# 18Mag: Expansion ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2023 - **BGG Rating**: 7.3 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-6 (Best with: 1, 2, 3, 4) - **Duration**: 120-240 min - **Weight**: 2.00 / 5 - **Designers**: Leonhard "Lonny" Orgler - **Artists**: Andreas Timmelmayer - **Publishers**: Lonny Games - **Categories**: Economic, Expansion for Base-game, Trains - **Mechanics**: Network and Route Building, Stock Holding, Tile Placement ## Verdict Essential for those wanting more depth and chaos in 18Mag!New strategic layersHighly modular useIncreases replayabilityFresh market dynamicsRequires base gameIncreases complexityRECOMMENDED ## Description If you're already a railway enthusiast and feel that 18Mag needed an extra kick to ramp up the tension, this expansion is your mandatory next step. The real strength here lies in its modularity: you don't have to use everything at once, allowing you to dose the level of chaos and complexity according to your group's appetite. The kit is divided into four modules that shake up fundamental pillars of the game. First, we have the Supporter Cards, which introduce six new special powers via an initial draft, adding a layer of strategic customization right from the start. Next, the game gains more breathing room with three new minor companies, offering alternative starting points on the map and enabling longer, more challenging sessions for larger groups. If your focus is the capital market, the new major company, CIWL (Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits), will keep you on your toes; it introduces interesting bonuses for specific routes but demands extra attention to share management. Finally, for players who love calculated risks (or just enjoy a bit of chaos), the 'All or Nothing' module changes how major companies pay out. Forget the careful selection of how much to receive; it's now a binary decision that makes stock speculation much more dangerous and exciting. This is a robust package that doesn't just add content, but offers new ways to play the same system, ensuring your 18Mag lifecycle is much longer and more unpredictable. Get your portfolio ready, because the railway market just got a lot more volatile! ## FAQ ### Do I need the base game to use this expansion? Yes, absolutely! It is an expansion and cannot be played standalone. ### Does the expansion increase the player count? Yes, the new minor companies module allows for more players and longer games. ### Is it hard to learn? Since it's an expansion, you need to know 18Mag first. The new modules add complexity but are intuitive. ### Can I use just one module? Definitely! Modularity is the highlight; you choose how much complexity you want to add. ### Does the playtime increase significantly? It depends. If you use the new companies and the 'All or Nothing' rules, expect longer sessions. ### Who is this game for? For fans of heavy strategy, company management, and 18xx series enthusiasts. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 21.35 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=5190345&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/67051/18mag-expansion?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com