BoardGamesBot

A Kayenta Games publication
by Dan Hallagan
Key Playtesting Group
Tim Hallagan
Mariya Meshcheryakova
Maricel Edwards
Laura Frankos
Frank Calcagno
John Weber
Bill Buchanan
Stephen Robert Clark
Chris Dorrell
What’s New?
The Upstairs, Downstairs expansion (and all
other components in this box) require the
Obsession base game and feature the
following:
y Page 2: Three rule changes to the base
game
y Pages 3-7: Rules for the Upstairs,
Downstairs expansion, including four
new servants—the Cook, Hall Boy, Head
Housemaid, and Useful Man—along with
an explanation of the servant draft and
expansion passing rules
y Page 8: Rules and additional components
for 5- and 6-player games
y Page 9: Rules for Competitive Team Play
y Pages 10-11: Rules for Solo Estate
Challenge
y Page 11: Rules for Tableau Obsession
y Page 12: Four new improvement tiles,
modified Obsession components, and
rules for new Milestone public
objectives
What’s in the Box?
pstairs
U
ownstairsD
An Obsession Expansion
Howard Family
Player Board (1)
Improvement and Monument
Tiles (32)
Organiser (1)
Reputation
Marker (2)
Basic Servants (14)
New Servants (20)
Gentry
Cards
(37)
Milestone
Cards
(10)
Player
Aids
(10)
Objective
Cards
(33)
Large Size
Theme
Cards
(10)
VP
Cards
(30)
Reputation
Chits (14)
Promotional
Cards
(16)
Scorepad
for 6P (1)
Tableau Round Track (1)
Two-Sided
Supply Board
Extension (1)
Small
Linen
Bag (1)
Milestone/Solo
Estate Challenge
Counters (14)
6-8
£500

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Rule Changes to Obsession Base Game
1st Player Marker
New Rule Summary: The 1st player pawn rotates counterclockwise.
Previous Rule: The 1st player pawn rotates clockwise.
Reason for Change: Eliminates downtime (as much as 8 turns in a 5-player
game) and better compensates the last player in Season 1 (that player goes 1st
in Season 2 and has consecutive turns, a tactical advantage).
Rule Detail (a doffing of the top hat to Mariya Meshcheryakova)
y Setup: Randomly assign the 1st player pawn.
y Setup: Starting with the person to the left of the 1st player and going clock-
wise, players choose a family board (i.e., 1st player gets last choice).
y Note (not a rule change): For any given round, the turn order remains
clockwise, beginning with the 1st player.
y During the Game: At the end of each season (courtship), the 1st player pawn
is passed counterclockwise (to the player’s right—see graphic).
Objective Cards
New Rule Summary: Players evaluate Objective Cards during the game.
Previous Rule: Players choose their objectives before the start of play.
Reason for Change: Objective Card (OC) requirements are variable, some
easily granting victory points, others requiring difficult tile groups. The previous
rule is that players are dealt five OC at setup, keeping two. However, evaluating
these objectives before the game begins involves guesswork and, for many tile
objectives, a significant amount of luck in the marketplace.
Rule Detail (a doffing of the top hat to Martin Butcher)
y Setup: For a standard game, players are dealt five OC, keeping them all. For
an extended game, players are dealt four OC, keeping them all.
y During the Game: At the end of each courtship, players discard one OC.
y Round Track: During rounds featuring an OC draw, players draw two OC,
keeping both.
In standard play, players acquire a total of seven OC, discarding four, scoring
three. In extended play, players acquire eight OC, discarding four, scoring four.
Servants’ Hall
New Rule Summary: A player must expend a servant to ‘steal’ reputation.
Previous Rule: Players automatically ‘steal’ one reputation each turn.
Reason for Change: The Servants’ Hall was overpowered.
Rule Detail
y Setup: Replace the Servants’ Hall (SH) tiles in 1st printing copies of the
base game with the two provided in the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion.
Second printing copies of Obsession do not need this upgrade.
y During the Game: At the beginning of a turn (see right), the SH player may
place any available servant—the source of rumours about an opponent—onto
his SH tile. The targeted player reduces her reputation by one, while the SH
player increases his reputation by one. During cleanup, the gossiping
servant is placed into Expended Service and rotated normally.
4
4-1
=3
4-1
=35-1=4
5-1=4
3
+2=5
3+2=5
An extended play example. At setup, players get
four Objective Cards (OC). During the game,
players discard one after each courtship.
Players get two OC on round 7.
They get two more on round 18. Players finish
with and score four OC.
The purple player is 1st. In a five-player game,
the large number series near each player
represents their turn position for each of the four
seasons, and the number series in parentheses
represents their position under the old rule.
Notes:
y $ Q \ V H U Y D Q W F D Q E H X V H G L Q F O X G L Q J W K H E X W O H U
housekeeper, and underbutler.
y 3 K \ V L F D O O \ S O D F H D V H U Y D Q W R Q W R W K H W L O H
y 7 K H 6 H U Y D Q W V ¶ + D O O 0 8 6 7 E H X V H G D W W K H
beginning of the turn after the player rotates
service. Once Step 3 (Host Activity) begins,
the player cannot use the Hall.
y 7 K H 6 H U Y D Q W ¶ V + D O O L V Q R W X V H G R Q D F R X U W V K L S
round.
1, 2, 3, 4
(1, 5, 4, 3)
5, 1, 2, 3
(5, 4, 3, 2)
4, 5, 1, 2
(4, 3, 2, 1)
3, 4, 5, 1
(3, 2, 1, 5)
2, 3, 4, 5
(2, 1, 5 ,4)
New
Counterclockwise
Rule
2
After Season 1,
the marker
is passed

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Upstairs, Downstairs Expansion (new service mechanic)
New Service Concept: Supplemental Service
NOTE: This section explains a new game mechanic, which is critical to understanding the new servants. Rules follow this page.
Before beginning play with the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion, it will be
useful to review new concepts created by the addition of the Cook, Hall Boy,
Head Housemaid, and Useful Man. In the base game of Obsession, all servant
placement is mandatory and prompted by an icon on an improvement tile or
gentry card. The Upstairs, Downstairs expansion introduces an optional
use of servants that does not require a servant icon. The addition of one or
more of the four new servants to a tile or card is always optional (called
supplemental service) and done for the purpose of enhancing a favour or
changing a mechanic. A supplemental servant is physically placed onto a tile
or card to activate its abilities—along with any required traditional servants.
Consider the example in the upper right showing a typical activity during an Obsession
turn. Each servant used is mandatory and prompted by an icon. The family Howard
receives visitors, which generates £200, four reputation, one ‘See 2, Take 1’ casual guest
invite, and one blind draw invite from the prestige deck. An excellent turn!
Now let’s add the new servants. With the same hand of cards (featuring some guests our player was unable to invite) and the same
tiles in the organiser (featuring some activities that she could not yet use), our player could now host the activity shown below.
This new activity nets our player £700, 8 reputation, and two ‘See 2, Take 1’
invites, one casual and one prestige! How so?
The cook (orange, on the Music Room tile) enables the player to invite guests
1 or 2 levels above her reputation. Normally, our player (reputation level 3)
would be unable to invite
the Marquess of Tetbury
(prestige rating 5);
however, her extraordinary
cook breaks down the social restraint of
the marquess, who cannot resist Mrs.
Puggins’ larded oysters.
The hall boy (sky blue, on the
marquess’s card) is tasked by the butler
to attend to our esteemed guest’s every need, and the young footman-in-training
spends the entire week running messages to post for the busy marquess. The
result is that the £500 monetary favour increases to £600.
The head housemaid (pink, on Lady Marianne Turner’s card) is the most
well-connected domestic in the area, and she provides exquisite information to
the lady of the house, giving her an informed choice of prestige acquaintances
mentioned by Lady Marianne (our player draws 2 prestige guests, keeping one).
Finally, the useful man (brown, on the Music Room tile by the prestige rating) is
tasked by the butler to help finish the renovation of the new Music Room so that
it is ready for the marquess’s visit. The useful man’s ability (one of five abilities)
temporarily lowers the prestige rating of the Music Room by one so that the new
room is ready for the marquess (normally, a Music Room, with prestige rating 4,
could not be used by our player because of her reputation of 3).
On the next two pages, let’s learn about the new servant abilities in detail.
3
Supplemental Service
in Brief
MANDATORY SERVICE
Introduced in the base game, it is service
prompted by these recognisable icons:
This service is always mandatory!
Without the designated servant, the card
or tile cannot be used.
SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICE
Introduced in Upstairs, Downstairs, this
service is NOT prompted by an icon.
Placement follows a
ruleset. Grab the player
aid and keep it close.
This service is always
optional! Plan for
certain guests and
activities. Use these
servants tactically.

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Cook
Description: The Cook is represented by a short, orange
meeple and is used to attract elite guests and enhance the
family’s reputation.
Thematic Material: Like so many Victorian pursuits, dining in society was a
showcase event. The elegant setting, the training of the domestic staff, the fine
china and exquisite silver would all be for naught without an accomplished
cook to impress guests and make dining at the family’s estate an anticipated
event. The aristocracy delighted in extravagant meals; twelve-course dinners
were not uncommon, featuring dishes such as:
P
igeons Comport Lambs Ears Forc’d Mock Turtle
Sheep’s Rump & Kidneys in Rice Larded Oysters
Ox Pallets Pork Griskens Bottl’d Peas French Pye
(Mrs. Isabella Beeton, The Book of Household Management, Volume 1, 1861).
While the lady of the house typically planned these elaborate meals, the cook
did the lion’s share of the work. An aristocratic family treasured an accom-
plished cook, who possessed the skill to bring off the most intricate meals.
Thematic Note: The cook’s prowess is on display for all meals prepared during
guest visits to the estate, not just for the activity on which she is deployed.
Gameplay Detail: Placing the cook onto the current activity tile has two effects:
y $ O Z D \ V L Q F U H D V H V W K H I D P L O \ ¶ V U H S X W D W L R Q E \ R Q H H Y H Q Z K H Q W K H F R R N L V
used as the mandatory servant in the Renovated Kitchen)
y 2 S W L R Q D O O \ S H U P L W V J X H V W V Z L W K S U H V W L J H U D W L Q J V R U O H Y H O V D E R Y H W K H
I D P L O \ ¶ V U H S X W D W L R Q W R D W W H Q G W K D W D F W L Y L W \
Hall Boy
Description: The Hall Boy is represented by a short, light blue meeple and
is used to enhance a monetary favour. Alternatively, the Hall Boy
may accompany a carriage or attend to elite guests.
Thematic Material: The Hall Boy is typically an older child or
younger teenage male domestic worker in a superior house; he is
responsible for menial tasks such as carrying coal, attending to the
front door, cleaning up, and running messages. He is often an apprentice
footman and expected to work in excess of twelve hours a day. The employment
of a hall boy demonstrates a family’s investment in a robust domestic staff.
* D P H S O D \ ' H W D L O 7 K H + D O O % R \ F D Q E H X V H G L Q W K U H H Z D \ V
y 3 O D F H W K H + D O O % R \ R Q W R D J H Q W U \ F D U G V K R Z L Q J D S R X Q G V … I D Y R X U W R
L Q F U H D V H W K H I D Y R X U E \ …
y 7 K H + D O O % R \ P D \ V W D Q G L Q Z K H Q W K H E X W O H U L V W K H P D Q G D W R U \ V H U Y D Q W R Q
D J H Q W U \ F D U G U H J D U G O H V V R I Z K H W K H U W K H E X W O H U L V D Y D L O D E O H 3 O D F H W K H
+ D O O % R \ R Q W R W K H F D U G ¶ V E X W O H U L F R Q X V H G L Q W K L V Z D \ W K H + D O O % R \
G R H V Q R W L Q F U H D V H D Q \ … I D Y R X U V
y 7 K H + D O O % R \ P D \ V W D Q G L Q I R U D I R R W P D Q R Q W K H & D U U L D J H + R X V H V H U Y L F H
W L O H U H J D U G O H V V R I Z K H W K H U W K H I R R W P D Q L V D Y D L O D E O H 3 O D F H W K H + D O O % R \
R Q W R W K H & D U U L D J H + R X V H W L O H L Q W K H S O D \ H U ¶ V R U J D Q L V H U
4
The multiple uses of a Hall Boy:
7 R W K H U L J K W W K H D W W H Q W L Y H + D O O
Boy runs messages for the
0 D U T X H V V R I 7 H W E X U \ 7 K H S O D \ H U
U H F H L Y H V … G X U L Q J W K H ( Q M R \
) D Y R X U V S K D V H L Q V W H D G R I …
2 Q W K H O H I W V H H
the service
U H T X L U H P H Q W V 2 Q
W K H U L J K W W K H
Hall Boy may
stand in for the
E X W O H U H Y H Q L I W K H
E X W O H U L V
D Y D L O D E O H Note:
When used in place of a butler, the Hall Boy does
not increase any monetary favours.
The Hall Boy may stand in for
the footman on the Carriage
+ R X V H W L O H O R F D W H G L Q W K H
S O D \ H U ¶ V R U J D Q L V H U H Y H Q L I D
I R R W P D Q L V D Y D L O D E O H
The cook is placed
R Q W R W K H 3 D U O R X U W L O H
which allows the
player to invite the
J X H V W R Q W K H I D U U L J K W
who has a prestige
U D W L Q J 3 5 R I
F L U F O H G L Q U H G 1 R U P D O O \ D S O D \ H U F D Q Q R W L Q Y L W H
D J X H V W Z L W K D K L J K H U 3 5 W K D Q K H U R Z Q U H S X W D W L R Q
The cook also
generates one
U H S X W D W L R Q Z K L F K L V
taken during the
( Q M R \ ) D Y R X U V
S K D V H R I W K H S O D \ H U ¶ V
W X U Q
Reputation
+1 Reputation
Upstairs, Downstairs Expansion (the new servants)

D S O D H U F D Q Q R W L Q Y L W H D J X H V W Z L W K D K L J K H U 3 5 W K D Q K H U R Z Q U H S X W D W L R Q The cook also generates one U H S X W D W L R Q Z K L F K L V taken during the Q M R D Y R X U V S K D V H R I W K H S O D H U V W X U Q Reputation 1 Reputation Upstairs Downstairs Expansion the new servants

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Head Housemaid
Description: The Head Housemaid is represented by a short, pink
meeple and is used to screen invitation favours. Alternatively, the
Head Housemaid may also attend to elite guests.
Thematic Material: In a word, the housemaid was responsible for
cleanliness: changing bed linen, emptying chamber pots, cleaning
upstairs fireplaces, and much more. In a superior house, the head
housemaid kept watch over the lower housemaids and took on less arduous
bedroom duties (in the absence of a chambermaid), such as changing and
repairing linen, dusting, and tending to flower arrangements.
Gameplay Detail: The Head Housemaid (HH) can perform two actions:
y 3 O D F H W K H + + R Q W R D J H Q W U \ F D U G R U F X U U H Q W D F W L Y L W \ W L O H Z L W K D Q L Q Y L W H
I D Y R X U W R D O O R Z D S O D \ H U W R V F U H H Q J X H V W V O R R N D W D Q H [ W U D J X H V W F D U G
Z K H Q L Q Y L W L Q J D J X H V W
y 7 K H + + P D \ V W D Q G L Q Z K H Q W K H K R X V H N H H S H U L V W K H P D Q G D W R U \ V H U Y D Q W
R Q D J H Q W U \ F D U G U H J D U G O H V V R I Z K H W K H U W K H K R X V H N H H S H U L V D Y D L O D E O H
3 O D F H W K H + + R Q W R W K H F D U G ¶ V K R X V H N H H S H U L F R Q X V H G L Q W K L V Z D \ W K H
+ + G R H V Q R W V F U H H Q J X H V W V Note , I W K H S O D \ H U K D V W K H + R X V H N H H S H U ¶ V
5 R R P V H U Y L F H W L O H ² Z K L F K S H U P L W V W K H + + W R D G G L W L R Q D O O \ V W D Q G L Q I R U
W K H K R X V H N H H S H U on tiles D Q G I R U W K H O D G \ ¶ V P D L G L Q D Q \ U R O H ² W K H + +
G R H V Q R W V F U H H Q J X H V W V
Useful Man
Description: The Useful Man is represented by a short, brown meeple
and is used to help with setup and break down of the local village
fair and to assist with renovation projects.
Thematic Material: The Useful Man or handyman was a
jack-of-all-trades domestic worker who performed whatever
menial tasks needed doing in a great Victorian house. He rose well
before the family, and his duties were varied and often backbreaking.
* D P H S O D \ ' H W D L O 7 K H 8 V H I X O 0 D Q 8 0 K D V I L Y H D E L O L W L H V
y 3 O D F H W K H 8 0 R Q W R W K H 3 U L Y D W H 6 W X G \ W L O H G X U L Q J D 9 L O O D J H ) D L U U R X Q G
W K H U H E \ L Q F U H D V L Q J W K H U H Y H Q X H I U R P W K D W 9 L O O D J H ) D L U E \ … H L W K H U
I U R P … W R … L I W K H 6 W X G \ 7 L O H K D V Q R W E H H Q I O L S S H G R U I U R P … W R
… L I W K H 6 W X G \ 7 L O H K D V E H H Q I O L S S H G
y 3 O D F H W K H 8 0 R Q W R D Q \ W L O H L Q W K H E X L O G H U V ¶ P D U N H W Z K H Q P D N L Q J D
S X U F K D V H W K H U H E \ G H F U H D V L Q J W K H F R V W R I W K H W L O H E \ …
y 3 O D F H W K H 8 0 R Q W R D Q \ L P S U R Y H P H Q W W L O H O R F D W H G L Q W K H S O D \ H U ¶ V
R U J D Q L V H U Z L W K D S U H V W L J H U D W L Q J Y L V L E O H S O D \ D E O H W L O H V W K H U H E \
W H P S R U D U L O \ G H F U H D V L Q J W K D W S U H V W L J H U D W L Q J E \ R Q H
y One Time Use (at any time during a player’s turn) 5 H P R Y H W K H
8 0 I U R P W K H J D P H W R U H I U H V K W K H E X L O G H U V ¶ P D U N H W
y One Time Use (at any time during a player’s turn) 5 H P R Y H W K H
8 0 I U R P W K H J D P H W R D O O R Z W K H S O D \ H U W R V H D U F K W K H W L O H E D J I R U D
specific tile (monuments excluded D Q G S O D F H L W L Q W K H … V S D F H R I
W K H E X L O G H U V ¶ P D U N H W W K H W L O H L Q W K H … V S D F H L V U H W X U Q H G W R W K H E D J
W K H U H P D L Q L Q J I L Y H W L O H V V O L G H W R W K H O H I W D Q G W K H Q H Z W L O H L V S O D F H G L Q
W K H … V S D F H Z K H U H L W F D Q W K H Q E H S X U F K D V H G Q R U P D O O \
5
3 O D F H W K H 8 V H I X O 0 D Q 8 0 R Q W R
W K H 6 W X G \ 7 L O H D W W K H E H J L Q Q L Q J
R I D 9 L O O D J H ) D L U W X U Q W R L Q F U H D V H
W K H P R Q H \ I D Y R X U E \ …
Thematic Note: The family sends
the UM to the village to help get
ready for the fair, perhaps as an alternative to
actively engaging their role as patron. This aid
results in a slightly better fair, yielding some
income. If the family embraces the role of patron,
the fair will be a smashing success.
Note 7 K H 8 0 L V S O D F H G R Q W K H 3 U L Y D W H 6 W X G \ L Q
W K H F R X Q W U \ H V W D W H R U J D Q L V H U G X U L Q J 6 W H S R I W K H
2 U G H U R I 3 O D \ R Q W K H S O D \ H U E R D U G
Rule Clarifications
y Timing of Supplemental Service. The Order
R I 3 O D \ G L U H F W V W K D W V H U Y L F H E H S U R Y L G H G L Q V W H S
7 K L V U H I H U V W R P D Q G D W R U \ V H U Y L F H U H Y L H Z H G
R Q S D J H Supplemental service ² W K H V H U Y L F H
P H F K D Q L F J R Y H U Q L Q J W K H Upstairs, Downstairs
V H U Y D Q W V ² P D \ R F F X U D W Y D U L R X V W L P H V
W K U R X J K R X W W K H 2 U G H U R I 3 O D \ 7 K H 8 V H I X O 0 D Q
L V X V H G S U L P D U L O \ L Q V W H S V D Q G
y 6 S H F L D O $ F W L R Q V D Q G W K H 9 L O O D J H ) D L U " A
player may use a special action to refresh the
8 V H I X O 0 D Q W R P D N H K L P D Y D L O D E O H I R U D
Y L O O D J H I D L U V S H F L D O D F W L R Q V P D \ E H W D N H Q D Q \
W L P H G X U L Q J D S O D \ H U ¶ V W X U Q
y 7 R X F K 0 R Y H 5 X O H " If the Useful Man is
S O D F H G R Q W R D W L O H L Q W K H P D U N H W I R U D G L V F R X Q W
R U D W L O H L Q W K H R U J D Q L V H U W R O R Z H U W K H S U H V W L J H
U D W L Q J W K H S O D \ H U L V Q R W O R F N H G L Q W R W K D W
G H F L V L R Q , I D I W H U U H Y L H Z W K H S O D \ H U F D Q Q R W R U
G R H V Q R W Z D Q W W R P D N H W K H S X U F K D V H R U X V H W K H
W L O H L Q W K H R U J D Q L V H U W K H 8 V H I X O 0 D Q L V
U H W X U Q H G W R $ Y D L O D E O H 6 H U Y L F H
/ D G \ 7 X U Q H U ¶ V I D Y R X U L V W R G U D Z D
V L Q J O H F D U G E O L Q G O \ I U R P W K H W R S
R I W K H S U H V W L J H J X H V W G H F N : L W K
the addition of the Head
+ R X V H P D L G W R W K H F D U G W K H S O D \ H U
H [ D P L Q H V W K H W R S W Z R F D U G V
N H H S L Q J R Q H
7 K H + H D G + R X V H P D L G F D Q D O V R E H
X V H G R Q D W L O H Z K L F K F R Q Y H U W V D V L Q J O H G U D Z W R D
µ 6 H H 7 D N H ¶ , I D W L O H R U F D U G D O U H D G \ K D V D
V F U H H Q L Q J D E L O L W \ W K H + H D G
Housemaid increases the cards
G U D Z Q Z L W K W K H S O D \ H U N H H S L Q J
W K H V D P H Q X P E H U D W O H I W W K H X V H
R I W K H + H D G + R X V H P D L G F K D Q J H V
W K L V L Q Y L W H W R µ 6 H H 7 D N H ¶
The Head Housemaid may also
V W D Q G L Q I R U W K H K R X V H N H H S H U H Y H Q
L I W K H K R X V H N H H S H U L V D Y D L O D E O H
Note: When standing in for the
housekeeper, the Head
Housemaid does not screen
guests.
Upstairs, Downstairs Expansion (the new servants)

K H H D G R X V H P D L G F K D Q J H V W K L V L Q Y L W H W R µ 6 H H 7 D N H The Head Housemaid may also V W D Q G L Q I R U W K H K R X V H N H H S H U H Y H Q L I W K H K R X V H N H H S H U L V D Y D L O D E O H Note When standing in for the housekeeper the Head Housemaid does not screen guests Upstairs Downstairs Expansion the new servants

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Note: This hiring/passing rule is required when the Upstairs, Downstairs
expansion is used. It is optional for any game of Obsession that does not use the
Upstairs, Downstairs expansion.
Hiring Servants on a Pass Turn
New Rule Summary: Players are able to hire servants when passing.
Current Base Game Rule: The hiring action occurs on a standard turn and
is the sole activity. Passing takes place on a separate turn.
Reason for Change: The introduction of four new
servants does not make additional valets, lady’s
maids, and footmen any less critical to a successful
strategy. Given the limited actions in a game,
servants would be underutilized without mechanisms
to increase access, which are this rule and the
servant draft (see page 7).
Rule Detail
y Reclaiming Deck and Refreshing Service: As in
the original rule, the player reclaims his discard
pile (step 1) and refreshes all service (step 2).
y New Hiring Option: In the original rule, step 3
offered the player two options: a choice between
£200 and refreshing the builders’ market. The new rule adds a third option:
hiring servants (see player aid flowchart above).
y Hiring Action Explained: The hiring action, if chosen, functions exactly
like the hiring action described in the Obsession
rulebook: the Butler’s Room start tile is placed onto
the player board with the butler (or underbutler) as
the mandatory servant. Two servants are chosen from
the servants for hire area on the supply board and
placed with the butler into Expended Service (the
underbutler cannot be hired in this fashion and is only
acquired with the purchase of the Butler’s Pantry
service tile from the market).
y Critical Rule—Servant Limitations: Players may hire multiple valets,
lady’s maids, and footmen, but may only possess one each of the cook, hall
boy, head housemaid, and useful man; if the useful man was used to refresh
the market or locate a tile (see Useful Man, page
5), a player cannot hire another to replace this lost
servant.
y Recruiting (Stealing) Servants: If using the hiring
action for the second time (see modified action
highlighted by the yellow box, right), players may
only recruit valets, lady’s maids, and footmen from
another player. Players cannot recruit any of the
new Upstairs, Downstairs servants (cook, hall boy,
head housemaid, or useful man). Note: The original rule prohibiting recruit-
ment of the butler, housekeeper, and underbutler also remains in effect.
y Butler Availability: When hiring servants during a pass, note that on the
player aid above
REFRESH SERVICE is before HIRE SERVANTS; this means the
butler will always be available for the hire. After hiring, the butler and new
servants go into the Expended Service on the player board.
6
Hiring without Passing?
The original hiring rule required that the
Butler’s Room tile be used on a standard
turn as the sole activity. Can a player still
use this original rule? Not really.
With this new rule, hiring during a standard
turn without passing is possible, but it
makes no sense. Even if a player chose to
hire servants using the previous rule, what
would be the reason to refuse the free option
of refreshing her servants and claiming her
deck, two hugely valuable actions?
If a player wanted to hire servants on
consecutive turns (exceedingly rare), they
would still take advantage of refreshing the
first group of servants hired.
This creates a strategic
challenge for those
players who prefer to hire
in the 1st season to
expand hosting options
early in the game. Now
hiring in Season 1 comes
along with inefficient
reclaim and refresh
actions (which could lead
to an additional pass later
in the game).
Yet, there are compelling new reasons to
hire the powerful Upstairs, Downstairs
servants early to maximize their special
abilities. Decisions, decisions!
Passing without Hiring?
Every hiring turn will include a pass, but not
every pass turn will include a hiring action.
Players not infrequently value £200 or a
market refresh over hiring more servants.
Using the New Rule without
Upstairs, Downstairs Servants?
Feel free to adopt the new rule even if
playing Obsession without any Upstairs,
Downstairs components. Note: It will lead
to moderately elevated scores, but the new
rule expands the role of servants and makes
the pass turn vastly more interesting.
Upstairs, Downstairs
Hiring Rule & Servant Limitations
Season 1 Hire?

---

Player Area Setup with Draft
To enable the new servant draft and the rest of Player Area Setup using the
Upstairs, Downstairs servants, it is necessary to go briefly out of sequence and
complete only the first step of the Central Play Area Setup on page 4 of the
Obsession rulebook (which is normally done after Player Area Setup on page 3).
Begin setting up a game by placing the supply board in the centre of the table.
Then populate the Servants for Hire area as follows:
y 2 Players: 2 U, 4 F, 2 V, 2 LM, 2 C, 2 HB, 2 HH, 2 UM
y 3 Players: 2 U, 6 F, 3 V, 3 LM, 3 C, 3 HB, 3 HH, 3 UM
y 4 Players: 2 U, 8 F, 4 V, 4 LM, 4 C, 4 HB, 4 HH, 4 UM
y 5 & 6 Players: 2 U, 10 F, 5 V, 5 LM, 5 C, 5 HB, 5 HH, 5 UM
(Key: Underbutler–U, Footman–F, Valet–V, Lady’s Maid–LM, Cook–C,
Hall Boy–HB, Head Housemaid–HH, Useful Man–UM)
Player Area Setup now begins as detailed on page 3 of the Obsession rulebook,
with the following modifications:
y Preparation for the Draft: Take one of each of the ‘short’ servants (cook,
hall boy, head housemaid, useful man, valet, lady’s maid, and footman) from
the Servants for Hire and display them in the centre of the table for the draft.
y Step 1: Assign a 1st player.
y Step 2: Starting with the player to the left of the 1st player and going
clockwise, each player chooses a family board and drafts one servant from the
display. Note the following:
: If a player chooses the Howard family board with a starting bonus of a
cook, that player cannot draft a second cook; he must choose from the
remaining servants on display (see the Visual Look to the right). All
other players, of course, are eligible to draft the single cook on display.
: $ O O G U D I W H G V H U Y D Q W V D U H S O D F H G L Q $ Y D L O D E O H 6 H U Y L F H R Q W K H S O D \ H U E R D U G
: The display is not restocked; once a servant is drafted, the next player
chooses from the remaining servants.
: The York family, with their family bonus of an extra footman, may draft
another (there are no limits on the number of footmen that can be hired).
:
After the draft, return undrafted servants to the Servants for Hire area
on the player board. The Servants for Hire setup step is now complete.

G V H U Y D Q W V D U H S O D F H G L Q Y D L O D E O H 6 H U Y L F H R Q W K H S O D H U E R D U G The display is not restocked once a servant is drafted the next player chooses from the remaining servants The York family with their family bonus of an extra footman may draft another there are no limits on the number of footmen that can be hired After the draft return undrafted servants to the Servants for Hire area on the player board The Servants for Hire setup step is now complete

y ) L Q L V K V H W W L Q J X S W K H S O D \ H U D U H D V D V G H W D L O H G R Q 3 D J H R I W K H Obsession
rulebook, starting with step 3. In step 10, ensure the Objective Cards from
the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion are used.
y 3 O D \ H U D L G V V X P P D U L V L Q J W K H D E L O L W L H V R I W K H Q H Z V H U Y D Q W V D U H U H F R P P H Q G H G
Central Play Area Setup
Set up the Central Play Area as described on Pages 4 and 5 of the Obsession
rulebook, with the following modifications:
y Step 1: This step was completed above when the remaining servants were
returned to the supply after the draft.
y Steps 2–5: Follow the Obsession rulebook.
y 6 W H S 1 R W H W K D W P R Q X P H Q W V H O H F W L R Q I R U D Q G S O D \ H U V L V L G H Q W L F D O W R W K H
4-player setup.
y 6 W H S V ± ) R O O R Z W K H Obsession rulebook.
This completes the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion setup rules.
A Visual Look at the
Servant Draft
Display the ‘short’ servants, one of each:
Ted is the first player and gets the purple pawn.
The draft starts with Ann, the yellow player to the
LEFT of Ted:
Ann chooses a family board (Cavendish) and
takes the family advantage. Now she must draft
one of the short servants on display and put it into
Available Service with the rest of her starting
servants. Ann drafts the Head Housemaid:
No other player can now draft a Head
Housemaid. The player to the left of the yellow
player, Ulrich, has a choice from the six remain-
ing servants. He chose the family Howard, which
makes the Cook unavailable to him (players can
only have one each of the Upstairs, Downstairs
servants on their staff):
Ulrich takes a valet.
Maricel, the player to Ulrich’s left, takes the York
family (who starts with a bonus footman). She
could draft another footman (there is no limitation
on footmen, valets, and lady’s maids), but instead
chooses the Useful Man:
The next player, Marcos, drafts the Cook and Ted
(the 1st player) drafts a footman, leaving:
The hall boy and lady’s maid left over after the
draft are returned to the Servants for Hire section
of the supply board.
REMINDER: Players may only ever possess
one each of the Cook, Hall Boy, Head House-
maid, and Useful Man; if the Useful Man is used
to refresh the market or locate a tile, a player
cannot hire another to replace this lost servant.
7
Upstairs, Downstairs
Expansion (setup with draft detail)
Ted: 1st Player
Marcos
Maricel
Ulrich
Ann: Player
who chooses a
family 1st and
drafts 1st

---

Player Boards and Organisers
There are a total of six player boards available:
y Obsession (4): Asquith, Cavendish,
Ponsonby, York (+ 4 separate organisers)
y Wessex (1): Wessex (no separate organiser)
y Upstairs Downstairs (1): Howard (+ 1 separate organiser)
Either the Howard board in this expansion or the Wessex board in the Wessex
expansion can be added to the Obsession base game so that there are five
families. Both the Howard and Wessex player boards are required for six
players. Note: the Howard board and all 2nd printing player boards have one
side with an integrated country estate organiser (the five START tiles can be
lined up under the player board—see example, top right); since there are only
five separate country estate organisers available, one of the players in a
6-player game must use the integrated organiser side as shown to the right.
Guests, Servants, and Other Components
y * X H V W V: The 33 Upstairs, Downstairs guest gentry cards are added to ensure
sufficient guests for 5- and 6-player games. Critical Rule: Always place
screened or dismissed guests at the bottom of the appropriate deck. If guests
run out, no further invites are possible.
y 6 H U Y D Q W V: Additional starting servants for 5 and 6 players are contained in
this expansion along with a modified quantity of the servants for hire.
y 2 E M H F W L Y H & D U G V: Objective Cards (OC) discarded at the end of each season
should be shuffled and then placed at the bottom of the OC supply deck.
This will ensure sufficient OC are available for standard and extended play.
5 Player—Player Area Setup
y 6 W H S V S D J H R I W K H Obsession rulebook): If playing without the
Upstairs, Downstairs expansion, the last player (yellow player, top right) is
compensated £200 (as she never goes first in a season). If playing with the
Upstairs, Downstairs expansion, there is no £200 compensation; follow the
servant draft rules on page 7 of this rulebook.
y 6 W H S V ± ) L Q L V K V H W W L Q J X S W K H S O D \ H U D U H D V D V G H W D L O H G L Q W K H Obsession
rulebook. Use the OC in this expansion if playing with the new servants.
5 Player—Central Play Area Setup

K H Obsession rulebook If playing without the Upstairs Downstairs expansion the last player yellow player top right is compensated 200 as she never goes first in a season If playing with the Upstairs Downstairs expansion there is no 200 compensation follow the servant draft rules on page 7 of this rulebook y 6 W H S V L Q L V K V H W W L Q J X S W K H S O D H U D U H D V D V G H W D L O H G L Q W K H Obsession rulebook Use the OC in this expansion if playing with the new servants 5 Player Central Play Area Setup

y 6 W H S S D J H R I W K H Obsession rulebook): The Servants for Hire is populat-
ed with two underbutlers, ten footmen, five valets, and five lady’s maids.
y ) L Q L V K V H W W L Q J X S W K H & H Q W U D O 3 O D \ $ U H D V W H S V
6 Player—Unique Rules and Setup
Six-player individual play was a late Kickstarter stretch goal and has had limited
playtesting. If competitive individual play is desired, unique setup and rule
adjustments are required (see right).
The official version of 6-player Obsession is competitive team play (see next
page instructions). Important Note: All 6-player games—individual or
team play—use 4 OC during Step 10 of setup regardless of game length.
8
Unique Rules for 5- and 6-Player Games
Rule for
compensating
5th player w/o
Upstairs,
Downstairs
expansion
After Season 1, the
marker
is passed
+£200
V W 3 O D \ H U
/ D V W 3 O D \ H U
who never
gets to
go 1st
Separate Country Estate Organiser
6 L [ 3 O D \ H U , Q G L Y L G X D O & R P S H W L W L Y H
3 O D \ $ G M X V W P H Q W V
F R P S R Q H Q W V D Q G U X O H V
3 O D \ H U $ U H D 6 H W X S:
If playing without the
Upstairs, Downstairs
servants, start the last
player (green) with
£300 and the
second-from-last player
(yellow) with £200.
Otherwise, use the servant
draft. Also, players are dealt 4 OC
during setup for all 6-player games.
& H Q W U D O 3 O D \ $ U H D & R P S R Q H Q W V: Set up for a
5-player game to the left. This means that there
will be a limitation on servants with no
additional base game servants and only a total
of 5 each of the Upstairs, Downstairs servants
(if this expansion is used). Players will need to
strategise for shortages and compete in the
hiring market. 5 H P L Q G H U: Be sure discarded
objectives are returned to the supply deck.
* X H V W / L P L W D W L R Q 5 X O H: At such a high player
count, it is recommended to institute a six
prestige guest limit on all players, excluding
H L W K H U ) D L U F K L O G 2 Q F H D W W K H O L P L W S O D \ H U V F D Q
continue to draw new prestige guests, but must
always discard down to six. This will depend on
an honor system, but all playing are Victorian
ladies and gentlemen of character, so there
should be no issues. Any prestige guests over
this limit will have their VP subtracted from the
guest VP end game total.
+£200
+£300

---

The official 6-player mode of play is 3 competitive teams of 2 players each.
Setup
Seat Assignments: Players from the same team
(matching colors in the graphic) must sit across from each
other with one player from each team between them.
Player Area and Central Play Area Setup: Follow the
Upstairs, Downstairs setup instructions on page 7. For the
draft, choose a team to go first and assign the 1st player
marker to a member of that team. The player to the left of
that player will begin the servant draft (see page 7). The draft
will proceed clockwise as normal, and teams are free to coordinate all aspects of
player board and servant selection. If playing with 6 players, recall that—for
either a standard or extended length game—players always start with 4 Objec-
tive Cards (OC) and must remember to return all OC discarded at the end of a
season to the bottom of the OC deck on the supply board (see Page 8, centre).
Teams will work together to score the most victory points:
y ) D P L O \ P H P E H U V D Q G F O R V H I D P L O \ I U L H Q G V P D \ D W W H Q G W H D P P D W H D F W L Y L W L H V
y 7 H D P P D W H V P D \ O R D Q V H U Y D Q W V W R H D F K R W K H U D V Q H H G H G
y 7 H D P P D W H V P D \ J L I W Q R P L Q D O D P R X Q W V R I P R Q H \ W R H D F K R W K H U … R U …
y 7 H D P P D W H V P D \ G L V F X V V D Q G F R R U G L Q D W H R E M H F W L Y H V
y 7 D E O H W D O N L V D Q H [ S H F W H G S D U W R I W K H J D P H D O W K R X J K S X E O L F V W D W H P H Q W V P D \
help opposing teams. A private discussion after setup to review objectives,
discuss courtship and other strategies is advised.
Definitions: The rules below apply to the two players on the same team. Active
Player refers to the team member hosting an activity, and Teammate refers to
the team member who is being asked to provide money, servants, and/or guests.
Cooperative Actions
Money 2 Q K H U W X U Q W K H D F W L Y H S O D \ H U P D \ D V N K H U W H D P P D W H I R U … R U …
y 7 K H W H D P P D W H F D Q D F F H S W R U U H I X V H K H P D \ K D Y H S O D Q V R I K L V R Z Q
y 7 K L V P R Q H \ L V D J L I W D Q G Z L O O Q R W E H U H S D L G
y 7 K H W H D P P D W H P D \ X V H V S H F L D O D F W L R Q V 6 $ I R U W K H O R D Q
Servants: On her turn, the active player may borrow servants from her teammate.
y $ O O V H U Y D Q W V D U H H O L J L E O H L I W K H \ D U H L Q $ Y D L O D E O H 6 H U Y L F H
y 7 K H W H D P P D W H P D \ X V H V S H F L D O D F W L R Q V 6 $ W R U H I U H V K D V H U Y D Q W
y 7 K H W H D P P D W H F D Q D F F H S W R U U H I X V H K H P D \ K D Y H S O D Q V R I K L V R Z Q
y 2 Q F H W K H D F W L Y L W \ L V F R Q F O X G H G W K H O R D Q H G V H U Y D Q W V D U H U H W X U Q H G W R
the teammate and placed in Expended Service.
Guests: On her turn, the active player may invite family
members and close friends (i.e., starter guests) of her
teammate to her activity.
y ) D P L O \ P H P E H U V P D \ D W W H Q G D Q D F W L Y L W \ L I W K H \ D U H
in the teammate’s active hand (not the discard pile).
y $ Q \ V W D U W H U J X H V W V L Q W K H F L U F O H R I I U L H Q G V P D \ D W W H Q G D Q
activity if they are in the teammate’s active hand.
: 7 K L V L Q F O X G H V W K H W Z R V W D U W H U J X H V W V D F T X L U H G D W V H W X S
: 7 K L V L Q F O X G H V D Q \ D G G L W L R Q D O V W D U W H U J X H V W V V P D O O F U R Z Q E H Q H D W K W K H
S U H V W L J H U D W L Q J D F T X L U H G G X U L Q J W K H F R X U V H R I S O D \
: Note: All starter guest favours go to the active player.
9
Competitive Team Play (4 or 6 players)
y 7 K H D F W L Y H S O D \ H U P D \ L Q Y L W H D Q \
Q X P E H U R I K H U W H D P P D W H ¶ V T X D O L I \ L Q J
family or guests, even if those guests
represent all the guests at the activity.
y 2 Q F H W K H D F W L Y L W \ L V F R Q F O X G H G W K H
visiting gentry are placed in the discard
pile of the teammate.
Critical—Status of Guest Favours:
Visiting family favours do not automati-
cally go to the hosting player.
y 0 D Q R I W K H K R X V H + L V … I D Y R X U F D Q
go to the active player or the teammate.
y 7 K H O D G \ R I W K H K R X V H K D V D F K R L F H L Q
favours:
: , Q Y L W H 7 K H L Q Y L W H I D Y R X U F D Q J R W R
the active player or the teammate.
: ' L V P L V V D O 7 K H / D G \ ¶ V G L V P L V V D O
action can only be used to dismiss a
guest from the teammate’s own
gentry deck.
y 7 K H K H L U K D V D F K R L F H L Q I D Y R X U V
: 0 R Q H \ 7 K H … I D Y R X U F D Q J R W R
the active player or the teammate.
: 5 H S X W D W L R Q 7 K H U H S X W D W L R Q P X V W
stay with the teammate.
y 7 K H \ R X Q J O D G \ K D V I D Y R X U V
: , Q Y L W H 7 K H L Q Y L W H I D Y R X U F D Q J R W R
the active player or the teammate.
: $ G P L U H U % R Q X V 7 K H U H S X W D W L R Q P X V W
stay with the teammate.
End Game Scoring
y ) R U H D F K F D W H J R U \ R Q W K H V F R U H S D G
H [ F H S W 5 H S X W D W L R Q D Q G 2 E M H F W L Y H & D U G V
teammate scores are averaged. All
averaged values are rounded down.
y ) R U 5 H S X W D W L R Q W K H O R Z H V W W H D P P D W H
reputation is recorded (this prevents
trashing one player’s reputation for the
benefit of the team). Note that the
teammate with the higher reputation
can use the excess near the end of the
game without any negative impact!
y ) R U 2 E M H F W L Y H & D U G V W K H W H D P V F R U H V
any three objectives, even if all from
one player.
Improvement Tile VP: Averaged
Gentry VP: Averaged
Objective Cards VP: Team Scores 3
Reputation VP: Lowest
Service VP: Averaged
Wealth VP: Averaged
Courtship/VP Card: Averaged

Q W K H O R Z H V W W H D P P D W H reputation is recorded this prevents trashing one player s reputation for the benefit of the team Note that the teammate with the higher reputation can use the excess near the end of the game without any negative impact y R U 2 E M H F W L Y H D U G V W K H W H D P V F R U H V any three objectives even if all from one player Improvement Tile VP Averaged Gentry VP Averaged Objective Cards VP Team Scores 3 Reputation VP Lowest Service VP Averaged Wealth VP Averaged Courtship VP Card Averaged

---

The traditional Obsession solitaire puzzle is finessing courtship against increasingly
difficult solo opponents. Solo Estate Challenge (SEC) eliminates courtship and
shifts the focus to country estate development as the path to victory.
Setup
Unique Player Area Setup: The player area sets up as detailed on page 3 of the
Obsession rulebook, with three exceptions: 1) the solo player (SP) is always the
starting player, 2) the SP does not start with any objective cards, and 3) the SP drafts
one servant (see ‘A Visual Look at the Servant Draft’ on page 7 for draft details).
Reputation Wheel Counter (RWC) Note: The
standard and extended length SEC games use the
same number of RWC as described on page 3 of the
Obsession rulebook. Game information specific to
the standard length SEC game is marked in yellow
on the Tableau Round Track with a 132 target AI
score beneath round 12. Game information specific
to the extended length SEC game is marked in red
with a 188 target AI score to the left of round 15.
Unique Central Area Setup: Stock the supply board for a two-player game as
detailed on pages 4 & 5 of the Obsession rulebook, with the following changes:
y 6 W H S $ G G R Q H F R R N K D O O E R \ K H D G K R X V H P D L G D Q G X V H I X O P D Q W R W K H V X S S O \
(less any new servants gained from family bonus/draft—see page 7 for details).
y 6 W H S 5 H P R Y H D O O W K H J U R X S E R Q X V R E M H F W L Y H V I U R P W K H R E M H F W L Y H F D U G G H F N
y 6 W H S , Q V W H D G R I I L O O L Q J W K H S X U S O H E D J S O D \ H U V F U H D W H D V X S S O \ R I one copy of
every improvement tile (including Suites tiles), which will be used in Step 8
below. Five monuments are used, one from each improvement category. Return
unused tiles to the box. Note: Hybrid tiles are not used.
y 6 W H S 6 H W R X W W K H 7 D E O H D X 5 R X Q G 7 U D F N I R X Q G L Q W K H Upstairs, Downstairs
expansion, see above) and place the white round track pawn on the START
space. Shuffle and place the VP cards as shown above.
y 6 W H S V D Q G 7 K H % X L O G H U V ¶ 0 D U N H W Z L O O I X Q F W L R Q G L I I H U H Q W O \ L Q SEC than a
conventional game of Obsession. The six market spaces will now hold all the
W L O H V V H W D V L G H L Q 6 W H S D V I R O O R Z V
Stack tiles by type (written in yellow above) in Tile Sorting Number (TSN) order,
lowest on top. Place each stack in its proper spot in the market. For example, the
SPORTING stack would be in the £400 market spot and have the Riding Stables on
W R S I R O O R Z H G E \ W K H & U R T X H W / D Z Q 7 H Q Q L V & R X U W + L O O V L G H . H Q Q H O V % L O O L D U G V 5 R R P
and Cricket Field, with the Stocked Lake on the bottom (TSN order). Repeat this for
H D F K F D W H J R U \ V W D F N 7 K H … 0 2 1 8 0 ( 1 7 V S D F H K R O G V D V L Q J O H V W D F N R I
P R Q X P H Q W V Z L W K W K H 7 U R S K \ 5 R R P R Q W R S I R O O R Z H G E \ W K H : L Q H & H O O D U 0 D U E O H
) O R R U D Q G 0 D Q R U * D U J R \ O H V Z L W K W K H 6 F X O S W X U H * D U G H Q R Q W K H E R W W R P 7 6 1 R U G H U
Place the SEC market counters (numbered round counters seen in the graphic above)
as indicated and obtain the d20 dice.
Depending on the game length chosen, the SP now aims to beat the AI target
score (in a standard game, the SP needs to beat a score of 132).
10
Solo Estate Challenge
Variants: Players may use Obsession & Wessex
solitaire cards (base scores are used) in place of
the AI target score for a graduated challenge
(the AI targets correspond to expert opponents).
Add scavenged monument VPs to the solo
opponent base score for elevated difficulty.

D U G H Q R Q W K H E R W W R P 7 6 1 R U G H U Place the SEC market counters numbered round counters seen in the graphic above as indicated and obtain the d20 dice Depending on the game length chosen the SP now aims to beat the AI target score in a standard game the SP needs to beat a score of 132 10 Solo Estate Challenge Variants Players may use Obsession Wessex solitaire cards base scores are used in place of the AI target score for a graduated challenge the AI targets correspond to expert opponents Add scavenged monument VPs to the solo opponent base score for elevated difficulty

Gameplay
( D F K V R O R S O D \ H U W X U Q I R O O R Z V W K H 2 U G H U R I 3 O D \
on every family board with the exception of
Step 7, Buying from the Builders’ Market
(more on this below). The round track pawn is
advanced counterclockwise after each turn until
two end game conditions are met:
7 K H V R O R S O D \ H U L V D W 0 $ ; U H S X W D W L R Q D Q G
2) The solo player’s tableau (tiles in the country
estate organiser) is complete. For a tableau
to be complete, the player must:
y + D Y H D W D E O H D X Z L W K D F H U W D L Q
number of completed rows
depending on the length of
the game. For example, this
graphic shows what a
completed tableau would look like for a
standard length game (three completed rows,
15 total tiles). Note: The tableau for an
extended length game would be four
completed rows, 20 total tiles.
y + D Y H I O L S S H G D O O W L O H V W K D W F D Q E H I O L S S H G W R
W K H L U U R V H V L G H 0 R Q X P H Q W V D Q G V H U Y L F H W L O H V
H [ F H S W % X W O H U ¶ V 5 R R P D U H Q H Y H U I O L S S H G
Once these two conditions are met, the game
H Q G V D Q G W K H V F R U H L V W D E X O D W H G V H H ( Q G * D P H
Scoring, next page).
Step 7, Order of Play: Buying from the
Builders’ Market
y 7 K H 6 3 P D \ V K R S L Q W K H P D U N H W Z L W K W K H
advantage of having all tiles initially
available and of knowing the cost of each
tile; just as in a standard game of Obsession,
the cost of any tile will be the market cost
(i.e., £500) +/- any modifier on the tile itself.
y 7 K H 6 3 P D \ E X \ D V P D Q \ W L O H V D V V K H F D Q
afford each turn.
y 7 K H 6 3 P D \ E X \ D Q \ W L O H L Q D Q \ V W D F N
y 7 K H 6 3 F D Q Q R W H [ F H H G W K H W D E O H D X V L ] H I R U W K H
game she is playing; for example, she cannot
purchase a 4th service tile (in a standard play
game) unless she first discards (and removes
from the game) one of the service tiles
currently in her tableau.
y ' X U L Q J % X L O G H U V ¶ + R O L G D \ U R X Q G V D O O W L O H V D U H
discounted £100.
11111
22222
33333
£300
1-2 12-14
£700
3-5
£400
15-18
£800
19-20
No
Purchase
9-11
£600
6-8
£500
SERVICE SPORTING ESSENTIALS ESTATE PRESTIGE MONUMENT

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Tableau Obsession
Tableau Obsession is Obsession chess. It is designed to remove almost all
randomness and variability that represents Victorian fate in traditional play. For
the randomness that remains, there are mitigating mechanics available—it is up
the player to make the correct decisions to navigate those elements (i.e., if he
dislikes random deck draws, the Head Housemaid is essential). Unique charac-
teristics of Tableau Obsession are: 1) The Tableau Round Track is used,
2) There is no courtship, and 3) The game ends immediately when any
player is at Max reputation at the end of his turn (no further turns).
Setup
Unique Player Area Setup: The player area sets up with player board selection
and servant draft as detailed on page 7 of this rulebook with two notes: 1) Use
the Starter Guest draft variant (see Glossary page 26), and 2) Be aware there is
an option to use a 9/10 reputation wheel marker for a two-player variant called
Tableau Obsession—Duel (the additional reputation levels make Duel a heavily
strategic version of the game with a different feel than the standard play sprint).
Unique Central Area Setup: Stock the supply board as detailed on page 7 of
this rulebook, with the following changes:
y 6 W H S 8 V H W K H O R Z 9 3 Y D O X H 0 R Q X P H Q W V Upstairs, Downstairs expansion)
y 6 W H S 8 V H W K H 7 D E O H D X 5 R X Q G 7 U D F N D Q G S O D F H W K H Z K L W H U R X Q G W U D F N S D Z Q
R Q W K H 6 7 $ 5 7 V S D F H 6 K X I I O H D Q G S O D F H W K H 9 3 F D U G V L Q W K H L U V S D F H & K D U O H V
and Elizabeth Fairchild are not used.
Gameplay
The 1st player pawn is never rotated. The round track pawn moves counter-
clockwise on the round track with players taking standard turns following the
2 U G H U R I 3 O D \ 7 K H J D P H H Q G V immediately when any player is at Max
reputation after finishing his or her turn.
Unique Market Rules: Two unique market rules are used when playing:
y 8 V H W K H 4 X H H Q 9 L F W R U L D P D U N H W Y D U L D Q W D V G H V F U L E H G R Q S D J H R I W K H
Obsession Glossary.
y $ W W K H F R Q F O X V L R Q R I 5 R X Q G D F W L Y D W H E R W K W L O H U H V H U Y H V I R U W K H U H P D L Q G H U R I
the game. Details on how the Builders’ Market tile reserves function are on
page 12 of the Obsession Rulebook.
Grand Ball: At the beginning of round six, there is a Grand Ball. As the
first action of each turn (after rotating service), a player takes three
prestige guests from the supply, keeps one, and returns the remaining
cards to the bottom of the deck. Each player then completes a standard
turn before the round track pawn is moved to the next space.
End Game Scoring
Scores take into account only 9 3 I R U L P S U R Y H P H Q W W L O H V D Q G S O D \ H U U H S X W D W L R Q
± W K U H H P R G L I L H U V ± 9 3 I R U Q H J D W L Y H J X H V W V 9 3 I R U D Q \ F R P S O H W H G R E M H F-
W L Y H V D Q G 9 3 F D U G V 3 R V L W L Y H 9 3 J X H V W V P R Q H \ D Q G V H U Y D Q W V D U H Q R W V F R U H G , I
tied, the player with the highest
tableau score wins.
Solo Estate Challenge
Gameplay, continued
After Step 7, the AI will scavenge tiles from
W K H P D U N H W V W D F N V 7 K H 6 3 U R O O V W K H G D Q G
referencing the market counters, locates the
tile to be removed from the game, if any.
Example 1 $ L V U R O O H G 7 K H 6 3 O R R N V
at the market counters (see previous
page) and notes that the number 6 falls
L Q W K H U D Q J H R I W K H … ( V V H Q W L D O V P D U N H W
stack. Since the first number of that range is a
6, the first (or top) tile in the Essentials stack is
removed from the game.
Example 2 $ L V U R O O H G 7 K H 6 3
looks at the market counters and notes
that the number 13 falls in the range of
W K H … 3 U H V W L J H P D U N H W V W D F N 6 L Q F H L V W K H
second number of that range, the second tile in
W K H 3 U H V W L J H V W D F N L V U H P R Y H G I U R P W K H J D P H , I
there isn’t any tile in a scavenge location (i.e.,
R Q H 3 U H V W L J H W L O H L Q W K H H [ D P S O H D E R Y H Q R
scavenging action happens that turn.
Note: The AI can never scavenge from a stack
when it would not allow a player to complete
her tableau. For example, if during an extend-
ed game, a player had two Service tiles in their
tableau (and she must have four in each
column), the AI could never scavenge the
Service stack to less than two (or less than
however many she needed to finish any
column in her tableau). When the AI rolls to do
this, it does not scavenge a tile that round.
Round Track: On the sixth space on the round
track is an icon of a lady in a gown. This is the
Grand Ball. Follow the instructions detailed to
the right in the Tableau Obsession section.
Rule Exceptions: Use the standard solo rule
exceptions (Obsession Rulebook page 14).
End Game Scoring
7 K H 6 3 W R W D O V K H U V F R U H X V L Q J W K H Obsession
V F R U H S D G W R Z K L F K V K H D G G V 9 3 I R U H Y H U \
round she finished before the AI target
(round 12 in standard play, which is in
\ H O O R Z R U V X E W U D F W V 9 3 I R U H Y H U \ U R X Q G
V K H I L Q L V K H G D I W H U W K H W D U J H W 7 K H 6 3
compares her net score to the AI target score
and declares a winner!
Variant: For an increased challenge, add
V F D Y H Q J H G P R Q X P H Q W 9 3 W R W K H $ , V F R U H
11
Solo Estate Challenge
(scoring) & Tableau Obsession
6-8
£500
12-14
£700
Duel
Special editorial thanks to James Cartwright,
Martin Joynes, Dave Peters, & Scott Sinelli

W V 9 3 I R U H Y H U U R X Q G V K H I L Q L V K H G D I W H U W K H W D U J H W 7 K H 6 3 compares her net score to the AI target score and declares a winner Variant For an increased challenge add V F D Y H Q J H G P R Q X P H Q W 9 3 W R W K H V F R U H 11 Solo Estate Challenge scoring Tableau Obsession 6 8 500 12 14 700 Duel Special editorial thanks to James Cartwright Martin Joynes Dave Peters Scott Sinelli

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COPYRIGHT
© 2020
Kayenta Games
31737 Tradewinds
Avon Lake, Ohio 44012
www.kayentapublishing.com
GAME DESIGN
and
ILLUSTRATION:
DAN HALLAGAN
CONTENTS: One (1) Round Track, One (1) Player Mat, One (1) Organiser, One
(1) Board Extension, One (1) Rulebook, Thirty-Seven (37) Gentry Cards, Ten
(10) Player Aid Cards, Ten (10) Milestone Cards, Fourteen (14) Milestone/Solo
Chits, Thirty-Two (32) Improvement Tiles, Fourteen (14) Reputation Chits,
Thirty-Three (33) Objective Cards, Thirty (30) VP Cards, Ten (10) Theme Cards,
One (1) Scorepad, Thirty-Four (34) Custom Wooden Meeples, Two (2) Wooden
Markers, One (1) Linen Bag, Sixteen (16) Promo Cards, One (1) Promo Aid
© Kayenta Publishing, 2020, no part of this product may be reproduced without permission.
Made in China
1-6 30-120 14+
New and Modified Components (new tiles, milestones)
New Improvement Tiles
Carriage House: The Carriage House allows players to
increase or decrease the number of guests dictated by an
improvement tile. The Carriage House service tile rules are:
y $ I R R W P D Q R U K D O O E R \ X Q G H U E X W O H U P X V W E H S O D F H G R Q W R W K H W L O H W R D F W L Y D W H
y $ Q \ D G G L W L R Q D O J X H V W V P X V W T X D O L I \ Q R U P D O O \ S U H V W L J H U D W L Q J J H Q G H U H W F
y , W F D Q Q R W U H G X F H W K H J X H V W F R X Q W W R ] H U R
y , W F D Q Q R W E H X V H G W R L Q F U H D V H W K H J X H V W F R X Q W I R U D 6 X L W H V W L O H
y , W F D Q Q R W E H X V H G Z K H Q R Q O \ I D P L O \ D U H W K H U H T X L U H G J H Q W U \ D W D Q D F W L Y L W \
Stocked Lake 7 K H 6 W R F N H G / D N H L Q W U R G X F H V W K H I L U V W 6 S R U W L Q J
W L O H Z L W K D S U H V W L J H U D W L Q J R I 7 K L V W L O H I X Q F W L R Q V O L N H D Q \ R W K H U
sporting tile in the base game.
Renovated Kitchen: The Renovated Kitchen allows a player to attract guests
to her estate who otherwise would not attend. The Renovated Kitchen service
tile rules are:
) U R Q W 6 L G H
y 7 K H F R R N L V W K H P D Q G D W R U \ V H U Y D Q W I R U W K H * R X U P H W 7 D V W L Q J
D F W L Y L W \ W K L V W L O H Z K L F K L V I L U V W S O D F H G L Q W R W K H S O D \ H U ¶ V R U J D Q L V-
H U Z L W K W K H F R R N L F R Q Y L V L E O H L V S O D \ H G R Q W R W K H S O D \ H U E R D U G
$ Q \ J X H V W V U H J D U G O H V V R I S U H V W L J H U D W L Q J P D \ D W W H Q G
% D F N 6 L G H
y $ I W H U W K L V W L O H L V I O L S S H G L W V W D \ V L Q W K H R U J D Q L V H U D Q G J U D Q W V
W K H F R R N D S H U P D Q H Q W D E L O L W \ I R U W K H U H V W R I W K H J D P H D S O D \ H U
may increase the guest count by one for any activity where the
F R R N L V X V H G L H Z K H Q W K H F R R N L V S O D F H G D V D V X S S O H P H Q W D O
V H U Y D Q W R Q D Q L P S U R Y H P H Q W W L O H S O D \ H G R Q W R W K H S O D \ H U E R D U G
y 7 K H D G G L W L R Q D O J X H V W P X V W T X D O L I \ Q R U P D O O \ S U H V W L J H U D W L Q J J H Q G H U H W F
y , W F D Q Q R W E H X V H G W R L Q F U H D V H W K H J X H V W F R X Q W I R U D 6 X L W H V W L O H
Housekeeper’s Room 7 K H + R X V H N H H S H U ¶ V 5 R R P J L Y H V W K H + H D G
Housemaid a new permanent ability: she can stand in for either
W K H K R X V H N H H S H U R U O D G \ ¶ V P D L G H Y H Q L I R Q H L V D Y D L O D E O H
Backer-Developed Promotional Tiles: The two winning improvement tiles in
W K H F U R Z G I X Q G L Q J F R Q W H V W D U H W K H 3 D U L V K & K X U F K D Q G W K H % D E E O L Q J % U R R N
Milestones
Public objectives that can be added to any game
or serve as an alternative to private objectives
Setup: Choose two milestones per game
U D Q G R P O \ R U E \ S U H I H U H Q F H D Q G S O D F H W K H P L Q
D F H Q W U D O O R F D W L R Q 3 O D \ H U V D F T X L U H W K H L U W Z R
I D P L O \ F U H V W F L U F X O D U P D U N H U V
Gameplay: At any time during a player’s turn
R Q H D Q G R Q O \ R Q H P L O H V W R Q H F D Q E H F O D L P H G V W
R U Q G S R V L W L R Q 7 K H S O D \ H U P X V W
P H H W W K H F D U G U H T X L U H P H Q W V W K H
milestone player aid explains
W K H V \ P E R O V D Q G U H T X L U H P H Q W V
The player places one of his two
P D U N H U V R Q D Q D Y D L O D E O H V S D F H
Note: It does not matter when the player
achieves W K H P L O H V W R Q H R Q O \
when the player claims the
P L O H V W R Q H 0 L O H V W R Q H V R Q F H
F O D L P H G F D Q Q H Y H U E H O R V W
L I S R V V L E O H
Scoring: Milestones are
scored with objectives on
the updated Upstairs,
Downstairs scorepad.
Three components have been changed for ease
of use and better gameplay: the Extended Play
round track (reverse of the Tableau side), Barn
service tile, and oversized Courtship cards.
Extended Play Round Track D G R I I L Q J R I W K H
W R S K D W W R - R K Q : H E H U 7 K H S R V L W L R Q R I W K H
National Holiday has been moved from round
W R U R X Q G W R P D N H L W U H O H Y D Q W , W G R H V Q R W
U H S O D F H W K H R U L J L Q D O U R X Q G W U D F N Z K L F K L V
Q H H G H G I R U 6 W D Q G D U G 3 O D \
Barn Service Tile D G R I I L Q J R I
W K H W R S K D W W R ) U D Q N & D O F D J Q R
The gardener reference was
removed to avoid confusion.
5 H S O D F H W K H % D U Q W L O H V L Q V W
printing Obsession copies with the two
S U R Y L G H G L Q W K L V H [ S D Q V L R Q 6 H F R Q G S U L Q W L Q J
Obsession copies do not need this upgrade.
Large Courtship Cards: The cards have been
H Q O D U J H G W R P D W F K W K H V L ] H R I W K H R E M H F W L Y H
cards for ease of use.
Parish Church 6 W H S K H Q
& O H D U \ 7 K L V W L O H F R Q Y H U W V
from an activity tile into a
monument. No activity
V H U Y L F H L V U H T X L U H G R Q W K H I U R Q W
V L G H 2 Q W K H P R Q X P H Q W V L G H
the player chooses during
Step 2 between two favours:
… R U U H S X W D W L R Q
Babbling Brook 0 -
3 H W U L H 7 K L V L V D K \ E U L G
W L O H L W L V I O L S S H G E D F N
D Q G I R U W K 7 K H W L O H
enters play on the side
with a line underneath
the stylised flower in
the upper right.
12

H I U R Q W V L G H 2 Q W K H P R Q X P H Q W V L G H the player chooses during Step 2 between two favours R U U H S X W D W L R Q Babbling Brook 0 3 H W U L H 7 K L V L V D K E U L G W L O H L W L V I O L S S H G E D F N D Q G I R U W K 7 K H W L O H enters play on the side with a line underneath the stylised flower in the upper right 12

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