- BGG rating
- 7.7
51st State: Master Set – Scavengers
- 1–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #504
- BGG rating
- 7.5
51st State: Master Set
2016
Rules assistance for 51st State: Master Set
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–4 players
- 60–90 min
- 14+
- Complexity 2.9/5
For 1 player
Rules assistant for 51st State: Master Set
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
51st State: Master Set is a board game released in 2016 for 1–4 players, 60–90 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Ignacy Trzewiczek and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Take That.
Expansions
- BGG rating
- 7.1
51st State: Master Set – Three Cities
- 1–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 2017
- BGG rating
- 7.9
51st State: Texas and Hegemony Factions
- 1–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 2017
- BGG rating
- 8.2
51st State: Master Set – Allies
- 1–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2019
- BGG rating
- 8.0
51st State: Master Set – Mississippi & University Factions
- 1–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2019
- BGG rating
- 8.1
51st State: Master Set – Moloch
- 1–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.9/5
- 2021
- BGG rating
- 8.3
51 Stan: Master Set – 6 kart dodatkowych
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2023
- BGG rating
- 7.6
51st State: 6 Location Cards
- 1–4 players
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2023
- BGG rating
- 7.5
51st State: Capitol Cards
- 1–4 players
- 2023
- BGG rating
- 7.3
51st State: Machine cards
- 1–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2023
- BGG rating
- 7.6
51st State: Master Set – No Man's Land
- 2–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2023
- BGG rating
- 6.8
51st State: Moloch Server Room
- 1–4 players
- 60–90 min
- 2023
- BGG rating
- 7.6
51st State: Uranopolis Faction
- 1–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2023
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- BGG rating
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About the game
The world you know no longer exists. There is no government. No army. No civilization. The United States has collapsed, and now thirty years after the war started, new powers finally try to take control over the ruined country, try to establish a new order, try to control others and create a new country, a new state: the 51st State. 51st State is a card game in which players control one of four powers trying to build a new country. Players put new locations into play, hire leaders, and send people to work in buildings to gain resources and new skills. To do this, every card in 51st State can be used in three different ways: Raze a location to gain many resources once. Deal with this location to gain one resource every turn. Build the location so that you can use its skill each turn. 51st State: Master Set marks the rebirth of the 51st State line, with this set containing 88 cards from the original base game, and 50 cards each from both the New Era and Winter expansions; one of these expansions can be mixed with the cards of the base game, but not both at the same time. The entire set has been rebalanced to offer a cohesive experience no matter which expansion you choose to use.
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Edge Entertainment
- GaGa Games
- Portal Games
Questions and answers
51st State: Master Set supports 1–4 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 51st State: Master Set is 60–90 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.
The catalogue lists 51st State: Master Set for ages 14 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
51st State: Master Set has a complexity rating of 2.9 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light 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.
51st State: Master Set belongs to these categories: Card Game, Economic, and City Building. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Take That. 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 51st State: Master Set are: Ignacy Trzewiczek. 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 51st State: Master Set 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.