Quick Answer
Set up Lockup: Breakout alongside the base game, add the new catacombs board and crew cards, and follow the six-round structure to earn reputation through crafting, recruiting, and exploring without drawing guard suspicion.
What Lockup: Breakout Adds to the Base Game
The Breakout expansion introduces subterranean passageways beneath the prison and the legendary inhabitants of Kulbak. Your seekers can now explore these catacombs for new ways to earn reputation, while dedicating crew to influence the locals. This adds a layer of strategic depth without overhauling the core game.
One trade-off: the expansion increases setup time and complexity. If your group is still learning the base game, consider waiting a few sessions before adding Breakout. It's best for players who want more variety and decision space.
How to Integrate Lockup: Breakout into Your Game Night
- Set Up the Expansion Components: Place the catacombs board next to the main board. Shuffle the new crew cards and deal one to each player. Add the catacombs tokens and seeker miniatures to the supply. Common mistake: forgetting to remove the base game's unused cards. Check the rulebook for which cards to swap out.
- Explain the New Rules to Players: Describe the catacombs exploration action: a seeker can descend to earn reputation by discovering chambers and influencing Kulbak's inhabitants. Clarify that guard suspicion still applies and can be triggered by reckless exploration. Checkpoint: confirm everyone understands that exploring does not replace their regular action but is an additional option during their turn.
- Play the Six Rounds with Breakout Mechanics: Follow the normal round sequence. On your turn, you may send a seeker to the catacombs, craft items, recruit goons, or advance the catacombs track. Keep an eye on the suspicion track—too much attention from guards can cost you reputation. Common mistake: neglecting the catacombs track. Advancing it unlocks better rewards, so don't ignore it even if you focus on crafting or recruiting.
- Score and Review After the Game: Count reputation as usual, including any bonus from catacombs achievements. Discuss which strategies worked and whether the expansion felt balanced for your group. Checkpoint: if the game felt too long, consider using a timer for catacombs actions in future sessions.
Product Details
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Lockup: Breakout (Expansion): Players gain reputation over six rounds by crafting items, recruiting goons, and advancing the catacombs while avoiding guard suspicion. This means the expansion keeps the same round structure but adds new actions and risks, so you need to balance exploration with stealth.
Lockup: Breakout (Expansion)
