Railroad Ink Challenge Underground: How to Play and Score
By Greater than Games | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: How-to Guides
Learn Railroad Ink Challenge Underground rules, setup, and scoring. This step-by-step guide covers the Underground expansion and tips to win.
Quick answer
To play Railroad Ink Challenge: Underground, use the four Underground dice in place of the normal Route dice in Standalone mode. Build subway routes and water pipes to score points, and focus on connecting exits while avoiding penalties.
Why the Underground dice change your planning
The Underground expansion replaces the standard route dice with four dice that feature subway routes and water pipes. This shifts the focus from roads and rails to a network of tunnels and pipes. You'll need to adapt your drawing strategy because the symbols and scoring opportunities differ from the base game.
In Standalone mode, you use only the Underground dice, so every roll presents new choices. The expansion does not include additional player boards or rule changes beyond the dice, so you'll still use the base game's boards and scoring track. This means the core challenge remains: build efficiently and connect as many exits as possible.
Common mistakes to avoid
A frequent error is treating subway routes like regular roads—they cannot cross each other or other features unless the dice show a crossing. Water pipes are similarly restricted. Another mistake is neglecting to connect exits early; each unconnected exit costs you points at the end. Finally, don't forget that the Underground dice may not offer the same flexibility as the base dice, so plan for tighter networks.
Step-by-step: How to play Railroad Ink Challenge Underground
- Set up the game: Give each player a board and a marker. Place the scoreboard nearby. Shuffle the four Underground dice and set them within reach. If playing Standalone mode, remove the normal Route dice from the game. Check that all players have a board and marker before rolling.
- Roll the dice: At the start of each round, one player rolls all four Underground dice. These dice show subway routes, water pipes, and sometimes special symbols like exits or crossings. Ensure everyone can see the dice clearly; announce the symbols if needed.
- Draw routes: Each player simultaneously draws the rolled symbols on their board, connecting to existing routes or starting new ones. You must place each die result exactly as shown, but you can rotate them. Subway routes and water pipes cannot cross unless a crossing symbol is rolled. Remember that you cannot erase; plan your layout before drawing.
- Connect exits: Try to connect as many exits as possible to your network. Each connected exit scores points at the end of the game, while unconnected exits incur a penalty. Prioritize exits early, especially those near the center.
- Score at the end: After the final round (usually 7 rounds), score points for connected exits, longest subway route, longest water pipe, and any bonuses from special symbols. Subtract points for unconnected exits. The player with the highest total wins. Double-check that you haven't missed any connected exits when scoring.
Product facts
- Railroad Ink Challenge: Underground: The Underground expansion pack contains 4 dice that can be used in two ways: Standalone mode (replace normal Route dice) or as an addition to the base game. This flexibility lets you either play a focused Underground-only game or mix the dice with the base game for variety.
Railroad Ink Challenge: Underground
