankar: Alright, let’s get started. I’m going to draw two Material cards for you. Take a good look at them. You’ll need to make a decision on which one you want to discard, and which one you want to keep and place face up in front of you.

Emile Vandervelde: When you have an Architect card beneath the Prison card, you can choose that card and put it back into your hand.

For example: Let’s say you buy the Emile Vandervelde card. This special card lets you take back one of your cards that’s hiding under the Prison card.

Now, if you already have another Emile Vandervelde card in front of you, you have to get rid of the card you just bought.

Exhibition: Place the Expo card in front of you to show that I have started an exhibition where you and the other players can join.

First, I will choose one of my Artwork cards to exhibit and earn 2 VP. Just remember, I can’t exhibit two identical Artworks in the same exhibition. I get to keep the Artwork card after exhibiting it.

The exhibition continues until there are no more players who can join or until all 4 colors have been exhibited. If someone has already passed before the exhibition starts, they can’t take part in it.

Even if I don’t have any Artworks, I can still buy the Expo card. And if I do, I will be the starting player for the next round.

Example: I bought the Expo card. I showed my red Artwork and gained 2 Victory Points (VP). Claudia showed her yellow Artwork and also gained 2 VP. However, Rob and Scott didn’t have any Artworks, so they couldn’t participate in the exhibition.

Now it’s my turn again, but I don’t have any other Artworks to show. So, I can no longer participate. Claudia still has a red and a blue Artwork. However, since a red Artwork has already been shown, she can only show her blue one for an additional 2 VP. Since nobody has a green Artwork, the exhibition comes to an end.

Because I bought the Expo card, I will be the starting player for the next round.

Important

Remember, you must always keep your Action cards visible to other players. The Architect cards in your hand must also be visible at all times.

In the world of Art Nouveau, the value and placement of the Architect cards are crucial when it comes to determining the majorities. The Architect cards that you have and where you put them will make all the difference.

Even if you don’t have any Artwork cards to sell or Material cards to build with, you can still participate in the competition for majorities in the Art Nouveau area by placing an Architect card. In this case, you’ll need to pay the usual cost to place your Architect card, but you’ll also have to discard the Action card that you bought.

Now, let’s talk about the actions you can take in the Brussels area. You can place one or more Architect cards in front of the Brussels card that you choose. But there’s a rule – you must place one more card than the previous player who took the same action. So, if the first player placed 1 card, the second player would have to put down 2 cards for the same action, and so on.

Remember, the choices you make and the cards you play will greatly impact your chances of success in the game. So, think strategically, plan ahead, and outwit your opponents to come out on top!

Unlike Art Nouveau, you don’t have to spend any money to put your Architect cards in this area. It doesn’t matter how valuable the card is when you do these actions.

Finally, do the action on the Brussels card you picked:

Stock Exchange: To grab 5 BEF, just go to the stock exchange.

City Hall: When you’re at City Hall, you can use the powers of your Noble cards (check p.6 for details). How many Nobles you can use depends on where you are on the Nobility track, from 1 to 5. Remember, the number of Nobles you can activate is determined at the moment you take the City Hall action.

Example: My name is Scott, and I want to activate my Nobles.

Right now, I am on space 2 on the Nobility track. Since City Hall hasn’t been activated yet this round, I only place one of my Architect cards in front of the City Hall card.

I tap 2 of my 3 Noble cards and right away, their effects kick in.

Cinquantenaire Park: Time for some Art Nouveau action! You can choose any action you want, except for the Exhibition action.

If you decide to go for the Creation, Supply, Construction, or Influence action, you get to draw 2 cards from the respective draw piles (Artwork, Material, House, or Noble). But here’s the catch, you can only keep one of them. Decide which one you want to discard and which one you want to place face up in front of you.

If you’re feeling like making a Sale, you’re in luck! You’ll receive 3 BEF. Take a money card and put it right in front of you.

Note:

To perform the Sale action, you need to get rid of an Artwork card.
If you want to do some Construction, make sure you discard the required amount of Materials.
To replenish an empty draw pile, combine its discard pile and shuffle the cards to create a new draw pile.

Example: Let’s say I’m Claudia and I want to sell an Artwork. The problem is, I don’t have any money. So, my only option is to activate the Cinquantenaire Park and sell my Artwork there.

Now, here’s the catch. Since there’s already a card in front of the Cinquantenaire Park, I have to get rid of 2 Architect cards from my hand. After doing that, I discard my Artwork card and collect 3 BEF from the pile of Money cards.

Now, let’s move on to the next phase…

C. Passing

If you reach a point where you don’t want to or can’t perform any more actions, you have to pass. The first player who decides to pass gets rewarded with 3 BEF.

The other players can keep going until they also decide to pass. When they do, they receive 1 BEF each (yes, even the last player to pass). Just remember that once you’ve passed, you can’t participate in any more Exhibitions.

3. Majority Phase

Alright, let me break it down for you. When everyone has passed, we figure out who has the majority in each category: Columns, Coats of Arms, Brussels.

If it’s just a two-player game, we also take into account the two neutral Architect cards when determining the majority for Columns and Coats of Arms. But if the neutral player is the only one with a majority, nobody gets the bonus. Fair enough, right?

A. Column Majority

Now, let’s talk about the Column Majority. We go through each column and see who has the highest total value of Architect cards. That lucky player gets the bonus below the column.

If there’s a tie, don’t worry, everyone involved still gets the bonus. Just remember, the bonuses at the bottom half of the Bonus cards are only given out at the end of the game.

Here’s a quick rundown of the 4 Bonuses:

Move your marker forward one space on the Architecture track.

Hello there! Let’s talk about something important – advancing your marker on the Nobility track. It may sound a bit confusing, but don’t worry, I’ll explain it to you in simple terms.

So, imagine you’re playing a game and you have this marker. In this game, there’s something called the Nobility track. And guess what? You can move your marker forward by one square on this track! How exciting is that?

Now, you might be wondering, why would I want to do that? Well, let me tell you, there are some benefits to advancing on this track. It can help you gain more points, unlock special abilities, or maybe even get some cool rewards. Isn’t that awesome?

But here’s the thing, my friend. Advancing on the Nobility track is not always an easy task. You might have to complete certain tasks, achieve specific goals, or meet certain requirements. It’s like a challenge waiting for you to conquer!

So, if you’re up for the challenge, here’s what you need to do. Focus on your goals, make smart moves, and take advantage of any opportunities that come your way. And remember, every step forward brings you closer to victory!

Hey there! Let me tell you something cool. When you play this game, you get to move your marker forward on the Prestige track. It’s like leveling up and getting closer to victory! Pretty exciting, right?

When you’re in a tricky situation like being trapped in prison, you have to think smart and make strategic choices. One option you can consider is selecting an Architect card from the ones beneath the Prison card and returning it to your hand.

Got it! In this example, Scott (blue) placed 2 of his Architect cards with a value of 2 in the column that has the Architecture bonus. Meanwhile, Rob (red) played 1 card with a value of 4.

Since both players have the same total value of cards, they both get to activate the bonus of the column immediately and move their markers 1 square forward on the Architecture track.

B. Majority of Coat of Arms

Whenever there are 4 Architect cards forming a crossroads in the Art Nouveau area, you’ll see the coat of arms of the city of Brussels. When a player completes a coat of arms by having all 4 Architect cards, the player with the most cards in that area earns Victory Points (VP) based on their position on the Prestige track.

In case of a tie, all players involved receive VP according to their position on the track. The values of the Architect cards don’t matter in this situation.

Example: Let’s figure out which coats of arms have the most players on the Prestige track:

This coat of arms is not complete, so it doesn’t earn any points.
John (yellow) has the most players and earns 2 VP.
John and Claudia (green) both have the most players. John earns 2 VP while Claudia earns 3 VP.

C. Brussels Majority

The player with the most Architect cards below the Brussels cards needs to put one of those cards under the Prison card. If there’s a tie, each player involved needs to place a card under the Prison card.

I’m going to give you an example. Let’s say John (yellow) has played a total of 3 Architect cards in the Brussels area. Claudia (green) played 2 and Rob (red) played 1. So, here’s what happens: John needs to place one of his 3 cards underneath the Prison card.

When the Game Ends

After the Majority phase of the 4th round, it’s time for final scoring. Let me break it down for you:

Give 2 BEF to all your Nobles (except Georges Brugmann). If you can’t pay one, you have to discard the Noble card and lose 3 VP.
For each of your Houses, you get as many VP as your spot on the Architecture track.
You get 1 VP for each of your unused Material cards.
If you have the Expo card, you get 2 VP.
The player(s) who have the most in each column get the bonus at the bottom of the Bonus card under that column. If it’s a tie, each player involved gets the bonus.

When you have 2 or more Battle Energy Force (BEF), you can earn 3 Victory Points (VP). This can be done up to a maximum of 5 times, allowing you to earn a total of 15 VP. This is a great way to boost your score and increase your chances of winning the game. So, make sure to collect as much BEF as you can to maximize your VP!

If you have different types of Artwork, you’ll earn 2 VP for each one.

Hey there! Did you know that you can earn 2 victory points for each unique type of House that you own? Pretty cool, right?

When you have Nobles, including Georges Brugmann, you earn 2 VP for each of them.

The winner of the game is the person with the most victory points.

If there is a tie, the winner is the player who has the fewest Architect cards in prison. If there is still a tie, we add up the values of the Architecture, Nobility, and Prestige tracks. The player with the highest total value is the winner.

If there is still a tie, the players involved all share the victory.