Encounter cards provide support to a player by providing an option to gain 2 grit ( ), a tapstone ( ), a tourist ( ), or an immediate one-time ability.

When you draw an encounter card, place it face up to the left of your captain mat. There is no limit to the number of cards you may have. Play an encounter card at any time on your turn (even the same turn you gained the card) by discarding it to gain one of its benefits. You may play a maximum of 2 encounter cards during a single turn.

EACH ENCOUNTER OFFERS TWO OPTIONS: Choose one (some have a grit cost on a dark gray background) and gain the benefit. If you gain a tapstone or tourist, either use it immediately to cover a payment or place it on an empty space of an outfitting on your player mat.

Encounter cards can be gained by advancing up the culture wonder track ( ), gaining wonders, activating outfittings, or gaining the benefit of an outpost.

If the encounter deck is ever empty, shuffle all discarded encounter cards to form a new deck.