The Messages

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The Messengers The Messengers
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The Messengers The Messengers
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The queen dispatches her faithful subjects across the realm. Wealth and prestige awaits any who make wise use of these couriers.

General info and comments

Expansion symbol

The Messages (Mini #2) was released by HiG for the third revised edition, known as C3.1 for short, in 2025, bundled as part of Big Box 8 Big Box 8. It includes more detailed graphics, cities with clipped buildings.

It is quite similar to the previous versions. It was released for the second edition, known as C2 for short, in 2017, only available as part of Big Box 6 Big Box 6. A third edition, known as C3 for short, was released in 2021, only available as part of Big Box 7 Big Box 7 and the same graphics as the C3.1 version.

This expansion was originally released for the first edition, known as C1 for short, in 2012. In this edition it was known as The Messages or Dispatches.

Contents

  • 8 message tiles
Message tile front
Message tile back
  • 6 couriers in 6 colors
Messages C31 Feature Couriers.png

Rules

Preparation

Shuffle the message tiles and stack them facedown within easy reach of all players. Each player places the courier of their color on space 0 of the scoreboard, so that each player has 2 score meeples on the scoreboard: the standard score meeple and the courier.

Gameplay

Figure Messenger red.png
1. Placing a tile

There are no land tiles specific to this expansion.

2. Placing a meeple

The figures in this expansion are not placed on the standard land tiles as part of the game.

3. Scoring a feature

When you score points, you must choose to move either your standard score meeple or your courier forward on the scoreboard. Even if you score multiple features this turn, you may only advance one of them. You may not move both in a single turn. [1] [2] [3]

If in your turn, at the end of 3. Scoring a feature, your score meeple you just moved stands on a dark space (0, 5, 10, 15, etc.), immediately draw and resolve 1 message tile. [4] To resolve a message tile, you must choose either:

  • Resolve the action shown on the message, OR
  • Score 2 points (as shown on the bottom right of the message tile).

In either case, place the resolved message tile facedown at the bottom of the message stack.

Important! You may only draw and resolve 1 message tile during your turn.

Final Scoring

At the end of the game, but before starting final scoring, total the score of both your standard score meeple and your courier. Then place your standard score meeple on the space corresponding to the total score, and return your courier to the box. [3] Proceed with final scoring as usual. Message tiles are not drawn during final scoring.

The messages tiles

Messages C31 Message Symbol 01.png
(1) Score smallest city: Choose a city with at least one of your knights. If you have knights in more than one city, you must choose one of the cities that would score the fewest points in the final scoring. Score the city as if you had the sole majority. Do not return your knight to the supply.
Messages C31 Message Symbol 02.png
(2) Score smallest road: This resolves the same way as Message 1, but for roads and travelers instead of cities and knights.
Messages C31 Message Symbol 03.png
(3) Score smallest monastery: This resolves the same way as Message 1, but for monasteries and monks/abbots instead of cities and knights.
Messages C31 Message Symbol 04.png
(4) Perform an extra turn: Perform an additional turn after the current one. Then, players continue taking turns in clockwise order.

Note: If you play with the builder (Exp. 2 - Traders & Builders Exp. 2 - Traders & Builders), it's possible to perform 3 or even 4 turns in a row. [5] (See below for more details.)
Messages C31 Message Symbol 05.png
(5) 2 points per coat of arms: For each coat of arms in every city with at least 1 of your knights you score 2 points. Majorities do not matter.
Messages C31 Message Symbol 06.png
(6) 2 points per knight: Score 2 points for each of your knights anywhere in the play area. Do not return them to your supply.
Messages C31 Message Symbol 07.png
(7) 2 points per farmer: Score 2 points for each of your farmers anywhere in the play area. Do not return them to your supply.
Messages C31 Message Symbol 08.png
(8) Score and return a meeple: Choose a feature with at least 1 of your meeples on it. [6] If you have the majority on that feature, you may score it as you would in the final scoring and return 1 of your meeples from that feature to your supply. [7]
If you do not have the majority, you may return any 1 of your meeples from the play area to your supply (without scoring any feature).

Other expansions

If playing with other expansions, please take the following notes into consideration:

General comments:

Interpretation from the Community Most messages require you to choose a meeple with a certain role, so not all meeples are allowed for them:
Notes:
  • You may score a farmer in a barn.
  • A standing scarecrow cannot score for a field.
  • A ringmistress will be scored as a traveler, knight, monk or farmer at the end of the game.

Comments on the messages:

Interpretation from the Community The scoring for Messages 1, 2 and 3 only considers those points related to the feature. No bonus associated to any meeples placed on the feature are taken into consideration, since the focus of this message is scoring the feature. Those bonus points for meeples would be scored when the feature is properly scored.
 Interpretation from the Community Message 3 may apply to all features considered proper monasteries and gardens:

Interpretation from the Community Message 4: The placement of an extra tile follows a normal turn with all its phases. The player may also receive an additional message.
As in a normal turn, players may decide to use a tile in their supply instead of drawing a new one, such as:

Interpretation from the Community Message 6: You will consider the number of your knights in cities: normal meeples, large meeple, guard meeples, phantom. Their strength (majority votes) is irrelevant. So, the large meeple is counted as only 1 knight. [10]
 Interpretation from the Community Message 7: You will consider the number of your farmers in fields: normal meeples, large meeple, lying scarecrow, guard meeples, phantom. Their strength (majority votes) is irrelevant. So, the large meeple is counted as only 1 farmer.
 Interpretation from the Community Message 8: Any bonus points associated to the meeple being scored before removed will be scored as if at the end of the game, such as the fairy 3-point scoring bonus (Exp. 3 - Dragon & Fairy Exp. 3 - Dragon & Fairy) or the ringmaster bonus (Exp. 10 - Circus & Artists Exp. 10 - Circus & Artists).

Exp. 1 - Inns & CathedralsExp. 1 - Inns & Cathedrals

Interpretation from the Community Interactions with messages:
  • Messages 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8: The large meeple can be chosen for these messages.
  • Messages 6 and 7: The large meeple is counted as only 1 knight or farmer.

Exp. 2 - Traders & BuildersExp. 2 - Traders & Builders - Getting a double turn with the builder

Interpretation from the Community Messages are received after 3. Scoring a feature, considering all the scorings taken place during a player's turn. Note that, during a double turn granted by the builder, you may receive one message on each turn conforming the double turn.

Interpretation from the Community If you play with the builder, it's possible to perform 3 turns or even 4 turns in a row.

  • Scenario 1: You get Message 4 right before the double turn, so you only may perform 3 turns in a row.
Sequence: Turn 1 (builder moved next to tile stack) + (Message 4 received) - Extra turn 1 for Message 4 + (you recover builder) - Turn 2 (double turn for Turn 1)
  • Scenario 2: You get Message 4 at the end of the double turn, so you may perform 3 or 4 turns in a row.
Sequence: Turn 1 (builder moved next to tile stack) + (you recover builder) - Turn 2 (double turn for Turn 1) + (Message 4 received) - Extra turn 1 for Message 4 (may generate double turn) - optional Extra turn 2 (double turn for Extra turn 1)

 Official clarification from the publisher Question: Let's assume a player places a tile that extends and completes a road with their builder. As a result, the player gains an extra turn and also receives a message due to the scoring of the road. The player receives Message 4 - Perform an extra turn.
Is the turn granted by Message 4 played first while the builder stays aside until the turn granted by the builder is about to start?

Answer: Yes, the builder stays at the stacks during the turn gained from the message. So, only a total of 3 turns in a row is possible. (2/2026)

 Official clarification from the publisher Question: Let's assume a player places a tile that extends but does not complete a road with their builder (Turn #1). As a result, the player gains an extra turn and recovers their builder. During the extra turn the player places a meeple and the builder in a city on the tile just placed and completes the previous road (Turn #2). Due to the scoring of the road the player receives Message 4 - Perform an extra turn. Now, the player places a new tile that extends and completes the city with their builder (Turn #3).
Does the player receive a 4th turn in a row? [11]

Answer: Yes, in this case, the player can have 4 turns in a row. (2/2026)


Mini #6 - The RobbersMini #6 - The Robbers

Official clarification from the publisher The robber can be placed beside either a standard score meeple or a courier. Thus, the robber can get points from either scoring figure, but only from the one on the same space as the robber. (5/2013)

 Official clarification from the publisher Question: May you assign your robber to another player's courier? This was allowed in previous editions, but we don't know if this is still a valid option in C3.1.

Answer: Yes, we didn't intend to change anything here. (03/2026)

Official clarification from the publisher If you are the active player, and either your courier or your standard score meeple lands on a dark space as a result of your robber stealing points from another player, draw a message tile.
 Interpretation from the Community Robbers only consider the points scored during a turn until the end of 3. Scoring a feature. Robbers ignore any points scored as extra actions after this point, such as message points.

 Official clarification from the publisher Question: The turn sequence in Big Box 8 indicates that robbers are resolved before any message may be scored. Does this mean that points scored for messages are always ignored by robbers?

Answer: Yes. (4/2026)

Tile distribution

Total special tiles: 8
Messages C3 Tile A.png ×1
Messages C3 Tile B.png ×1
Messages C3 Tile C.png ×1
Messages C3 Tile D.png ×1
Messages C3 Tile E.png ×1
Messages C3 Tile F.png ×1
Messages C3 Tile G.png ×1
Messages C3 Tile H.png ×1

Footnotes

For Icons explanation and licensing please visit Icons page.

  1. ↑ Interpretation from the Community In other words, both scoring figures are considered equally, with no differences between the two.
  2. ↑ Interpretation from the Community If, for example, a city and a road are completed and scored by the active player, the same scoring figure (the standard score meeple or the courier) must be moved for both features.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Interpretation from the Community You may need to take 50/100 point tiles as required, if using them. The point tiles are included in Exp. 1 - Inns & Cathedrals Exp. 1 - Inns & Cathedrals, but the Big Box 8 Big Box 8 rules assume these tiles are part of the base game.
  4. ↑ Interpretation from the Community Only the active player may receive a message during their turn. Players scoring during an opponent's turn may not receive messages.
  5. ↑ Interpretation from the Community The original rules indicated a maximum of 3 turn in a row only, but there may be cases where the player may receive 4 turns in a row.
  6. ↑ Notorious rule difference among editions or publishers The English rules mention explicitly that the feature may be a road, a city, a monastery or a field, leaving gardens out, for example. However, the German rules do not include this limitation and just mention a feature in general. So, we updated the wording of this sentence accordingly.
    Therefore you may choose a meeple on a garden or on any feature that could be completed and scored during the game.

     Official clarification from the publisher Question: Message 8 does not mention gardens in the English rules. Is this limitation intentional? Do messages only consider standard meeples and large meeples?

    Answer: The abbot is considered a meeple, and can be scored with this message. (2/2026)

  7. ↑ Official clarification from the publisher Any other meeples belonging to you or other players remain on the feature, as it is still incomplete.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Interpretation from the Community This option is currently allowed but not fully confirmed by HiG. A final clarification on this matter is required. (2/2026)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Interpretation from the Community There is no official clarification stating whether this message should consider special monasteries (German monasteries, Dutch & Belgian monasteries and Japanese buildings) with a meeple placed as an abbot. The original rules were created before the special monasteries where released, so this case is not considered. However, the rules contain no limitations that would prevent players from considering special monasteries with a meeple placed as an abbot. In this case, we will apply the general rule provided by Georg Wild: "If an older expansion only mentions the word monk, this does not exclude meeples placed as an abbot on a German monastery." (7/2014) This will also apply to Japanese Buildings and Dutch & Belgian monasteries. See:

    http://www.carcassonnecentral.com/community/index.php?topic=781.msg9971#msg9971
  10. ↑ Interpretation from the Community If using tiles from Exp. 3 and Exp. 8 in C2, note that abbots cannot be knights. Any meeples placed on a monastery within a city will be monks and will not be counted as knights. These are examples of monasteries within a city from Exp. 3 and Exp. 8 where a monk can be placed within a city:
    Princess And Dragon C2 Tile O.jpgBridges Castles Bazaars C2 Tile G.jpg
  11. ↑ Interpretation from the Community The player meets the conditions for 4th turn in a row, but it would contravene the cap of 3 turns in a row instructed in the original rules.
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