Gulf States (fan expansion for Ticket to Ride)

Description

--- An unofficial fan-made Ticket to Ride expansion map introduces Tourist cards, new rules, and bonuses for scoring points through strategic route-building and player outmaneuvering. Key mechanics include: - *Tourist cards* Dealt like destination tickets with keep/dispose rules; provide city visit values and ticket completion facilities. - *Border crossing* Demands extra attention for route claims. - *End-game bonuses* Up to 9 for final scoring. - *Board features* Single grey track, no parallel routes, limited selective color change options. - *New actions* Exchange all cards at start (keep new ones); discard 5/draw 5 as a turn; earn double points; call game end when wagon stock hits 3 to block opponents. - *Components* Requires base US/Europe train pieces/cards; stations optional. This unofficial fan-made Ticket to Ride expansion adheres to core game principles on a custom board with specialized cards and rules, aiming for the highest points via route travel and opponent outwitting. It utilizes train pieces and cards from US or Europe base sets (purchasable otherwise), with optional stations. Tourist cards, handled identically to destination tickets in quantity and keep/dispose mechanics, award values for city visits and grant facilities aiding ticket fulfillment. Border crossings necessitate heightened focus, while the board features a sole grey track sans parallels but with limited color-switch choices. Innovative rules expand options: fully exchange starting cards retaining newcomers; discard five for five new as a turn; score double points; and prematurely end game at three wagons to hinder rivals' tickets. Up to nine end-game bonuses enhance scoring depth. ---