# The Cost

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2020
- **BGG Rating**: 7.0
- **BGG Rank**: #5302
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 75 min
- **Weight**: 3.55 / 5
- **Designers**: Armando Canales
- **Artists**: Harald Lieske
- **Publishers**: Spielworxx, Rawstone
- **Categories**: Economic
- **Mechanics**: Action Drafting, Market, Network and Route Building, Ownership, Pick-up and Deliver, Turn Order: Stat-Based, Victory Points as a Resource

## Verdict
For fans of heavy economic games unafraid of controversial themes. The Cost keeps you in constant moral dilemmas while calculating risks and rewards.Ethical choices affect gameplayInnovative triple action draftingDynamic turn orderControversial theme well handledCan be emotionally heavyLimited direct player interactionComplex rules for beginnersFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
In The Cost, you're the CEO of a company in the controversial asbestos industry, balancing profit and ethics in an economic simulation full of dilemmas. Over 4 rounds (which might end early if regulations shut down your business), you'll mine, refine and transport this hazardous material worldwide, constantly choosing between maximizing profits or reducing deaths - yes, your choices have actual in-game consequences. Each round, pick a country to operate in (triggering local events), then triple-draft actions between building mines/refineries, getting government subsidies or expanding your transport network. Your money (which doubles as victory points) can be converted into region-specific resources at variable rates. Watch out: turn order changes dynamically based on performance, so the lead is never secure. Get ready to get your hands dirty in this heavy game (in every sense), where every decision comes at a literal cost.

## FAQ
### Best player count?
Works best at 3-4. With 2 it becomes more calculative but still interesting.

### Language dependent?
None! All components use icons/symbols.

### Is it too complex?
BGG weight 3.5: requires experience with heavy euros. Not recommended as your first economic game.

### Does it sensationalize the asbestos theme?
No - it handles the subject seriously, showing real industry dilemmas without glorification.

### How long does it take?
The 4 promised rounds take about 75 mins, but analytical players might stretch to 2 hours.

### Is there solo play?
No official mode, but some fans created bots for TTS (TableTop Simulator).

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 88.34 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=2307734&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 90.58 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3138138&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 105.88 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=2315221&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
  - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/36400/the-cost?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com