Solo

Beat the Public Library to earn your librarian license.

The Public Library

Solo play lasts five rounds. You race a Public Library represented by the discard pile. Use the ten location tiles marked as solo-compatible, three Standard Assistants, and one solo-compatible Special Assistant. Deal a public focus and clue category face down as specified by the solo setup; reveal the clue before round two and the focus before round four.

Each round

At the start of each round, discard book cards from the deck to the Public Library: 1 on Beginner, then 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 at each higher difficulty through Impossible. You may see cards as they are discarded, but may not search the pile except when a location specifically lets you. Prepare the locations and place assistants as usual. Solo limits you to one assistant at each location space, but your own library tile can host multiple assistants.

License score

After the fifth round, score both your shelf and the Public Library by the license form. Your focus and the clue restrict what counts for its scoring; compare the totals and meet the selected difficulty’s target to pass. Apply the selected edition’s license form and category instructions, as its scoring differs from multiplayer awards.

Using the solo assistant

Special Assistants with a solo symbol can be chosen. The Automaton’s bonus can only trigger in your own library, because the solo rule allows only one assistant at any location. For a first solo game, begin at Beginner difficulty and learn which locations can alter the discard pile.