Power Grid

2F-Spiele, 2Tomatoes Games, 999 Games · Board game · 2004
2–6 · best 4 120 min Weight 3.3/5
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
How to Play Buy · from US$ 25.89
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you enjoy economic games that make you think about every penny and how to dominate the market, Power Grid is for you! It's a classic that rewards planning and strategy.

Highlights
  • Dynamic and addictive market
  • Tense and exciting auctions
  • Strategic network building
  • High replayability guaranteed
Keep in mind
  • Initial learning curve
  • Can be a bit slow
  • Strong indirect interaction
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
Access Rules Guide
About the game
Get ready to power up and expand your energy empire in Power Grid! In this modern classic, you step into the shoes of an energy tycoon, competing to become the nation's largest electricity provider. The game revolves around a dynamic blend of auctions, resource management, and network building. Each round, you'll bid to acquire increasingly efficient power plants, but beware: by purchasing one, you might pave the way for opponents to snag even better models!

But a good tycoon needs more than just power plants. You'll also need to secure supplies of raw materials like coal, oil, and garbage (yes, garbage!) to keep your factories running at full capacity. Expanding your network is crucial, connecting cities and ensuring they receive power. The challenge lies in balancing investments in plants and resources with the need to rapidly expand your distribution grid, all while closely watching your opponents' moves. The resource market fluctuates, turn order shifts, and new opportunities arise constantly. Whoever best manages their resources, anticipates opponents' plays, and expands their network most efficiently will emerge victorious. Power Grid demands planning, strategy, and a good dose of daring to dominate the energy market.

With rules refined from the original Funkenschlag, Power Grid offers a deep and rewarding experience, perfect for those who enjoy economic games with a touch of fierce competition. It's a game that tests your negotiation skills and your ability to adapt to a constantly changing market. Are you ready to take control and light up the world?
Expansions
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Power Grid English · PDF
Download PDF
BEST PLAYER COUNT
2 OK
3 REC
4 BEST
5 BEST
6 REC
WHERE TO BUY
Finding best prices...
Game details

Families

Components: Map (Continental / National scale) Components: Wooden pieces & boards Country: Germany Country: USA Decades: The 2000's Digital Implementations: Apple App Store Digital Implementations: BrettspielWelt Digital Implementations: Google Play Digital Implementations: Steam Game: Power Grid Mechanism: Tableau Building Misc: BGG Hall of Fame Misc: Dice Tower Hall of Fame Occupation: Engineer Theme: Electricity Generation
Publisher 2F-Spiele, 2Tomatoes Games, 999 Games, Albi, Arclight Games, Brain Games, Edge Entertainment, Galápagos Jogos, Gémklub, Giochi Uniti, Hobby World, Ideal Board Games, Kaissa Chess & Games, Korea Boardgames, Lacerta, Laguna, Lautapelit.fi, Matagot, Rio Grande Games, Rozum, Runadrake, Siam Board Games, Smart Ltd, Stratelibri, Swan Panasia Co., Ltd.
Designer Friedemann Friese
Artist Antonio Dessi, Domonkos Bence, Harald Lieske, Jorge Tabanera Redondo, Lars-Arne "Maura" Kalusky, Prapach Lapamnuaysap
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players does Power Grid support and what's the average playtime?
Power Grid is for 2 to 6 players and typically takes around 120 minutes to complete, depending on the group's experience.
What's the complexity of Power Grid? Is it a beginner game?
With a BGG weight of 3.24/5, it's considered a medium-heavy game. It might take a few plays to master all the nuances, but it's very rewarding for those seeking a challenge.
What happens at the start of each round?
At the start of each round, available power plants are reordered, resource prices (coal, oil, etc.) are updated based on demand, and turn order may shift depending on the previous round's actions.
How does the power plant auction work?
Power plants are put up for auction in ascending order of their number. Players bid to acquire the plants they want, and the player who offers the highest bid for a specific plant purchases it. The order in which players bid first in each auction is determined by the current turn order.
Do I need prior knowledge of power generation to play?
No! Although the theme is electricity generation, the game is based on economic and auction mechanics. The rules explain everything you need to know about the types of plants and resources.
What is the main objective of the game?
The goal is to be the player who can supply power to the most cities by the end of the game, which is triggered when one player connects a predetermined number of cities.