Ronda El 
Rule Question 1
Are missing or misprinted merchant tiles in new copies of Brass (specifically the all-purpose merchant) a common issue or a sign of a bigger problem such as counterfeit copies?
Rulesplainer 1
If your new copy of Brass is missing the all-purpose (“wild”) merchant tile and instead has a duplicate or wrong merchant tile, it is likely that you have a counterfeit or misprinted game, especially if there are other signs such as dark printing or unusual packaging. This was confirmed by multiple buyers, and Roxley has requested that players report these issues so they can investigate further. The consensus is that authentic copies of Brass should never be missing or swapping key tiles, and multiple reports suggest a counterfeit batch being sold online, particularly through Walmart’s website.
Am I missing tiles/Did I receive a misprint?
Rule Question 2
How can you check if your Brass copy is counterfeit or legitimate before unboxing or punching out the pieces?
Rulesplainer 2
To quickly check for a counterfeit copy, inspect the merchant tiles before punching them out. A genuine game should include the all-purpose merchant tile (depicting cotton, manufactured goods, and pottery). If you’re missing this tile or find duplicates of other merchants, your copy may be counterfeit. Also, compare your components to unboxing videos or reference images online as suggested by other players. Contact Roxley with box and component photos if you are in doubt.
Counterfeit checklist and guidance discussion
Rule Question 3
If a copy of the game is missing just one tile (like the “wild” merchant), is it okay to mark a substitute and keep playing?
Rulesplainer 3
Some players suggest you could mark another tile and play, but many strongly discourage this if the game is counterfeit. Buying counterfeit games means supporting piracy, which is unfair to the creators. Even if you can make the game technically playable, most users believe the right solution is to return the counterfeit and buy from a trusted source. It’s also important for reporting to help publishers stop counterfeit sales.
Is using a marked substitute OK?
Rule Question 4
What should you do if you suspect you have received a counterfeit game or a misprinted batch, particularly from a major retailer?
Rulesplainer 4
If you suspect your copy is counterfeit or misprinted, you should first contact the publisher (Roxley) with serial numbers, box photos, and purchase information to help with their investigation. Also notify the retailer, especially if it’s a large online store like Walmart, so they can remove suspicious stock. You can use return policies to get a refund. Sharing your findings on public forums can help warn others and build a case for the publisher to act.
Report and next steps
Rule Question 5
Is it possible for legitimate retailers like Walmart or Target to accidentally sell counterfeit board games like Brass?
Rulesplainer 5
Yes, even large and trusted retailers can accidentally sell counterfeit games, especially when products come from third-party sellers or distributors. Multiple users noted full-priced games from Walmart (not just cheap imitations) had counterfeit indicators. Publishers and the BGG community recommend vigilance and reporting any suspicions, because legitimate retailers may not know they are selling fakes until customers speak up.
Legit Retailers & Counterfeits
