Lewis & Clark: The Expedition Second Edition

Categories: American West, Exploration

Mechanics: Action Retrieval, Delayed Purchase, Hand Management, Open Drafting, Race, Resource to Move, Solo/Solitaire Game, Track Movement, Worker Placement

Playtime: 1–5

Ages: 14+

Playtime: 120 Min

On November 30, 1803, the United States acquired Louisiana from Napoleon, prompting President Thomas Jefferson to dispatch explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to uncover this vast, uncharted territory.

Lewis & Clark is an engaging board game where players manage their own expeditions to cross the North American continent, with the goal of being the first to reach the Pacific Ocean. Each player commands a Corps of Discovery, which expands through encounters with Native Americans and trappers along the journey. Strategic resource management is essential, as sometimes conserving resources can be more beneficial than having an abundance.

The game features a unique dual-use card system: to activate one card, players must combine it with another card, which then becomes temporarily unavailable. This creates a constant strategic choice between using a card now or saving it for later. Players also acquire character cards that build their crew, offering more options but requiring careful optimization due to slower card recycling. This "handbuilding" mechanism enhances the historical experience of the game.

With the objective of being the first to reach the Pacific, players must master timing and strategically leverage the positions of their opponents.

• Ages: 14+
• Players: 1-5
• Playtime: 120 minutes