How to Play Powerboats: Expansion 1

Cwali · Board game · 2009
2–6 · best 5, 6 60 min Weight 1.6/5
1.0 rating Ludopedia
7.1 rating BGG

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Step by step

Objective of the Game

Powerboats Expansion 1 adds new "twists" to the race in the base Powerboats game. Players are still trying to win the race, but now they must navigate new challenges and try to take advantage of new situations presented by the expansion tiles. The expansion tiles can get your speedboat into trouble, but also offer opportunities.

Preparation (Setup)

  1. After placing the buoys, place the 7 expansion tiles at the start of each race.
  2. Do not place the expansion tiles on the same lake section as the start/finish line.
  3. On the other 5 lake sections, place the 7 expansion tiles.
  4. Randomly place them adjacent to the letters "A", "B", or "C" where no buoy is placed.
  5. First, place them where the letter is written on an island. Place them in the same way as you would the start/finish line, i.e., adjacent to the hex-side where you see the letter.
  6. Once the island letters have been used, do the same for the letters which are written in the water spaces.
  7. If new tiles cross each other, place the tile from the letter towards the opposite direction, starting on the water hex with the letter. This means shifting the expansion tile 3 spaces towards/over the letter.

Flow of the Game

When your boat enters an expansion tile space, its effect is experienced directly, regardless of whether it happens during or at the end of your move. You can enter each tile from any direction.

Actions and How to Play

Expansion Tile Effects

When your boat enters an expansion tile space, no matter if that happens during or at the end of your move, your boat directly experiences its effect. You can enter each tile from any direction (even the redoubt tile).

  • Redoubt:
    • When your boat enters a redoubt space, you double your remaining die pips, and fly this number of spaces further.
    • If you enter the redoubt space without having any remaining movement steps, on your next turn you double your full complement of die pips.
    • You cannot turn direction on the redoubt space.
    • Flying means that you can go over islands. The island spaces count as steps too.
    • If your last step is on a water space you land fine.
    • If you land either on an island space, or on a redoubt space, you immediately receive 4 damage, and your race ends there.
  • Current:
    • When your boat enters a current space, your boat is automatically moved one space in the direction of the current, without turning your boat.
    • You cannot pass the current in the opposite direction, as each time you move one space onto the current tile it will move you back one space.
  • Maelstrom:
    • When your boat enters a maelstrom space, your boat turns 60 degrees (1 side) in the direction of the maelstrom's arrows.
    • You continue your remaining steps in the direction your boat now stands.
    • If the next space is again a maelstrom, it turns your boat 60 degrees again.
  • Low-water:
    • When your boat enters a low-water space, you receive damage equal to the number of submerged rocks in that space (either 1, 2, or 3).
    • These rocks will also slow down your boat. So you must also remove either 1, 2, or 3 from your remaining steps.
    • If you don't have any remaining steps, you remain on the low-water tile.
    • You must also adjust your dice accordingly to show your new slower speed. Therefore, remove 1 or more dice.
    • If you can't match the number of rocks precisely, then you slow down by the closest higher number you can match by removing dice.
    • Example: Your speed is 6, with 2 dice: 3+3. In the second movement step of your turn, you reach the low-water tile, at the space with 1 rock under the water. You get 1 damage tile and you slow down by 1 step, so you move 3 steps further instead of 4. You then lose one die with 3 pips (because you can't match the 1 exactly with your dice). Your new speed is 3.

End of Game and Scoring

Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.

Tips for Winning

  • Try to take advantage of the new situations presented by the expansion tiles.
  • Be cautious when entering a redoubt space, as landing on an island or another redoubt space will result in 4 damage and end your race.
  • Plan your movement carefully around current and maelstrom tiles, as they will alter your boat's position and direction.

Rules manual

Official PDF file

Prefer the Official PDF? Download the official Powerboats: Expansion 1 rulebook or browse it online with our AI rules assistant.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about the rules

5 questions
What is the objective of Powerboats: Expansion 1?
Powerboats Expansion 1 adds new "twists" to the race in the base Powerboats game. Players are still trying to win the race, but now they must navigate new challenges and try to take advantage of new situations presented by the expansion tiles. The expansion tiles can get your speedboat into trouble, but also offer opportunities.
How do you set up Powerboats: Expansion 1?
After placing the buoys, place the 7 expansion tiles at the start of each race. Do not place the expansion tiles on the same lake section as the start/finish line. On the other 5 lake sections, place the 7 expansion tiles. Randomly place them adjacent to the letters "A", "B", or "C" where no buoy is placed. First, place them where the letter is written on an island. Place them in the same way as you would the start/finish line, i.e., adjacent to the hex-side where you see the letter. Once the…
How do you play Powerboats: Expansion 1?
Expansion Tile Effects When your boat enters an expansion tile space, no matter if that happens during or at the end of your move, your boat directly experiences its effect. You can enter each tile from any direction (even the redoubt tile). Redoubt: When your boat enters a redoubt space, you double your remaining die pips, and fly this number of spaces further. If you enter the redoubt space without having any remaining movement steps, on your next turn you double your full complement of die…
How does Powerboats: Expansion 1 end, and how do you score?
Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.
What are some tips for winning Powerboats: Expansion 1?
Try to take advantage of the new situations presented by the expansion tiles. Be cautious when entering a redoubt space, as landing on an island or another redoubt space will result in 4 damage and end your race. Plan your movement carefully around current and maelstrom tiles, as they will alter your boat's position and direction.
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