Kraftwagen Game Rules

I’m excited to share with you the rules of the thrilling game called Kraftwagen! It’s a game that I know you’re going to love.

Here’s how it works:

1. Setting up the game:

– First, each player receives a player board and places it in front of them.

– Then, the circular scoring and time track is placed in the middle of the table.

– The scoring cubes are placed nearby for easy access.

– The car tiles, gearshift tiles, and time tiles are shuffled and placed face-down.

– Each player is given starting resources and a starting car.

– The game cards are shuffled and four of them are revealed face-up.

2. Taking turns:

– The game is played over a series of rounds, and each round consists of two phases: planning and execution.

– During the planning phase, players take turns placing their car tiles on their player board. The car tiles represent the actions they want to take.

– There are different types of car tiles, such as market tiles, factory tiles, and track tiles. Each type of tile allows the player to perform a specific action, like buying or selling cars, building factories, or racing on the track.

– The strategic placement of these car tiles is crucial, as it determines the order in which the actions are executed.

– Once all the car tiles have been placed, the execution phase begins.

3. Executing actions:

– Starting with the first player, each player executes the action of their top car tile. Then, they move the tile to the bottom of their stack.

– Players continue to execute their actions in the order determined by the placement of their car tiles.

– Actions can have various effects, such as earning money, gaining prestige points, or advancing on the scoring track.

– Some actions may also have prerequisites, meaning certain conditions must be met before the action can be executed.

– Players continue to execute actions until all car tiles have been resolved.

4. Scoring points:

– At the end of each round, players earn points based on their position on the scoring track.

– The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner!

I hope these rules give you a good understanding of how to play Kraftwagen. It’s an exciting game that combines strategy, resource management, and a bit of luck.

So gather your friends or family, set up the game, and start racing towards victory in Kraftwagen!

• 1 gameboard
• 4 player mats
• 41 car body tiles
• 39 engine tiles
• 8 buyer tiles
• 50 research cards
• 9 engineer markers
• 56 price markers
• 10 action tiles
• 56 “workers”
• 4 cars
• 1 marker token
• 4 start tiles
• 10 award tiles
• 12 specialty tiles

Let’s Play the Game!

Imagine being the owner of a start-up car company. Your goal is to create and improve automobile design. Exciting, right? In this game, called Kraftwagen, that’s exactly what you get to do!

Your mission is to research new technologies, build better car chassis, and create powerful engines. As you progress, you will compete in early Grand Prix races, earning prestige and money for your company. But it’s not all about winning races – you also need to meet the preferences of buyers and offer the best prices.

After three game turns, the player with the most money wins! They’ll be celebrated alongside Daimler, Benz, and Opel – quite the achievement!

Getting Started

To set up the game, one player places the gameboard on the table. Then, the action tiles are placed face-up on consecutive spaces of the action track. First, the tiles with one action are placed, then the tiles with two actions, and finally the tile with three actions. The order of tiles within each category is mixed up for added excitement.

All the research cards are shuffled and placed face-down on the upper space in the research area of the board. The top two cards are drawn and placed face-up in the spaces below the research card deck.

The eight buyer tiles are sorted based on preference and placed face-up on their respective spaces on the gameboard. The marker token is placed on the “S” space of the buyer track.

I’ll start by explaining how the award tiles work. You can see where they go on the gameboard in the illustrations.

Now let’s talk about what goes next to the game board. One player will sort and stockpile the following components:

• Price markers, organized by color
• Car body and engine tiles, sorted by value
• Nine engineer markers
• Fourteen workers for each player

Make sure to place the four start tiles next to the board.

Each player will take a player mat and four workers of the same color from the supply. Put the workers in the canteen on your mat. The Grand Prix car starts with an engine value of “1 “.

Put the cars in the pit lane of the race track. Each player will take a worker from their supply and place it on the “0 turns” space as a marker.

Let’s talk about how the game begins. First, we need to determine where everyone starts on the action track. Each player’s worker is taken from the supply and placed in random order behind the last action marker. The player whose worker is farthest from the marker goes first.

Next, each player chooses a start tile in reverse order, starting with the player whose worker is closest to the last action marker. These start tiles have special actions that can be performed right away.

These actions are the same as the ones we’ll use during the game, and don’t worry, I’ll explain them in detail later. Once each player has chosen a start tile and performed the actions, they flip their tile to the development side. This means their car engine and car body both start at level 1.

In a game with 3 players, when playing Kraftwagen, we need to put away the components of the fourth player. The player mat, car, 14 workers, and the surplus start tile all go back into the game box. This ensures that only the necessary components are used for the game.

Kraftwagen is played in three game turns, each consisting of three phases: Preparation, Action Phase, and Scoring. This structure keeps the game organized and balanced.

To determine which turn it is, we use a set of colored price markers. Each game turn corresponds to a specific color, making it easy to keep track of the progression.

During the Preparation phase, at the start of each game turn, the respective colored price markers are placed on their designated spaces on the market. The colors of the price markers change with each turn, indicating the different stages of the game.

– In Turn 1, we use orange price markers with values ranging from 1 to 10.

– In Turn 2, we use purple price markers with values ranging from 2 to 12.

– In Turn 3, we use blue price markers with values ranging from 3 to 15.

This system makes it clear which price markers are in play and helps players strategize accordingly. By understanding these components and following the game’s structure, you can fully immerse yourself in the world of Kraftwagen.

Hey there! Let’s talk about the four spaces next to the four buyer stacks. You see, these special spots get some white price markers placed on them. These markers have different values: some have a value of “1” and others have a value of “2”. The ones with a value of “1” are all about things like personal preference, how cool the car looks, and how much it costs. The ones with a value of “2” focus more on the type of car body that the buyer wants. Makes sense so far, right?

Now, even if there are already some price markers in these spaces from previous turns, we still add another one that matches. So, these spots can get pretty crowded with price markers! It’s a busy area.

2 Action Phase

Now it’s time for the action phase! This is when we get to make our moves and take turns. The action phase will come to an end when either six cars have been placed on the market or the buyer track marker reaches space 0.

It’s important to note that in Kraftwagen, we don’t follow a fixed turn order like in many other games. Instead, the player with the worker furthest away from the row of action tiles gets to take their turn first. This player is also the start player at the beginning.

Depending on which tile we choose, we might have a different number of turns throughout the game. It’s also possible for a player to take multiple turns in a row if they’re still the last one in the row.

When it comes to the action track, it forms a continuous chain that includes both the workers of the players and the 10 action tiles. There’s a gap that marks the start and end of the chain.

The chain always stays together and is never split.

If there’s an action tile at the end of the chain after your turn, put it at the front of the chain. Keep doing this until there’s a worker at the end.

Your turn has two phases:

1. Choose an action tile and take the action(s) (you have to do this)
2. Put a car on the market (you can choose to do this)

I. Choose An Action Tile and Take the Action(s)

You can pick any action tile in the chain. Move your worker to that tile’s position and then put the tile at the start of the chain. This moves the gap between the front and end of the chain one space clockwise.

Let’s talk about action tiles.

In each action tile, I can find one, two, or three actions that I can take. When I choose a tile, I need to make sure I do all the actions on it. But here’s the catch – I get to decide the order in which I do the actions. The important thing is that I can only start a new action once I finish the previous one.

Let’s take a closer look at what these actions are:

Hiring Workers

When you want to hire a worker in the game, you take one from the available supply and put it into your canteen. If you have already hired all of your workers, you can’t take this action.

Conducting Research

To conduct research in the game, you have two research cards to choose from. Take one of the face-up cards, and the other one is discarded. Then, two new research cards are drawn and placed face-up to replace the discarded one.

Note: If there are no more cards in the research deck, shuffle the discarded cards to create a new deck.

There are three types of research cards available: instant actions, engineers, and developments.

Car Body

Hey there! Let me tell you all about car bodies. So, here’s what happens: I grab a car body tile based on how many research points I have in this category. Then, I find an empty workshop and plop that car body right in there. But, here’s the catch: if all three of my workshops are already filled with car bodies or engines, I’ve gotta say goodbye to an old car body or engine to make some space. Bummer, right?

Engine

When it comes to engines, I get to pick one based on how many research points I have in this category. Now, I have a couple of options:

• I can put the engine in an empty workshop. If all three workshops are already filled with car bodies or engines, I have to return an old one to make space.
• I can also put the engine in my Grand-Prix car, replacing the old engine in the process. The new engine goes right on top of the “1” printed on the car. This way, my car goes faster on the racetrack.

Note: Just a quick heads up, I’m not allowed to use this engine to move a car to the market.

Buyer

So here’s the deal: I’m a player, and I get to pick one of the buyers available. Then, I move my chosen buyer to the lowest-numbered empty space among the active buyers, which are numbered from 1 to 4. Pretty straightforward, right?

When I select a buyer, I also grab all of the price markers that are still hanging out next to that buyer. I mean, why not, right? Gotta make the most of it!

But here’s the thing: if all four active buyers have already been placed by the time it’s my turn, I can’t just sit back and relax. Nope, instead I have to move the marker token on the buyer track down one space. It’s like a little reminder that time is ticking. And if I somehow manage to reach space 0 in this way, well, that’s when things really get interesting. There’s a whole scoring thing that happens after my turn. Exciting, right?

Oh, and by the way, I can’t just decide not to move the marker token. It’s mandatory. So, no slacking off!

Welcome to Grand-Prix Racing!

When I race in the Grand-Prix, my race car is the star of the show. It’s all about speed and strategy as I compete against other players to see who can complete the most laps. Each lap starts at space 1, right behind the finish line, and ends when I cross it.

The engine of my Grand-Prix car is the key to victory. It’s what gives me the power to race ahead. Unlike regular cars, my Grand-Prix car doesn’t need a body or a crew to run. It’s all about the engine!

Every time I take a Grand Prix action, I can move my car forward as many spaces as the engine’s value. The higher the value, the farther I can go. But here’s the twist – if there are other players’ cars in my way, I have to skip those spaces and keep going. They won’t slow me down!

Once I start a race, I begin from the pit lane and make my first move to space 1. And for every lap I complete by crossing the finish line, my “worker” moves one space on the round tracker. It’s a race to the finish, and every step counts!

Example: Let’s imagine that my car, Marion’s car, is about to start the race. It’s time to put the pedal to the metal and see how far we can go! Each car moves a certain number of steps based on the “engine” number they get. In my case, my engine gets a “2”, so I’m off to a good start. Now, here’s where things get interesting – there’s another car ahead of me, a blue car. It started earlier and is currently on space 2. But here’s the twist: because I have a higher number on my engine, I get to skip that space and move straight to space 3. Nice advantage, right?

II. Moving a Kraftwagen (car) To The Market

Okay, let’s move on to the next part. Now, after all the excitement on the racetrack, it’s time to take a breather and head to the market. Here’s how it works:

When it’s my turn, I can choose to move one of my cars to the market. But I can’t just do it without a plan! I need a few things to make it happen:

• I need a car body from one of my workshops. You know, that’s where all the magic happens – where the cars come to life.
• I also need an engine from one of my workshops. After all, what good is a car without an engine? It’s the heart and soul of the machine.
• But that’s not all! I also need at least one worker from my canteen. These hardworking folks act as my service team, making sure everything runs smoothly.
• And finally, I need one of those colored price markers that you can find next to the market. This marker sets the price of my car. It’s like putting a price tag on my creation.

Now, the cool thing is that I get to choose which car body and engine I want to use. It’s like being a car designer, selecting the best parts for my masterpiece. And when it comes to workers, I can decide how many I want to bring along. The more, the merrier, right? And of course, I get to pick the price marker that suits my car’s value. It’s like setting the stage for my big debut at the market.

When I play the game, I put all these parts together to create my “Kraftwagen”. I make sure that everyone can see the values and the number of workers I have.

Finally, if I have an engineer, I can put a marker on my Kraftwagen to show that.

Once I put a car on the market, I can’t change it anymore.

But there’s an exception: I can use Rudolf Diesel to change one part.

If I put the sixth car on the market, the game enters the scoring phase after my turn ends.

For example: I move the third car to the market. It’s a BMW Dixi with a car body value of 3, an engine value of 4, a service team of two workers, and a price marker value of 8.

3. Scoring

Scoring can happen in two ways: when the sixth car is placed on the market or when the marker token reaches space 0 on the buyer track. When either of these happens, my turn ends, and it’s time for scoring. Scoring has two parts:

Grand-Prix Race Scoring

• 1st place: 7 points
• 2nd place: 4 points
• 3rd place: 2 points

After the race, I receive white price markers based on the number of laps my car completed on the track:

• 1 lap: 1 point
• 2 laps: 3 points
• 3 laps: 5 points
• 4 laps: 6 points

In the game, you earn points based on the number of laps you complete. Starting with 5 laps, you get 7 points. And for every additional lap, you earn 1 more point. So, the more laps you do, the more points you get!

Now, let’s talk about scoring with the buyers. There are different buyers, each with their own preferences. The buyer who values the car body the most will prefer the one with the highest number on its car body. The buyer who values the engine the most will prefer the one with the highest number on its engine. The buyer who values prestige the most will prefer the one with the most workers. And the buyer who values price the most will prefer the one that is least expensive.

If I have a favorite car, I will buy it. But what happens if I have multiple favorite cars? Well, I’ll choose the one with the lowest price.

So, when I’m buying a car, there are two things I consider:

1. Which car do I like the most?
2. Which car has the lowest price?

If I only care about the price, then that’s the only thing I consider.

When a car is sold, the owner puts a colored price marker face-down in front of them. If the buyer only cares about the price, the owner also puts a white price marker of the same value face-down in front of them.

For example: There are people buying cars. The first person decides to get a blue Tatra 11 because it’s considered the most prestigious and it took three workers to make it. They take the price marker “11” and put it facedown in front of them.

The second person chooses a green Mercedes 630. Even though Marion’s BMW Dixi has the same car body value of “3”, the price of the Mercedes is unbeatable. So the second person takes the price marker “6” and places it facedown in front of them.

Marion sells her BMW Dixi to the third person who has a preference for engines. Marion takes the price marker “8” and puts it facedown in front of her.

Once all the buyers have bought a car, regardless of whether they were sold or not, all the cars are taken off the market. The car bodies, engines, and workers are returned to the supply located next to the gameboard. Any used engineer markers are no longer in play and are put back in the game box.

If there are any colored price markers that haven’t been taken, they are removed and added to the supply of white markers. These can be used in future turns instead of white markers. All the buyers are returned to their stacks.

Now, let’s prepare for the second or third turn of the game.

Earning Award Points

Throughout the game, players have the opportunity to earn different award tiles.

To receive an award tile, you need to be the first player to meet the requirements for that specific award. Once you’ve fulfilled the requirements, you take the corresponding award tile and place it facedown in front of you.

The game includes the following award tiles:

The Grand-Prix Race: If you’re the first person to finish one or two laps on the racetrack, you’ll earn either 3 or 7 points, depending on the number of completed laps.

Buyer: If you’re the first one to choose a second buyer for a specific category and put them in the active buyer row, you’ll get a tile worth 3 points.

Note: This can happen if engineer Benz is involved.

Example: Let’s say there’s already a buyer who prefers engines in the active buyer row. Now, I choose another buyer who also prefers engines and I get the tile as a reward.

Market: When you’re playing the game, the market is an important aspect to consider. It’s where you can place your second car to earn points. The first player to do this gets a special tile that’s worth 3 points. So, if you want to maximize your score, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the market and try to be the first to place your second car there. This can give you an advantage over the other players and help you win the game. Just remember, the market can be a competitive place, so be strategic in your decision-making and try to stay one step ahead of the competition.

Car Body: When I put a “3” or “6” car body in my workshop, I get the tile worth 3 or 7 points, respectively.

If I build a car body that has a higher value than what is required, I also get the tile. In the extremely rare situation where I immediately place a “6” car body in my workshop, I get both tiles.

Note: This does not include upgrading from an engineer marker.

Title: Engines: The Powerhouses of the Workshop

Introduction: Welcome to the world of workshops and engines! In this guide, I’ll explain the ins and outs of engines, those mighty powerhouses that can give you an edge in the game. So, let’s dive in and discover how these engines can elevate your strategy to new heights!

Engine: When I place a “4” or “7” engine into my workshop, I get a shiny tile worth 3 or 7 points, respectively. It’s like getting a little boost for my efforts! Oh, and here’s the interesting part – if I’m feeling bold and I immediately build an engine that has a higher value than required, I still get that cool tile. Talk about exceeding expectations!

The Rare Exception: Now, let’s talk about something even more exciting – the rare case when I place a “7” engine directly into my workshop. In this extraordinary situation, guess what? I get both the 3-point and 7-point tiles! It’s like winning the lottery, but in a workshop.

Note: Oh, wait! There’s a small catch. An upgrade from an engineer marker doesn’t count in this context. But hey, who needs upgrades when you’ve got these awesome engines, right?

Conclusion: So, my friend, engines are the game-changers you’ve been searching for. They give you valuable points and can even surprise you with extra rewards if you play your cards right. Remember, when it comes to workshops and engines, it’s all about strategy and making the most out of every move. Now that you have a better understanding of engines, go ahead and show everyone your workshop prowess!

Me: So, here’s how it works. If I have all my workers on the board and none left in supply, I get a tile that’s worth 7 points. Pretty neat, huh?

Engineers: If you have three engineers, you get a special tile that’s worth 7 points.

The game ends after the third turn.

Add up your points from the price markers and award tiles. The player with the most points wins and becomes a car pioneer!

Two-player rules

So you’re playing a game with a friend, huh? Well, let me tell you about the rules for two-player mode. It’s a bit different from playing with more people, but we’ll have just as much fun!

• The marker token on the buyer track always starts on space 2 each turn.
• At the beginning of the game, two start tiles are randomly chosen. You and your friend will each pick one of those start tiles to use.
• In two-player mode, the market is limited to four cars. That means scoring begins after the fourth car has been placed.
• You can only choose three buyers each turn. The fourth active buyer space doesn’t count.
• Now, here’s a cool twist. The two cars of the colors that aren’t in play are placed on spaces 3 and 6 of the Grand-Prix track. They won’t move, but they still count for scoring during the Grand-Prix. For example, if the two player cars are in first and third place, you’ll get 7 and 2 points respectively.