Quick answer
If you want to reshape your routes and explore new delivery paths, pick Exotic Transports. If you prefer a tense scoring puzzle with a push-your-luck element, pick Beacons.
What each expansion changes
Both expansions add three cards to the base A Dragon's Gift wallet game, but they touch different parts of the experience. Exotic Transports introduces new transports that can change your routes significantly, meaning the way you plan deliveries shifts from the start. Beacons, on the other hand, adds a scoring layer: unlit beacons cost you points at the end of the game, and some beacon cards also block approaching from certain directions.
Trade-off: route freedom vs scoring pressure
The core trade-off is between freedom and tension. Exotic Transports gives you more options to alter your path, which can make the game feel more open and creative. Beacons adds a constant source of pressure: every delivery along a road with a beacon flips it between unlit and lit, so you must balance scoring opportunities against the risk of leaving beacons unlit. Choose based on whether you want to explore or to manage risk.
Which expansion should you choose?
- Choose Exotic Transports if you want route variety: If you enjoy changing your delivery paths and experimenting with new ways to reach destinations, Exotic Transports adds that flexibility directly.
- Choose Beacons if you want scoring tension: If you like managing risk and making decisions under pressure, Beacons adds a constant scoring threat that rewards careful planning.
- Consider both if you play often: Since each expansion is only three cards, adding both gives you the full range of new strategies without overwhelming the base game. You can mix and match expansions to vary the experience.
Expansion details
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A Dragon's Gift: Exotic Transports: A 3-card expansion that introduces 3 new transports and 3 new gifts for the dragon. New transports can change your routes significantly, giving you fresh strategic options in delivery planning.
A Dragon's Gift: Exotic Transports
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A Dragon's Gift: Beacons: A 3-card expansion that introduces beacons, which flip between unlit and lit when you deliver through a road touching them. Unlit beacons cost points at the end of the game, so you must decide when to light them and when to leave them.
A Dragon's Gift: Beacons
Who should buy which?
Best for
- Players who want to explore new route possibilities and enjoy open-ended strategy.
- Players who like a scoring puzzle with a push-your-luck element.
Not for
- Players who prefer a minimal rules overhead and no extra scoring layers should skip Beacons.
- Players who want to keep the original route structure unchanged should skip Exotic Transports.
