Ex Libris: Expanded Archives Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Components
• Setup
• Expansion Basics
  • Special Assistant Card Anatomy
  • Timing Icons
  • Timing Conflicts & How to Resolve Them
• Job Faire Module
• Artifactorium Module
  • Artifact Card Anatomy
• Location Tiles
  • Job Faire (Auction Location)
  • Temp Agency
  • Artifactorium (Auction Location)
  • Black Market
• Changes to Round
  • I: Changes to the Preparation Phase
  • II: Changes to the Placement Phase
  • III: Changes to the Resolution Phase
  • IV: Changes to the Cleanup Phase
• Final Round & Scoring Changes
  • B2: Bestow Prominent Works Awards
  • B3: Assign Banned Books Penalties
  • B4: Assess Categorical Variety Bonuses
  • B6: Tabulate Artifact Scoring Bonuses
• Solo Mode
  • Solo Setup
  • Solo Game Rules Changes
    • I. The Preparation Phase
    • II. The Placement Phase
    • III. The Resolution Phase
    • IV. The Cleanup Phase
  • Solo Final Round & Scoring
    • B6: Calculate Volunteer Scoring Bonus
    • B7: Tabulate Artifact Scoring Bonuses
• Special Assistant Glossary (A-Z)
  • The Automaton
  • The Bookworm
  • The Fire Imp
  • The Friendly Frog
  • The Gelatinous Cube
  • The Ghost
  • The Goblin Sneak
  • The Mummy
  • The Owl Collector
  • The Sasquatch
  • The Snowman
  • The Social Butterfly
• Artifact Glossary (A-Z)
  • The Alliterative Alligator
  • The Bejeweled Skull of Turpitude
  • Bjuildnir, Automagical Hammer
  • The Categorical Gauntlet
  • The Clockwork Autoshelver
  • The Drawer of Ruined Runeography
  • The Foul Vowel Towel
  • The Forbidden Mask of Foresight
  • The Hungry Void of Nothingness
  • A Little Place Like Home
  • The Magnificent Magnifiers
• Icon Guide

Components

Note: If you have the 2023 version of Ex Libris, you will already have four of these. These duplicates will not be needed.

• 18 Artifact Cards
• 15 Special Assistant Cards
• 5 Location Tiles
• 1 Library Tile
• 3 Scoring Reference Tiles
• 3 Standard Assistants
• 15 Special Assistants
• 1 Official Library Inspection Form v2
• 1 Location Reference

Setup

Prior to setting up the game, players must agree on which modules to use:

• If playing with 5 players, follow all steps highlighted in yellow.
• If playing with the Job Faire Module, follow all steps highlighted in green.
• If playing with the Artifactorium Module, follow all steps highlighted in orange.

1. Place the scoring reference tiles in the center of the table in the following order from left to right: Alphabetical Order / Shelf Stability, Prominent Works, Banned Books, Categorical Variety / Library Focus. Set the Official Library Inspection Form v2 and Location References nearby (not shown).

   • If playing with 5 players, flip the three rightmost scoring reference tiles to their 5-player side.
   • Note: If playing with an original copy of Ex Libris with one long Town Board, place the three new scoring tiles on this board, covering Prominent Works, Banned Books, Categorical Variety, and Library Focus, with their 5-player side up.

2. Give the first player token to the player who most recently acquired a book.

3. Gather the 15 Special Assistant cards as the Special Assistant deck.

   • Note: Remove The Witch Special Assistant card if playing with 5 players.

   Note: Remove The Owl Collector Special Assistant card if NOT playing with the Artifacts Module.

4. Each player takes a library tile in the color of their choice, and a number of Standard Assistants (shaped like gnomes) of the same color depending on their chosen game module(s).

The source's example five-player setup diagram (with the Job Faire and Artifactorium Modules) is an image and is not reproduced.

Expansion Basics

In Ex Libris: Expanded Archives, players will find new Locations, a new way to hire Special Assistants, and powerful Artifacts to add to their bookshelf for fantastical abilities and end of game scoring objectives.

The Job Faire and Artifactorium Modules both use an Auction Location. Placing Assistants works differently at these locations. Auction Locations have restrictions on how many Bidding Assistants can be placed there, but that doesn't necessarily block a player from that location. This restriction is listed after "Auction Location:" on the tile. When placing an Assistant at an Auction Location, if this placement would exceed the restriction quantity, return the lowest Bidding Assistant to their player - it may be placed again on a subsequent turn this round. A bid on the highest available space cannot be outbid.

Special Assistant Card Anatomy

Portrait side:

1. Name
2. Ability Timing Icon
3. Ability Keyword

Resume side:

4. Name
5. Ability Description
6. Solo Compatibility - If the solo icon is present, the Assistant may be used in a solo game.
7. Special Rules

Special Assistants have an ability that is keyed to their token. Typically, it is activated when they are placed, though not always. The abilities of all Special Assistants are explained fully on their cards and in the Special Assistant Glossary (page 11).

For the most part, Special Assistants function the same way as Standard Assistants, and any game text that refers to an "Assistant" applies to both types, unless otherwise stated.

Timing Icons

• Ongoing - These effects are continually active, allowing players to use them during specific actions in the game.
• Reaction - These effects are triggered/activated when their ability condition is met. This could be when an opponent player visits a location with an Assistant, or when a book is shelved.
• On Placement - These effects are activated specifically when a player visits a location tile with this Assistant.

Timing Conflicts & How to Resolve Them

If a timing conflict arises between the effects of locations and/or the abilities of one or more Special Assistants, the below order of operations should be followed to determine which takes priority:

1. The instant effect of a location tile

   • Example: The effect of the Assistants Guild would allow an Assistant to visit an occupied Assistant space at the same location as the Snowman, including the Snowman's space.

2. The Reaction ability of a previously placed Special Assistant

   • Example 1: If the Goblin Sneak visits the same location as the Gelatinous Cube, the Gelatinous Cube's Reaction ability triggers first, then the Goblin Sneak's On Placement ability.
   • Example 2: The Ghost cannot visit the same Assistant space as the Snowman, because the Snowman's Reaction ability takes precedence.

   Note: When a conflict arises between more than two Special Assistants, the Assistant that has been at the location longest takes priority, then second longest, and so on.

Job Faire Module

This module allows players to compete to attract their choice of Special Assistants. Each player can hire up to three at the Job Faire location tile, each with unique and powerful abilities, allowing for hundreds of combinations of play styles. Additionally, they can be hired for a single round at the Temp Agency location tile.

Artifactorium Module

This module adds a new card type to the game. These ancient curiosities can be added to your bookshelf alongside your books, and each provides either a new scoring opportunity or a new special ability. Artifact cards are fantastic items and/or magical relics that add the kind of visual interest to your bookshelf that will impress any Official Inspector with taste (and may even grant you all sorts of other benefits). They are acquired from either the Artifactorium or Black Market, and follow all the same shelving rules as book cards. In fact, any time an ability or effect allows you to shelve a book card you may instead shelve an Artifact card from your hand.

Artifact Card Anatomy

1. Name
2. Effect Timing - Either Ongoing or End of Game.
3. Artifact Effect
4. Solo Compatibility - If the solo icon is present, the Artifact may be used in a solo game.
5. Name

Artifact cards do not affect the alphabetical order of your book cards. They do not have to be shelved in order with your book cards, or other Artifacts for that matter. They are essentially ignored altogether during end game inspection, with the exception of the shelf stability bonus. Artifact cards contribute to your shelf stability bonus in the same way as book cards.

Location Tiles

The four new location tiles are used only with the module(s) noted. The tile text reads as follows.

Job Faire (Auction Location)

Bid to Gain Special Assistants

Auction Location: Bidding Assistants cannot exceed available Special Assistant cards.

First, the winning bidder discards cards equal to their bid space, then returns their Bidding Assistant to the supply.

Next, the winning bidder takes a Special Assistant card and places its Special Assistant on an available location or home library space. They activate abilities and effects as normal.

Then, repeat for 2nd place, 3rd place, etc.

Temp Agency

Temporarily Control a Special Assistant

Retrieve the Special Assistant that matches the top card of the Special Assistants deck. You may place it immediately, as though you control the Special Assistant for the rest of the round, unless another player visits this location. Return the Special Assistant to the supply at the end of the Resolution Phase.

Artifactorium (Auction Location)

Bid to Gain Artifacts

Auction Location: Bidding Assistants cannot exceed available Artifact cards.

First, the winning bidder discards cards equal to their bid space.

Next, the winning bidder takes an Artifact card, then may shelve it or place it in their hand.

Then, repeat for the 2nd place, 3rd place, etc.

Black Market

Take an Artifact from the Deck

Take the top card of the Artifact card deck.

Changes to Round

Below are the changes to the base game rules when using either the Job Faire or Artifactorium Modules or both.

I: Changes to the Preparation Phase

• When playing with the Job Faire Module, deal Special Assistant cards resume-side-up to the right of the Job Faire location tile: One card in a Solo or 2-player game, two cards in a 3- or 4-player game, and three cards in a 5-player game.
• When playing with the Artifactorium Module, deal Artifact cards face up to the right of the Artifactorium location tile: Two cards in a Solo or 2- or 3-player game and three cards in a 4- or 5-player game.

II: Changes to the Placement Phase

None.

III: Changes to the Resolution Phase

• Special Assistant cards that remain to the right of the Job Faire after its location is resolved are returned to the bottom of the Special Assistant deck in order, from right to left.
• Artifact cards that remain to the right of the Artifactorium after its location is resolved are returned to the bottom of the Artifact card deck in order, from right to left.

IV: Changes to the Cleanup Phase

When using the Job Faire and/or the Artifactorium modules, the number of cards in a player's bookshelf that triggers the Final Round is increased:

2 Players	3 Players	4 Players	5 Players
18 cards	16 cards	14 cards	12 cards

Final Round & Scoring Changes

Most of the changes for the scoring phase are part of the 5th player rules. However, if you are using the Artifactorium Module, during this phase you may also have the opportunity to score points for any shelved Artifacts.

B2: Bestow Prominent Works Awards

• In a 5-player game, first place earns 15 points, second place earns 10 points, third place earns 6 points, and fourth place earns 3 points. Ties are resolved as normal.

B3: Assign Banned Books Penalties

• There are no Banned Books in a 5-player game!

B4: Assess Categorical Variety Bonuses

• In a 5-player game, you earn 4 points for every book in your bookshelf of the category which you have the fewest of.

B6: Tabulate Artifact Scoring Bonuses

• Each player assesses any End of Game Artifact cards in their bookshelf that score points. Each player then tells the Inspector the sum total of all points earned.

Note: Any requirement that cards be "adjacent" means it must be "orthogonally adjacent", which is just a fancy way of saying that the cards are next to each other along an edge. Touching at the corners doesn't count!

Solo Mode

Just like the Expanded Archives set-up, players may choose any of the following options for their solo experience. If you'd like to simply play Beginner or Standard Mode without the additional modules, please refer to the original rulebook for full solo instructions. For adding in the additional Modules, see below for updated instructions.

Solo Setup

1. Place the scoring reference tiles in the center of the table in the following order from left to right: Alphabetical Order / Shelf Stability, Prominent Works, Banned Books, Categorical Variety / Library Focus. Set the Official Librarian License Application v2 and the Location References nearby.

   Note: The source prints "Official Librarian License Application v2" here and in Solo Setup step 10; the component list and base setup name it the Official Library Inspection Form v2. Transcribed as printed.

2. Take a library tile in the color of your choice and three matching Standard Assistants.

3. If playing with the Job Faire Module, find the location tile labeled Job Faire and place it face up below the scoring reference tiles. Otherwise, return it to the box. Place a Standard Assistant token of any remaining color on the "0" bidding space. This space will be permanently blocked in solo play. This does not count as a Bidding Assistant.

   If playing with the Artifactorium Module, find the location tile labeled Artifactorium and place it face up below the scoring reference tiles. Otherwise, return it to the box. Place a Standard Assistant token of any remaining color on the "0" bidding space. This space will be permanently blocked in solo play. This does not count as a Bidding Assistant.

4. Gather all 10 location tiles from the base game with the solo-compatible icon in the bottom right corner of the tile. Leave the 8 solo-incompatible location tiles in the box: they are not used in the solo game.

Difficulty Level	Number of Book Cards Discarded Each Round
Beginner	1
Easy	2
Challenging	3
Difficult	4
Very Difficult	5
Nigh Impossible	6
Impossible	7

Solo Game Rules Changes

• If playing with either the Job Faire Module, the Artifactorium Module, or both, there will be six rounds instead of five.

I. The Preparation Phase

• When playing with the Job Faire Module, deal one Special Assistant card resume-side-up to the right of the Job Faire location tile.
• When playing with the Artifactorium Module, deal two Artifact cards from the deck face up to the right of the Artifactorium location tile.

II. The Placement Phase

No changes.

III. The Resolution Phase

• When playing with the Job Faire Module, if you replace a Special Assistant with another Special Assistant by using the Job Faire, return the bidding Special Assistant's card to the bottom of the deck, then return its Special Assistant to the supply.

  If the Special Assistant was not taken from the Job Faire in the current round, discard the Special Assistant card to the Public Library - they have become volunteers and will add to its score at the end of the game.

• When playing with the Artifactorium Module, discard all remaining Artifact cards at the Artifactorium to the Public Library - they have been donated and will add to its score at the end of the game.

• Do not return the Standard Assistants blocking the "0" space on the Job Faire or Artifactorium. They will stay the entire game.

IV. The Cleanup Phase

When playing with either the Job Faire or Artifactorium Module, there will be one more round than in the base game, 6 instead of 5. The starting round will have 7 locations, and the final round will have 2 locations.

1st Round	2nd Round	3rd Round	4th Round	5th Round	6th Round
7 locations	6 locations	5 locations	4 locations	3 locations	2 locations

When playing with both the Job Faire and Artifactorium Modules, the starting round will have 8 locations, and the final round will have 3 locations.

1st Round	2nd Round	3rd Round	4th Round	5th Round	6th Round
8 locations	7 locations	6 locations	5 locations	4 locations	3 locations

Solo Final Round & Scoring

B6: Calculate Volunteer Scoring Bonus

Every Special Assistant card that was discarded to the Public Library will earn it a number of points equal to the difficulty level chosen at the beginning of the game. So for an Easy level solo game, each volunteer Special Assistant card in the Public Library will earn it 2 points.

B7: Tabulate Artifact Scoring Bonuses

Assess any Artifact cards in your bookshelf that score points at the end of the game, then enter the total of all such points earned.

The Public Library does not score points for Artifact cards in the same way. Instead, every Artifact card that was discarded to the Public Library will earn it a number of points equal to the difficulty level chosen at the beginning of the game. So for an Easy level solo game, each donated Artifact in the Public Library will earn it 2 points.

Special Assistant Glossary (A-Z)

The Automaton

Automate (On Placement) - When the Automaton visits a location or your library and at least one of your other Assistants are present, prior to activating any effects, you may automate. Perform one home action for each of your Assistants present at the location, including the Automaton.

The Bookworm

Homework (On Placement) - When the Bookworm visits a home action space, you may do homework: perform both home actions. Afterward, you may discard a card (from your hand or bookshelf) to do homework one additional time.

The Fire Imp

Burn Books (On Placement) - When the Fire Imp visits a location with one or more book cards in its card area, prior to activating any effects, you may burn books. Discard any number of book cards from the location to perform the same number of home actions. Neither home action may be performed more than twice in this way.

The Friendly Frog

Gift (Reaction) - If an opposing Assistant visits the same location as the Friendly Frog, prior to activating any effects or abilities, they may give the Friendly Frog a gift: a card (from their hand or bookshelf). If they do, they may perform both home actions. You may shelve the gift.

The Gelatinous Cube

Absorb (Reaction) - If an opponent's Assistant visits the same location as the Gelatinous Cube, prior to activating any effects or abilities, it absorbs. The opponent must either:

• A. Give you 1 random card from their hand (you may shelve it) -or-
• B. Allow you to perform both home actions.

The Ghost

Possess (On Placement) - The Ghost may possess opposing Assistants. You may place the Ghost on Assistant spaces that are occupied by opposing Assistants at locations with an instant effect; the two Assistants share the space. When it does, prior to activating any effects or abilities, draw one book card from the deck if the Ghost possesses a Standard Assistant or you may shelve a card if it possesses a Special Assistant.

The Goblin Sneak

Pickpocket (On Placement) - When the Goblin Sneak visits the same location as one or more opposing Assistants, prior to activating any effects, you may attempt to pickpocket. Choose an opponent present at the location and name a category. The chosen opponent must give you a book card containing at least one book of that category from their hand, if able, or show you a hand containing none. Repeat this process for each opponent present at the Goblin Sneak's location. Any book cards acquired this way may be shelved.

The Mummy

Entomb (Ongoing) - When the Mummy shelves a card, you may entomb it: place it either directly on top of, or directly underneath, a previously-shelved card in your bookshelf. The bottom card of the stack is flipped face down and any icons on it no longer count during scoring. You may never have more than 1 card entombed under each card in your bookshelf.

End of Game: Entombed cards in your bookshelf are worth 2 points each. Add the total to your Shelf Stability Bonuses (B2). Entombed cards do not contribute to the end game card count trigger.

Note: If the top card of an entombed stack is discarded for any reason, the card remaining underneath is no longer considered entombed, but stays flipped face down.

The Owl Collector

Haggle (Ongoing) - If the Owl Collector is present at the Artifactorium when it resolves, it haggles. Discard 1 fewer card when paying for Artifact cards. At the end of the game, earn 2 points for each Artifact card in your shelf and add it to your Artifact Scoring Bonuses (B6).

Only for use with the Artifactorium Module.

The Sasquatch

Relax (On Placement) - When the Sasquatch visits a location where no other Assistants are present it relaxes and performs a home action instead of the normal location action.

Flee (Reaction) - If an opposing Assistant visits the same location as the Sasquatch, before they activate any effects or abilities, the Sasquatch may flee. Retrieve it - it may be placed again on a subsequent turn this round.

The Snowman

Snowball (On Placement) - When the Snowman visits a location with an instant effect and one or more empty Assistant spaces remaining (after his placement) he snowballs. Prior to activating any effects, draw book cards equal to the number of empty spaces. (Disregard a space if it is not available at the current player count.)

Freeze (Reaction) - As long as the Snowman is present at a location with an instant effect, it freezes it - no more Assistants may visit its location.

The Social Butterfly

Socialize (On Placement) - When the Social Butterfly visits the same location as any other Assistants, it socializes. Prior to activating any effects, you may draw a book card for every Standard Assistant present and shelve 1 card from your hand for every other Special Assistant present.

The Trash Golem

Recycle (Ongoing) - If the Trash Golem is present at a location during step 2 of the Resolution Phase, you may recycle. Choose one book card that would be discarded from each resolving location and either take it or shelve it. Continue this process until the Trash Golem's location itself is resolved.

The Witch

Transmogrify (Ongoing) - Any time the Witch acquires a book card containing at least 1 Banned Book, you may transmogrify. Reveal 1 book card from the deck. You may take either the original book card or the revealed book card, then shelve the other face down. If multiple book cards containing a Banned Book are acquired at the same time, perform this ability one book card at a time.

Not for use in 5-player games.

The Wizard

Levitate (Ongoing) - When the Wizard shelves a card, you may levitate. Choose a direction (up, down, left, or right) then shift any number of cards in your bookshelf that direction by one space. You must shelve the new card directly adjacent to a shifted card, in the newly created empty space. Your bookshelf may disconnect temporarily, so long as it follows all shelving rules after the new card is added.

Artifact Glossary (A-Z)

Artifact cards are used only when playing with the Artifactorium Module.

The Alliterative Alligator

Ongoing: Once per turn, when you shelve a book card, you may shelve one additional book card of the same letter from your hand.

The Bejeweled Skull of Turpitude

End of Game: Score 1 point for each Corrupted Codices book on book cards adjacent to this Artifact.

Bjuildnir, Automagical Hammer

Ongoing: Once per turn, when you perform a home action, you may also shelve a card from your hand.

The Categorical Gauntlet

End of Game: Score 6 points for each set of six categories of books on book cards adjacent to this Artifact.

The Clockwork Autoshelver

Ongoing: Any time you may shelve a card, you may first discard a card from your bookshelf and shelve the new card in its place. If you do, draw 1 book card for each card that is adjacent to the newly shelved card.

The Drawer of Ruined Runeography

End of Game: Score 1 point for every two different letters on book cards in your bookshelf.

The Foul Vowel Towel

End of Game: Score 1 point for every vowel book card (A, E, I, O, U and Y) in your bookshelf.

The Forbidden Mask of Foresight

Ongoing: Each time you shelve a book card following this Artifact in alphabetical order, you may draw a book card from the deck. Each time you shelve a book card preceding this Artifact in alphabetical order, you must discard a card (from your bookshelf or hand).

The Hungry Void of Nothingness

End of Game: Score 2 points for every face-down card adjacent to this Artifact.

A Little Place Like Home

Ongoing: Any time one of your placed Assistants is returned to you, you may perform both home actions.

The Magnificent Magnifiers

Ongoing: One time on every player's turn during the Placement Phase, if you would draw one or more book cards, draw one additional book card.

The Mystical Crystal See-All Ball

Ongoing: Each time you visit the Diviner's Hut, tuck one book card from the deck behind this card.

End of Game: Score 2 points for every card beneath this one.

The Necromonkey's Paw

Ongoing: One time on every player's turn during the Placement Phase, after you shelve a book card, you may choose either "before" or "after", then draw a book card from the deck. If the drawn book card matches your choice alphabetically, you may immediately shelve it. If you chose wrong, discard the newly-drawn book card, then each of your opponents may perform a home action.

Pandorka's Blocks

End of Game: Score 1 point for each Monster Manuals book on book cards adjacent to this Artifact.

The Phoenix Feather Quill

End of Game: Score 1 point for each Fantastical Fictions book on book cards adjacent to this Artifact.

The Sands of Our Fathers

End of Game: Score 1 point for each Historic Volumes book on book cards adjacent to this Artifact.

The Sizable Scroll of Sh'ar-Menn

End of Game: Score 1 point for each Reference Texts book on book cards adjacent to this Artifact.

Vessel of Wand Storage

End of Game: Score 1 point for each Spells & Potions book on book cards adjacent to this Artifact.

Icon Guide

The source prints its icons as pictograms; each is described here in words.

Expansion and solo markers

• Expanded Archives expansion icon
• Usable in Solo Play (the solo-compatibility icon)
• Location Preparation Instructions

Categories

• Corrupted Codices
• Fantastical Fictions
• Historical Volumes
• Monster Manuals
• Reference Texts
• Spells & Potions

Location effect types

• Instant Effect Location
• Delayed Effect Location

Timing

• Ongoing
• Reaction
• On Placement

Expansion modules

• 5 Player Module
• Job Faire Module
• Artifactorium Module

Note: the Icon Guide prints the category "Historical Volumes", while the Sands of Our Fathers card text reads "Historic Volumes". Both are transcribed as printed.