# Obsession: Characters Expansion

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2024
- **BGG Rating**: 8.4
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 1-6 (Best with: 1, 2)
- **Duration**: 30-180 min
- **Weight**: 3.60 / 5
- **Designers**: Dan Hallagan
- **Artists**: Dan Hallagan, Jan Lipiński
- **Publishers**: Kayenta Games, 4GAMES, Giochix.it, Lucrum Games, Maldito Games, Strohmann Games, Super Meeple
- **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Post-Napoleonic
- **Mechanics**: Cooperative Game, Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Hand Management, Open Drafting, Solo / Solitaire Game, Worker Placement, Different Worker Types

## Verdict
A must-have for those seeking more thematic depth and new tactical options for estate management.Varied new strategic actionsFantastic thematic immersionCharacters with great personalityIncreases base game replayabilityHeavy language dependenceRequires base game to playRECOMMENDED

## Description
Imagine owning a country estate in 19th-century Derbyshire, only to find your neighbor is an eccentric dowager with... questionable taste. Her manor looks like a poorly executed Scottish castle and, even worse, it's crawling with bizarre figures: European refugees, faded nobles, and oddballs that any respectable person would shun. But let's be honest, it's exactly this 'rabble' that makes the neighborhood so fascinating! The Characters expansion for Obsession brings these quirky personalities into the game, injecting new dynamics and strategic actions into your estate management.

Now, you can rely on figures like Constable Bucket, who is just the man for the job when you need to clear out unsavoury guests who are disrupting your plans. If you're short on staff, Mr. Higbee is your go-to for finding domestic help (even if his references are, shall we say, vague). For those seeking wisdom, the Reverend Grantly is available to dispense sage advice. And, of course, the Eccentric Dowager Marchioness herself acts as the ultimate bridge to international high society, quickly connecting you with Russian counts, Swedish nobles, and Prussian majors.

This expansion does more than just add thematic flavor; it expands the tactical possibilities of the base game, offering new ways to manipulate your estate's situation and interact with the environment. If you already enjoy the atmosphere of intrigue and the detailed management of Obsession, these new characters provide that extra layer of depth and humor that turns every session into a true masquerade of eccentricities. Get ready to deal with England's strangest nobility while trying to maintain your composure and control over your land.

## How to Play
Objective of the Game  
In Obsession: Characters Expansion, players take on the roles of Victorian-era families striving to elevate their social standing by hosting events, managing servants, and courting influential guests. The expansion introduces eccentric characters and second-chance servants to aid in overcoming challenges. The goal remains to accumulate the most Victory Points (VP) by the end of the game through strategic use of guests, activities, and objectives. The game ends when the Courtship Marker reaches the final space on the track, triggering final scoring.  

Preparation (Setup)  
  
  Replace the original objective deck with the new deck from this expansion. Remove cards marked with U (if not using Upstairs, Downstairs) or W (if not using Wessex). Solo players must also remove the 5 Majority Bonus objectives.  
  Place the Characters sideboard next to the main board, with 1 footman under each character’s space. Position the 3 character meeples (Reverend Grantly, Constable Bucket, and the Eccentric Dowager’s carriage) on their designated spaces.  
  Deal 4 face-up objective cards under Reverend Grantly.  
  Fill Higbee’s Second Chance Domestics with 1 of each second chance servant (lady’s maid, valet, footman) per player.  
  Place the 4 Exile guest cards (e.g., Count Vladimir Antonoff) face up under the Eccentric Dowager.  
  

Flow of the Game  
The game follows the core Obsession turn structure, with these additions:  
  
  Passing Turn: Players may now invite a character (using a footman) before choosing their passing benefit (Collect £200, Refresh Builders’ Market, or Hire Servants). The Eccentric Dowager replaces the normal benefit with selecting an Exile guest.  
  Character Favours: If a character is on your board at the start of your turn, resolve their favours during the Enjoy Favours step. Return them to the sideboard during Clear Board.  
  Second Chance Servants: These can be hired as an extra action (expending your butler) and used like regular servants, but with reputation penalties.  
  

Actions and How to Play  
Character Abilities  
  
  Reverend Grantly: Exchange 1–2 of your objectives for cards from his pile, paying £100 per card.  
  Constable Bucket: Ignore negative favours from unsavoury guests and dismiss them (lose 2 reputation). Requires at least 1 unsavoury guest to invite.  
  Eccentric Dowager: Gain an Exile guest (pay £100–200 to use their powerful favours).  
  
Second Chance Servants (SCS)  
Hire SCS by expending your butler. Using them incurs reputation penalties:  
  
  -2 rep if serving prestige guests.  
  -1 rep if serving respectable casual guests.  
  No penalty for unsavoury guests or family-only activities.  
  

End of Game and Scoring  
The game ends when the Courtship Marker reaches its final space. Final scoring includes:  
  
  VP from objectives, guests, tiles, and money (1 VP per £100).  
  Second chance servants are worth 0 VP.  
  The player with the highest VP wins. Tiebreaker: most reputation.  
  

Tips to Win  
  
  Use Reverend Grantly early to swap unfavorable objectives.  
  Constable Bucket is ideal for mitigating unsavoury guests—dismiss them before they hurt your reputation.  
  Exiles are costly but powerful; save them for high-stakes turns where their favours (e.g., screening prestige guests) can swing the game.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game to play?
Yes, this is an expansion. You must own Obsession to use these new characters.

### Is it hard to learn with the expansion?
If you already know the base game, the learning curve is smooth. They add new actions without altering the core logic.

### Does the expansion change the player count?
Yes, it provides adjustments that allow for more flexible player counts and even adds cooperative play options.

### Is language a barrier?
Yes, there is significant text on cards and abilities, so you'll need translations if you aren't fluent in the game's language.

### Is it worth it for solo players?
Absolutely! The expansion brings improvements and new dynamics that enrich the solitaire experience.

## Price Comparison
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