Quick answer
The Burgle Bros German Edition plays identically to the original but uses German on all cards and components. Setup follows the same cooperative heist rules, with the main language consideration being card text for abilities and events.
What to expect from the German edition
The Burgle Bros German Edition includes the same gameplay as the English version: you and your team plan the heist of the century across three floors of a building. All 120 square cards, 48 building tiles, and the rulebook are in German. The wooden pawns and stickers are language-neutral, so only the text-heavy components require language comprehension.
If you are an English speaker, you can still play using a digital translation of the rules or a reference sheet. The game relies heavily on iconography for movement and actions, but card abilities and event text are in German. Plan to translate or memorize common phrases for a smoother experience.
Language considerations for English speakers
The rulebook is entirely in German, so you may need to reference an English PDF or community translation for the first few games. The player aid cards (if included) are also in German. However, the game's cooperative nature means you can discuss and resolve actions without reading every card aloud.
For a fully language-independent experience, consider using the Burgle Bros 3 Runner Expansion or other expansions that add English components, but note that the base German edition does not include English text.
Step-by-step setup for Burgle Bros German Edition
- Unbox and sort components: Open the box and separate the 120 square cards by type: floor cards, event cards, equipment cards, and character cards. The 48 building tiles are used to construct the three floors. The 9 wooden pawns and sticker sheets are language-neutral. Common mistake: mixing floor tiles with event cards. Keep floor tiles in a separate stack by floor number.
- Build the three floors: Shuffle the floor tiles for each floor (floor 1, floor 2, floor 3) and arrange them face-down in a 4x4 grid for each floor. Place the corresponding floor card (showing the floor number) on top of each stack. The building tiles have icons that indicate room types—these are language-independent. Checkpoint: ensure you have exactly 16 tiles per floor (48 total). Missing tiles will break the game.
- Prepare the event and equipment decks: Shuffle the event cards and place them face-down near the game board. Do the same for the equipment cards. These cards have German text—if you are not fluent, create a quick reference sheet with translations for common abilities (e.g., 'Bewegen' = move, 'Suchen' = search). Common mistake: drawing event cards without understanding the effect. Read the card aloud in German and have a translation ready.
- Choose characters and set up pawns: Each player selects a character card (in German) and takes the corresponding wooden pawn. Apply the sticker to the pawn base if desired. Place your pawn on the starting tile of floor 1 (the tile marked with a 'Start' icon, which is language-independent). Checkpoint: character abilities are on the card in German. Write a quick note of your ability in English to avoid forgetting during the game.
- Place the guard and patrol markers: Set the guard pawn on its starting position (usually the center of floor 1). Place the patrol deck (a subset of event cards) face-down near the board. The guard moves according to the patrol deck, which is in German—you may need to translate the movement instructions. Common mistake: forgetting to set the patrol deck. Without it, the guard does not move, breaking the game's tension.
- Review the win and loss conditions: Read the German rulebook section on winning (you escape with the loot after clearing all three floors) and losing (the guard catches you or the alarm triggers). Write these conditions in English and keep them visible. Checkpoint: the rulebook uses 'Sieg' for win and 'Niederlage' for loss. Confirm these terms before starting.
Product details
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Burgle Bros (GERMAN) - Wholesale: Burgle Bros (GERMAN) - Wholesale includes 120 square cards, 48 building tiles, 9 different wooden pawns with 2 sticker sheets, and a German rulebook. The card count and tile pieces are identical to the English edition, so setup and gameplay are the same; only the language on the printed components differs.
Burgle Bros (GERMAN) - Wholesale