Your eccentric collection of avant-garde art needs a public show!

Hone your collection by purchasing art that attracts patrons with special powers to help you assemble the best exhibition!

Every piece in your collection means more strategies to use each round.

Components

2 Hidden Gem Tokens

5 Change Tokens

First Player Token

1 Patron Card Box

18 Advanced Patrons

Gallery Card Box

  • 12 Twos
  • 12 Threes
  • 12 Fours
  • 8 Fives
  • 8 Sixes
  • 8 Sevens
  • 32 Awards

Starter Deck Card Box

  Orange/Blue deck (10 Cards)

  Red/Purple deck (10 Cards)

  Red/Blue deck (10 Cards)

  Orange/Purple deck (10 Cards)

  Red/Orange deck (10 Cards)

Game Setup

  1. Unroll the Starter Deck Box. Give each player 1 of the 5 starting decks. Put the others away.

  2. Unroll the Gallery Box and the Patron Box. Arrange them like this:

  3. Shuffle each Gallery Card Stack, then return it to its position number side up. The first stack is all 2s, the next stack is all 3s, etc.

  4. Move some awards from the Awards Stack to the Extras Stack beside it, based on the player count:

2-3 Players

4-5 Players

24 Awards, 8 Extras

28 Awards, 4 Extras

  1. Put out the Change Tokens and a Hidden Gem Token (or 2 Hidden Gem Tokens for 4-5 players).

  2. Give a random player the First Player Token.

  3. Each player shuffles their deck and draws 7 cards from it to form their hand. You’ll have 3 cards left in your deck for next round. You’re ready to begin!

Great exhibitions earn awards!
Each turn that you earn $6 or more, you’ll get an award.

The game ends when the awards run out, and whoever has the most awards wins!

Rounds have 2 parts:

First, everyone Plays Cards at the same time.

Then each player has a turn to Buy Cards.

1. Play Cards

  1. Simultaneously, each player lays out as many cards as they can from their hand in a line in front of them:

  2. Look at your hand of 7 cards.

  3. Choose a card to start, and play it on the table in front of you, number side up.

  4. Now, each card you play must match the color or the number of the previous card you played.

  5. Play as many cards as you can! Each card you play will be worth $1!

  6. Discard the rest of your hand number side up beside your deck to form your discard pile.

The other players will be playing their own line of cards at the same time.

Don’t look at what they are playing until you’re done!

Playing Cards Example

Olivia’s hand has these cards:

She plays these cards (below) in order on the table, for a total of $5:

Tip: Your white 1 () and your gray 2 () are different colors, and do not match each other. They are hard to match.

2. Buy Cards

Starting with the first player take turns shopping for new cards to improve your deck. On your turn:

  1. Count the cards you played this turn. You earn $1 per card. Keep count of your money in your head (don’t use the Change Tokens).

  2. Buy cards from the top of the Gallery Stacks. The 2s cost $2, 3s cost $3, etc. Put cards you buy in your discard pile—they’ll go in your deck soon.

Before, after, or between buying cards, in any order:

Tuck (once per turn): Put the top card of the Gallery Stack on the bottom of that stack, in the hopes of finding a color you want more.

Tip: Choose a couple of colors to go for. Try to buy cards of only those colors so you match more!

EARN AWARDS

If you made at least $6, you also earn awards (for free)! Take them from the Awards Stack and add them to your score pile. More money earns more awards:

$6

$8

$10

$11

Every additional $6

1 Award

2 Awards

3 Awards

4 Awards

+1 Award

Sometimes you get extra money from patron powers, Hidden Gems, and Change Tokens (see below). These all count toward your total for awards!

END OF TURN

Your leftover money goes away. If you didn’t spend it all, take 1 Change Token. You can only ever have one. On a future turn you can spend the Change Token to get +$1. You can’t take a Change Token if you spent one this turn.

BUYING CARDS EXAMPLE:

Olivia played 6 cards, and had the most 2s. She has $7: $1 per card, +$1 for the 2s patron power.

She buys the top 3 for $3, adding it to her discard pile. She tucks the top 2 , then buys the next 2 for $2. Then she takes 1 award because she had $6+ total.

With $2 left, she takes a Change Token to use later.

Patron Powers

Each Patron has a number, 2-7. When you play a card with their number, they visit your exhibition and grant you a special power this turn. Buy cards with patrons whose powers work together!

When you play a 2-7, check the corresponding patron shown on the Patron Box, and you may use its power. The icon next to each power’s description will tell you when it activates.

These powers activate during Play Cards, as soon as you play the card (like 4s and 7s).

You use these powers on your Buy Cards turn.

Check the Patron List booklet for details about each power (and the advanced patrons).

As Olivia plays her , she uses its patron power to change its number to a 1. Now it matches her previous card. On her turn to buy she has $6. She uses the power of her two 3s to trash the and the .

End the Round

Once everyone has taken their turn to buy:

  1. Pass the First Player Token to the left.

  2. Put all the cards you played into your discard pile, number side up.

  3. Draw 7 cards from your deck.

  4. When you need to draw a card but your deck is empty, flip your discard pile over and shuffle it to form your new deck. (Just like other deckbuilders!)

Shuffling Example

At the end of round 1, draw 3 cards from your deck. Then it will be empty. Flip and shuffle your discard pile to form your new deck, then draw 4 more cards from it.

  1. The player with the fewest total awards takes a Hidden Gem Token, worth +$1. For 4-5 players, the next lowest player takes the other Gem. If more players are tied than there are Gems, no one gets those Gems (like when everyone has 0 awards).

  2. Start the next round with Play Cards.

Beginners’ Shuffling Variant

At the end of round 1, draw 3 cards from your deck. Then it will be empty. Flip and shuffle your discard pile to form your new deck, then draw 4 more cards from it.

END THE GAME

When a player takes the last award from the Awards Stack, the game will be over at the end of the round. Keep going until everyone has taken their turn.

Once the Awards Stack has run out, players can take awards from the Extras Stack for the rest of the round. If those run out, use anything to represent more extras.

The player with the most awards wins! If tied, the tied player who made the most money this round wins.

Cleanup

  1. Return all 10 cards with your starting deck symbol ( ) to their place in the Starter Deck Box.

  2. Return all remaining cards to their Gallery stacks in the Gallery Box. Then roll up the boxes!

Patron Details

Each patron power is explained in detail below. We recommend that you play with the New Yorker patron powers for your first few games as it’s the easiest to learn.

In future games, you can replace the New Yorker powers with the powers of the Tokyoite or Parisian patron sets. If you have the Avant Carde’s Micro Expansion you will also have a fourth patron set: The Londoners.

 NEW YORKERS

2 – The Perfectionist

On  your turn to buy if you have the most 2s (or tied), you get an additional +$1 this turn to buy cards with, once per turn.

(Unlike the other powers, you may only use this once per turn, not once per 2.)

Example

You play . At the start of your turn to buy, you have $7 because you played seven cards. You played more 2s than any other player, so you use the power of one of your 2s and get +$1, for a total of $8 to buy with.

When do I check to see if I have the most 2s?

You check if you have the most 2s (or are tied for most 2s) on your turn to buy, when you choose to use the 2’s patron power.

In rare cases, the number of 2s players have may change between turns (for example, if they used the Snob to trash a 2 they played). When you check, you check only the 2s that players have in front of them among the cards they played—so if another player trashed a 2 before your turn, they have one fewer when you count 2s.

It’s possible for an opponent to have the most 2s on their turn, and you to have the most 2s on your turn.

3 – The Snob

On your turn to buy, choose any card from your discard pile or cards you played and trash it (return it to the box). Great for removing unwanted cards.

You may also tuck an extra card in the Gallery.

Example

You play . At the start of your turn to buy, you get $4 because you played 4 cards. You use your 3’s power to trash your 12, returning it to the box.

You use your 3’s second power to tuck a card in the Gallery.

Why would I trash cards? Which should I trash?

Trashing cards lets you remove them from your deck so you draw cards with patron powers more frequently.

You should use this power to get rid of cards that are hard to match or have no patron powers.

Good cards to trash include your (because you can’t buy any other white or gray cards), or your 11-14 cards (because you can’t buy any other 11-14 cards, and they have no patron powers).

What happens if I trash a card I played?

If you choose to trash a card you played instead of trashing one from your discard pile, you keep its money (because you get money at the start of your turn to buy).

You can choose to use your powers in any order. If the card you wish to trash has a power, you may choose to use it before you use your 3’s power to trash it.

Can I trash a card from my hand?

Yes—well, kinda.

You have to discard all cards remaining in your hand before your turn to buy. So when you use your 3’s power, you can trash a card that was in your hand (and is now in your discard pile).

Do I have to trash a card?

No, all patron powers are optional.

Can I trash a 3 with its own power?

Yes!

Can I tuck an extra card before I trash a card?

Yes! You can use your patron powers in any order!

You can even tuck an extra card, use a different card’s power, and then come back and trash a card.

4 – The Gallerist

The 4s are wild! As you play a 4, you may change its number to 1-7 OR its color to orange, red, blue, or purple. The changed 4 must match your previous (and next) card. Changing its number doesn’t change its powers.

Example

You want to play . As you play your 4, you say you’re changing it to a “1.” The 4 is now a red “1,” matching the red card before it. Now you can play your purple 1!

You cannot change your 4 to a purple card, because it wouldn’t match the red 2 before it.

If I change a 4 to a ``2,`` does it count as one of my 2s for their patron power?

Yes! When you change a 4, its own patron power stays the same. For all other purposes, it has the color or number you change it to. So if you change it to a 2, other 2s’ patron powers count it towards having the most 2s.

Example: you play , changing your 4 into a “2.” You use your 2’s patron power—your opponent only has one 2, and you have two, so you get +$1.

For any other cards’ powers that check your cards’ colors or numbers, they count the card you changed your 4 into.

Can I change the 4's number to 11? Can I change its color to gray?

Nope, sorry. 4s can only change to 1-7, or purple, red, blue, or orange.

In Avant Carde, gray and white don’t count as colors.

5 – The Dealer

After you play a 5, choose to either draw a card from your deck now,

OR

get +$1 on your turn to buy.

Tip: If you choose to get +$1, play your 5 a little above your other cards to help you remember, like this: 

Examples

Example 1: You play . As you play your 5, you choose to draw a card. You draw a card from your deck. It’s a , and you play it.

Example 2: you play . As you play your 5, you choose not to draw a card, and nudge the card up to remember you’ll get +$1. On your turn to buy, you get $2 because you played 2 cards. Then you use your 5’s patron power to get +$1.

How do I draw cards?

As you play your 5, if you choose to draw a card, take the top card of your deck and add it to your hand. Then continue playing cards (you may or may not be able to play the new card you drew)!

If there aren’t any cards left in your deck, shuffle your discard pile to form your new deck, and draw from that.

Tip: when possible, it’s better to draw cards closer to the start of your turn. That way you’re more likely to be able to fit the new card into the sequence of cards you’re planning on playing.

6 – The Trendoid

As you play a 6, choose a card you’ve already played this turn. The 6 copies that card’s powers.* Great for copying 5s and 7s!

You also get +$1 on your turn to buy.

*This power can’t be copied.

Examples

Example 1: You play . As you play your 6, you choose to copy your 3’s powers. On your turn to buy, you get +$1 from your 6. You can trash a card with your 3’s power, and trash another card because your 6 copied your 3’s power.

Example 2: you play . As you play your 6, you choose to copy your 4’s power, which immediately lets you change the 6’s color or number. You change the 6 to red so that it matches your 4. You also get +$1 from your 6 on your turn to buy.

How does copying powers work?

As you play the 6, you’ll choose a card you’ve already played this turn. Treat your 6 as if it had all of the chosen card’s powers!

If you copy a card with a power, you use it immediately as you play the 6.

If you copy a card with a power, you can use that power on your turn to buy.

Can I copy a 2 to get extra 2s?

No. A 6 copies patron powers, but doesn’t change its number. In addition, copying a 2’s patron power won’t do anything useful, because you can only use the 2’s patron power once per turn.

Can I copy a 6 with another 6?

Yes, but not completely. The 6’s “Copy another card’s patron power” power cannot be copied. But if you choose to copy a previous 6, you will get another +$1.

Example: You play  . Your first 6 copies nothing, and your second 6 copies the first 6’s powers. You get $5: $2 for playing 2 cards, +$1 for your first 6, +$1 for your second 6, and +$1 for your second 6 copying your first 6.

7 – The Critic

After you play a 7, draw a card from your deck. If you played a 5, 6, or 7 before this 7, draw another card.

Tip: You can play cards you draw if they match where you left off!

Examples

Example 1: You play . As soon as you’ve played your 7, you draw 1 card from your deck. It’s a , which matches your 7, so you play it.

Example 2: you play . You draw a card for your first 7, then draw two cards for your second 7 (because you’ve played another 5-7 before it).

How do I draw cards?

To draw a card, take the top card of your deck and add it to your hand. Then continue playing cards (you may or may not be able to play the new card you drew)!

If there aren’t any cards left in your deck, shuffle your discard pile to form your new deck, and draw from that.

Tip: when possible, it’s better to draw cards closer to the start of your turn. That way you’re more likely to be able to fit the new card into the sequence of cards you’re planning on playing.

If I change a 4 to a 5-7, does the 7 power draw 2 cards?

Yes! If you change a 4, it changes for all purposes other than its own patron power. Other cards (including 7s), count its number or color as whatever you changed it to.

Example: you play changing your 4 to a 6. You draw 2 cards from your 7—one card, and then another because your 4 now counts as a 5-7.

Note: Each patron power is optional. For each power starting with a or , you can skip it if you don’t want to use it..

* This power can’t be copied.

 TOKYOITES

2 – The Curator

 On your turn to buy, if you have the most 2s (or tied), choose a card in your played cards or discard pile to trash (put in the box), once per turn.

Example

You play . At the start of your turn to buy, you have $7 because you played 7 cards. You played more 2s than any other player, so you use the power of one of your 2s to trash a 12 from your discard pile, returning it to the box.

When do I check to see if I have the most 2s?

You check if you have the most 2s (or are tied for most 2s) on your turn to buy, when you choose to use the 2’s patron power.

In rare cases, the number of 2s players have may change between turns (for example, if they used the Curator). When you check, you check only the 2s that players have in front of them among the cards they played—so if another player trashed a 2 before your turn, they have one fewer when you count 2s.

It’s possible for an opponent to have the most 2s on their turn, and you to have the most 2s on your turn.

Can I trash a card from my hand?

Yes—well, kinda.

You have to discard all cards remaining in your hand before your turn to buy. So when you use your 2’s power, you can trash a card that was in your hand (and is now in your discard pile).

Why would I trash cards? Which should I trash?

Trashing cards lets you remove them from your deck so you draw cards with patron powers more frequently.

You should use this power to get rid of cards that are hard to match or have no patron powers.

Good cards to trash include your (because you can’t buy any other white or gray cards), or your 11-14 cards (because you can’t buy any other 11-14 cards, and they have no patron powers).

What happens if I trash a card I played?

If you choose to trash a card you played instead of trashing one from your discard pile, you keep its money (because you get money at the start of your turn to buy).

You can choose to use your powers in any order. If the card you wish to trash has a power, you may choose to use it before you use your 2’s power to trash it.

Do I have to trash a card?

No, all patron powers are optional.

3 – The Archivist

After you play a 3 you may discard a card from your hand to draw a card from your deck.

Example

You play . The only card left in your hand is . You discard it card, and draw . You play it!

Do I have to discard a card?

No, all patron powers are optional. But if you don’t discard a card, you don’t get to draw a card.

How do I draw cards?

To draw a card, take the top card of your deck and add it to your hand. Then continue playing cards (you may or may not be able to play the new card you drew)!

If there aren’t any cards left in your deck, shuffle your discard pile to form your new deck, and draw from that.

Tip: when possible, it’s better to draw cards closer to the start of your turn. That way you’re more likely to be able to fit the new card into the sequence of cards you’re planning on playing.

4 – The Journalist

The 4s are wild! Similar to The Gallerist , as you play a 4, you may change its number to 1-7. The changed 4 must match your previous (and next) card. Changing its number doesn’t change its powers.

If it’s the first 4 you’ve played, draw a card.

Example

You want to play . As you play your 4, you say you’re changing it to a “1.” The 4 is now an orange “1,” matching the orange card before it. Then you draw a card from your deck.

You cannot change your 4 to a purple card, because it wouldn’t match the orange 2 before it.

After playing your you play , changing it to a “1.” You don’t draw another card, because you’ve already played a 4 this turn.

Do I draw a card for my first 4, even if I change its number?

Yes! It doesn’t matter what you change your 4 into—you always draw a card if you haven’t played a 4 yet this turn.

If you’ve already played a 4 this turn, you don’t draw another card, no matter what you turned that 4 into.

If I change a 4 to a ``2,`` does it count as one of my 2s for their patron power?

Yes! When you change a 4, its own patron power stays the same. For all other purposes, it has the color or number you change it to. So if you change it to a 2, other 2′ patron powers count it towards having the most 2s.

Example: you play , changing your 4 into a “2.” You use your 2’s patron power—your opponent only has one 2, and you have two, so you can trash a card.

For any other cards’ powers that check your cards’ colors or numbers, they count the card you changed your 4 into.

How do I draw cards?

To draw a card, take the top card of your deck and add it to your hand. Then continue playing cards (you may or may not be able to play the new card you drew)!

If there aren’t any cards left in your deck, shuffle your discard pile to form your new deck, and draw from that.

Tip: when possible, it’s better to draw cards closer to the start of your turn. That way you’re more likely to be able to fit the new card into the sequence of cards you’re planning on playing.

5 – The Shmoozer

For the rest of this turn, powers that draw cards draw you an extra card.

Example

You play a then a which lets you discard a card from your hand to draw a card. You discard a card and draw two cards because of the 5s power. One of the cards you draw is a which you can play after the . A 4 normally lets you draw one card but instead you draw two cards because of the .

If I play multiple 5s, do I draw multiple bonus cards?

Yes! If you play , you’ll draw three cards.

Does it matter what order I play my cards in?

Yes. The 5’s power only works for cards you play after it this turn.

How do I draw cards?

To draw a card, take the top card of your deck and add it to your hand. Then continue playing cards (you may or may not be able to play the new card you drew)!

If there aren’t any cards left in your deck, shuffle your discard pile to form your new deck, and draw from that.

Tip: when possible, it’s better to draw cards closer to the start of your turn. That way you’re more likely to be able to fit the new card into the sequence of cards you’re planning on playing.

6 – The Investor

On your turn to buy, you may trash one of your played cards for bonus money. If you trash a 5-7, get +$2. If you trash anything else, get +$1.

You can’t trash this 6 with its own power.

Example

You play .

On your turn to buy, you use your first 6’s power to trash your 2 for +$1. You use your second 6’s power to trash your first 6 for +$2. You have $3 because you played three cards, for a total of $6 to spend.

What does it mean to trash a ``played card``?

You can only trash cards in your row of played cards, not from your discard pile. If you trash a played card, you keep its money (because you get money at the start of your turn to buy).

You can choose to use your powers in any order. If the card you wish to trash has a power, you may choose to use it before you use your 6’s power to trash it.

Can I trash a 6 with a 6?

Yes, but you can’t trash itself. If you played two 6s, you can trash one with the other.

(They can’t both trash each other)

Do I have to trash a card?

No, all patron powers are optional. But if you don’t trash a card, you don’t get any bonus money.

7 – The Hoarder

After you play a 7, choose a color. For the rest of this turn, whenever you play two cards of the chosen color (counting the 7, if it’s the chosen color) draw a card from your deck.

Example

You play and choose red. You play and draw a card. You play and then draw another card, etc.

Can I draw more than one card this way?

Yes! For every second card you play of the chosen color, you get to draw one card. If you have enough cards of the chosen color in your deck, you might be able to draw and play your whole deck!

What happens if I play multiple 7s?

7s can stack and each 7 counts forward from itself, so it depends on how you play them!

Example 1—You play two red 7s naming red for both of them. Now every red card you play, you draw one card:

(draw for first 7’s power) (draw for second 7’s power) (draw for first 7’s power), etc.

Example 2—You play one red 7 and one blue 7, both naming red. Now every second red card you play, you draw two cards:

(draw two cards) (draw two cards), etc.

How do I draw cards?

To draw a card, take the top card of your deck and add it to your hand. Then continue playing cards (you may or may not be able to play the new card you drew)!

If there aren’t any cards left in your deck, shuffle your discard pile to form your new deck, and draw from that.

Tip: when possible, it’s better to draw cards closer to the start of your turn. That way you’re more likely to be able to fit the new card into the sequence of cards you’re planning on playing.

Can I choose white or gray for the color?

Why would you?

No. You can only choose purple, red, blue, or orange.

In Avant Carde, gray and white don’t count as colors.

 PARISIANS

Concealed Cards and Unveiling

Some powers let you play cards “Concealed.” To play a concealed card, you must first be instructed to do so by a power. Take the card and place it number side down at the end of the line of cards you are playing. Its number and color don’t matter right now; it doesn’t need to match the card before it.

Concealed cards count for nothing right now. Unlike number side up cards, they don’t give you money, and you don’t use their powers. If you have more cards to play after the concealed card, match to the card before the concealed card, as if the concealed card isn’t there.

Why play cards concealed? Because other cards’ powers may let you unveil concealed cards for bonuses! To unveil a card, choose a number side down card, and flip it number side up.

Example

You play a , and use its power to play a card concealed: you choose a card from your hand and play it number side down . Because it’s concealed, you continue matching to the 2 before it as you play more cards like this:

(The symbol indicates a concealed—number side down—card.)

When I unveil a card, do I get money for it? Can I use its powers?

It depends on when you unveil the concealed card.

If you unveil it using a power, you will get its +$1 at the start of your turn to buy, just like normal. If you unveil it using a power, you will not (but most powers that unveil cards give you +$1 as if you had).

No matter when you unveil a concealed card, you don’t get to use any of its powers (unless the unveiling card says otherwise). So long as it’s number side up at any point during your turn to buy, you can use its powers like normal.

Can I unveil a card even if it won't match the cards on either side of it?

Yes! This is just fine—matching only matters as you play the cards, not afterwards. Unveiling a card may make it so when you look back on the cards you played, they don’t all match in sequence like normal.

2 – The Thief

After you play a 2, you may play a card from your hand concealed.

If you have the most 2s (or tied) you can unveil a card to get +$1, once per turn.

3 – The Impersonator

On your turn to buy you may trash one of your concealed cards.

On your turn to buy, choose an opponent’s card. This 3 copies and uses all of the powers on the chosen card.*

*This power cannot be copied. Each 3 you play must copy a different cards’ powers.

4 – The Conservator

As you play a 4, choose orange, red, blue, or purple. After you play your next concealed card, it becomes that color.

Play a card from your hand concealed.

Example

Normally, concealed cards have no color or number, and you match to the card before them as you play new cards. The Conservator lets you assign a color to a concealed card, and then match to it as if it was that color, instead.

Example: You have in your hand. You play your 4 choosing orange. You use your 4’s power to play your 1 concealed. It’s now an orange card, so you can play your 2 matching it, like this:

.

You get $2 to buy with.

Do I have to play a card concealed? What happens if I don't?

You don’t have to play a card concealed; all patron powers are optional.

If you choose not to play a card concealed, you can still choose a color, and the next card you play concealed (from a different card’s power) will count as that color.

Example: You play and choose orange. You play and use its power to play a concealed card . That card counts as orange, so you can play your . Like this:

If I give my concealed card a color, can I still match to the 4 before it?

No—if a concealed card has a color, and you go to play a card after it, the card you play must match the color.

If you’d like to match to the 4 instead, you may choose not to use its first power. So long as you don’t give the concealed card a color, you match to the card before it.

5 – The Forger

On your turn to buy, either copy a previous opponent’s buy, OR copy any one buy from an opponent later this round. Each 5 you play must copy different buys.

Examples

Example 1: Your opponent is the first player. On their turn to buy, they buy a 6. On your turn to buy, you use your 5’s power, and choose to copy a previous opponent’s buy. You buy the next 6 from the Gallery for free.

Example 2: You are the first player and you play a 5. On your turn to buy, you use your 5’s power and choose to copy a future buy. On the next player’s turn to buy, they buy a 2, which you choose not to copy, then a 7, which you copy. You buy the next 7 from the Gallery for free.

If I copy a buy from an opponent later this round, when do I decide what to buy?

If you choose to copy an opponent’s buy later this round, each time an opponent buys for the rest of the round, you get to see the next card in the Gallery and must immediately choose whether or not to buy it for free, or to pass.

Careful: if you pass and nobody buys any more cards, your copied buy will be wasted. You don’t get to go back and choose one of the previous things to buy.

Do I get to see the color of the card before I buy it? Can I tuck a card?

Yes, you get to see the color before you decide to buy it. Whether or not you can tuck a card though depends on when you are copying an opponents buy.

If you are copying a buy from earlier this round during your own buy phase, you can tuck a card before using this power as you normally would! This may help you get a more ideal color for your deck.

However, if you choose to copy an opponent’s buy later this round, you may not tuck before buying because you may only tuck during your turn to buy. In this case, you can only take whatever color is currently at the top of the stack.

What happens if I play multiple 5s? What happens if multiple players play 5s?

If you play multiple 5s, they can’t copy the same buy.

Example: your two opponents each buy a 7. You play three 5s. With the first 5, you copy your first opponent’s buy and get a 7 for free. With your second 5, your copy your second opponent’s buy and get another 7 for free. You have nothing left to copy with your third 5, so you don’t get any other cards for free.

If multiple players play 5s, and each choose to copy a future opponent’s buy, they copy a buy in turn order.

Example: The first player plays a 5. The second player plays a 5. The third player buys a 7. The first player chooses not to copy the buy, because the next 7 isn’t a color that they want. The second player chooses to copy the buy, and gets the next 7 for free. The first player may not longer copy this buy because it has already been copied once.

6 – The Launderer

On your turn to buy, get +$1.

On your turn to buy, you can unveil one of your concealed cards to get another +$1

7 – The Completionist

After you play a 7, you may play a card from your hand concealed. If you do, draw a card from your deck for each of the 4 colors you’ve played so far (purple, red, blue, orange), including this 7’s color.

* This power can’t be copied.

 LONDONERS – Micro Expansion

2 – The Collector

On your turn to buy, if you have the most 2s (or tied), buy the next 2, 3, or 4 from its Gallery for free, once per turn.

Example

You play . On your turn to buy, you have more 2s than anyone else, so you use the power of one of your 2s and buy the next 4 in the Gallery for free. You add it to your discard pile, like normal.

When do I check to see if I have the most 2s?

You check if you have the most 2s (or are tied for most 2s) on your turn to buy, when you choose to use the 2’s patron power.

In rare cases, the number of 2s players have may change between turns (for example, if they used the Curator). When you check, you check only the 2s that players have in front of them among the cards they played—so if another player trashed a 2 before your turn, they have one fewer when you count 2s.

It’s possible for an opponent to have the most 2s on their turn, and you to have the most 2s on your turn.

3 – The Hipster

After you play a 3, choose either to draw a card from your deck and play it concealed, OR unveil one of your concealed cards and use its powers.

Examples

Example 1: You play a 3, and choose to draw a card and play it concealed. You draw another 3, and play it number side down.

Example 2: You’ve played a 3, and a concealed 3. You play another 3 and choose to unveil the concealed 3 before it:

When you unveil it, you choose to use its power and draw another card and play it concealed:

Why would I want to draw a card and play it concealed?

Usually so you can unveil it later with another card’s power, like another 3’s power!

If I unveil a card with a 3, do I get money for it?

Yes! Since this is a power, the card you unveil will be number side up at the start of your turn to buy. That means that you count it as $1, and can use any of its powers like normal.

What does ``use their powers`` mean?

If the card you unveil has any powers, the 3’s power lets you use those powers immediately, as if you had just played the unveiled card.

(Normally, unveiling cards does not let you use their powers.)

Can I look at my concealed cards?

Yes! When you draw the card you can look at it before you play it concealed. You can also always peek at your concealed cards.

4 – The Philosopher

As you play a 4, choose an odd number. The 4 counts as the chosen odd number as well as a 4. It can match with cards of the chosen odd number, 4s, or cards of its color. This doesn’t change the 4’s patron powers.

Example

You play a 4 and choose “13.” Now you can match your 13 to the 4:

Why would want to make a 4 an odd number?

Usually, you want to use this power to allow you to match with a card in your hand whose color or number you otherwise wouldn’t be able to match with, like a wild!

In addition, for any other cards’ powers that check your cards’ numbers, they count the 4 as the odd number as well. (For example, 7 The Eccentric patron power will count your 4 as the odd number as well as a 4)

5 – The Futurist

On your turn to buy, get +$1 if this is the final card in your line.

Choose to either: Trash a card from your discard or played cards, OR conceal a card you’ve played (flip it number side down; you still keep its money).

Example

You played

On your turn to buy, you use your blue 5’s power to get +$1, because it’s your final card. You can’t use your pink 5 to get bonus money, because it’s not last. You have a total of $4 to buy with.

Then you use both of your 5s’ second powers to trash 2 cards from your discard pile.

Why would I want to conceal one of my played cards?

If you conceal a card, it basically doesn’t count among your played cards. This means a 5 with a concealed card after it is still last!

Example: You played

On your turn to buy, you use your blue 5’s power to get +$1 (because it’s last), and trash a card in your discard. Then you use your pink 5’s power to conceal your blue 5 giving you

Because your pink 5 is now the last card in your line, you use its power to get +$1. You have a total of $5 to buy with.

(If you conceal a card during your turn to buy, you keep its money, because you get money at the start of your turn to buy)

Can I trash a card from my hand?

Yes—well, kinda.

You have to discard all cards remaining in your hand before your turn to buy. So when you use your 5’s power, you can trash a card that was in your hand (and is now in your discard pile).

What happens if I trash a card I played?

If you choose to trash a card you played instead of trashing one from your discard pile, you keep its money (because you get money at the start of your turn to buy).

You can choose to use your powers in any order. If the card you wish to trash has a power, you may choose to use it before you use your 5’s power to trash it.

Do I have to trash or conceal a card?

No, each patron power is optional. You can still get +$1 if your 5 is last, even if you choose not to trash or conceal a card.

6 – The Designer

Each card has double its powers!

For the rest of the turn after playing a 6, whenever you use a card’s  or patron power, copy it. This power can’t be copied.

*This power can’t be copied.

Example

You play . You use your 3’s power to draw a card and play it concealed. Then you copy the 3’s power and preform it again because of your 6’s power, drawing another card and playing it concealed.

What happens if I play multiple 6s?

If you’ve played one 6, powers happen twice. If you have played two 6s, powers happen three times.

Note: This power itself cannot be copied. So playing a 6 and then another 6 doesn’t copy the second 6’s power.

When I copy a power, do I have to make the exact same choices with the copy?

No! You can make different decisions for each copy.

Example 1: You play . For your 3’s power, you choose to draw a card and play it concealed. Then for the copy, you choose the 3’s other power and unveil the concealed card. If the unveiled card has a power, you get to use it, and copy it!

Example 2: You play . Using your 4’s power, you choose an odd number to make the 4 count as in addition to being a 4. You make it a “1.” Using the 6’s copy power, you also choose to make it a “13.” Now the 4 counts as a 4, a 1, and a 13!

What happens when I copy a 2's patron power?

Nothing. Because 2s’ patron powers can only be used once per turn, copying them has no effect.

7 – The Eccentric

On your turn to buy, conceal a card you’ve played (flip it number side down). For each remaining card in your line that shares a number with the concealed card, get +$1.

Example

You played . On your turn to buy, you use your 7’s power to conceal the , then get +$2 ($1 for each remaining 3).

You have a total of $6 to buy with: $4 for playing four cards, +$2 from your 7’s power.

Note: Unlike most other powers that conceal, The Eccentric has you choose a card you’ve already played to conceal (instead of playing a card from your hand concealed).

How does this power work with cards that change their numbers, like 4s?

If you conceal a 4 that is also an odd number, you count any 4, and any card that has its odd number.

Example: you played . You chose to make your into a 3.

On your turn to buy, you have +$1 for each of the played cards shown above for an initial total of $9. Then you use your 7’s power and conceal your giving you   . The 7’s power gives you an additional +$3 (+$1 for each of the 3s, and +$1 for the remaining 4), for a final total of $9.

When I conceal a card I've played, do I keep its money? Can I use its powers?

When you conceal a card you’ve played, you keep its money (because you get money at the start of your turn to buy).

You can choose to use your powers in any order. If the card you wish to conceal has a power, you may choose to use it before you use your 7’s power to conceal it.

Do I have to conceal a card?

No, each patron power is optional. But if you don’t conceal a card (or don’t have a card to conceal), you don’t get any bonus money.

* This power can’t be copied.

  SINGAPOREANS – Micro Expansion

Example

You played the most 2s, so you use their power to get an upgrade resource .

You spend the upgrade resource to upgrade the you played. You put it on the bottom of the 2s Gallery Stack in the center of the table, then take the top 3 from the 3s Gallery Stack, and add it to your discard pile.

Can I upgrade cards from my starting deck? Like 1s, 11-14s, and 2s?

Yes! If you upgrade a 1, return it to the box, and take the top 2 of the 2s Gallery Stack. You can upgrade 11-14s as if they were 1s. If you upgrade a 2 from your starter deck, return it to the 2s Gallery Stack (even if it’s gray! Someobdy could buy it later). Just remember to get your starter deck cards back at the end of the game!

Can I still upgrade if a Gallery Stack runs out?

No. If a Gallery Stack runs out, you can’t upgrade a card into that number. For example, if the 2s ran out, you couldn’t upgrade a 1 into a 2. But you could spend 2 upgrades to upgrade the 1 into a 3!

In addition, you cannot upgrade a 7 (except when using the power of The Negotiator – 6)

Can I upgrade a card I bought this turn?

Yes! For example, you can buy a 5, place it in your discard pile as normal, and then spend a to upgrade it into a 6.

2 – The Trader

If you played the most 2s (or tied) get 1 upgrade . Once per turn

3 – The Gambler

Change this card’s number to 1-5.The changed 3 must match your previous (and next) card. Changing its number doesn’t change its powers.

Gamble – Draw a card. If it matches the last of your played cards, play it and get +$1. Otherwise discard it.

Examples

You want to play . You play your 1. As you play your 3, you say you’re changing it to a “1” using the 3’s power. The 3 is now an orange “1,” matching the 1 before it. Now you can play your 2.

On your turn to buy, you use the 3’s gamble power. You draw a , which matches the final 2 in your played cards, so you play it. You have $4 to buy with: $3 for the three played cards you started your turn with, and $1 additional from the gamble power.

If I change a 3 to a ``2,`` does it count as one of my 2s for their patron power? What about a ``4``? What about upgrading?

Yes! When you change a 3, its own patron power stays the same. For all other purposes, it has the number you change it to. So if you change it to a 2, other 2s′ patron powers count it towards having the most 2s.

Example 1: you play , changing your 3 into a “2.” You use your 2’s patron power—your opponent only has one 2, and you have two, so you can upgrade a card.

For any other cards’ powers that check your cards’ numbers, they count the card you changed your 3 into. If you change it to a “4,” the other 4s count is as one of the three 4s you need to get bonus money.

Example 2: you play , changing your 3 into a “4.” You’ll have $5 to buy with: $3 for playing three cards, +$1 from each of your 4s. (The 3 that you changed doesn’t get the 4’s power, but does count towards having three 4s).

When you upgrade a 3, it upgrades to the next number above the one you changed it into.

Example 3: you play your 3, changing it to a “5.” You upgrade it. You return it to the bottom of the 3’s Gallery Stack, then take the top 6 from the 6’s Gallery Stack and add it to your discard pile.

How much money do I get if I successfully gamble?

You get $1 more than you had at the start of your turn. (If you recount your cards, the number of cards should equal the amount of money)

When you successfully match using the gambling power, it’s too late to get extra money for just playing more cards, so the gambling power gives you +$1 to compensate.

When I successfully gamble, do I get to use the new card's powers?

If the card you draw has any powers, it’s too late to use those. But if the card you draw has any powers, you can use those after you play it.

Example: you played a single . When you gamble, you draw another (which matches, so you play it). You can’t use the new 3’s power to change it into a “2.” But you can use it’s power to gamble again!

Can the last of my played cards change before I gamble?

Yes! In rare cases, you may choose to upgrade your last played card. In this case, when you gamble, you’re attempting to match the remaining final card in your row of played cards.

Similarly, if you are gambling multiple times, each time you’re attempting to match the current final card in your row of played cards. Depending on how successful your gambling is, the final card may change between each gamble.

4 – The Protester

Raise the limit of powers labeled ‘once per turn’ (2s, 5s, 6s and 7s) to up to twice this turn.

If you have played three or more 4s, get +$1.

Tip: If you play three 4s, play your 4s a little above your other cards to help you remember you’re getting +$1 from each, like this: 

Example

Example 1: you play  . You get $8 total: $4 for playing four cards, and each 4 gives +$1 because you have at least three 4s.

Example 2: you play . The 7s have the power: “get a bonus award, once per turn.” Normally, you’d be able to get one bonus award. But because you played a 4, you’re allowed to use that power twice this turn, and get 2 bonus awards instead.

What does ``Once Per Turn`` mean? What does ``Twice Per Turn`` mean?

Normally in Avant Carde, every time you play a card, you get to use its patron power. For example, if you played four 3s, you’d get to use the 3 power four times.

Powers labeled “once per turn” are an exception. These powers can only be used up to once each turn, no matter how many copies of the card you play, or how many times you copy the power.

When you play The Protester, any cards you play for the rest of the turn with “once per turn” powers (2s, 5s, 6s, 7s) have the limit raised to twice per turn. If you play at least two of a card with a “once per turn” power, you can use that power twice.

For example, 7s have the power “Get one bonus award, once per turn:”

  • You play  . You get one bonus award because the power can only be used once per turn.
  • You play . You get one bonus award, because you played a 7.
  • You play  . You get two bonus awards because the limit is now twice per turn.
  • You play . You get two bonus awards because the limit is twice per turn.

Does it matter what order I play my 4s?

Not usually. As long as you’ve played a 4, all of your “once per turn” powers can be used up to twice per turn on your turn to buy.

Exception: The Promoter (5)’s “once per turn” power lets you draw 2 cards (and lose $1) when you play the card. As long as you haven’t played a 4, that power can only be used once per turn.

For example, you play:

  • . You draw 2 cards, once, because you played the 4 after you played the second 5.
  • . You draw 4 cards total. Two for each of the two 5s.

5 – The Promoter

After you play a 5, choose either to draw 2 cards from your deck now and lose $1 at the start of your turn to buy (once per turn),

OR

whenever you buy a card this turn, this card copies and lets you use its powers immediately*.

Tip: If you choose to get draw cards and lose $1, play your 5 a little below your other cards to help you remember, like this: 

*This power can’t be copied.

Example

Example 1: you play a 5 and choose to draw 2 cards. You play five more cards. On your turn to buy, you get $5 ($1 for each of your cards, then -$1 from the 5’s power). You don’t get any awards.

Example 2: you play two 5s and choose to have them both use their power. On your turn to buy, you buy a 3. You get to use its gambling power twice, right now! You buy another 3, and use the gambling power twice, again!

What happens if I play multiple 5s?

The 5’s first power is “once per turn.” This means if you play two 5s, only one of them can give you the drawing cards power (unless you’ve played a 4).

If you play two 5s and choose the second power for each, whenever you buy a card this turn you’ll get to use its powers twice!

Note: You can’t get around powers that are labeled “once per turn” by copying them. It still counts as the same power.

If I choose the second power, does it happen when I upgrade cards?

No. The 5’s power only happens when you buy a card, not when you upgrade a card.

When do I check to see how much money I have for getting awards?

Any one time you could use a power (during your turn to buy), you can choose to check how much money you currently have unspent, and collect award(s) based on that number.

Because the 5’s second power can change how much money you have after buying, you have to decide whether to check for awards before or after buying. In almost all cases, it’s better to check before you’ve spent money buying.

6 – The Negotiator

You can spend to upgrade a 7 this turn and get an award. Once per turn.

Get 2 upgrades .

Example

Example 1: You play a 6. You spend your to upgrade a 1 and an 11 from your discard pile to two 2s.

Example 2: You play a 6. You spend to upgrade the 6 you just played into an award. The 6 goes to the bottom of its Gallery Stack and you take an award from the Awards Stack and add it to your score pile.

How does upgrading a 7 to an award work?

Normally, you can’t upgrade 7s.

If you play a 6, once for the rest of this turn you can treat the Awards Stack as one number higher than a 7. So if you upgrade a 7, it goes to the bottom of its stack, and you take an award and add it to your score pile.

You can alternatively spend to upgrade a 6 to an award. Or to upgrade a 5 to an award, etc. You can only get 1 award this way per turn.

What does ``once per turn`` mean?

Normally in Avant Carde, every time you play a card, you get to use its patron power. For example, if you played four 3s, you’d get to use the 3 power four times.

Powers labeled “once per turn” are an exception. No matter how many 6s you play, you can only upgrade into 1 award per turn. (This limit can be raised to twice per turn if you play a 4)

7 – The Fast-Talker

On your turn to buy, take a bonus award from the Awards Stack and add it to your score pile. Once per turn.

On your turn to buy, tuck up to 2 additional cards.

Example

You play two 7s. You get one bonus award, taking it from the Award Stack and adding it to your score pile. Then you tuck five times before you buy.

What does ``once per turn`` mean?

Normally in Avant Carde, every time you play a card, you get to use its patron power. For example, if you played four 3s, you’d get to use the 3 power four times.

Powers labeled “once per turn” are an exception. No matter how many 7s you play, you can only get one bonus award. (This limit can be raised to twice per turn if you play a 4)

* This power can’t be copied.

Solo Rules

The solo mode plays just like the multiplayer version with the following exceptions:

 

SETUP

  1. Place the First Player Token on the left-most section of the unrolled Gallery Box (the Change Token section).

  2. Put out awards based on your desired difficulty, and return the rest to the box:

Easy

Normal

Hard

Expert

8 Awards

12 Awards

16 Awards

20 Awards

GAMEPLAY

  1. At the end of each round, move the First Player Token right, to the next section in the Gallery (2s section, to 3s, 3s to 4s, etc.).

  2. When you move the First Player Token, tuck the top card of the Stack and place the Token on top of it.

  3. When you buy cards, you can’t buy from the Stack with the First Player Token. This doesn’t stop you from getting Change Tokens or awards.

  4. You can tuck two cards per turn instead of just one.

ENDING THE GAME

If you ever take the last award in the Awards Stack, you immediately win!

At the end of the 9th round (the round where the First Player Token is on the “Extras” section), the game is over. If you didn’t get all the awards, you lose and the gallery wins.

PATRON POWERS

To have the “most 2s” for the 2 patron powers, you must have more 2s than the most prevalent color among the top cards of the Gallery Stacks (or tie). For The Impersonator (3 ) and The Forger (5 ), check the number card that the First Player Token is on. 3 lets you copy its powers. 5 lets you buy it.

MOST 2s EXAMPLE:

The top cards of the Gallery Stacks look like this:

The most prevalent color is red, with 3 red cards. So you need to play three or more 2s to use their power.

Return the Hidden Gem Token to the box. It won’t be used in the solo mode.

FAQ

Can I look at all the cards in the Gallery stacks?

You may only look at each stack’s top card. Keep the stacks straight so you can’t see the next card, or flip the stacks face down and flip the top cards up.

How do I make it so I can play lots of cards?

Try choosing 2 colors and don’t buy any cards that aren’t those colors. Also try buying 3s (which let you trash cards), and trash your and and high number cards (11-14).

If I trash a card I played, do I still get its money and its power?

Yes! Each card you play gives you $1 as you start your turn to buy. Then you can use your cards’ powers in any order (and also buy, tuck, and claim awards in any order).

Can I save money between turns?

No. Any money you don’t spend goes away at the end of your turn. If you don’t spend all your money you get 1 Change Token (if you don’t already have one and you didn’t spend one this turn).

What happens when my deck runs out?

If there are no cards in your deck don’t do anything. But as soon as you need to draw a card, flip your discard pile over and shuffle it. It’s your new deck.

Do I have to tuck a card each turn? When can I tuck a card?

Tucking a card is optional. You may tuck a card up to once during your turn to buy, before, after, or between buying cards and using your patron powers.
Some patron powers allow you to tuck extra cards. You can do each of your tucks separately.

Do I have to spend my Change token to have it count towards awards?

You have to spend the token, but not the money. To use a Change token, you spend it to the middle of the table, and add +$1 to your total. If this pushes you to $6 (or another award threshold), take your awards. You still get the award if you don’t spend the $1 you got from the Change token (for example, if you chose to buy a 5).

Game Design: Mary Flanagan & Max Seidman • lllustration: Ishita Banerjee • Graphic Design: Michael Parla & Kayleigh Jones • Web Instructions: Kayleigh Jones • Community Management: Olivia Lothary • Logistics: Max Seidman, Danielle Taylor, & Sukdith Punjasthitkul • Art Intern: Cass Gordon •  3D Sculptor: Patrick Fahy • How to Play Video: Kovray • Playtesting: Joshua Po, Ainsley Carter, Alex Munson, Ash Chinta, Yikei Liu, Fritz Wallace, Matt Golec, & Ryan Lockwood

Special Thanks: Game Makers Guild, UV Game Designers, Resonym Discord