Brass: Lancashire

Brass: Lancashire is an economic strategy game that transports players to the heart of the Industrial Revolution in the Lancashire region of England. In this game, you take on the role of entrepreneurs competing for dominance in the cotton industry by developing and expanding their production and transportation networks. The game is divided into two distinct phases: the canal phase, where you build water routes to move your goods, and the rail phase, which introduces the railroad as a more efficient means of transportation. In each phase, players must optimize their actions to maximize the construction of industries, connect their routes and acquire victory points, which determine the winner at the end of each half.The 2017 edition from Roxley Games brings a revamp to the classic Brass, with new components and improved art, as well as adjustments to the rules. For example, the removal of the virtual link rules between Birkenhead and improvements to the three-player experience, ensuring that game time is similar to four-player. The game has also been adapted for two people, without the need for an alternative board, and has had adjustments made to the scoring of some industries for better balance.Complexity: 3.86 / 5 (BGG 04/05/2023)

Table of Contents
- How to Play
- Tips for playing
- Game mechanics
- Game components
- Additional Information

At the start of the game, choose carefully where to build. Concentrate on strategic locations that connect your industries by canals and rails. Don't neglect the coal and iron industries, as they are essential for feeding other buildings.

Monitor your cards constantly. They decide where you can build and expand. Plan your moves according to the cards you have in hand, anticipating future moves.

In the first few rounds, build ports and cotton mills to generate income. This is crucial to increase your cash flow and allow for larger investments as the game progresses.

Watch out for the balance between spending money and generating income. Don't overspend on loans, as they can become a burden if you can't turn the situation around quickly.

Keep an eye on the other players' boards. Block their routes or capture important resources to limit their growth options.

During the railroad period, prioritize integrating your routes. This maximizes your victory points at the end and improves the efficiency of transporting your products.

Main objective

The main objective of the game "Brass: Lancashire" is to accumulate the most victory points by building an efficient network of industries and canals/railways during the Industrial Revolution in the Lancashire region of England. Players compete to develop industries such as cotton, coal and iron, as well as expand their transportation network, balancing economic interests and taking advantage of historical market opportunities to outwit their opponents in two distinct phases: the Age of Canals and the Age of Railways.

Tips for playing Brass: Lancashire

Here are some tips for doing better in the game Brass: Lancashire:

• Focus on building an efficient network; connecting cities improves your commercial capacity.
• Maximize the use of resources before moving on to the next era; this optimizes your earnings and actions.
• Prioritize the development of coal and iron; scarcity can limit your options.
• Synchronize your cards with strategic planning; wasting cards costs valuable opportunities.
• Consider the foreign market for cotton; it's a great source of extra income.
• Maintain a balance between industrial development and infrastructure expansion; both are crucial to winning.
• Consciously use loans; sometimes debt can accelerate your progress.
• Observe your opponents' strategies; adapting quickly can foil their plans.

Video about the game

Mechanics of Brass: Lancashire

• Building Networks and Routes: Players build networks of canals and railroads to connect cities, industries and markets. The routes allow for the transportation of coal and iron, which are needed for various actions. Strategically connecting locations is crucial to optimizing economic development and earning victory points.
• Hand Management: Players have a set of cards representing locations or industries and must decide which ones to use each turn. The choice of cards determines where it is possible to build and develop, requiring careful planning to follow the best expansion strategy.
• Loans: Loans are available to get money quickly, but they reduce your future income. Choosing when and how much to borrow is critical, as it directly impacts your cash flow and investment capacity in subsequent phases of the game.
• Income: Income is earned through the development of industries and the sale of goods. Players start with a basic income that increases or decreases according to their actions during the game, affecting their ability to invest in new opportunities.
• Market: The market for coal, iron and cotton fluctuates according to supply and demand. Players sell cotton to ports or foreign markets, while coal and iron are used for construction. Understanding and anticipating market movements can provide significant economic advantages.
• Shift order: Based on statistics: The order of the players in each round is determined by the amount of money spent in the previous round. Whoever spends the least goes first in the next round, creating a strategic balance between spending a lot to advance quickly and spending sparingly to gain the turn advantage.
• Trees / Technology Trails: Industries have levels that can be developed. By investing in more advanced technologies, players unlock more efficient and profitable industries, essential for improving performance and gaining competitive advantages in the industrial stages of the game.

Game components Brass: Lancashire

See all the items in the game below Brass: Lancashire:

• 1 Main tray
• 4 Personal trays
• 4 Character Figures
• 12 Elements of the Distant Cotton Market
• 66 Location and Industry Charts
• 4 Victory Point Indicators
• 148 Industries (37 of each color)
• 4 Income Indicators
• 24 charcoal cubes
• 16 Iron Cubes
• 4 Player's Manuals
• 1 Cotton Far Market Indicator
• 77 Money Markers
• 1 Playing Card
• 56 Connection Pieces (14 for each color)
• 1 Rulebook

Additional Information

• Ludopedia link: https://ludopedia.com.br/jogo/brass-lancashire
• Link Tabletopia:
• Amazon Brazil link: Comprar Brass: Lancashire
• Amazon USA link: Comprar Brass: Lancashire