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Brass: Birmingham
StrategyExpert8.6· BGG rating

Brass: Birmingham

Build your industrial network across 18th-century England: coal, iron, cotton, and canals that will one day become railways.

Players
2–4
Playing time
60–120 min
Min. age
14+
Year
2018
Designer
Martin Wallace
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Setup

Unfold the Birmingham board in the center. Place starting resources (coal and iron) on the marked spaces.

Each player takes their industry tiles, personal board, and a shuffled hand of 8 cards from their 17-card location deck.

Distribute starting money based on player count and turn order position.

Determine turn order randomly. Set all score markers to 0.

Rules

  1. 1

    The game is split into two eras: the Canal Era and the Rail Era. At the end of the first era, all connections and any buildings with no active connections are removed.

  2. 2

    On your turn, play up to 2 cards from your hand to take actions: build an industry, establish a connection (canal or rail), sell cotton at a merchant, or take a loan.

  3. 3

    To build or connect in a location, you must hold a card for that location in hand.

  4. 4

    Industries require adjacent resources (coal or iron) to build. When an industry is fully depleted, it scores and is removed from the board.

  5. 5

    At the end of each era, score all connections and depleted industries. Refill your hand to 8 cards.

Victory conditions

  • The player with the most points across both eras wins.

  • Points come from fully depleted industries and from canal and rail connections established during each era.

Frequently asked questions

How many players does Brass: Birmingham need?
2–4 players.
How long does a game of Brass: Birmingham last?
60–120 minutes.
What is the minimum age for Brass: Birmingham?
From 14 years old.

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