# Nucleum: Australia ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2024 - **BGG Rating**: 8.4 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 60-150 min - **Weight**: 4.33 / 5 - **Designers**: Dávid Turczi, Simone Luciani - **Artists**: Aleksander Zawada, Andreas Resch, Zbigniew Umgelter - **Publishers**: Board&Dice, Board Bound, Giant Roc, Intrafin Games, Maldito Games, Mosaico Jogos, MTS Games, Rebel Sp. z o.o., 狗吠火車 - **Categories**: Economic, Expansion for Base-game, Industry / Manufacturing, Science Fiction - **Mechanics**: Action Retrieval, Contracts, End Game Bonuses, Hand Management, Income, Market, Network and Route Building, Solo / Solitaire Game, Tech Trees / Tech Tracks, Variable Player Powers ## Verdict Perfect for heavy Eurogame fans looking for more logistical complexity. The new shipping lanes are a game-changer.Very well-implemented maritime logisticsAdds significant strategic depth to baseChallenging and intriguing expert variantEngaging alternate history themeVery steep learning curveRequires the base game to playRECOMMENDED ## Description If you thought Saxony's energy revolution was intense, get ready: Nucleum has just landed in Australia! The discovery of massive uranium deposits has turned the continent into a new global powerhouse, attracting visionary entrepreneurs eager to profit. But don't think it'll be a walk in the park; the colossal scale of Australia imposes logistical challenges that require more than just railway tracks. In this expansion, the base game gains extra layers of depth. The biggest highlight is the introduction of shipping lanes, which allow you to transport resources far more efficiently than by land, opening the way to Tasmania. Over there, you'll find an eccentric scientist who managed to replicate Elsa's technology, resulting in an experimental power plant in Hobart that promises to shift the game's dynamics. Beyond the brand-new map, Nucleum: Australia introduces significant rule changes and fresh concepts. You can now build your own coal mines and, for those who love to tighten the belt and crank up the difficulty, there's an expert variant that adds bidding for the Experiments. It's the perfect choice for players who enjoy expanding industrial networks, optimizing maritime logistics, and dominating the energy economy of an entire continent. If you're into heavy games with complex management and the feeling of building an empire from the ground up, this expansion is the upgrade your table needs. ## How to Play Objective of the Game In Nucleum: Australia, players take on the roles of entrepreneurs capitalizing on Australia's uranium deposits to revolutionize energy production. The goal is to expand your network, build infrastructure, and efficiently manage resources to generate the most Victory Points (VP) by the end of the game. The game ends when specific endgame conditions are met, and the player with the highest VP wins. Preparation (Setup) Place the Australia main board in the center, using the side matching the player count. Place the side board next to it. Place Coal Import Wagon tiles on the Queensland coal import area. Place the VP Flag token under the "75" spot on the VP track. Place Coal Mine tiles on their indicated city spaces. Shuffle the 5 new Action tiles with the base game's 30, then set them up as usual. Place the side board overlays in the Contract market and endgame condition area. Modify Contract setup: Remove base game Contracts (C06, C13, C24, C26) and add new Silver, Gold, and Purple Contracts. Adjust quantities based on player count. Shuffle the new Milestone tile with the base tiles and select four for the game. Place the Power Plant standee with the Nucleum token in Hobart (do not use the Riesa standee). Use the new Setup cards to place starting Nucleum, Neutral Buildings, and Rubble tiles. Place Neutral Boats on shipping lanes as indicated. Give each player: 1 Special Shipping tile 1 Coal Mine Extraction tile 4 Boats (in their color) 1 player aid Flow of the Game The game follows the base Nucleum structure with these additions: Shipping lanes and Coal Mines introduce new actions and resource management. In 3- and 4-player games, three endgame conditions (instead of two) must be met to trigger the finale. Players take turns performing actions like Place a Boat, Industrialize, and Energize, adapting to Australia's unique challenges. Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção. Actions and How to Play Shipping Lanes and Boats Shipping lanes are new connections between cities. Key rules: Multiple Boats can occupy one lane, but only one per player. Boats extend your network but cannot transport electricity. Cost to place a Boat: 1 Thaler + 1 Thaler per existing Boat on the lane. Special Shipping Tile This tile lets you take a Place a Boat action, then immediately play another tile on top. It cannot be used as a railway. Coal Mines During Industrialize, spend 1 Worker to take a Coal Mine tile from a city in your network. Place it on your Coal Mine Extraction tile to earn rewards for adjacent placements. Coal Mines produce 1 free coal during Energize. Modified Power Plants Lucas Heights: Reward for placing a Nucleum is a Level 1 Technology. Geelong: Reward is a free Place a Boat action. Hobart: Pre-built Nucleum; no additional token can be placed here. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when: 3 (or 2 in solo/2-player games) endgame conditions are triggered. In solo mode, the Baron recharges three times. Players tally VP from: Completed Contracts and Milestones. Technologies, energized buildings, and Boat placements. Resources and income steps. Tips to Win Prioritize Coal Mines: They provide free coal during Energize and adjacency rewards on your Extraction tile. Use Shipping Lanes early: Expand your network efficiently and block opponents by placing Boats on key lanes. Target Tasmania: Contracts and rewards for buildings here offer high VP potential. ## FAQ ### Do I need the base game to play? Yes! This is an expansion, so you must own the Nucleum base game to use this content. ### Is the game very difficult? What's the complexity level? Yes, it's a heavy game (4.33 BGG weight). It's recommended for those experienced with complex Euros who enjoy long-term planning. ### How long does a game take? It ranges from 60 to 150 minutes, depending on the number of players and the group's experience. ### What does the expansion actually add? A new Australia map, shipping lanes, the ability to build coal mines, and a bidding variant for Experiments. ### Does it work well in solo mode? 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