Pioneers (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Pioneers is a board game released in 2017, designed by Markus Erdt and published by Queen Games. The game is set in the American West and focuses on players building networks, delivering goods, and strategically placing workers to earn points.

Game Components of Pioneers

Game board: Double-sided, one side for 4 players, and one side for 2 or 3 players.

Coaches: 24 regular coaches and 4 starting coaches (longer than the regular ones).

Pioneer tiles: 49 tiles, 7 of each type (Hotel, Banker, Gold digger, Sergeant, Farmer, Merchant).

Covering tiles: 8 tiles.

Gold nuggets: 10 nuggets with varying victory points.

Dollar coins: 45 coins (27 x $1, 18 x $2).

Player boards: 4 boards, one for each player.

Pioneers: 80 pioneers (20 each player).

Roads: 60 roads (15 each player).

Scoring markers: 4 markers.

Shop tiles: 4 tiles.

Stagecoach token: 1 token.

Rules booklet: 1 booklet.

How To Setup Pioneers

To setup the game, each player chooses a player color and takes the corresponding player board, shop tile, scoring marker, pioneers, and roads. Each player receives two dollars from the common supply and places their shop tile on the leftmost space in the purchase section of their player board. Players place one pioneer on the starting space on the game board and one pioneer on each space on their starting coach. The remaining pioneers and roads are kept next to the player boards. Each player places their scoring marker on the “0” space on the scoring track. The starting coaches are randomly distributed, and unused coaches are returned to the game box.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: Players aim to populate cities on the game board with their pioneers using coaches.

Income Phase: Players receive basic income and additional income based on their Banker tiles.

Purchase Phase: Players can construct roads or buy new coaches.

Movement and Colonizing Phase: Players use coaches to transport pioneers and connect cities with roads.

End of Game: The game ends when a player has constructed all their roads or the last coach is added to the display. Final scoring includes points for gold nuggets and the largest road network.

Player Experience

Pioneers offers a dynamic and strategic gameplay experience where players must balance resource management, road construction, and pioneer placement. The game’s western theme and varied professions for pioneers add a layer of depth and variety to each game session. Players need to adjust their tactics as the game progresses, making it engaging and challenging for both beginners and experienced gamers.

Pros

Dynamic Gameplay: The game settings change with each turn, requiring adaptive strategies.

Varied Professions: Different pioneer types offer unique actions and benefits.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of all ages and skill levels.

High Replayability: Multiple paths to victory ensure different experiences each game.

Cons

Complex Rulebook: The rules can be somewhat intricate for new players.

Setup Time: Initial setup can be time-consuming due to the many components.

Luck Element: Drawing coaches and pioneers can introduce an element of luck that some players may find frustrating.

Personal Thoughts on Pioneers

Pioneers is ideal for families and groups who enjoy strategy and resource management games. It is particularly suited for those who like pick-up-and-deliver mechanics and are looking for a game that combines strategic depth with a fun, thematic experience. While it may have a steeper learning curve due to its complex rules, the game offers a rich and engaging experience that rewards careful planning and adaptability.

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