# Wildcatters

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2013
- **BGG Rating**: 7.6
- **BGG Rank**: #1728
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 120 min
- **Weight**: 3.98 / 5
- **Designers**: André Spil, Rolf Sagel
- **Artists**: Bas Jongkind, Daan van Paridon, Thijs van Paridon
- **Publishers**: RASS Games, Capstone Games
- **Categories**: Economic, Industry / Manufacturing, Transportation
- **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence, Auction / Bidding, End Game Bonuses, Loans, Network and Route Building, Open Drafting, Ownership, Pick-up and Deliver, Point to Point Movement, Stock Holding, Tags, Turn Order: Stat-Based, Victory Points as a Resource

## Verdict
If you enjoy economic games with lots of interaction and a strong oil tycoon theme, Wildcatters might be your next obsession!Intense economic raceAuctions and negotiationRoute and network buildingWell-integrated themeSteep initial learning curveCan be lengthyHigh player interactionRECOMMENDED

## Description
Get ready to dive headfirst into the 19th-century oil rush with Wildcatters! In this tactical and strategic game, you step into the shoes of a visionary tycoon, ready to explore the globe in search of black gold. The objective is clear: become the world's largest oil producer and distributor. To achieve this, you'll need a keen business sense, auctioning prowess, and a sharp logistics network.

The game board is a world map where you'll explore eight promising regions. Each round, you'll select area cards, receive some cash, and decide where to invest: building extraction rigs, oil tankers, trains, or refineries. The game encourages you to collaborate (to a certain extent!) with opponents, using their transport routes to get your oil to refineries. After all, what matters is delivering more barrels than everyone else.

Wildcatters blends auctions to secure exploration rights, network building for transportation, and a race to see who dominates the market. You'll manage your finances, perhaps even take out loans, and keep an eye on stocks to ensure your fortune grows as much as your production. With seven intense rounds, every decision counts towards becoming the ultimate oil baron. It's a game that demands planning, foresight, and a good dose of daring to navigate the turbulent waters of the petroleum industry.

## FAQ
### What is the average playtime for Wildcatters?
A game of Wildcatters typically lasts around 120 minutes, making it a longer game that requires dedication.

### How many players can participate?
The game is designed for 2 to 4 players, offering a good experience at all player counts.

### Is Wildcatters a difficult game to learn?
It has a medium-high complexity (3.97/5 on BGG), so it might take a few plays to master all its nuances, but the basic rules are understandable.

### Is it more of a strategy or tactics game?
Wildcatters requires a good balance between long-term strategy (where to invest, which network to build) and short-term tactics (how to react to opponents' bids and seize opportunities).

### Who would you recommend Wildcatters to?
We recommend it for those who enjoy economic games with significant player interaction, auctions, and an industrial empire-building theme.

### Is there a lot of 'take that' or conflict between players?
Yes, the competition for areas, exploration rights, and the need to use each other's routes creates plenty of interaction and, at times, tension among players.

## Price Comparison
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