Wagons West

"This is a fabulous design, blending crisp roll-and-write mechanics of addition and depletion with a realistic and easily understood theme. It feels exactly like you are struggling through a grueling trek on your way to the Pacific Coast." - Matt Worden

"Hellooooo! Welcome to Independence! Oh, you were looking for Oregon? Just follow that trail!"

He points to the trail next to your wagon.

"How will you survive, you ask? First you should stock up on supplies such as food, ammunition, and medicine!"

He notices the worry on your face.

"It's quite simple. All you need to do is manage your health, your wagon, and your oxen. Do that, and you'll make it there in one piece. One catch though..."

He points to a few other wagons packing up.

"Those fellers have the same dream as you. They're going to make it there first and claim the best free land if you don't hurry!"

You toss some supplies in the wagon and set off.

"Be careful, the journey is not for the faint of heart! You don't want your grave to be a checkpoint along the trail..."

Wagons West is set in the 1800s, where promise of a bright future fueled many wagon parties to travel across the western half of the country.

In Wagons West, each player will decide from the same dice rolls which actions (and how big of risks) to take. If you don't take risks, you'll likely survive, but you won't get to Oregon first! Managing all of your resources will be important if you hope to be successful.

Game Setup (prototype shown)

How to Play

Turn Structure

Turns are simple in Wagons West! Repeat this until someone makes it to Oregon City or everyone has died.

1. Roll the dice. All players take the following actions simultaneously from the same die values:
2. Resolve passive dice effects.
3. Perform one action from the available dice or rest.
4. Account for disease.
5. Check for dying or winning the game.

The first wagon to make it to Oregon City will be the winner!

Things You'll Ask Yourself While Playing

Should I skip the nearby fort to get ahead of the other wagons?

You will probably get ahead, but if you don't have enough resources, you'll be in trouble!

Should I start slow to hunt in the fertile grasslands?

You could ensure you have enough food for most of the journey, but you might be waiting too long and get far behind.

Should I trek through the mountains or go around the safer route?

Traveling through the mountains will likely damage your wagon, although the safer route is a much longer path.

All of these decisions (and more!) will decide your fate.

“Wagons West is a resource-managing roll-and-write that rewards careful planning in a relentless race of manifest destiny. Though my cart did not make it to the end, I knew I wanted to try again right after!” - Ben Moy, Board Game Blueprint

"Wagons West is a fun roll-and-write game that actually feels more like roll-and-survive. If you enjoy traveling cross-country by wagon while avoiding disease, starvation, and wild animals, then this game is for you. Even if you don’t enjoy that, this game is for you!" - Patrick Hales

"Wagon's West is an excited and punishing survival game that I was eager to play again. Even though I ran my wagon into the ground, I loved the risk of charging ahead." - Chris Williams - Alright Games