- BGG rank
- BGG #320
- BGG rating
- 7.9
1830: Railways & Robber Barons
- 2–7 players
- 180–360 min
- Complexity 4.2/5
- 1986
- BGG rank
- BGG #19,818
- BGG rating
- 6.0
18EZ
2009
Rules assistance for 18EZ
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
Rules assistant for 18EZ
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
18EZ is a board game released in 2009 for 2–6 players and 60 minutes per game. It was designed by Drew Dane and Clay Murry and its main mechanics are Tile Placement, Network and Route Building, and Stock Holding.
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About the game
18EZ is the first 18xx game designed from the ground-up to help players learn the 18xx system. The game uses a series of levels, which allow players play entire games quickly while learning the different phases of the game in bite-size pieces. For instance, In the first level, players learn how to build and manage routes. In the second, they are introduced to the stock market. Each level adds an element of interest for the new player, and keeps the game exciting. After completing all of the levels, players should be able to jump right into any 18xx game, without having to learn the entire complex system. They will just need to learn that specific variation, which will allow them to be competitive in what would otherwise be an hours long, painful session!
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Andrew / Clay Games
Questions and answers
18EZ supports 2–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for 18EZ is 60 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
18EZ has a complexity rating of 3.1 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
18EZ belongs to these categories: Economic, Trains, and Transportation. Its main mechanics are Tile Placement, Network and Route Building, and Stock Holding. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of 18EZ are: Drew Dane and Clay Murry. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists 18EZ as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.