# 18DO: Dortmund

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2020
- **BGG Rating**: 7.3
- **BGG Rank**: #9049
- **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 3, 4, 5)
- **Duration**: 180-360 min
- **Weight**: 4.00 / 5
- **Designers**: Michael Scharf, Wolfram Janich
- **Artists**: Martin Málek
- **Publishers**: Fox in the Box, Marflow Games
- **Categories**: Economic, Trains
- **Mechanics**: Auction / Bidding, Commodity Speculation, Stock Holding, Tile Placement

## Verdict
For those who love the complex and strategic vibe of 18XX games, 18DO: Dortmund offers a railway and brewery theme that will keep you hooked for hours! Get ready for a shower of cash and tracks.Sharp financial managementEpic route buildingRich industrial themeVaried game modesSteep learning curveLong playtimeRequires dedicated groupFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
Get ready, folks! 18DO: Dortmund throws you into the industrial heart of 19th-century Germany, where you'll invest heavily in breweries and railways. Each player starts with a private brewery, but the game is all about expanding your horizons, perhaps by founding your own railway company.

While coal mines and steel mills play a more passive role, providing background flavor, it's the railways that connect everything. You'll lay tracks, build routes to these industries, and run your trains, earning money for each hex they traverse. This railway expansion boosts beer demand, as more workers need refreshment, right? That's where the breweries come in: they'll need to upgrade their equipment to meet the demand and, later on, will use the railways to ship their production far and wide, towards off-board destinations.

The game features classic 18XX mechanics, with action and operating rounds where you buy shares, found companies, and manage everything. There are even shorter, simplified game modes for those new to this complex world, or more hardcore options for veterans seeking the full experience with a beer market and all the trimmings. Ultimately, the player who accumulates the most money through their shares and possessions wins the fame and the cold beer!

## FAQ
### What is the average playtime for 18DO: Dortmund?
The playtime can vary significantly depending on the chosen game mode. For beginners, it can be 60-90 minutes. The main mode ranges from 120-180 minutes, and the full 'Heat, Sweat & Beer' mode can take 240-300 minutes.

### How many players can participate?
The game is designed for 2 to 5 players.

### Is it a very complicated game for someone who has never played an 18XX?
It has a considered high weight (4/5 on BGG), but the game offers introductory modes that simplify the rules for those new to the 18XX universe. Still, expect a learning curve.

### What are the main components of the game?
Expect a game board, track pieces, stock cards, company tokens, money, and other markers for managing the economy and operations.

### What type of player is 18DO: Dortmund recommended for?
It is highly recommended for fans of the 18XX series and players who enjoy complex economic games with deep strategy and long-term planning. Beginners can try the simplified modes.

### Is there direct player interaction?
Yes, interaction is mainly indirect, through competition for stocks, railway routes, and market influence, typical of 18XX games.

## Price Comparison
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