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Aug 6, 2022·How to play·11:28·1·Watch on YouTube

How to play First Ascent: Standard Rules

Kate Otte

Kate Otte

Watch “How to play First Ascent: Standard Rules,” a how-to-play guide for First Ascent from Kate Otte on BoardGameVideo.

Description provided by Kate Otte on YouTube:

Learn to play First Ascent, the complete standard rules. If you're looking for an easier introduction, check out the Guide Mode how to play video here https://youtu.be/K1xTVf6UsbY. 0:05 Overview 0:43 Setup 2:53 Description of the board 3:26 Example round 3:40 Climb phase 4:54 Follow phase 5:59 Rerack phase 6:28 Movement rules and climbing second 7:35 The Ledge 8:20 Objectives 9:23 Trading cards, risking it, and resting 11:06 Game end A few other notes that didn't make it into the video: * Climbing card choices - when you gain a card from a Climbing Card choice, draw it from the Portaledge. When you lose a card, lose it from your hand and put it in the Asset discard pile. If you don't have the card in your hand, lose it from your asset board. * Technique Tokens - these are offered as an option on some Climbing Cards. The token may be used in place of a card when matching technique symbols. (You you only need 2 cards and a technique token with the same symbol to earn 2 points in the Follow Phase). Discard the token after use. * Summit Beta Tokens - these are offered as an option on some Climbing Cards and all contain positive rewards, with varying degrees of effectiveness depending on your character and strategy. You may use Summit Beta Tokens at any time on your turn. Discard the token after use. The complete rulebook can be found at https://www.playfirstascent.com/how-to-play Want a more extensive playthrough? Check out this video by "Before You Play" that was made when First Ascent was in a prototype phase, and has minor variations from the final rules presented in this video. https://youtu.be/lauE9fehSmg

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First Ascent

First Ascent

2022·Kate Otte

Videos
6
Creators
5

Mostly unboxings and how-to-play. First Ascent is covered on BoardGameVideo.com by 1 reviews, 2 how-to-play guides, and 3 unboxings.

2 - 5 players
45 - 90 min
Medium weight: Teach it in one sitting

About First Ascent, from BoardGameGeek:

First Ascent is a rock climbing-themed strategic board game. The goal in this medium weight, competitive game is to gain the most points by climbing the best route up the mountain and becoming the most skilled climber! Each player assumes the role of a unique asymmetric character, and throughout the game they will be building their route up the mountain, managing resources, achieving objectives, and increasing their efficiency by accumulating skills and gear! This game is for 2-5 players and takes 45-90 minutes to play. Gameplay overview: In First Ascent, the goal is to gain the most points by creating the best route! Points are gained in four ways: 1) Climbing pitches - use your climbing skills, gear, water, and psych to pay the requirements to move on to a tile "climb the pitch". Draw a climbing card and resolve the events that may involve resource management, board manipulation, or selfish vs altruistic decisions. Each tile is worth 1-5 points with higher point value tiles requiring more resources. 2) Objectives - achieve shared and personal objectives that relate to the path of your route. Plan carefully and manage resources to execute the path that will contribute towards achieving your objectives. 3) Technique bonuses - the climbing skills and gear cards contain symbols representing climbing techniques of precision, power, balance, and pain tolerance. Match three technique symbols on the cards you play to climb a tile and earn +2 bonus points. These can add up significantly, so choose your resources wisely. 4) Summit - reaching the top of the mountain is great, but climbing is about the journey. Gain +1 summit bonus point for reaching a peak. If you don't have the required resources to climb, you can "risk it" by rolling the risk dice to climb a tile for one less resource. You may get away with a check mark and succeed without consequence, roll minus two cards and give them to another player, or roll minus one card and one psych which you give to another player. As long as you have the assets to lose, you will climb the tile, but at a price. When you begin to ascend the mountain start in any tile on the first row. Next climb to any adjacent tile and leave your rope behind to mark the route you've climbed. Two climbers can not occupy the same tile, except for a summit, so you may compete with other climbers on the mountain for the prime locations. As you climb the mountain you will practice your skills and become a more efficient climber. The engine building component of this game grants you an "earned asset" after you play four cards of a specific skill type or gear. These tokens stay on your climber asset board and count towards fulfilling the required assets of future tiles. This isn't a race to the top, its about creating a strategic route that will reward your cunning and planning. The game ends when a player has used all seven rope lengths and climbed their eighth tile. Do you have what it takes to create the greatest First Ascent?

Designer

Kate Otte

Artist

Kate Otte

Publisher

Self-published

Categories

AdventureEnvironmental

Mechanics

End Game BonusesHand Management
View on BoardGameGeek ›
First Ascent

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How to play First Ascent: Standard Rules