When King Taron's loyal soldiers put down the Dragul Invasion of Nalos, they threw the captured minions into Kulbak Prison, where the enchanted gates and ruthless Construct guards make escape all but impossible. Once every year, the king releases the toughest gang of prisoners into the royal colosseum.

You play as a squadron of minions - Gnolls, Kobolds, Bugbears, Goblins, or Insectoids - that were captured on the battlefield and locked up in Kulbak.

But in six short weeks, King Taron will visit the prison, and he might give you the chance to fight for your freedom. Can you build a reputation and establish yourself as the prison's most powerful crew?

Components

• Game Board
• 1 Game Board
• 30 Crew Tokens
• 5 Holding Cells
• 5 Crew Boards
• 5 Reputation Markers
• 65 Resource Cubes
• 22 Power Cubes
• 12 Suspicion Cubes
• 34 Item Cards
• 33 Goon Cards
• 28 Tome Cards
• 18 Goal Cards
• 18 Trait Cards
• 5 Reference Cards
• 1 Round Marker
• 1 First Player Marker
• 1 Guard Board
• 22 Guard Cards
• 8 Location Cards
• Instructions

Object of the Game

If you want to thrive in Lockup, you'll need to be a clever ringleader as you assign your crew to the prison's various locations. Send your enforcer when you need extra muscle, or send your lookout when you want your activities to go unnoticed by the guards.

In each round of play, whoever sends the strongest contingent of their crew to each location collects that location's reward: the chance to gain resources, craft contraband items, or recruit goons to their cause.

But don't attract too much suspicion from the guards, or you'll lose out when they raid the cell block! At the end of six rounds, whoever has scored the most reputation stars wins the game.

Setup

1 Game Board. Set the game board in the middle of the table. Make sure to choose the correct side for the number of players in the game: the 1-2 player side or the 3-5 player side

2 Round Marker. Place the round marker on the "1" space of the round track.

3 Cube Supplies. Place the suspicion cubes on the space in the center of the game board. Place the power cubes and the resource cubes beside the game board, sorted by type.

4 Item Deck. Shuffle the deck of item cards. Place it, face down, in its labeled space on the game board (next to the CELL BLOCK location).

5 Item Display. From the item deck, draw a number of item cards equal to the number of players plus one. Place these cards, face up, in the labeled item spaces next to the item deck.

6 Goon Deck. Shuffle the deck of goon cards. Place it, face down, near the game board. Leave room next to this deck for a discard pile.

7 Active Goons. From the goon deck, draw five goon cards and place one, face up, in each of the labeled goon spaces on the game board (next to the SEWERS, INFIRMARY, SMITHY, COMMISSARY, and CHOW HALL locations).

8 Suspicion Cubes. For each active goon card that has one or more suspicion icons, take that many suspicion cubes from the supply and place them at that goon's location.

9 Tome Deck. Shuffle the deck of tome cards. Place it, face down, in its labeled space on the game board (next to the LIBRARY location).

10 Crew Boards. Each player takes the crew board of their chosen color and positions it in their player area, with the "A" side face up, then takes one power cube from the supply and puts it on their crew board.

11 Crew Tokens. Each player takes the six crew tokens of their chosen color.

12 Holding Cells. Each player takes a holding cell and places their crew tokens on it, then positions the holding cell so that they can see their crew tokens but their opponents cannot.

13 Reputation Markers. Each player places their reputation marker on the "10" space of the reputation track.

14 Goal Cards. Separate the goal cards into three stacks by type: leader, instant, and end game. Shuffle each stack separately. Draw one card from each stack, then place these three cards face up near the game board. Return the rest of the goal cards to the game box.

15 First Player. Give the first player marker to the player who is deemed the biggest troublemaker in the group.

Game Play

A game of Lockup is played over six rounds. Each round is divided into three phases, which must be performed in order.

Round Overview

1. Roll Call Phase
2. Lights Out Phase
3. Patrol Phase

II. Roll Call Phase

During this phase, players take turns assigning their crew tokens to various locations in the prison. This starts with the current first player and proceeds in clockwise order, continuing until all players have passed.

Assigning Crew Tokens

• On a player's turn, they may assign one or more crew tokens to a single location.

• A player may not assign crew tokens to a location if they have assigned crew tokens to that location on a previous turn in the current round.

• There is no limit to the total number of crew tokens, from all players, that can be assigned to a single location.

• Players may not assign crew tokens to the LIBRARY location.

• In every round, each player may assign up to two of their crew tokens face down, with their identity hidden from their opponents. The rest of their crew tokens must be assigned face up.

Passing

At the start of a player's turn, if they have no more crew tokens to assign, they must pass. A player may also pass while they still have crew tokens remaining, if they do not wish to assign them.

Once a player has passed, they can no longer participate in this phase. (This also means that they can no longer play tome cards in this phase).

II. Lights out Phase

During this phase, each location is resolved, one at a time, in numerical order (i.e., the EXERCISE YARD first, and the LIBRARY last). At each location, players collect rewards based on the relative strength totals of their assigned crew tokens. To resolve each location, follow these steps:

1. Determine Crew Strengths

Reveal any face-down crew tokens at the location, then total the strengths of each player's crew tokens at the location. The strength of an enforcer is always equal to the number of power cubes that player has. The strength of a lookout is always zero. (If a player only has their lookout at a location, they are still eligible to collect rewards).

Then compare the crews against each other to determine their relative strength rank, from most strength to least strength. Only players with at least one crew token present are considered in this ranking process.

If two or more players are tied for the same strength, the tie is broken by seating order: the tied player who is closest, in clockwise direction, to the current first player is considered higher in strength rank.

2. Gain Suspicion

If there are any suspicion cubes at the location, the player with the most strength gains all of those suspicion cubes, putting them on their crew board.

However, if that player's lookout is present at the location, they are ineligible to gain suspicion, so the next player in strength rank who does not have a lookout present at that location gains the suspicion cubes instead.

If nobody has any crew tokens at the location, or if all players with crew tokens at the location also have their lookouts present, then nobody gains suspicion, and the suspicion cubes remain at the location.

3. Collect Rewards

In order of strength rank, each player with one or more crew tokens at the location collects the reward (if any) for their strength rank. After collecting their reward, each player returns their crew tokens from that location to their holding cell.

4. Move Stragglers to the Library

For each player who did not collect a reward, move their crew tokens from that location to the LIBRARY location - unless the LIBRARY is the location currently being resolved, in which case that player simply returns their crew tokens to their holding cell.

III. Patrol Phase

Note: Skip this phase during the sixth round.

During this phase, there are several steps that must be carried out to prepare for the next round of play. In addition, it is possible that a raid will be initiated.

1. Check Resource Limits

If any player is over the storage limit, they must discard resources of their choice back to the supply until they are within the limit.

When using the "A" sides of the crew boards, the storage limit is five resources (indicated by the resource slots on the crew board), but players can increase their own storage limit by crafting certain items.

2. Refill Item Display

If there are empty card spaces in the item display, refill them with new cards drawn from the top of the item deck, so that there is a number of cards in the display equal to the number of players plus one. (Remember: Some item spaces are only used at specific player counts!)

3. Advance Goon Cards

If there is a goon card at the CHOW HALL location, remove it from the game board and put it in the goon discard pile. T

hen, all remaining goon cards advance clockwise, as far as possible (i.e., so that the remaining goon cards are in the highest numbered goon spaces). Finally, refill any empty goon spaces with new cards drawn from the top of the goon deck.

4. Add Suspicion Cubes

At each location currently occupied by a goon card with one or more suspicion icons, add a number of suspicion cubes equal to the number of suspicion icons on that goon card.

If there are not enough suspicion cubes left in the supply to do this, then a raid is initiated. After the raid, add suspicion cubes as normal.

Location Rewards

Each of the eight locations provides different rewards, based on the strength of each player's crew. Some reward tiers are not available on the side of the game board for 1-2 players. All rewards collected this way are immediately available for use.

Exercise Yard

• The player with the most strength gains one power cube. That player also immediately takes the first player marker - or keeps it, if they already have it.

• The player with the second most strength gains one power cube.

Sewers

• The player with the most strength gains three scrap cubes (or two scrap cubes, in a two-player game).

• The player with the second most strength gains two scrap cubes. Only available in games with four or more players.

• In order of strength rank, every other player with at least one crew token at this location gains one scrap cube.

Infirmary

• The player with the most strength gains three potion cubes (or two potion cubes, in a two-player game).

• The player with the least strength gains one potion cube.

Smithy

• The player with the most strength gains two iron cubes.

• The player with the second most strength gains one iron cube.

Commissary

• The player with the most strength gains one resource cube of their choice.

• The player with the second most strength may exchange any one resource cube they have for any one resource cube from the supply.

• In order of strength rank, every other player with at least one crew token at this location may exchange any two resource cubes they have for any one resource cube from the supply.

Chow Hall

• The player with the most strength may either recruit one goon by spending any one resource cube -OR- recruit any two goons by spending any four resource cubes.

• The player with the second most strength may either recruit one goon by spending any one resource cube -OR- recruit two goons by spending any five resource cubes.

• In order of strength rank, every other player with at least one crew token at this location may recruit one goon by spending any two resource cubes.

Cell Block

In order of strength rank, each player with at least one crew token at this location may craft one item or reserve one item.

Library

• The player with the most strength draws two cards from the tome deck, chooses one to keep, then returns the other to the bottom of the tome deck, face down.

• The player with the second most strength draws one card from the tome deck.

• The player with the third most strength draws one card from the tome deck.

Raids

When a raid is initiated, all players compare the number of suspicion cubes they have on their crew boards, to see who will lose reputation for attracting the most suspicion from the guards.

The player with the most suspicion cubes immediately loses eight reputation stars, and the player with the second most suspicion cubes immediately loses four reputation stars. Adjust their reputation markers on the reputation track accordingly. (No player can ever go below "0" on the reputation track).

If there is a tie for the most suspicion cubes, each tied player loses four reputation stars, and no one loses reputation stars for having the second most suspicion cubes. If there is a tie for the second most suspicion cubes, each tied player loses two reputation stars.

After reputation stars have been subtracted, return all suspicion cubes to the supply - those from all players and those still at locations.

Claiming Goals

There are three different types of goals: leader goals, instant goals, and end game goals. In every game, there will be one goal card of each type available. If a player meets the requirement of a goal card at any point during the game, they may immediately claim it.

Leader Goal Cards

Leader goals are claimed during the game, and they can even change hands.

When a player claims a leader goal, they take that goal card - either from beside the game board or from an opponent - and put it in their play area. Leader goal cards are scored at the end of the game.

To claim a leader goal, a player must currently have the most valuables or goons of a certain type (and meet the listed minimum). After a player claims a leader goal, if an opponent later surpasses them to become the player with the most, then that opponent takes the goal card. However, if an opponent merely ties for the most, the goal card remains with its current owner.

Instant Goal Cards

Instant goals are claimed during the game.

Each instant goal can only be claimed by a single player. When a player claims an instant goal, they take that goal card from beside the game board and put it in their play area. Instant goal cards are scored immediately.

To claim an instant goal, a player must be the first player to meet the requirement. Once a player has claimed an instant goal, it cannot be claimed by anyone else.

End Game Goal Cards

End game goals are only scored during final scoring.

Some end game goals can only be scored by one or two players. To score one of these end game goals, a player must have the most (or second most) items of a certain type at game end.

The player with the most scores eight reputation stars, and the player with the second most scores four reputation stars. If there is a tie for the most, each tied player scores four reputation stars and no one scores reputation stars for the second most.

If there is a tie for the second most, each tied player scores two reputation stars.

Other end game goals simply provide a scoring condition that all players can take advantage of to score additional reputation stars.

Crafting Items

Items can be crafted at the CELL BLOCK location. Only item cards that are face up in the item display, or item cards that have been previously reserved, may be crafted.

Crafting Items

To craft an item, a player selects an item card either from the item display -OR- an item card they have previously reserved. Then, the player must spend resources equal to that card's resource cost and place the card in their play area, face up. Finally, the player immediately scores reputation stars equal to that item's reputation value and carries out any special effects.

Reserving Items

To reserve an item, a player spends any one resource cube, then takes an item card of their choice from the item display, and puts it face down in their play area. There is no limit to how many item cards a player may have reserved at a time, and a player may view their reserved items at any time.

Special Effect Icons

Some item cards and goon cards trigger additional effects when recruited or crafted:

Gain Resource: The player gains one resource cube of the indicated type (scrap, potion, iron, or gold) from the supply and places it on their crew board.

Remove Suspicion: The player returns one suspicion cube from their crew board to the supply.

Give Suspicion: The player moves one suspicion cube from their crew board to the crew board of an opponent of their choice.

Gain Power: The player gains one power cube from the supply and places it on their crew board.

Draw Tome: The player draws one card from the tome deck.

Increase Storage Limit: The player's resource storage limit is increased by one. They may now keep one extra resource on their crew board during the resource limit check of each round's Patrol Phase.

Exchange Resource: The player may immediately exchange any one resource cube on their crew board for another resource cube of their choice from the supply.

Choose Tome: The player draws two cards from the tome deck, chooses one to keep, then returns the other to the bottom of the tome deck, face down.

Recruiting Goons

Goons can be recruited at the CHOW HALL location. Only goon cards that are face-up in the goon spaces on the game board are available to be recruited.

Goons come in several types. Some are simply worth the printed number of reputation stars, while others score reputation stars in unique ways. When a player recruits a goon, they may also gain valuables and/or benefit from a one-time special effect.

• 

  Bandits

  Bandits are worth three reputation stars at the end of the game.

  Before a Bandit has been recruited, when adding suspicion cubes during the Patrol Phase, also add one resource cube, of the indicated type, to that Bandit's location.

  During the next Lights Out Phase, the player with the most strength at that location collects that resource cube, along with their other rewards.

  
  
• 

  Cultists

  Cultists are worth more reputation stars the more items that player has. At the end of the game, each Cultist a player has is worth one reputation star per item.

  For example, if a player ends the game with three Cultists and four items, they will score 12 reputation stars (3 x 4 = 12).

  
  
• 

  Demons

  Demons are worth more reputation stars the more valuables that player has. At the end of the game, each Demon a player has is worth two reputation stars per valuable.

  For example, if a player ends the game with one Demon and eight valuables on the cards in their play area, they will score 16 reputation stars (2 x 8 = 16).

  
  
• 

  Dwarves

  Dwarves are worth more reputation stars the more Dwarves that player has. At the end of the game, a player scores 1|3|7|12|18|25|30 reputation stars for having 1|2|3|4|5|6|7+ Dwarves.

  For example, if a player ends the game with four Dwarves, they will score 12 reputation stars.

  
  
• 

  Hobgoblins

  Hobgoblins are worth more reputation stars the more power cubes that player has.

  At the end of the game, each Hobgoblin a player has is worth one reputation star per power cube.

  For example, if a player ends the game with three Hobgoblins and five power cubes, they will score 15 reputation stars (3 x 5 = 15).

  
  
• 

  Ratmen

  Ratmen are worth more reputation stars the more Ratmen that player has. At the end of the game, a player scores -3|1|6|13|25 reputation stars for having 1|2|3|4|5+ Ratmen.

  For example, if a player ends the game with only one Ratman, they will lose three reputation stars.

  
  
• 
  

  Flayers

  Flayers are worth two reputation stars at the end of the game.

  
  

End of the Game

The game ends after six rounds. When this happens, one final raid is initiated (see RAIDS, p. 12). This final raid is always initiated, no matter how many suspicion cubes remain in the supply. After the final raid has been carried out, players perform final scoring:

• Leader Goal: The player who ended the game with the leader goal card in their possession scores eight reputation stars (or six reputation stars, in a two-player game).

• End Game Goal: Determine which player or players score reputation stars for the end game goal card. (For more details, see CLAIMING GOALS, p. 13).

• Goons: Each player scores reputation stars for their recruited goons.

• Resources: Each player scores one reputation star for each scrap cube, potion cube, and iron cube they have left, and two reputation stars for each gold cube they have left.

• Tome Cards: Each player scores one reputation star for each unplayed tome card they have left in their hand.

• First Player Marker: Whoever holds the first player marker scores two reputation stars.

The player with the most reputation stars is the winner! In the case of a tie, the tied player with the most item cards is the winner. If there is still a tie, the tied players share the victory.

Continue Reading