Résumé express
Dwarves dig a tunnel toward the gold vein… but hidden saboteurs quietly do everything to stop them. Everyone gets a secret role, then plays path cards or action cards. If the tunnel reaches the gold, the diggers share the nuggets; if the deck runs out first, the saboteurs cash in. Play 3 rounds; the richest player wins.
Mise en place
- Everyone gets a secret role card (gold-digger or saboteur). The number of saboteurs grows with the table size, and one role card is always set aside face down: you’re never sure how many saboteurs are really in.
- The start card is placed, with 3 goal cards face down at a distance: only one hides the gold.
- Each player gets a hand of cards (paths + actions) based on player count.
Tour de jeu
On your turn, do one action then draw:
- Place a path card: the tunnel must stay connected to the start, and paths must line up properly (no dead ends or mismatched connections).
- Play an action card: break a player’s tool (lantern, pickaxe or cart — a player with a broken tool can’t place paths), repair a tool, cause a rockfall (remove a path card), or secretly peek at a goal card.
- Pass by discarding a card face down.
A saboteur plays “badly” without getting caught: useless paths, rockfalls at the worst moment, tools broken in a row…
Fin de partie
- The tunnel reaches the gold: diggers win the round and share the nugget cards (the player who placed the winning card picks first).
- The deck runs out and nobody can play: the saboteurs win — a lone saboteur gets 4 nuggets, 3 each when they are 2 or 3, and 2 each when they are 4.
- After 3 rounds, the biggest nugget total wins. Enter everyone’s nuggets in the app at the end of each round.
FAQ
Can I lie about my role? Yes, table talk is free — only the cards tell the truth.
Does a broken tool block everything? No: only placing path cards. Action cards can still be played.
Two broken tools on the same player? Possible! Each tool must be repaired separately.
Can I peek at a goal card someone already saw? Yes — and nothing forces anyone to tell the truth about it…
Variantes
- One-shot round: a single round for short evenings — enter the nuggets and finish the game.
- The expansion (Saboteur 2) adds roles: not covered by this sheet.