How to Play Boonlake | Rules & Setup Guide

Get Ready

Setup the game with these step-by-step instructions before diving into your turn.

Place the main board

Put the game board in the center of the table

Sort building tiles

Separate the 42 building tiles by their backs; set aside the 7 pasture tiles (cattle on both sides) next to the board

Create building tile stack

Shuffle the gray-backed building tiles and stack them face-down next to the board

Place starting building tiles

Based on player count:

Place region markers

Put one region marker on each of the four regions

Create common supply

Place vases, coins, and levers next to the board

Prepare project cards

Shuffle project cards into a face-down draw pile; each player draws 6 cards into their hand

Set up action board

Place action board next to main board; shuffle 7 action tiles and place randomly on the action board

Distribute player boards

Each player takes one player board, placing it with the front side face-up

Give scoring markers

Each player receives 4 scoring markers and one 100-/200-point marker in their color

Take player components

Each player takes in their color:

Distribute production facilities

Each player places 4 production facilities (one of each type) in their player board's upper recesses

Distribute scoring tiles

Shuffle scoring tiles, deal 2 to each player who places them on matching colored areas at board bottom; place 1 random tile on each empty territory; return remaining tiles to box

Select starting production

Each player chooses one production facility, flips it to show 1 resource, and places in matching recess

Determine starting player

The player who most recently visited a place with fewer than 100 inhabitants becomes starting player, receives starting player marker and 6 coins; player to their left gets 7 coins; in 3-4 player games, other players get 8 coins

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

Execute three phases

Complete Phase A, Phase B, and Phase C in order each turn

Select action tile

Choose one action tile from the action board and place it in the lowest empty row; if choosing from bottom two rows, lose victory points as shown

Play or discard card (Part 1)

Either play 1 card of the indicated type (day, dusk, or night) after paying its cost, OR discard a card to gain 2 coins (3 coins with Architect action); may skip both options

Execute main action (Part 2)

Perform actions shown in center of action tile from left to right (arrow to left side); may skip portions

Allow other players (Part 3)

All other players may execute the action shown on right side of arrow; active player may also do this while still on left-side actions

Handle resources

Resources (coins, workers) come from common supply; when paying, return to common supply

Manage farm workers

Workers on your farm can only be removed via tier bonus; farm workers are not part of common supply

Take workers

Only take workers in your own color from common supply

Draw cards

When drawing 1+ cards, always draw from draw pile; if empty, shuffle discard pile

Move scoring marker

When gaining/losing points, move marker accordingly; if passing 0 or completing loop, place/flip 100-/200 marker

Pay card costs

Pay coins (number shown), vases (number shown), and prove raw materials (shown on card via production facilities and canoes - don't surrender resources)

Move canoes for resources

Your 2 canoes provide raw materials based on canal position; move canoes downstream (left) freely, but pay 2 coins to move upstream (right)

Use production facilities

Facilities produce 1 resource of their type when needed; level 2 facilities produce 2 resources

Apply card cost reduction

Some effects reduce raw material costs by 1 of a chosen type

Activate card effects

Cards have three effect types:

Complete scoring tile projects

Instead of playing a card, pay costs shown on any scoring tile (coins + resources) to complete its project

Receive project rewards

Take 2 workers from supply to farm, gain indicated victory points, advance marker 1 space on corresponding track (coin or card)

Place worker on project

Place one worker in your color on the space above completed project

Score double points

If completing a project on your chosen scoring tile (from setup), score double victory points

Reveal building tile

Draw one gray building tile from the stack

Place building tile

Place it on an empty space adjacent to (or connected by ford to) an existing tile or pasture

Claim placement bonus

Receive indicated reward based on placement location (coins, cards, workers, or production facility upgrade)

Handle full board

If all spaces are occupied, receive 2 coins per unplaced tile instead

Select empty building space

Choose an empty construction area on any building tile (not pastures)

Place worker

Move 1 worker from your farm to the construction area

Pay costs and receive rewards

Pay indicated cost; receive indicated reward if shown

Develop worker to house

Select worker on construction area, separate from 1 farm worker, swap for house from top tier of player board; if tier empties, gain tier bonus

Develop house to settlement

Select 1 house adjacent to at least 3 occupied territories, separate from 2 farm workers; if third settlement pay 1 additional worker or lose 4 VP; if fourth settlement pay 2 workers or lose 4 VP each

Place settlement

Swap house for settlement from player board top tier; return house to board (not player board); gain tier bonus if tier empties

Pay region penalty

If you already have a settlement in that region (Boonlake, Southern, New Hope, Unknown), lose 5 VP

Pioneer (Úttörő)

Play day card or discard for 2 coins; explore twice, then settle once or develop once; other players draw 2 cards, play any card or discard for 2 coins

Settler (Telepes)

Play night card or discard for 2 coins; settle once or develop once; then all players (starting with you) settle once or develop once, or play/discard card

Cattle Breeding (Marhatenyésztés)

Play dusk card or discard for 2 coins; place pasture on empty space adjacent to building tile, receive exploration reward; all players may then place 1 cattle or play/discard card

Place cattle

Select pasture with max 3 cattle; separate 1/2/3/4 farm workers if pasture has 0/1/2/3 cattle; for 4th/5th cattle pay additional workers or lose 4 VP; take cattle from player board, receive 2 coins per adjacent house

Region Scoring (Régiós pontozás)

Play dusk card or discard for 2 coins; select uncovered region, cover reward with marker, collect bonus; then 3 other regions scored - all players get 1 coin per occupied territory

Recruitment (Toborzás)

Play night card or discard for 2 coins; take 1 worker and explore once; all players may pay 3 coins or discard 3 cards for 1 worker (repeatable)

Advancement (Haladás)

Play dusk card or discard for 2 coins; upgrade once; all players may upgrade once (costs 1 worker) or draw 1 card

Upgrade

Select empty upgrade space, pay coin cost, place lever from supply with reward visible; activate anytime including during actions or interim scoring

Architect (Építész)

Receive 3 coins (instead of playing/discarding); play any card or draw 2 cards; all players may play 1 card or discard for 2 coins

Determine movement

Move ship forward up to the number shown on the uncovered row where you took the action tile

Move at least 1 space

You must move at least 1 space forward with your ship