PDX: Official Digital Rulebook
Draft Rulebook • November 16, 2025
We are trying something new by bringing the rulebook to life as an online resource for learning and mastering PDX. This is an experiment and there are many issues with the app but we are testing new ideas here. Explore the app and try using search to quickly find what you need. Please provide any feedback to Sean (games@waterworks.studio). Thank you!
Welcome to PDX!
PDX is a strategic board game where players take on the role of airline executives managing operations in Portland. The goal is to earn the most points from destinations, private office tiles, and completed ad campaigns.
New to PDX? Start by reading through the back page of the rules for an overview, then use this rulebook as a reference. The game includes comprehensive rule examples and a solo mode for single-player gameplay.
🏆 The Goal
Earn the most points from destinations assigned to gates, private office bonuses, and completed ad campaigns to become Portland's favorite airline.
⏱️ Game Length: 30-90 Min
The game ends when 3 of the 8 destination stacks are empty. All players complete the same number of turns for a fair conclusion.
Components
Destination Tiles
72 (34 short, 18 medium, 20 long haul)
Service Tokens
116 (13 of each type + 12 wild)
Planes
12 (4 of each type)
Workers
4 (1 per player)
Suitcases
8 (2 per player)
Gate Upgrades
12
Activity Tokens
28
Amenity Offices
36
Ad Campaign Cards
14
Extra Gates
4
Terminal Board
1
Player Concourse Boards
4 (1 per player)
Gameplay Concepts
The Main Loop
You will expand your network of destinations to gain points, take additional actions, and to gain resources. Gain service tokens through office visits and flights, reserve destinations from the market, upgrade gates to handle larger destinations, and assign reserved destinations to gates using your tokens.
Three Types of Workers
- Turn Worker: Your main worker that moves to offices each turn to take actions
- Suitcases (Future Turn Workers): Placed strategically on offices for bonus actions on future turns
- Planes (Engine Workers): Fly down routes gaining tokens and triggering destination actions
Gate Capacities & Destination Types
Small Gates: Hold up to 5 short haul destinations
Medium Gates: Hold up to 4 short or medium haul destinations
Large Gates: Hold up to 3 destinations of any size
Action Destinations (grey bottom): Grant bonus actions when planes land on them
Activity Destinations (chevron icons): Provide activity tokens for launching ad campaigns
Routes & Stacks
A route is a stack of destinations assigned to a single gate. Planes fly down routes sequentially, landing on each destination before the flight ends and the plane returns to the runway.
Video Library
Coming Soon
How to Play
Complete walkthrough of PDX rules and gameplay
Setup Guide
Step-by-step guide to setting up the game
Strategy Tips
Advanced strategies and tactics from experienced players
Solo Mode
How to play PDX against Tyler, the AI opponent
First Play Variant
To help new players learn the game and speed up the early game experience, use these optional starter rules:
- ✓Starting Destinations: Each new player starts with one short haul, one medium haul, and one long haul destination tile in their reserve
- ✓Starting Plane: Each new player receives 1 small plane in their hangar
- ✓Reduced Destinations: Reduce the number of destinations in each stack by one (3/4/5 instead of 4/5/6)
- ✓Mixed Experience: This variant works great with mixed experience levels—give new players the boost while experienced players play standard rules
Version History
Initial draft rulebook release. All rules, components, and game mechanics are subject to change before the first official printing.
A changelog will appear here as we make revisions and improvements to the rules.
Credits
Development
- Game Design: Sean Wittmeyer
- Art & Graphic Design: Skinny Ships
- Game Development: Sean Wittmeyer & Brendon Cheves
- Tray & 3D Sculptor: Brendon Cheves
Production
- Rulebook Support: Skyler Berg
- Logistics Support: Anna Riegels & Rachel Wittmeyer
- Manufacturer: Panda Game Manufacturing
- Pre-Press & Manufacturing: Jay Bell & Peter Aoun
Special Thanks
To the principal play-testers: Brendon Cheves, Tyler Cheves, Skyler Berg, Mark Branson, Brian Blaney, Jeb Havens, and many others. Special thanks to the Stumptown Gamecrafters' Guild for years of play-testing and feedback.