Rulesplainer { Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West }
Ronda El 
Rule Question
Is it normal to run out of tickets in a 4-player game of Legacy: Ticket to Ride 1886? Are we retiring tickets too quickly by removing them as soon as a color is completed? What might we be doing wrong?
Rulesplainer
In Legacy: Ticket to Ride, tickets are retired only when fully completed: single-punch tickets are removed after the first completion, and double-punch tickets after the second, regardless of color. The majority consensus is that it’s extremely unusual to run out of tickets by 1886, and most groups find they have a surplus of tickets in later games, provided tickets are managed correctly and new tickets from each region are added as the campaign progresses. If your group is frequently taking extra tickets in each session, this can deplete the pool faster than intended; the scoring system usually discourages this behavior, especially early on. Double-punch tickets can last through several games if different players complete them. Make sure tickets are only being punched for actual completions. If you find you have retired tickets with only one color punched twice, consider putting them back as they were not fully used per the rules. Always add new tickets from frontier decks as you unlock regions, and double-check the number of trains per player. It seems your group’s experience is rare but possible depending on playstyle. The main takeaway is that careful ticket management and following ticket retirement rules prevents premature depletion.
Rule Question
At the end of scenario 2 in this legacy game, the players are confused about how to assign employee cards: Should players draw these cards randomly, or do they choose which employee to take, especially since the cards’ text implies selection? Additionally, how does the “punching” (hole-punch) mechanic on employee cards work in terms of card lifespan and usage?
Rulesplainer
Players should choose their employee cards at the end of the game, starting with the player in last place and proceeding in reverse order of finish (so the winner picks last). The player in last place also receives the President employee card. When picking an employee with punch slots, punch one hole when the card is chosen. After the game, return punched employee cards to the pool for future selection; a second punch (from another selection) retires the card permanently. Cards are not taken randomly despite what some translations might suggest—English rules and consensus clarify that intentional choice is correct. There is a specific non-employee card that might be punched twice in a single game, but employees are only punched when chosen, not at game-end. Note poor translation in the Spanish edition caused confusion, but the intended (English) method is selection, not drawing.
Rule Question
What does “available” mean on the “Bull Market” card in relation to shares, and can players sell and immediately reclaim shares during this event when the deck is empty?
Rulesplainer
“Available” shares refer strictly to shares remaining in the supply or market (the deck), not the shares held by players. Once the last share is drawn from the deck, no shares are considered available, and the “Bull Market” card must be immediately retired (removed from play). Players cannot sell a share and then reclaim it in the same turn if the deck is empty, as there are no available shares left to claim. This prevents any player advantage from cycling shares during the event. Shares held by players do not count as available for the Bull Market; the card’s ability ends as soon as the deck empties. It’s also confirmed by the designer that this interpretation is correct and is intended to maintain balanced gameplay and event timing. If the card was not retired when the last share was drawn, the action should be corrected for campaign scoring purposes. Always retire the Bull Market card once all shares from the deck are gone.
“Bull market” – card – define “available”
Rule Question
When adding new cards (tickets, events, employees) between games in a campaign, should players look at and learn their specifics in advance, or are these cards meant to remain a surprise until drawn or used?
Rulesplainer
The consensus is that there is some flexibility in how much content is revealed to players between campaign games. Many groups prefer to keep new tickets and employees a surprise, adding them face down and only revealing them when used, which maintains excitement and avoids spoilers. However, several players recommend making new events known to all, since they can directly impact future play and understanding them might help prevent confusion or delays when they appear. The official rules don’t clearly state that events must be revealed, and some groups play by explaining new mechanics but keeping the content of event cards secret until drawn. Overall, it’s acceptable to keep tickets and some content secret for surprise, but consider discussing newly added events if your group prefers clarity over surprise, especially if their effects aren’t obvious. If your group enjoys the element of surprise and it doesn’t slow play, keeping new cards hidden is fine.
Question about adding content between games
Rule Question
What is the text on the Year 1883 Card 01A and 01B (and other possibly missing cards from the Open Range set), and is possessing these cards necessary for gameplay, especially if some are missing from a secondhand copy?
Rulesplainer
The Year 1883 Card 01A and 01B, along with other instructional cards from the Open Range set, are mainly informational and provide history or context rather than being used directly in gameplay. The community confirmed, with photographic evidence, exactly what these cards look like and their function. They describe that Open Range includes events and tickets, and that the numbered “A/B” cards are instructional, not event cards. If cards like 01A/B or 02A/B are missing, it generally will not impact game progression or the ability to play. The user clarified these are mostly reference/history cards, not necessary components (such as events or tickets) actively used during play. Thus, the game remains fully playable if you are missing these particular instructional cards, especially if you have all other functional components.
