Obsession: Useful Box — Rules Manual

USEFUL TOOLS (i.e., Contents)
► Six (6) Gentry Cards
► Six (6) Improvement Tiles
► One (1) Unique Rules Reference
► Twenty-Three (23) Player Aids
► One (1) Obsession Cloth Tile Bag
► One (1) Upstairs, Downstairs Small Cloth Bag
► One (1) Cook Meeple
► Six (6) Solo Opponents
► One (1) Dynamic Solitaire AI Card

Six (6) Gentry Cards
CORRECTED—Thomas MacMillian, Esq: This card corrects a grammatical error on the original Obsession card. This card replaces the original.
CORRECTED—Miss Eleanor Brassington: This card corrects a VP error on the original Upstairs, Downstairs card. The original granted 1VP, and, as a starter guest, Miss Brassington should grant 0VP. This card replaces the original.
CORRECTED—Alexander Pinder, Esq: This card corrects a grammatical error on the original Wessex card. This card replaces the original.
NEW—Lady Ethel Fairchild: This is a new promotional card that can be integrated into the Obsession prestige guest deck, and it brings a new favour (consult the Unique Rules Reference for details). In the Obsession history (Glossary, page 3), we learn: Tragedy had by no means finished with Margaret, Dowager Countess Fairchild; eight short months after the death of Henry, her only sibling, her brother, died when he was thrown from a horse, breaking his neck. His wife, Ethel, just three years married and herself childless, soon joined the Dowager Countess in Derbyshire, mutual companions coping with loneliness and loss, brokenhearted and withdrawn. After ten years of quiet loneliness, both Margaret and Ethel Fairchild delight in the arrival of Charles and Elizabeth, and Ethel, much younger than the Dowager, soon forms an intimate connection with Elizabeth. Lady Ethel grants a new favour: courtship advice. Her close relationship with Elizabeth gives her great insight into the heart and tastes of her young ward, and Lady Ethel does indeed love sharing confidences.
NEW—Mr. William Darby: This is a new promotional card that can be integrated into the Obsession casual guest deck without any special rules. William Darby is a historical figure from the Victorian era. Going by the stage name of Pablo Fanque, he owned and managed a popular circus in Victorian Britain for three decades. Mr. William Darby, or, as he is professionally known, Mr. Pablo Fanque, is a native of Norwich, and is about 35 years of age. He was apprenticed to Mr. Batty, the present proprietor of "Astley's Amphitheatre," and remained in his company several years. He is proficient in rope-dancing, posturing, tumbling &c.; and is also considered a very good equestrian. After leaving Mr. Batty, he joined the establishment of the late Mr. Ducrow, and remained with him for some time. He again joined Mr. Batty; in 1841, he began business on his own account, with two horses, and has assembled a fine stud of horses and ponies at his establishment at Wigan, in Lancashire, in which county Mr. Pablo is well known, and a great favourite. —The Illustrated London News, 20 March 1847.
NEW—Miss Prudence Baker: This is a new promotional card that can be integrated into the Obsession casual guest deck without any special rules. Miss Baker is a fictional great granddaughter of a real historical figure, Nathanial Wells. Mr. Wells was a wealthy Welsh landowner born in St. Kitts in 1779, who carved out a successful and varied career in Britain as a magistrate, a member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces, and a sheriff. Nathanial Wells later acquired Piercefield House, which was described by Samuel Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary of England (1848): “From Piercefield Park, a splendid seat, the views are remarkably magnificent, and embrace numerous reaches of the Wye, the Severn, and a great range of the surrounding country. The mansion, situated on an eminence…is a superb elevation of freestone, consisting of a centre and two wings, and much admired for its tasteful architecture.” Mr. Wells died in 1852, eight years before the era of Obsession. Miss Baker is a fictional descendant from Mr. Wells’s family tree that stemmed from his 22 children.

career in Britain as a magistrate a member of Her Majesty s Armed Forces and a sheriff Nathanial Wells later acquired Piercefield House which was described by Samuel Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary of England 1848 From Piercefield Park a splendid seat the views are remarkably magnificent and embrace numerous reaches of the Wye the Severn and a great range of the surrounding country The mansion situated on an eminence is a superb elevation of freestone consisting of a centre and two wings and much admired for its tasteful architecture Mr Wells died in 1852 eight years before the era of Obsession Miss Baker is a fictional descendant from Mr Wells s family tree that stemmed from his 22 children

Six (6) Improvement Tiles
CORRECTED—Housekeeper’s Room (2 copies): These tiles correct an error on the original Upstairs, Downstairs tiles. One side incorrectly references 0VP, when both sides should reference 1VP. These tiles replace the originals.
NEW—Business Room (2 copies): Credit to Michael Clarke for the name; the Business room is “a private room for a gentleman whose mornings are spent in practical affairs.” — A Gentleman‘s House, 1865. These tiles are added to Obsession and are available for Builders’ Market initial population. Developer note: My goal in creating this improvement is to add more utility and interest to the ESSENTIALS category, which, except for the Private Study and Main Library, features rather straightforward activities involving several guests and no tile favours. The Business Room introduces the idea of the family investing in the burgeoning tea trade (consult the Unique Rules Reference for details).
NEW—West Terrace (2 copies): These tiles optionally may replace the West Terrace tiles in the base game. Developer note: I have always felt that the original West Terrace was a limited tile, which is unfortunate for a Prestige Rating 5 tile in the important ESTATE category. The original concept had the family gathered in a private place to, amongst other things, discuss the local aristocratic landscape and perhaps turn a critical eye towards any emerging, unsavoury attachments. Thus, the tile grants a powerful dismissal action on the flipside. However, this tile is rarely used due to the demands on family later in the game to manage activities requiring larger numbers of gentry. The dismissal idea, developed for the East End Ha-Ha Promotional Tile (Simon Barnes), better fits the intended tile concept, so I have redesigned the West Terrace to grant a powerful dismissal action as an ongoing ability (as happens with service tiles purchased from the market). Note: This West Terrace tile is not a monument (consult the Unique Rules Reference for details).

One (1) Unique Rules Reference
NEW—Unique Rules Reference: A single reference card that summarises the unique rules for Lady Ethel Fairchild, the Business Room, and the West Terrace.

Twenty-Three (23) Player Aids
CORRECTED—Player Aids (23): Player aid counts in the 1st two printings did not have enough aids to supply each family box. This has been corrected.
Aids for Obsession base game
► Aid #1: Passing Flowchart/Special Actions (6): The passing flowchart has been improved. These 6 updated aids replace all aids of this type and now supply one per family box.
► Aid #2: Servant Icons/Round Track Icons (2): These 2 aids join the 4 already in Obsession and now supply one per family box.
► Aid #3: Tile & Card Icons/Victory Point Icons (2): These 2 aids join the 4 already in Obsession and now supply one per family box.
► Aid #4: Seasonal Flowchart/Dismissing Guests (6): These 6 aids are new in the 3rd printing of Obsession (2.1E) and not contained in either the 1st or 2nd printing. These 6 new aids supply one per family box.
Aids for Upstairs, Downstairs
► Aid #1: Passing Flowchart/Milestone Symbols (6): The passing flowchart has been improved. These 6 updated aids replace all aids of this type and now supply one per family box.
► Aid #2: Upstairs, Downstairs Servants (1): This 1 aid joins the 5 from Upstairs, Downstairs and now supply one per family box.

Two (2) Cloth Bags
CORRECTED—The cloth bags in Obsession 2E and Upstairs, Downstairs 1E used faulty stitching. The Useful Box contains both the Obsession tile bag and the Upstairs, Downstairs all purpose small bag using overlocked stitching. Credit to Panda Games who acknowledged the manufacturing error and has supplied these replacements at no charge.

One (1) Cook Meeple
CORRECTED—Cook: Upstairs, Downstairs contains 5 cooks, which is an adequate supply for all player counts. However, given that most people store ALL the starting materials in the 6 family boxes, one cook would always be in the Howard storage box. Therefore, if five families other than Howard are used, the Howard box must be raided for the 5th cook. The Useful Box provides a dedicated cook for the Howard family advantage.

and Upstairs Downstairs 1E used faulty stitching The Useful Box contains both the Obsession tile bag and the Upstairs Downstairs all purpose small bag using overlocked stitching Credit to Panda Games who acknowledged the manufacturing error and has supplied these replacements at no charge One 1 Cook Meeple CORRECTED Cook Upstairs Downstairs contains 5 cooks which is an adequate supply for all player counts However given that most people store ALL the starting materials in the 6 family boxes one cook would always be in the Howard storage box Therefore if five families other than Howard are used the Howard box must be raided for the 5th cook The Useful Box provides a dedicated cook for the Howard family advantage

Six (6) Solo Opponents
NEW—Six Solo Opponents: These six solo opponents are designed to use the base game solo mode with the addition of the Upstairs, Downstairs servants. There are three for Standard Play and three for Extended Play. Beware the toughest opponent ever discovered and never defeated, the legendary Lambton Worm... Whenever the Upstairs, Downstairs servants are added, two changes must be included:
► Player Board Selection: The solo player drafts a servant at the same time they choose their family board (consult the Upstairs, Downstairs servant draft rules for details), and
► New Pass/Hire Rule: The solo player uses the new passing rule that gives the option of hiring servants on a pass turn (consult the Upstairs, Downstairs Hiring Rule for details).
All other aspects of the solo game are identical to the base game solo mode. Need a tutorial? Watch a setup and playthrough video featuring a battle against Tottenham! Just follow the QR Code and look for the video: Base Game Solo Mode with Upstairs, Downstairs Servants.

One (1) Dynamic Solo AI Card
NEW—Dynamic AI (for Solitaire): A new solo and co-op Dynamic AI card is included. This card can be used for the base solo game with or without the Upstairs, Downstairs servants. It has more ‘intelligence’ in that it preferentially scavenges valuable tiles, which makes your solo opponents more difficult. Note: Co-op rules for an AI opponent are not included in the Useful Box. Version 1 is available as a PDF file on BoardGameGeek, and version 2 that includes the Howard family and the Upstairs, Downstairs servants will be published in 2021.

Useful Box Integration Instructions

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USEFUL TOOLS (i.e., Contents)
► Six (6) Gentry Cards
► Six (6) Improvement Tiles
► One (1) Unique Rules Reference
► Twenty-Three (23) Player Aids
► One (1) Obsession Cloth Tile Bag
► One (1) Upstairs, Downstairs Small Cloth Bag
► One (1) Cook Meeple
► Six (6) Solo Opponents
► One (1) Dynamic Solitaire AI Card

Six (6) Gentry Cards
CORRECTED—Thomas MacMillian, Esq: This card corrects a grammatical error on the original Obsession card. This card replaces the original.
CORRECTED—Miss Eleanor Brassington: This card corrects a VP error on the original Upstairs, Downstairs card. The original granted 1VP, and, as a starter guest, Miss Brassington should grant 0VP. This card replaces the original.
CORRECTED—Alexander Pinder, Esq: This card corrects a grammatical error on the original Wessex card. This card replaces the original.
NEW—Lady Ethel Fairchild: This is a new promotional card that can be integrated into the Obsession prestige guest deck, and it brings a new favour (consult the Unique Rules Reference for details). In the Obsession history (Glossary, page 3), we learn: Tragedy had by no means finished with Margaret, Dowager Countess Fairchild; eight short months after the death of Henry, her only sibling, her brother, died when he was thrown from a horse, breaking his neck. His wife, Ethel, just three years married and herself childless, soon joined the Dowager Countess in Derbyshire, mutual companions coping with loneliness and loss, brokenhearted and withdrawn. After ten years of quiet loneliness, both Margaret and Ethel Fairchild delight in the arrival of Charles and Elizabeth, and Ethel, much younger than the Dowager, soon forms an intimate connection with Elizabeth. Lady Ethel grants a new favour: courtship advice. Her close relationship with Elizabeth gives her great insight into the heart and tastes of her young ward, and Lady Ethel does indeed love sharing confidences.
NEW—Mr. William Darby: This is a new promotional card that can be integrated into the Obsession casual guest deck without any special rules. William Darby is a historical figure from the Victorian era. Going by the stage name of Pablo Fanque, he owned and managed a popular circus in Victorian Britain for three decades. Mr. William Darby, or, as he is professionally known, Mr. Pablo Fanque, is a native of Norwich, and is about 35 years of age. He was apprenticed to Mr. Batty, the present proprietor of "Astley's Amphitheatre," and remained in his company several years. He is proficient in rope-dancing, posturing, tumbling &c.; and is also considered a very good equestrian. After leaving Mr. Batty, he joined the establishment of the late Mr. Ducrow, and remained with him for some time. He again joined Mr. Batty; in 1841, he began business on his own account, with two horses, and has assembled a fine stud of horses and ponies at his establishment at Wigan, in Lancashire, in which county Mr. Pablo is well known, and a great favourite. —The Illustrated London News, 20 March 1847.
NEW—Miss Prudence Baker: This is a new promotional card that can be integrated into the Obsession casual guest deck without any special rules. Miss Baker is a fictional great granddaughter of a real historical figure, Nathanial Wells. Mr. Wells was a wealthy Welsh landowner born in St. Kitts in 1779, who carved out a successful and varied career in Britain as a magistrate, a member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces, and a sheriff. Nathanial Wells later acquired Piercefield House, which was described by Samuel Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary of England (1848): “From Piercefield Park, a splendid seat, the views are remarkably magnificent, and embrace numerous reaches of the Wye, the Severn, and a great range of the surrounding country. The mansion, situated on an eminence…is a superb elevation of freestone, consisting of a centre and two wings, and much admired for its tasteful architecture.” Mr. Wells died in 1852, eight years before the era of Obsession. Miss Baker is a fictional descendant from Mr. Wells’s family tree that stemmed from his 22 children.

career in Britain as a magistrate a member of Her Majesty s Armed Forces and a sheriff Nathanial Wells later acquired Piercefield House which was described by Samuel Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary of England 1848 From Piercefield Park a splendid seat the views are remarkably magnificent and embrace numerous reaches of the Wye the Severn and a great range of the surrounding country The mansion situated on an eminence is a superb elevation of freestone consisting of a centre and two wings and much admired for its tasteful architecture Mr Wells died in 1852 eight years before the era of Obsession Miss Baker is a fictional descendant from Mr Wells s family tree that stemmed from his 22 children

Six (6) Improvement Tiles
CORRECTED—Housekeeper’s Room (2 copies): These tiles correct an error on the original Upstairs, Downstairs tiles. One side incorrectly references 0VP, when both sides should reference 1VP. These tiles replace the originals.
NEW—Business Room (2 copies): Credit to Michael Clarke for the name; the Business room is “a private room for a gentleman whose mornings are spent in practical affairs.” — A Gentleman‘s House, 1865. These tiles are added to Obsession and are available for Builders’ Market initial population. Developer note: My goal in creating this improvement is to add more utility and interest to the ESSENTIALS category, which, except for the Private Study and Main Library, features rather straightforward activities involving several guests and no tile favours. The Business Room introduces the idea of the family investing in the burgeoning tea trade (consult the Unique Rules Reference for details).
NEW—West Terrace (2 copies): These tiles optionally may replace the West Terrace tiles in the base game. Developer note: I have always felt that the original West Terrace was a limited tile, which is unfortunate for a Prestige Rating 5 tile in the important ESTATE category. The original concept had the family gathered in a private place to, amongst other things, discuss the local aristocratic landscape and perhaps turn a critical eye towards any emerging, unsavoury attachments. Thus, the tile grants a powerful dismissal action on the flipside. However, this tile is rarely used due to the demands on family later in the game to manage activities requiring larger numbers of gentry. The dismissal idea, developed for the East End Ha-Ha Promotional Tile (Simon Barnes), better fits the intended tile concept, so I have redesigned the West Terrace to grant a powerful dismissal action as an ongoing ability (as happens with service tiles purchased from the market). Note: This West Terrace tile is not a monument (consult the Unique Rules Reference for details).

One (1) Unique Rules Reference
NEW—Unique Rules Reference: A single reference card that summarises the unique rules for Lady Ethel Fairchild, the Business Room, and the West Terrace.

Twenty-Three (23) Player Aids
CORRECTED—Player Aids (23): Player aid counts in the 1st two printings did not have enough aids to supply each family box. This has been corrected.
Aids for Obsession base game
► Aid #1: Passing Flowchart/Special Actions (6): The passing flowchart has been improved. These 6 updated aids replace all aids of this type and now supply one per family box.
► Aid #2: Servant Icons/Round Track Icons (2): These 2 aids join the 4 already in Obsession and now supply one per family box.
► Aid #3: Tile & Card Icons/Victory Point Icons (2): These 2 aids join the 4 already in Obsession and now supply one per family box.
► Aid #4: Seasonal Flowchart/Dismissing Guests (6): These 6 aids are new in the 3rd printing of Obsession (2.1E) and not contained in either the 1st or 2nd printing. These 6 new aids supply one per family box.
Aids for Upstairs, Downstairs
► Aid #1: Passing Flowchart/Milestone Symbols (6): The passing flowchart has been improved. These 6 updated aids replace all aids of this type and now supply one per family box.
► Aid #2: Upstairs, Downstairs Servants (1): This 1 aid joins the 5 from Upstairs, Downstairs and now supply one per family box.

Two (2) Cloth Bags
CORRECTED—The cloth bags in Obsession 2E and Upstairs, Downstairs 1E used faulty stitching. The Useful Box contains both the Obsession tile bag and the Upstairs, Downstairs all purpose small bag using overlocked stitching. Credit to Panda Games who acknowledged the manufacturing error and has supplied these replacements at no charge.

One (1) Cook Meeple
CORRECTED—Cook: Upstairs, Downstairs contains 5 cooks, which is an adequate supply for all player counts. However, given that most people store ALL the starting materials in the 6 family boxes, one cook would always be in the Howard storage box. Therefore, if five families other than Howard are used, the Howard box must be raided for the 5th cook. The Useful Box provides a dedicated cook for the Howard family advantage.

and Upstairs Downstairs 1E used faulty stitching The Useful Box contains both the Obsession tile bag and the Upstairs Downstairs all purpose small bag using overlocked stitching Credit to Panda Games who acknowledged the manufacturing error and has supplied these replacements at no charge One 1 Cook Meeple CORRECTED Cook Upstairs Downstairs contains 5 cooks which is an adequate supply for all player counts However given that most people store ALL the starting materials in the 6 family boxes one cook would always be in the Howard storage box Therefore if five families other than Howard are used the Howard box must be raided for the 5th cook The Useful Box provides a dedicated cook for the Howard family advantage

Six (6) Solo Opponents
NEW—Six Solo Opponents: These six solo opponents are designed to use the base game solo mode with the addition of the Upstairs, Downstairs servants. There are three for Standard Play and three for Extended Play. Beware the toughest opponent ever discovered and never defeated, the legendary Lambton Worm... Whenever the Upstairs, Downstairs servants are added, two changes must be included:
► Player Board Selection: The solo player drafts a servant at the same time they choose their family board (consult the Upstairs, Downstairs servant draft rules for details), and
► New Pass/Hire Rule: The solo player uses the new passing rule that gives the option of hiring servants on a pass turn (consult the Upstairs, Downstairs Hiring Rule for details).
All other aspects of the solo game are identical to the base game solo mode. Need a tutorial? Watch a setup and playthrough video featuring a battle against Tottenham! Just follow the QR Code and look for the video: Base Game Solo Mode with Upstairs, Downstairs Servants.

One (1) Dynamic Solo AI Card
NEW—Dynamic AI (for Solitaire): A new solo and co-op Dynamic AI card is included. This card can be used for the base solo game with or without the Upstairs, Downstairs servants. It has more ‘intelligence’ in that it preferentially scavenges valuable tiles, which makes your solo opponents more difficult. Note: Co-op rules for an AI opponent are not included in the Useful Box. Version 1 is available as a PDF file on BoardGameGeek, and version 2 that includes the Howard family and the Upstairs, Downstairs servants will be published in 2021.

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USEFUL TOOLS (i.e., Contents)
► Six (6) Gentry Cards
► Six (6) Improvement Tiles
► One (1) Unique Rules Reference
► Twenty-Three (23) Player Aids
► One (1) Obsession Cloth Tile Bag
► One (1) Upstairs, Downstairs Small Cloth Bag
► One (1) Cook Meeple
► Six (6) Solo Opponents
► One (1) Dynamic Solitaire AI Card

CORRECTED—Thomas MacMillian, Esq: This card corrects a grammatical error on the original Obsession card. This card replaces the original.

CORRECTED—Miss Eleanor Brassington: This card corrects a VP error on the original Upstairs, Downstairs card. The original granted 1VP, and, as a starter guest, Miss Brassington should grant 0VP. This card replaces the original.

CORRECTED—Alexander Pinder, Esq: This card corrects a grammatical error on the original Wessex card. This card replaces the original.

NEW—Lady Ethel Fairchild: This is a new promotional card that can be integrated into the Obsession prestige guest deck, and it brings a new favour (consult the Unique Rules Reference for details). In the Obsession history (Glossary, page 3), we learn: Tragedy had by no means finished with Margaret, Dowager Countess Fairchild; eight short months after the death of Henry, her only sibling, her brother, died when he was thrown from a horse, breaking his neck. His wife, Ethel, just three years married and herself childless, soon joined the Dowager Countess in Derbyshire, mutual companions coping with loneliness and loss, brokenhearted and withdrawn. After ten years of quiet loneliness, both Margaret and Ethel Fairchild delight in the arrival of Charles and Elizabeth, and Ethel, much younger than the Dowager, soon forms an intimate connection with Elizabeth. Lady Ethel grants a new favour: courtship advice. Her close relationship with Elizabeth gives her great insight into the heart and tastes of her young ward, and Lady Ethel does indeed love sharing confidences.

NEW—Mr. William Darby: This is a new promotional card that can be integrated into the Obsession casual guest deck without any special rules. William Darby is a historical figure from the Victorian era. Going by the stage name of Pablo Fanque, he owned and managed a popular circus in Victorian Britain for three decades. Mr. William Darby, or, as he is professionally known, Mr. Pablo Fanque, is a native of Norwich, and is about 35 years of age. He was apprenticed to Mr. Batty, the present proprietor of "Astley's Amphitheatre," and remained in his company several years. He is proficient in rope-dancing, posturing, tumbling &c.; and is also considered a very good equestrian. After leaving Mr. Batty, he joined the establishment of the late Mr. Ducrow, and remained with him for some time. He again joined Mr. Batty; in 1841, he began business on his own account, with two horses, and has assembled a fine stud of horses and ponies at his establishment at Wigan, in Lancashire, in which county Mr. Pablo is well known, and a great favourite. —The Illustrated London News, 20 March 1847.

NEW—Miss Prudence Baker: This is a new promotional card that can be integrated into the Obsession casual guest deck without any special rules. Miss Baker is a fictional great granddaughter of a real historical figure, Nathanial Wells. Mr. Wells was a wealthy Welsh landowner born in St. Kitts in 1779, who carved out a successful and varied career in Britain as a magistrate, a member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces, and a sheriff. Nathanial Wells later acquired Piercefield House, which was described by Samuel Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary of England (1848): “From Piercefield Park, a splendid seat, the views are remarkably magnificent, and embrace numerous reaches of the Wye, the Severn, and a great range of the surrounding country. The mansion, situated on an eminence…is a superb elevation of freestone, consisting of a centre and two wings, and much admired for its tasteful architecture.” Mr. Wells died in 1852, eight years before the era of Obsession. Miss Baker is a fictional descendant from Mr. Wells’s family tree that stemmed from his 22 children.

Six (6) Improvement Tiles

CORRECTED—Housekeeper’s Room (2 copies): These tiles correct an error on the original Upstairs, Downstairs tiles. One side incorrectly references 0VP, when both sides should reference 1VP. These tiles replace the originals.

NEW—Business Room (2 copies): Credit to Michael Clarke for the name; the Business room is “a private room for a gentleman whose mornings are spent in practical affairs.” — A Gentleman‘s House, 1865. These tiles are added to Obsession and are available for Builders’ Market initial population. Developer note: My goal in creating this improvement is to add more utility and interest to the ESSENTIALS category, which, except for the Private Study and Main Library, features rather straightforward activities involving several guests and no tile favours. The Business Room introduces the idea of the family investing in the burgeoning tea trade (consult the Unique Rules Reference for details).

when both sides should reference 1VP These tiles replace the originals NEW Business Room 2 copies Credit to Michael Clarke for the name the Business room is a private room for a gentleman whose mornings are spent in practical affairs A Gentleman s House 1865 These tiles are added to Obsession and are available for Builders Market initial population Developer note My goal in creating this improvement is to add more utility and interest to the ESSENTIALS category which except for the Private Study and Main Library features rather straightforward activities involving several guests and no tile favours The Business Room introduces the idea of the family investing in the burgeoning tea trade consult the Unique Rules Reference for details

NEW—West Terrace (2 copies): These tiles optionally may replace the West Terrace tiles in the base game. Developer note: I have always felt that the original West Terrace was a limited tile, which is unfortunate for a Prestige Rating 5 tile in the important ESTATE category. The original concept had the family gathered in a private place to, amongst other things, discuss the local aristocratic landscape and perhaps turn a critical eye towards any emerging, unsavoury attachments. Thus, the tile grants a powerful dismissal action on the flipside. However, this tile is rarely used due to the demands on family later in the game to manage activities requiring larger numbers of gentry. The dismissal idea, developed for the East End Ha-Ha Promotional Tile (Simon Barnes), better fits the intended tile concept, so I have redesigned the West Terrace to grant a powerful dismissal action as an ongoing ability (as happens with service tiles purchased from the market). Note: This West Terrace tile is not a monument (consult the Unique Rules Reference for details).

One (1) Unique Rules Reference

NEW—Unique Rules Reference: A single reference card that summarises the unique rules for Lady Ethel Fairchild, the Business Room, and the West Terrace.

Twenty-Three (23) Player Aids

CORRECTED—Player Aids (23): Player aid counts in the 1st two printings did not have enough aids to supply each family box. This has been corrected. Aids for Obsession base game ► Aid #1: Passing Flowchart/Special Actions (6): The passing flowchart has been improved. These 6 updated aids replace all aids of this type and now supply one per family box. ► Aid #2: Servant Icons/Round Track Icons (2): These 2 aids join the 4 already in Obsession and now supply one per family box. ► Aid #3: Tile & Card Icons/Victory Point Icons (2): These 2 aids join the 4 already in Obsession and now supply one per family box. ► Aid #4: Seasonal Flowchart/Dismissing Guests (6): These 6 aids are new in the 3rd printing of Obsession (2.1E) and not contained in either the 1st or 2nd printing. These 6 new aids supply one per family box. Aids for Upstairs, Downstairs ► Aid #1: Passing Flowchart/Milestone Symbols (6): The passing flowchart has been improved. These 6 updated aids replace all aids of this type and now supply one per family box. ► Aid #2: Upstairs, Downstairs Servants (1): This 1 aid joins the 5 from Upstairs, Downstairs and now supply one per family box.

Two (2) Cloth Bags

CORRECTED—The cloth bags in Obsession 2E and Upstairs, Downstairs 1E used faulty stitching. The Useful Box contains both the Obsession tile bag and the Upstairs, Downstairs all purpose small bag using overlocked stitching. Credit to Panda Games who acknowledged the manufacturing error and has supplied these replacements at no charge.

One (1) Cook Meeple

CORRECTED—Cook: Upstairs, Downstairs contains 5 cooks, which is an adequate supply for all player counts. However, given that most people store ALL the starting materials in the 6 family boxes, one cook would always be in the Howard storage box. Therefore, if five families other than Howard are used, the Howard box must be raided for the 5th cook. The Useful Box provides a dedicated cook for the Howard family advantage.

Six (6) Solo Opponents

NEW—Six Solo Opponents: These six solo opponents are designed to use the base game solo mode with the addition of the Upstairs, Downstairs servants. There are three for Standard Play and three for Extended Play. Beware the toughest opponent ever discovered and never defeated, the legendary Lambton Worm... Whenever the Upstairs, Downstairs servants are added, two changes must be included: ► Player Board Selection: The solo player drafts a servant at the same time they choose their family board (consult the Upstairs, Downstairs servant draft rules for details), and ► New Pass/Hire Rule: The solo player uses the new passing rule that gives the option of hiring servants on a pass turn (consult the Upstairs, Downstairs Hiring Rule for details). All other aspects of the solo game are identical to the base game solo mode. Need a tutorial? Watch a setup and playthrough video featuring a battle against Tottenham! Just follow the QR Code and look for the video: Base Game Solo Mode with Upstairs, Downstairs Servants.

One (1) Dynamic Solo AI Card

servants are added two changes must be included Player Board Selection The solo player drafts a servant at the same time they choose their family board consult the Upstairs Downstairs servant draft rules for details and New Pass Hire Rule The solo player uses the new passing rule that gives the option of hiring servants on a pass turn consult the Upstairs Downstairs Hiring Rule for details All other aspects of the solo game are identical to the base game solo mode Need a tutorial Watch a setup and playthrough video featuring a battle against Tottenham Just follow the QR Code and look for the video Base Game Solo Mode with Upstairs Downstairs Servants One 1 Dynamic Solo AI Card

NEW—Dynamic AI (for Solitaire): A new solo and co-op Dynamic AI card is included. This card can be used for the base solo game with or without the Upstairs, Downstairs servants. It has more ‘intelligence’ in that it preferentially scavenges valuable tiles, which makes your solo opponents more difficult. Note: Co-op rules for an AI opponent are not included in the Useful Box. Version 1 is available as a PDF file on BoardGameGeek, and version 2 that includes the Howard family and the Upstairs, Downstairs servants will be published in 2021.

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USEFUL TOOLS (i.e., Contents)
► Six (6) Gentry Cards
► Six (6) Improvement Tiles
► One (1) Unique Rules Reference
► Twenty-Three (23) Player Aids
► One (1) Obsession Cloth Tile Bag
► One (1) Upstairs, Downstairs Small Cloth Bag
► One (1) Cook Meeple
► Six (6) Solo Opponents
► One (1) Dynamic Solitaire AI Card

CORRECTED—Thomas MacMillian, Esq: This card corrects a grammatical error on the original Obsession card. This card replaces the original.

CORRECTED—Miss Eleanor Brassington: This card corrects a VP error on the original Upstairs, Downstairs card. The original granted 1VP, and, as a starter guest, Miss Brassington should grant 0VP. This card replaces the original.

CORRECTED—Alexander Pinder, Esq: This card corrects a grammatical error on the original Wessex card. This card replaces the original.

NEW—Lady Ethel Fairchild: This is a new promotional card that can be integrated into the Obsession prestige guest deck, and it brings a new favour (consult the Unique Rules Reference for details). In the Obsession history (Glossary, page 3), we learn: Tragedy had by no means finished with Margaret, Dowager Countess Fairchild; eight short months after the death of Henry, her only sibling, her brother, died when he was thrown from a horse, breaking his neck. His wife, Ethel, just three years married and herself childless, soon joined the Dowager Countess in Derbyshire, mutual companions coping with loneliness and loss, brokenhearted and withdrawn. After ten years of quiet loneliness, both Margaret and Ethel Fairchild delight in the arrival of Charles and Elizabeth, and Ethel, much younger than the Dowager, soon forms an intimate connection with Elizabeth. Lady Ethel grants a new favour: courtship advice. Her close relationship with Elizabeth gives her great insight into the heart and tastes of her young ward, and Lady Ethel does indeed love sharing confidences.

NEW—Mr. William Darby: This is a new promotional card that can be integrated into the Obsession casual guest deck without any special rules. William Darby is a historical figure from the Victorian era. Going by the stage name of Pablo Fanque, he owned and managed a popular circus in Victorian Britain for three decades. Mr. William Darby, or, as he is professionally known, Mr. Pablo Fanque, is a native of Norwich, and is about 35 years of age. He was apprenticed to Mr. Batty, the present proprietor of "Astley's Amphitheatre," and remained in his company several years. He is proficient in rope-dancing, posturing, tumbling &c.; and is also considered a very good equestrian. After leaving Mr. Batty, he joined the establishment of the late Mr. Ducrow, and remained with him for some time. He again joined Mr. Batty; in 1841, he began business on his own account, with two horses, and has assembled a fine stud of horses and ponies at his establishment at Wigan, in Lancashire, in which county Mr. Pablo is well known, and a great favourite. —The Illustrated London News, 20 March 1847.

NEW—Miss Prudence Baker: This is a new promotional card that can be integrated into the Obsession casual guest deck without any special rules. Miss Baker is a fictional great granddaughter of a real historical figure, Nathanial Wells. Mr. Wells was a wealthy Welsh landowner born in St. Kitts in 1779, who carved out a successful and varied career in Britain as a magistrate, a member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces, and a sheriff. Nathanial Wells later acquired Piercefield House, which was described by Samuel Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary of England (1848): “From Piercefield Park, a splendid seat, the views are remarkably magnificent, and embrace numerous reaches of the Wye, the Severn, and a great range of the surrounding country. The mansion, situated on an eminence…is a superb elevation of freestone, consisting of a centre and two wings, and much admired for its tasteful architecture.” Mr. Wells died in 1852, eight years before the era of Obsession. Miss Baker is a fictional descendant from Mr. Wells’s family tree that stemmed from his 22 children.

Six (6) Improvement Tiles

CORRECTED—Housekeeper’s Room (2 copies): These tiles correct an error on the original Upstairs, Downstairs tiles. One side incorrectly references 0VP, when both sides should reference 1VP. These tiles replace the originals.

NEW—Business Room (2 copies): Credit to Michael Clarke for the name; the Business room is “a private room for a gentleman whose mornings are spent in practical affairs.” — A Gentleman‘s House, 1865. These tiles are added to Obsession and are available for Builders’ Market initial population. Developer note: My goal in creating this improvement is to add more utility and interest to the ESSENTIALS category, which, except for the Private Study and Main Library, features rather straightforward activities involving several guests and no tile favours. The Business Room introduces the idea of the family investing in the burgeoning tea trade (consult the Unique Rules Reference for details).

when both sides should reference 1VP These tiles replace the originals NEW Business Room 2 copies Credit to Michael Clarke for the name the Business room is a private room for a gentleman whose mornings are spent in practical affairs A Gentleman s House 1865 These tiles are added to Obsession and are available for Builders Market initial population Developer note My goal in creating this improvement is to add more utility and interest to the ESSENTIALS category which except for the Private Study and Main Library features rather straightforward activities involving several guests and no tile favours The Business Room introduces the idea of the family investing in the burgeoning tea trade consult the Unique Rules Reference for details

NEW—West Terrace (2 copies): These tiles optionally may replace the West Terrace tiles in the base game. Developer note: I have always felt that the original West Terrace was a limited tile, which is unfortunate for a Prestige Rating 5 tile in the important ESTATE category. The original concept had the family gathered in a private place to, amongst other things, discuss the local aristocratic landscape and perhaps turn a critical eye towards any emerging, unsavoury attachments. Thus, the tile grants a powerful dismissal action on the flipside. However, this tile is rarely used due to the demands on family later in the game to manage activities requiring larger numbers of gentry. The dismissal idea, developed for the East End Ha-Ha Promotional Tile (Simon Barnes), better fits the intended tile concept, so I have redesigned the West Terrace to grant a powerful dismissal action as an ongoing ability (as happens with service tiles purchased from the market). Note: This West Terrace tile is not a monument (consult the Unique Rules Reference for details).

One (1) Unique Rules Reference

NEW—Unique Rules Reference: A single reference card that summarises the unique rules for Lady Ethel Fairchild, the Business Room, and the West Terrace.

Twenty-Three (23) Player Aids

CORRECTED—Player Aids (23): Player aid counts in the 1st two printings did not have enough aids to supply each family box. This has been corrected.
Aids for Obsession base game
► Aid #1: Passing Flowchart/Special Actions (6): The passing flowchart has been improved. These 6 updated aids replace all aids of this type and now supply one per family box.
► Aid #2: Servant Icons/Round Track Icons (2): These 2 aids join the 4 already in Obsession and now supply one per family box.
► Aid #3: Tile & Card Icons/Victory Point Icons (2): These 2 aids join the 4 already in Obsession and now supply one per family box.
► Aid #4: Seasonal Flowchart/Dismissing Guests (6): These 6 aids are new in the 3rd printing of Obsession (2.1E) and not contained in either the 1st or 2nd printing. These 6 new aids supply one per family box.
Aids for Upstairs, Downstairs
► Aid #1: Passing Flowchart/Milestone Symbols (6): The passing flowchart has been improved. These 6 updated aids replace all aids of this type and now supply one per family box.
► Aid #2: Upstairs, Downstairs Servants (1): This 1 aid joins the 5 from Upstairs, Downstairs and now supply one per family box.

Two (2) Cloth Bags

CORRECTED—The cloth bags in Obsession 2E and Upstairs, Downstairs 1E used faulty stitching. The Useful Box contains both the Obsession tile bag and the Upstairs, Downstairs all purpose small bag using overlocked stitching. Credit to Panda Games who acknowledged the manufacturing error and has supplied these replacements at no charge.

One (1) Cook Meeple

CORRECTED—Cook: Upstairs, Downstairs contains 5 cooks, which is an adequate supply for all player counts. However, given that most people store ALL the starting materials in the 6 family boxes, one cook would always be in the Howard storage box. Therefore, if five families other than Howard are used, the Howard box must be raided for the 5th cook. The Useful Box provides a dedicated cook for the Howard family advantage.

Six (6) Solo Opponents

NEW—Six Solo Opponents: These six solo opponents are designed to use the base game solo mode with the addition of the Upstairs, Downstairs servants. There are three for Standard Play and three for Extended Play. Beware the toughest opponent ever discovered and never defeated, the legendary Lambton Worm... Whenever the Upstairs, Downstairs servants are added, two changes must be included:
► Player Board Selection: The solo player drafts a servant at the same time they choose their family board (consult the Upstairs, Downstairs servant draft rules for details), and
► New Pass/Hire Rule: The solo player uses the new passing rule that gives the option of hiring servants on a pass turn (consult the Upstairs, Downstairs Hiring Rule for details).
All other aspects of the solo game are identical to the base game solo mode. Need a tutorial? Watch a setup and playthrough video featuring a battle against Tottenham! Just follow the QR Code and look for the video: Base Game Solo Mode with Upstairs, Downstairs Servants.

One (1) Dynamic Solo AI Card

servants are added two changes must be included Player Board Selection The solo player drafts a servant at the same time they choose their family board consult the Upstairs Downstairs servant draft rules for details and New Pass Hire Rule The solo player uses the new passing rule that gives the option of hiring servants on a pass turn consult the Upstairs Downstairs Hiring Rule for details All other aspects of the solo game are identical to the base game solo mode Need a tutorial Watch a setup and playthrough video featuring a battle against Tottenham Just follow the QR Code and look for the video Base Game Solo Mode with Upstairs Downstairs Servants One 1 Dynamic Solo AI Card

NEW—Dynamic AI (for Solitaire): A new solo and co-op Dynamic AI card is included. This card can be used for the base solo game with or without the Upstairs, Downstairs servants. It has more ‘intelligence’ in that it preferentially scavenges valuable tiles, which makes your solo opponents more difficult. Note: Co-op rules for an AI opponent are not included in the Useful Box. Version 1 is available as a PDF file on BoardGameGeek, and version 2 that includes the Howard family and the Upstairs, Downstairs servants will be published in 2021.

© Kayenta Publishing, 2021, no part of this product may be reproduced without permission. 4

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