First Ascent Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Components
• Set Up: Main Board
• Set Up: Player Area
• Overview
  • Gameplay Overview
  • Game End
  • Board & Climbing Basics
• Climb Phase
  • Step 1: Choose to Climb or Rest
  • Step 2: Use Assets
  • Step 3: Draw a Climbing Card
  • Missing an Asset but don't want to Rest?
• Climbing Cards
  • Climbing Card Explanations
  • What is The Portaledge?
  • Summit Beta Tokens
• Advancing Up the Mountain
  • Movement Rules
  • Second and Third Ascents
  • The Ledge & The Headwall
• Follow Phase
  • Step 1: Check for Matching Technique Symbols
  • Step 2: Turn in Cards for Permanent Assets
  • Step 3: Flip Over Cards
• How to Use Permanent Assets
• Rerack Phase
  • Step 1: Draw Cards
  • Step 2: Change the First Player
• Objectives
  • Shared Objectives
  • The Trifecta's Role in Objectives
  • Personal Objectives
• Ending the Game
  • Scoring
  • Tie Breakers
• Gameplay Example: The First Round
  • Climb Phase
  • Follow Phase
  • Rerack Phase
• Character Abilities
  • A-side
  • B-side
• Glossary
• Guide Mode: Set Up
• Guide Mode: Game Overview
  • Gameplay
  • Starting the Game
  • Board & Climbing Basics
• Guide Mode: Your Turn
  • How to Climb
  • How to Rest
• Guide Mode: Advancing Up the Mountain
  • Movement Rules
  • Second and Third Ascents
  • The Ledge & The Headwall
• Guide Mode: Climbing Cards & Objectives
  • Climbing Card Explanations
  • Using the Portaledge & The Spread
  • Shared Objectives
• Guide Mode: Ending the Game
  • Tie Breakers

Components

• Game Board: 2-3 player Desert side, 4-5 player Forest side
• 32 Pitches: Climb the mountain by acquiring the Assets listed on each Pitch
• Asset Deck: 40 Gear Cards + 84 Skill Cards. Use to climb Pitches
• 70 Climbing Cards: Draw a Climbing Card after climbing a Pitch
• Portaledge: A bank for gaining Assets from a Climbing Card or when resting
• 8 Objective Tokens: Double-sided; 16 objectives. All players can work towards 3 randomly selected Objectives
• 12 Technique Tokens: Obtain from Climbing Cards; use these instead of a card to match Technique Symbols
• 12 Summit Beta Tokens: Obtain from Climbing Cards; these provide one-time benefits
• 45 Skill & Gear Tokens: Indicate Permanent Assets or alter a Pitch
• 24 Point Tokens: Keep track of points earned from matching Technique Symbols
• 1 Risk Die: Roll when you are short 1 Asset but still want to climb the Pitch, or to resolve Climbing Cards
• First Player Marker: Rotate who starts each round
• 6 Character Mats: Double-sided; 12 characters. Track Water & Psych
• 6 Asset Boards: Double-sided; unique to each character. Track points and build Permanent Assets
• 12 Personal Objective Cards: Unique to each player
• 5 Reference Cards: Learn the actions of each phase
• 6 Climbers: Indicate which Pitch you are currently on
• 48 Ropes: 8 ropes of each color. Indicate which Pitches you have climbed
• 12 Cubes: 6 Water + 6 Psych. Track Water and Psych levels on your Character Mat
• Score Pad: Tally points at the end of the game

Set Up: Main Board

1. Determine which side of the Board to play with:
   • 2-3 players: Desert side
   • 4-5 players: Forest side
2. Place each Pitch on the Board in an empty location with the corresponding number. Place all Pitches below The Ledge face up; place all the Pitches above The Ledge face down. (Note: after setting up the Desert side, you will have 1 extra Pitch -- put it back into the box)
3. Separate 7 Gear, 7 Slab Skill, 7 Crack Skill, and 7 Face Skill Cards from the Asset Deck. Place these in individual stacks face down on The Portaledge, below the corresponding Asset symbol.
4. Shuffle the remaining Asset Cards and lay 4 Cards face up on The Spread. Put the rest of the Deck face down on the Board.
5. Shuffle the Climbing Cards and place them face down on the Board.
6. Choose three Objective Tokens at random and place them at the top of the Board.
7. Shuffle the Summit Beta Tokens and place them face down on the Board.
8. Place all the Skill, Gear, Technique, and Point Tokens with the Risk Die in piles near the Board.

Set Up: Player Area

9. Each player selects a Character Mat. Character Mats have different characters on each side, and every character has a unique ability. See page 15 for beginner/advanced player recommendations.
10. Each player selects the Asset Board that matches their character.
11. Each player gets 1 Water Cube and 1 Psych Cube, and places them in the white numbered box on their Character Mat.
12. Each player selects the Climber and 8 Ropes that match their character color.
13. Distribute a Reference Card to all players.
14. Each player draws two Personal Objective Cards, reads them, and keeps them hidden from other players.
15. Rack Up! All players introduce their character's special ability. The player who has recreated outside most recently is the first player. They start with the First Player Marker.

Starting with the first player and proceeding clockwise, everyone draws a number of Cards from The Spread and/or Asset Deck based on their starting position:

• First and second player: 5 Asset Cards
• Third player: 6 Asset Cards
• Fourth player: 7 Asset Cards
• Fifth player: 8 Asset Cards

After each player draws all of their Cards, refill any empty spaces in The Spread.

You can also learn the rules by watching the How to Play Video at www.PlayFirstAscent.com

Overview

Gameplay Overview

All players are rock climbers competing to establish the best route up the mountain and become the most skilled climber! This will be measured by how many points each player gains throughout the game -- the player with the most points wins.

Points are gained in 4 ways:

• Climbing Pitches (page 7)
• Completing Objectives (page 12)
• Matching Technique Symbols (page 10)
• Reaching a Summit (page 9)

The game is played in rounds. There are 3 phases in each round: The Climb Phase, The Follow Phase, and The Rerack Phase. Use the Reference Cards to follow the steps in each phase, and check out the rule reminders on the back:

• Climb Phase: Move your Climber & Rope. If you are resting, lay down your Climber & skip the next steps. Lay down Asset Cards. Decrease Water & Psych. Draw & resolve a Climbing Card.
• Follow Phase: Claim points for Techniques. Turn in cards for Permanent Assets (if applicable). Turn over Cards on your Board.
• Rerack Phase: Climbers: Draw 3 Asset Cards (draw Cards from the Spread or Deck). Resters: Gain 5 Assets (draw Cards from The Portaledge) -- Water / Psych / Cards. Pass First Player Token to your right.

Game End

The end of the game is triggered when a player uses all of their Ropes and has climbed their eighth Pitch. When this happens, finish the Climbing Phase and complete the Follow Phase.

Board & Climbing Basics

The board is made up of individual hex tiles, called Pitches. Each Pitch has a certain combination of Assets a player needs in order to climb it:

• Gear
• Water
• Psych
• Face Climbing Skills
• Crack Climbing Skills
• Slab Climbing Skills

Skill Cards and Gear Cards are in the Asset Deck and will be drawn into your hand throughout the game. Water and Psych are depleted from your Character Mat throughout the game. Players can choose to rest in the Climb Phase to rebuild Water and Psych.

When you have the Assets shown on the Pitch, you can advance onto the Pitch and earn the number of points listed.

Example Pitch (Flake, "Red Rider"):

• The number at the top of the Pitch (4) will add that many points to your score at the end of the game.
• There are 6 types of Pitches: Crack, Slab, Arete, Corner, Roof, and Flake. The type of Pitch relates to Shared Objectives (page 12).
• The symbols in the lower left corner of the Pitch correspond to Personal Objectives (page 12).
• To climb this Pitch, you need 3 Gear Cards, 1 Slab Skill Card, 1 Crack Skill Card, 1 Face Skill Card, and 1 Psych.

Climb Phase

Phase overview: The first player executes all 3 steps, then play proceeds clockwise. Once each player has completed a turn, start the Follow Phase.

Step 1: Choose to Climb or Rest

When you climb: Move your Climber and 1 Rope to the Pitch you are climbing. Your first Pitch must be on the bottom row. (See movement rules page 9)

When you rest: Lay your Climber down and announce you are resting; skip the next steps of the Climb Phase. Play passes clockwise to the next player. Resting skips your turn in the Climb and Follow Phases but allows you to gain more Assets in the Rerack Phase.

Step 2: Use Assets

Look at the symbols on the Pitch you've moved onto to see which Assets you need to use to climb it. Lay the Asset Cards from your hand onto your Asset Board face up, placing each Card type in the corresponding column. If a Pitch has the any-Skill symbol (Slab, Crack, Face combined), any of the 3 Skill types (Slab, Crack, or Face) can be used. If the Pitch requires Water or Psych, move the cubes on your Character Mat accordingly.

Example: To climb a Pitch (Arete) that needs 1 Gear, 2 Face Skills, 1 Crack Skill, and 1 Water, lay the Cards onto your Asset Board. On your Character Mat, move your Water down 1.

Once Cards are laid down on your Asset Board, they cannot be used to climb another Pitch. These Cards remain on your Asset Board to build Permanent Assets. (see page 10)

Step 3: Draw a Climbing Card

Next, draw a Climbing Card and read it out loud. Resolve it by choosing one of the options, then discard it. (See Card explanations next page) Then say "off belay!" and play passes clockwise to the next player.

Missing an Asset but don't want to Rest?

Even if you don't have all the Assets you need, you might still be able to climb instead of resting:

Trade in Cards: If you have 3 Cards in your hand of the same type (e.g. 3 Crack Skill Cards), you can discard those Cards and choose any Card from The Portaledge.

Risk It: If you lack one of the Assets required for climbing a Pitch, you may choose to "risk it." Risking it allows you to climb the Pitch even though you are missing an Asset -- but there may be consequences! When you risk it:

1. Lay down the other Asset Cards and deplete Water/Psych as needed. Announce which Asset you are risking it for. ("I'm risking it for the Face Skill")
2. Roll the Risk die, which has 3 possible outcomes:
   • Check mark: No consequence.
   • Cards symbol: Give 2 Cards to another player.
   • Psych/Card symbol: You lose 1 Psych and 1 Card and give them to another player.

As long as you can pay what is on the die, you successfully climb the Pitch! Cards must be discarded from your hand; if you don't have any, lose them from your Asset Board.

If you cannot pay what is on the die, you must retreat from the Pitch and end your turn. Remove the Rope on the Pitch you attempted and move your Climber back to the Pitch you climbed in the previous Climb Phase. Retrieve the Cards you laid down from your Asset Board and move Water/Psych back to where they were before climbing. Play immediately passes to the next player. In the Rerack Phase, only draw 1 Card instead of 3.

Climbing Cards

Climbing Card Explanations

If you draw a Climbing Card and can only fulfill one of the two options on the Card, you must choose the one you can fulfill. If you cannot fulfill either option, only draw 1 Card in the Rerack Phase.

Gain Asset Cards: Choose a Card from The Portaledge and add it to your hand. When all players (or all other players) gain a Card from The Portaledge, go in clockwise order starting from the current player.

Discard or lose Cards: You must lose the Card from your hand and put it in the "Asset Discard" spot on the Board. If you don't have the Card in your hand, lose it from your Asset Board.

Add Tokens to Pitches: Select the corresponding Token and place it on any Pitch. That Asset is now required for all subsequent players who climb that Pitch.

Gain Technique Tokens: Select the corresponding Technique Token and put it near your Asset Board. This token can be used in place of a Card to match Technique symbols in the Follow Phase. (see page 10)

Put a Card from your hand or another player's Asset Board and add it to your Asset Board: Put the Card face up onto your Asset Board. It can help you build Permanent Assets and/or match Technique symbols.

Roll the Risk Die: See Risk Die symbol explanations on page 7. If you roll and cannot pay what is shown on the die, only draw 1 Card in the Rerack Phase.

Example: You roll the Risk Die and get the Psych/Card result, but have no Psych left. Keep your Climber and Rope on the Pitch; in the Rerack Phase, draw 1 Card instead of 3 Cards.

Draw Summit Beta Token: Draw a Token from the Summit Beta stack, read it, and keep it face down near you until you are ready to use it. You may use at any time on your turn.

Tip: If the result of a Climbing Card makes you draw fewer or no Cards in the Rerack Phase, keep the Climbing Card in your hand, as a reminder. Then discard it on your turn in the Rerack Phase.

What is The Portaledge?

The Portaledge is a "bank" for each Card type. Draw Cards from The Portaledge when:

• A Climbing Card directs you to gain an Asset Card
• Trading in 3 Cards of a kind from your hand for a Card of your choice
• You rest and are gaining Assets in the Rerack Phase

If a stack on The Portaledge runs out, refill it with 7 more, using Cards from the discard pile.

Summit Beta Tokens

These one-time use tokens are gained from Climbing Cards and always provide a benefit. After using it, put the token on the "Used Summit Beta" spot on the Board.

Tokens shown include: Lucky Chalkbag (reroll the Risk Die), Rerack (search the discard pile for 2 Asset Cards of your choice), Extra Water, Spider Stick, and Jesus Piece. (Note: part of the Extra Water token text is obscured in the printed guidebook page.)

Summit Beta Token clarifications:

Jesus Piece: You may still claim the "reward" on the Climbing Card you draw, but you do not need to "pay" for it. Example: If the Card says "Gain 1 Face Skill Card, lose 1 Psych," gain the Face Skill Card but do not lose Psych.

Spider Stick: After climbing a Pitch with a 1 or 2 at the top, add a 2-Point Token to your Asset Board.

Advancing Up the Mountain

Movement Rules

As you advance to new Pitches, move your Climber to mark your progress. Place a new Rope on the Pitch you are climbing onto, and leave a Rope behind on the Pitch you climbed previously.

You can move from your current Pitch onto any Pitch touching it -- you can move sideways, up, or down from any Pitch (including summits).

You cannot climb the same Pitch twice, or a Pitch that another Climber is on, unless it is a summit Pitch. Summits can be shared by any number of Climbers. If you climb a summit Pitch, you'll receive a point at the end of the game!

Second and Third Ascents

You can climb a Pitch that was climbed by another player in a previous round, but you will use fewer Assets and will receive fewer points. The required Assets and point value go down by one for each player that climbs the same Pitch:

• First climber: You need all the Assets, earn all points
• Second climber: Must use 1 less Asset, earn 1 less point
• Third climber: Must use 2 less Assets, earn 2 less points

Pitches cannot be worth negative points; if 2 players have climbed a 2-point Pitch, it is worth 0 points for all subsequent climbers. When climbing a Pitch after someone else, stack your Rope on top of the previous player's Rope to keep track of the order.

Multiple ascents example (an Arete Pitch worth 2 points requiring 1 Gear, 2 Face Skills, 1 Crack Skill, and 1 Water):

• First climber (red): Uses 1 Gear, 2 Face Skills, 1 Crack Skill, and 1 Water. Earns 2 points for this Pitch.
• Second climber (blue): Chooses to not use Water. Earns 1 point for this Pitch instead of 2.
• Third climber (yellow): Chooses to not use Face Skill Cards. Earns 0 points for this Pitch.

The Ledge & The Headwall

The mountain is divided by The Ledge. The bottom half is The Apron; the top half is The Headwall.

When the Climbing Phase ends with one or more players in the third row, flip over all the Pitches on The Headwall before starting the Follow Phase. Once the Pitches on the Headwall are revealed, they are able to be climbed!

The Ledge connects all Pitches in the third and fourth row: If you are on a Pitch in the third or fourth row, you can climb any Pitch in the third or fourth row on your next turn.

You may cross The Ledge multiple times: You may move from the third row to the fourth, then down to the third row and then up to the fourth row again.

Example of acceptable movement (numbers indicate the order in which Pitches were climbed): 1 and 2 in the first and second rows, 3 in the third row, 4 in the fourth row, 5 back in the third row, 6 in the fourth row, then 7 and 8 in the fourth row.

Follow Phase

Phase overview: This is a "clean-up" phase to organize your Asset Board and claim rewards you have earned in the previous Climb Phase. This phase is performed simultaneously by all players. When everyone has completed these 3 steps, move into the Rerack Phase.

Step 1: Check for Matching Technique Symbols

Some Asset Cards have one or multiple Technique symbols in the bottom left corner: Balance, Precision, Pain Tolerance, Power.

When you have 3 Cards on your Asset Board with the same Technique symbol, you earn 2 Points. In the first step of the Follow Phase, look at each of the face up Cards on your Asset Board to see if you have 3 matching symbols. If you do, add a 2-Point Token to your Asset Board.

You can match more than one set of Techniques per turn, but a Card with multiple symbols can only count towards one set.

Example: This player has 3 Cards with Pain Tolerance symbols, so they earn 2 points.

Technique Tokens, which can be gained from Climbing Cards, are one-time use Tokens that can be used instead of a Card when you match Technique symbols. Example: if you have 2 Cards with Balance symbols and 1 Balance Token, discard the Balance Token and add a 2-Point Token to your Asset Board.

Step 2: Turn in Cards for Permanent Assets

Next, all players check to see if they have earned a Permanent Asset: When you have 4 Cards of the same Asset type on your Asset Board, you earn a Permanent Asset. You may discard those 4 Cards and add the corresponding Skill or Gear Token to your Asset Board.

Example: Discard 4 Face Skill Cards from your Asset Board and add a Face Skill Token to your board. See next page for how to use Permanent Assets.

Step 3: Flip Over Cards

All players flip over the face up Cards on their Asset Boards so all the Cards are face down. This helps keep track of which Cards were played in a previous round.

How to Use Permanent Assets

Permanent Assets are used in the Climbing Phase -- they may be used instead of Cards to fulfill the requirements of a Pitch. If you use a Permanent Asset when you climb a Pitch, point to and announce which one you are using.

Example: If a Pitch requires two Slab Skills, a player can use their Permanent Slab Skill Token to fulfill one of them, and must use a Slab Skill Card for the other one.

• Permanent Assets never expire or leave your Asset Board; you may continue using them for the rest of the game. Once added to your Board, they cannot be changed or removed.
• You may place more than 4 Cards in a column. After discarding 4 Cards for a Permanent Asset, the extra Card(s) stay on your Board and continue to build towards the next Permanent Asset.
• You are not required to trade in Cards for a Permanent Asset -- Cards may stay on your Board if desired.
• You are not required to use Permanent Assets when climbing -- you may continue laying down Cards for that Asset if you choose to. (This may be advantageous for certain Objectives or gaining points from matching Technique symbols)
• You can only gain as many Permanent Assets as there are spaces on your Asset Board. You may earn more than one of the same Asset.
• Permanent Assets may only be used to climb a Pitch; they cannot be used to resolve Climbing Cards.

Rerack Phase

Phase overview: In clockwise turn order, each player gains new Assets for the next round.

Step 1: Draw Cards

Players who climbed in the Climb Phase draw 3 Cards from The Spread and/or Asset Deck. There is no hand limit.

After each player draws, refill any empty spaces on The Spread. If 4 of a kind are on The Spread, remove the last Card added and replace it with a new Card from the deck.

Players who rested in the Climb Phase choose 5 Assets to gain: Asset Cards, Water, or Psych. Draw Asset Cards from The Portaledge instead of The Spread or Deck. You may choose to gain 5 of one Asset or mix and match.

Example: This player gained 2 Water, 1 Psych, and 2 Asset Cards from The Portaledge in the Rerack Phase after resting in the Climb Phase.

Step 2: Change the First Player

Pass the First Player Marker counterclockwise -- the last player in the previous round becomes the first player for the new round. After the First Player Marker has been passed, the Rerack Phase is complete and the next Climb Phase can begin!

Remember: Gameplay is always clockwise; passing the First Player Marker changes who starts the next round, but does not change the direction of play.

Objectives

Objectives provide another way to gain points at the end of the game. There are Shared Objectives, which all players can attempt, and Personal Objectives, which are unique to each player.

Shared Objectives

Shared Objectives, which are at the top of the board, can be achieved by multiple players. At the end of the game, you will announce which Shared Objectives you achieved and earn the points at the top of the Objective Token.

Explanations of Shared Objectives

Climb 3 Crack, Slab, Arete, Corner, Roof, or Flake: Climb 3 Pitches with that type of climb listed at the top. (Flake is shown here)

Gain 1 point for each shaded/sunny Pitch you climb: The background color of the Pitch determines if it is sunny or shaded.

Climb the North Ridge/South Ridge: Climb at least 4 Pitches along the North Ridge or South Ridge. The Summits count.

Gain 1 point for each Pitch on The Headwall you climb: Every Pitch above The Ledge is worth 1 extra point.

Climb no 1 Point Pitches: The starting value of every Pitch you climb must be 2 Points or higher. If you are not the first person to climb a 2 Point Pitch, you are still eligible for this Objective.

Climb horizontally across 4 Pitches in a row: Climb 4 Pitches that are next to each other in a single row. They do not need to be climbed sequentially.

Earn 2 Permanent Face Skills + 2 Permanent Slab Skills: The Young Prodigy and Bionic Woman can only gain 4 Permanent Assets. In order to achieve this objective, they need to choose not to trade in Cards for Permanent Crack Skills or Permanent Gear.

Earn 2 Permanent Crack Skills + 2 Permanent Gear: The Free Soloist does not use Gear, so they are unable to complete this Objective. As noted above, the Bionic Woman and Young Prodigy will need to gain Permanent Assets selectively to achieve this Objective.

The Trifecta's Role in Objectives

The Trifecta is printed on the board and located in the first row. When you climb The Trifecta, you can choose whether it counts as a sunny or shaded tile, and one type of Pitch (Arete, Slab, Roof, Crack, Flake, or Corner). The Trifecta does not count towards Personal Objectives.

Personal Objectives

Each player draws 2 Personal Objective Cards at the beginning of the game, but can only earn points for achieving one of them.

Every Personal Objective Card has a symbol; each Pitch that counts towards that Objective is marked with the same symbol. The number of points the Objective is worth is in the bottom right corner.

Ending the Game

The end of the game is triggered when one player uses all of their Ropes and climbs their eighth Pitch. Finish the Climbing Phase and the Follow Phase, then tally the points!

Scoring

Calculate the points in each category and add them up to determine the winner.

• Pitches: Add up the number of points you've accrued from Pitches. If you climbed a Pitch after another player, subtract the appropriate number of points from that Pitch.
• Objectives: Add up the number of points you gained for Shared and Personal Objectives. Remember: You may only score 1 Personal Objective.
• Point tokens: Add your Point Tokens together.
• Summit bonus: +1 point if you reached a summit.

Tie Breakers

If there is a tie, the player with the most Permanent Assets wins! If there is still a tie, winners share the glory.

Clean up tip: To make setup for your next game faster, stack 7 of each Card type on The Portaledge, and keep those Cards separate from the rest of the Asset Deck when you put them back in the box.

Gameplay Example: The First Round

Climb Phase

1. Green is the first player and moves onto The Beast Flake. They lay down 1 Face Skill Card, 2 Slab Skill Cards, and 1 Crack Skill Card (for the any-Skill symbol) onto their Asset Board.
2. Green draws a Climbing Card. They choose the first option: they will lose 1 Water from their Character Mat and gain 1 Crack Skill Card from The Portaledge. They discard the Climbing Card and it is now Purple's turn.
3. Purple moves onto Bonnie's Roof. They lay down 2 Gear Cards, 1 Crack Skill Card, and move their Water and Psych Cubes down 1 each.
4. Purple draws a Climbing Card and chooses the first option: lose 1 Psych and gain 1 Power Technique Token. They discard the Climbing Card and put a Power Technique Token near their Asset Board.

Follow Phase

5. Green and Purple simultaneously assess their boards for matching Technique symbols: Green doesn't have 3 of the same Technique symbol, so they receive no extra points. Purple has 2 Power symbols on Cards and 1 Power Token, so they have matched 3 Technique symbols. Purple discards the Power Token and puts a 2-Point Token onto their Asset Board.
6. Green and Purple simultaneously assess their boards for Permanent Assets: neither one of them has 4 Cards in each column, so they move onto the next step.
7. Green and Purple simultaneously flip over all Cards on their Asset Board.

Rerack Phase

8. Green draws 2 Cards from The Spread and 1 Card from the Asset Deck to add to their hand. Then they refill The Spread.
9. Purple draws 3 Cards from The Spread.
10. Green passes the First Player Marker to Purple.

Character Abilities

All Character Mats have an A or B icon in the top right corner. The abilities of A-side characters are simpler; we recommend playing with an A-side character if you are new to First Ascent or playing in Guide Mode.

A-side

Bionic Woman: On each Pitch, you may substitute 1 Skill Card (Face / Crack / Slab) with a different Skill Card.

• Gear Cards cannot be used to substitute for a Skill; Skill Cards can't substitute for Gear.
• Cannot use Permanent Skill Tokens for the substitution; you must use Cards.
• Cannot use this ability to resolve Climbing Cards.

The Overstoker: On each Pitch, you may substitute 1 Psych for 1 of the other required Assets (Gear / Face / Crack / Slab / Water).

• Cannot use this ability to resolve Climbing Cards.

Rope Gun: You must use 1 less Water on each Pitch you climb.

• No effect if the Pitch does not require Water.

Crag Mama: You have a mother's intuition -- you may use one less Skill (Face / Crack / Slab) on all Pitches below The Ledge.

• The Crag Mama's ability disappears when she climbs on The Headwall.

The Dirtbag: On each Pitch, you may substitute a Gear Card for 1 of the other required Assets (Face / Crack / Slab / Water / Psych).

• You cannot use a Permanent Gear Token for this substitution; you must use Cards.
• Cannot use this ability to resolve Climbing Cards.

Bold Brit: You must use only 1 Gear Card on each Pitch that requires Gear.

• You cannot use a Permanent Gear Token for this ability; you must use Cards.

B-side

Buff Boulderer: Use 1 less Asset (Gear / Face / Crack / Slab / Water / Psych) to climb any 4-Point Pitch, and use 2 less Assets to climb any 5-Point Pitch.

• This ability refers to the original value of the Pitch: if you are the second player to climb a 4 Point Pitch, choose 2 Assets to not use.

Young Prodigy: You need only 3 Cards to earn a Permanent Skill Token, but 5 Cards to earn a Permanent Gear Token.

Free Soloist: For each Gear that is required for a Pitch, substitute with any Skill (Face / Crack / Slab).

• Trade in Gear Cards or use them to resolve Climbing Cards; you can't climb with them or earn Permanent Gear Tokens.
• Gain 6 Assets when resting instead of 5.

Cool-headed Crimper: After climbing each Pitch, draw 2 Climbing Cards and choose 1 to resolve. Discard the other.

Sendy Jammer: All Gear Cards you play can be counted as any one Technique symbol (Balance / Precision / Pain Tolerance / Power).

• You only need 2 Cards with matching Technique symbols and any 1 Gear Card to gain 2 points in the Follow Phase.

Phil: You must roll the Risk Die on every Pitch you climb.

• Start with 2 Summit Beta Tokens.
• Gain 6 Assets when resting instead of 5.

Glossary

• anchor: a safety system used to attach the climber and rope to the rock.
• arete: a ridge or outward-facing corner.
• backclean: when a climber removes a previously placed piece of gear below them, after placing gear higher on the route.
• belay: a system climbers use to create friction to catch or stop a falling climber. This system includes a rope, belay device, an anchor or bolt, and a belayer.
• beta: information and tips about a climb. This can be specific movements and techniques to employ while climbing, information about finding and staying on-route, or what gear to use.
• bivy: short for bivouac; a temporary camp without tents.
• bolt: A metal threaded rod and expansion sleeve drilled into the rock. Lead climbers clip the rope into hangers on the bolts using quickdraws.
• bomber and bomb-proof: informal terms used by climbers to mean that a gear placement is solid and strong.
• booty: an informal term for found gear. It is most frequently used to refer to gear left by a climber because it was stuck in the rock, and another climber was able to loosen, retrieve, and keep it.
• chossy: poor quality rock that is prone to breaking.
• crux: the most difficult move or sequence of moves on a climb.

Guide Mode: Set Up

Use Guide Mode set up and rules if you are new to board games or want a simpler game!

1. Determine which side of the Board to play with:
   • 2-3 players: Desert side
   • 4-5 players: Forest side
2. Place each Pitch on the Board in an empty location with the corresponding number. Place all Pitches below The Ledge face up; place all Pitches above The Ledge face down. (Note: After setting up the Desert side, you will have 1 extra Pitch -- put it back into the box.)
3. Remove Cards with a teal band from the Climbing Card Deck. Put those Cards back in the box. Shuffle the remaining Climbing Cards and place them face down on the board.
4. Choose three of the following Objective Tokens and place them at the top of the board:
   • Climb 3 Crack/Slab Pitches
   • Climb 3 Arete/Corner Pitches
   • Climb 3 Flake/Roof Pitches
   • Gain 1 point for each shaded/sunny Pitch
   • Climb the North/South Ridge
5. Look through the Summit Beta Tokens and remove the 3 Tokens with a teal border. Shuffle the remaining Summit Beta Tokens and place them face down on the Board.
6. Separate 7 Gear, 7 Slab Skill, 7 Crack Skill, and 7 Face Skill Cards from the Asset Deck. Place these in individual stacks face down on The Portaledge, below the corresponding Asset symbol.
7. Shuffle the remaining Asset Cards and deal 7 cards to each player. Then lay 4 Cards face up on The Spread.
8. Place all the Skill and Gear Tokens and the Risk Die near the Board.
9. Each player selects a Character Mat -- choose one with an A in the top right corner.

Note: there will be some extra components still in the box. You don't need them for Guide Mode.

Guide Mode: Game Overview

Gameplay

All players are rock climbers competing to establish the best route up the mountain and become the most skilled climber! This will be measured by how many points each player gains throughout the game -- the player with the most points wins!

Points are gained in 3 ways:

• Climbing Pitches (page 20)
• Completing Shared Objectives (page 21)
• Reaching a summit (page 21)

Starting the Game

Start by having each player introduce their character's special ability. The player who has recreated outside most recently is the first player and starts the game.

The game is played in rounds. Each player executes 1 turn per round, starting with the first player and rotating clockwise. On each player's turn, they can either climb or rest. (See the next page for how to execute your turn)

The end of the game is triggered when one player has used all of their rope and climbed their seventh Pitch. Finish the round, then tally the points and declare a winner.

You can also learn the rules by watching the How to Play Video at www.PlayFirstAscent.com

Board & Climbing Basics

The board is made up of individual hex tiles, called Pitches. Each Pitch has a certain combination of Assets a player needs in order to climb it:

• Gear
• Water
• Psych
• Face Climbing Skills
• Crack Climbing Skills
• Slab Climbing Skills

Skills and Gear are Cards in the Asset Deck and will be drawn into your hand throughout the game. Water and Psych are depleted from your Character Mat throughout the game, and can be built back up again by choosing to rest on your turn.

When you have the Assets shown on the Pitch, you can advance onto it and earn the number of points listed on it.

Example Pitch (Flake, "Red Rider"):

• Climbing this Pitch adds 4 points to your score at the end of the game.
• There are 6 types of Pitches: Crack, Slab, Arete, Corner, Roof and Flake. The type of Pitch relates to some Shared Objectives (see page 22).
• Ignore the symbols in the lower left corner of the Pitch in Guide Mode.
• To climb this Pitch, you need: 3 Gear Cards, 1 Face Skill Card, 1 Slab Skill Card, 1 Crack Skill Card, 1 Psych.

Guide Mode: Your Turn

On your turn, choose to Climb or Rest:

How to Climb

1. Climb the Pitch: Move your Climber and one Rope to the Pitch you are climbing. Your first Pitch must be on the bottom row.

Look at the symbols on the Pitch you've moved onto to see which Assets you need to use to climb it. Lay down the Asset Cards from your hand, announcing each Asset on the Pitch as you lay Cards down. If a Pitch has the any-Skill symbol, any of the 3 Skill types (Slab, Crack, or Face) can be used. If the Pitch requires Psych or Water, move the Cubes on your Character Mat down accordingly.

Once you have confirmed you have all the Assets needed to climb the Pitch, move all the Cards you laid down into the Asset discard pile.

Example: To climb an Arete Pitch, you'll need 1 Gear Card, 2 Face Skill Cards, 1 Crack Skill Card, and 1 Water. Lay down the Cards in front of you. Move your Water down 1 on your Character Mat.

2. Draw a Climbing Card: Read the Climbing Card out loud; resolve it by choosing one of the options, then discard it. (See page 22 for Card explanations)

If you can only fulfill one of the two choices on the Card, you must choose the one you can fulfill. If you cannot fulfill either option on the Card, only draw 1 card at the end of your turn.

3. Draw Asset Cards: End your turn by drawing 3 Asset Cards from The Spread and/or Deck. After you draw your Cards, refill any empty spaces on The Spread. Then say "off belay!" and play passes to the next player.

How to Rest

If you can't or don't want to climb, you can rest on your turn instead. Say "I'm resting" at the start of your turn and choose 5 Assets to gain: Asset Cards, Water, and/or Psych.

Draw Asset Cards from The Portaledge instead of The Spread or Deck. You may choose to gain 5 of one Asset or mix and match. There is no hand limit.

Play immediately passes to the next player.

Example: This player gained 2 Water, 1 Psych, and 2 Asset Cards from The Portaledge when they rested.

Guide Mode: Advancing Up the Mountain

Movement Rules

As you advance to new Pitches, move your Climber to mark your progress. Place a new Rope on the Pitch you are climbing onto, and leave a Rope behind on the Pitch you climbed previously.

You can move from your current Pitch onto any Pitch touching it -- you can move sideways, up, or down from any Pitch (including summits).

You cannot climb the same Pitch twice, or a Pitch that another Climber is on, unless it is a summit Pitch. Summits can be shared by any number of Climbers. If you climb a summit Pitch, you'll receive a point at the end of the game!

Second and Third Ascents

You can climb a Pitch that was climbed by another player in a previous round, but you will use fewer Assets and will receive fewer points. The required Assets and point value go down by one for each player that climbs the same Pitch:

• First climber: You need all the Assets, earn all points
• Second climber: Must use 1 less Asset, earn 1 less point
• Third climber: Must use 2 less Assets, earn 2 less points

Pitches cannot be worth negative points; if 2 players have climbed a 2-point Pitch, it is worth 0 points for all subsequent climbers. When climbing a Pitch after someone else, stack your Rope on top of the previous player's Rope to keep track of the order.

Multiple ascents example (an Arete Pitch worth 2 points requiring 1 Gear, 2 Face Skills, 1 Crack Skill, and 1 Water): First climber (red) uses 1 Gear, 2 Face Skills, 1 Crack Skill, and 1 Water and earns 2 points. Second climber (blue) chooses to not use Water and earns 1 point instead of 2. Third climber (yellow) chooses to not use Face Skill Cards and earns 0 points.

The Ledge & The Headwall

The mountain is divided by The Ledge. The bottom half is The Apron; the top half is The Headwall.

When the round ends with one or more players in the third row, flip over all the Pitches on The Headwall before starting the next round. Once the Pitches on the Headwall are revealed, they are able to be climbed!

The Ledge connects all Pitches in the third and fourth row: If you are on a Pitch in the third or fourth row, you can climb any Pitch in the third or fourth row on your next turn.

You may cross The Ledge multiple times: You may move from the third row to the fourth, then down to the third row and then up to the fourth row again.

Guide Mode: Climbing Cards & Objectives

Climbing Card Explanations

Gain Asset Cards: Choose a Card from The Portaledge and add it to your hand. When all players (or all other players) gain a Card from The Portaledge, go in clockwise order starting from the current player.

Add Tokens to Pitches: Select the corresponding Token and place it on any Pitch. That Asset is now required for all subsequent players who climb that Pitch.

Discarding or losing Cards: Lose that Card from your hand and put it in the "Asset Discard" spot on the Board.

Draw a Summit Beta Token: Draw a Token from the Summit Beta stack, read it, and keep it face down near you until you are ready to use it. These one-time use Tokens always offer a benefit, and can be used at any time during your turn. After using it, put the Token on the "Used Summit Beta" spot on the board.

Rolling the Risk Die:

• Check mark: Gain the reward shown.
• Cards symbol: Give 2 Cards in your hand to another player.
• Psych/Card symbol: You lose 1 Psych and 1 Card from your hand and give the Psych and Card to another player.

If you roll the Die and cannot pay what is shown on it, only draw 1 Card at the end of your turn.

Using the Portaledge & The Spread

• If 4 of a kind are on The Spread (like 4 Gear Cards), remove the last Card added and replace it with a new Card from the deck.
• On your turn, if you have 3 Cards of the same type (like 3 Gear Cards), you can put those Cards in the discard pile and choose 1 Card from The Portaledge.
• The Portaledge is a "bank" for each Card type. If a stack on The Portaledge runs out, refill it with 7 more, using Cards from the discard pile. Only draw Cards from The Portaledge when you rest, when a Climbing Card directs you to gain an Asset Card, or when you trade in 3 Cards for a Card of your choice.

Shared Objectives

Shared Objectives, which are at the top of the board, can be achieved by any player and/or by multiple players. At the end of the game, you will announce which Shared Objectives you achieved and earn the points at the top of the Objective Token.

Explanations of Shared Objectives

Climb 3 Crack, Slab, Arete, Corner, Roof, or Flake: Climb 3 Pitches with that type of climb listed at the top. (Flake is shown here)

Gain 1 point for each shaded/sunny Pitch you climb: The background color of the Pitch determines if it is sunny or shaded.

Climb the North Ridge/South Ridge: Climb at least 4 Pitches along the North Ridge or South Ridge. The Summits count.

Guide Mode: Ending the Game

The end of the game is triggered when one player has used all of their Rope and climbed their seventh Pitch. Once the end game has been triggered, finish the round and then tally everyone's points! (If you use the score sheet, ignore the "Point Tokens" category)

• Pitches: Add up the number of points you've accrued from Pitches. If you climbed a Pitch after another player, subtract the appropriate number of points from that Pitch. (See page 21 for more details)
• Objectives: If you achieved any Shared Objectives, add the number of points at the top of the Objective Tokens to your score.
• Summit bonus: Gain 1 point if you reached a summit.

Tie Breakers

If there is a tie, whoever climbed the most Pitches wins! If there is still a tie, winners share the glory.