Quick Answer
Circle The Wagons is a two-player wallet game where you draft cards around a circle to build a boomtown. Score points by connecting matching territories and claiming bonus cards in the center.
What Makes Circle The Wagons Unique
Circle The Wagons is a small-box wallet game that fits in your pocket, but offers surprising depth. The circular drafting mechanism means you and your opponent pick cards from a shared ring, forcing you to decide between grabbing a card you need or denying one to your rival. The three bonus cards in the center add a layer of long-term planning, as they reward players who build toward specific territory combinations.
Step-by-Step Guide to Playing Circle The Wagons
- Set Up the Circle: Shuffle the 18 territory cards and deal 9 cards face-down in a circle. Place 3 bonus cards face-up in the center of the circle. Each player takes a player board and chooses a color. Common mistake: Placing the bonus cards before the circle is complete can cause confusion. Always lay the circle first.
- Draft Cards Around the Circle: On your turn, pick one card from the circle that is adjacent to a previously taken card (or any card on your first turn). Add it to your town. Then your opponent does the same. Continue until all cards are drafted. Checkpoint: Remember you can only take a card next to an empty space. Plan ahead to block your opponent from connecting territories.
- Place Cards in Your Town: Each card has a territory type (e.g., mountain, plains, forest) and a prosperity value. Place the card in any empty space on your 3x3 player board. Cards cannot be moved once placed. Common mistake: Placing a card without considering future connections. Try to keep matching territories adjacent for bonus scoring.
- Claim Bonus Cards: After all territory cards are drafted, each player may claim up to three bonus cards from the center if their town meets the conditions shown on the bonus cards. Bonus cards are scored immediately. Checkpoint: Read each bonus card carefully. Some require a specific pattern of territories, not just a count. Missing a condition means you don't score that bonus.
- Score Your Town: Score prosperity points for each connected group of matching territories (the larger the group, the more points). Add any bonus card points. The player with the most points wins. Common mistake: Forgetting that isolated territories score only 1 point each. Connecting territories is key to a high score.
Product Facts
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Circle The Wagons: Each player in Circle the Wagons is fixin' to build up their own boomtown, but only one'll build the best in the West! Blaze a trail by draftin' cards 'round the circle and placin' 'em in yer town, tryin' to connect matchin' territories to score prosperity points! The game is all about spatial planning and denying your opponent key cards, making every draft a meaningful choice.
Circle The Wagons
