Obsession: Characters Expansion — 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)

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Deal 4 face-up objective cards under Reverend Grantly.
4. Fill Higbee’s Second Chance Domestics with 1 of each second chance servant (lady’s maid, valet, footman) per player.
5. 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.