# Age of Steam Deluxe Expansion: New England/Pittsburgh & Switzerland Maps ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2019 - **BGG Rating**: 8.3 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 3-6 (Best with: 2, 3) - **Duration**: 120-180 min - **Weight**: 3.50 / 5 - **Designers**: John Bohrer - **Artists**: Ian O'Toole - **Publishers**: Eagle-Gryphon Games, Korea Boardgames, Rawstone - **Categories**: Economic, Expansion for Base-game, Trains, Transportation - **Mechanics**: Auction / Bidding, Catch the Leader, Dice Rolling, Loans, Network and Route Building, Player Elimination, Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game, Selection Order Bid, Tile Placement, Turn Order: Auction, Victory Points as a Resource ## Verdict Essential for those who own the base game and want to vary scenarios with Ian O'Toole's stunning art.Modern and visually stunning artThree maps in a single packVariety of player countsRefreshed geographical challengesRequires the base game to playVery steep learning curveRECOMMENDED ## Description If you've already mastered the art of building railways and managing tight budgets in Age of Steam, this Deluxe expansion is the upgrade your group has been waiting for. We're not talking about just one map, but a triple pack featuring three iconic scenarios, all with refreshed and impeccable artwork by the master Ian O'Toole, giving your table a modern and professional look. The pack offers three distinct experiences. First, there's Switzerland, a robust two-panel map, perfect for 3 players (though it can accommodate 4 if the group is up for it). Then, for those days of strategic duels, we have New England, specifically designed for 2 players. Finally, the Pittsburgh map, ideal for a trio seeking a balanced challenge on a single panel. The heart of the game remains that delicious economic tension: you need to plan your routes, handle risky loans, and fight for turn order via auction, all while trying to avoid being eliminated from the game. It's the kind of 'expert' game where every penny counts and logistical efficiency is the difference between glory and bankruptcy. If you enjoy games where the economy is tight and player interaction is constant and competitive, these maps bring new geographical dynamics that force you to rethink your expansion strategies. Prepare your wallet, plan your tracks, and try to dominate the region before your opponents cut you off! ## How to Play Objective of the Game In Age of Steam, players act as railroad tycoons competing to build an efficient rail network. While the core goal involves transporting Goods to their destinations to earn Victory Points, the specific maps of Switzerland, New England, and Pittsburgh introduce unique environmental constraints and scoring variations that shape your strategy for dominance. Preparation (Setup) The setup varies significantly depending on which map you are playing: Switzerland Place 4 Goods in Zurich, 3 in Basel, and 2 in all other cities. Consult the manual for details about this section. New England Place 3 Goods cubes in every city. Roll the dice to randomly determine the White Player. The White Player is the First Player on turns 1, 3, 6, and 8; the Black Player is the First Player on turns 2, 4, 5, and 7. Pittsburgh Place 3 Goods in all cities. Game Flow The structure of the game depends on the specific map being played: Switzerland Consult the manual for details about this section. Note that the St. Gotthard, Lötschberg, and Raron hexes are special; Tunnels, Tracks, and the Town in these hexes do not exist until Turn 5. At the beginning of Turn 5, they are automatically created and may be used. New England Consult the manual for details about this section. Pittsburgh The Turn Order Action is replaced by the Commonwealth Grant Action. The game ends after Turn 8 is completed. Actions and How to Play Switzerland Place, Replace, or Redirect any Track hex: Costs $4. Place or Upgrade any Town: Costs $4. Issue Shares: Consult the manual for details about this section. Buy Back Shares: In a turn where a player does not Issue Shares, they may buy one Share back for $8. A player may not have less than two Shares issued. Move Goods: Zurich is a Black City and accepts Black Goods. The 3 multicolor City hexes accept every Good, including Black Goods. Goods Growth: Zurich receives one extra Good every turn, in addition to any from the Goods Display. New England Building Track: Only Completed Railway Links may be built; Unfinished Track sections are not allowed. Move Goods: Each player may Move Goods three times. Pittsburgh Commonwealth Grant Action: This action reduces the cost of one $10 Track build to $7. Placing Track: Simple Straight Track: $10. Complex Track (that introduces straight track): $10. Simple Curved Track: $3. Complex Track (that does not introduce straight track): $4. Replacing Track: Simple Straight Track: $10. Complex Track: $10. All other Replacements: $4. Redirecting Track: Simple Straight Track: $10. Complex Track: $10. All other Redirections: $4. Towns: Costs $0. Goods Growth: Cities 1-6 receive Goods from both the light and dark sides of the Goods Display. End of Game and Scoring Switzerland Consult the manual for details about this section. Victory Points: Each Track is worth 2 Victory Points (not 1). New England Consult the manual for details about this section. Victory Points: In addition to the other Victory Points, players receive 1 VP for every $20 at the end of the game. Pittsburgh The game ends after Turn 8 is completed. Consult the manual for details about this section. Tips for Winning Based on the specific map rules, consider these tactical points: In Switzerland: Be aware that the St. Gotthard, Lötschberg, and Raron hexes are impassable for Tracks until Turn 5, when they are automatically created. In New England: Efficiency is key, as you are limited to moving Goods only three times per turn. In Pittsburgh: Use the Commonwealth Grant Action to reduce the cost of a $10 Track build to $7 to optimize your spending. ## FAQ ### Do I need the base game to use these maps? Yes, absolutely! This is an expansion, so you need all the base Age of Steam components to play. ### How many people can play? It depends on the map! New England is for 2, Pittsburgh for 3, and Switzerland is ideal for 3 (but supports 4). ### Is the game very difficult? Yes, it has a weight of 3.5/5. It's for those who enjoy 'expert' games with tight economics and complex rules. ### What changes with Ian O'Toole's art? The visuals are much cleaner and more modern, making the map easier to read without changing the rules. ### How long does a game take? Be prepared for long sessions, usually between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the group's experience. ### Is there a possibility of being eliminated? Yes, player elimination is a core mechanic, so be careful not to go bankrupt! ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 50.48 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6840693&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/36044/age-of-steam-deluxe-expansion-new-englandpittsburgh-switzerland-maps?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com