BANG! Game Rules

Hey there, folks! Today I’ll be breaking down the rules of the exciting game known as BANG! Sit tight and get ready for an adventure!

Let’s dive right in. BANG! is a card game that puts you right in the middle of a good old-fashioned Wild West shootout. You and your fellow players will take on different roles, like the Sheriff, the Outlaws, or the Renegade. Each role comes with its own objectives and hidden identities.

Now, let’s talk about the gameplay. The game revolves around playing cards and using them strategically to eliminate your opponents. You’ll have an arsenal of cards at your disposal, from weapons and equipment to special abilities and events. Trust me, the possibilities are endless!

Here’s the deal: at the beginning of the game, every player will receive a specific role card. This card determines their objective – whether that’s to protect the Sheriff, eliminate the Outlaws, or be the last one standing as the Renegade. Remember, keep your role a secret! Suspense is the name of the game.

As the game progresses, you’ll be drawing cards from the deck and playing them strategically to gain an advantage. You can unleash your trusty Colt .45, take cover behind a barrel, or even deploy a sneaky dynamite stick to catch your opponents off guard. It’s all about making the right moves at the right time!

But be careful, my friend. The Sheriff isn’t the only one with a Colt .45 up their sleeve. There’s a catch – some players are secretly Outlaws, striving to take the Sheriff down. And don’t forget about the Renegade, who’s stirring up trouble and plotting to become the last gunslinger standing.

Now, let’s talk about the showdowns. When it comes to a face-to-face confrontation, players can engage in a duel. The outcome is determined by cards and abilities, so make sure you equip yourself wisely.

Throughout the game, players will face challenges, make alliances, and outwit each other. It’s all about strategy, bluffing, and keeping your true intentions hidden. Who can you trust? Who’s really on your side? That’s for you to figure out, amigo.

So, there you have it – an overview of the exhilarating BANG! game. It’s a wild ride where you never know what’s waiting around the next corner. Will you be the Sheriff, an Outlaw, or maybe even the Renegade? The choice is yours. Grab your deck of cards and get ready to show off your sharpshooting skills. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the Wild West! Bang!

Get ready for some high-stakes action with BANG! This thrilling game puts you right in the heart of a classic Western shootout. You’ll find yourself immersed in the world of cowboys, outlaws, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

When you step into the world of BANG!, you take on the persona of a character straight out of a Wild West legend. Whether you become a daring outlaw or the steadfast sheriff, your goal is clear: outsmart and outgun your opponents.

The Pieces of the Puzzle

Bang!® The Wild West Game

Hey there, partner! Y’all familiar with Bang!® The Wild West Game? Well, let me give you the lowdown on this here classic game. It’s got all the excitement and thrill of the Wild West packed into one box! Here’s what you’ll find:

• 7 different roles to play, including 1 Sheriff, 2 Deputies, 3 Outlaws, and 1 Renegade.
• 16 unique Characters to choose from, each with their own special abilities.
• 7 Summary cards to help y’all keep track of the rules.
• A deck of 80 Playing cards that’ll keep you on your toes.
• 30 Bullets, ’cause it can get pretty intense out there!
• 7 Playing boards to use as your Wild West battleground.
• Plus, detailed Instructions to guide y’all through the game.

Now, let me tell you what the goal of the game is. Each player has their own mission to complete. It’s a showdown, and it’s every man, woman, and renegade for themselves! The Sheriff and Deputies are trying to eliminate the Outlaws and Renegade, while the Outlaws are looking to take out the Sheriff. The Renegade has their own plans too, trying to be the last one standing. It’s a battle of wits and strategy, and it’s up to you to come out on top!

Hey there, partner! Being a Sheriff is no easy task. It’s my job to uphold the law and keep the peace in town. To do that, I need to put an end to those pesky Outlaws and outsmart the sneaky Renegade.

Now, you might be wondering, who are these Outlaws and Renegades? Well, let me explain. The Outlaws are a bunch of troublemakers who are causing chaos in town. They don’t follow the rules and are always up to no good. It’s my duty to track them down and bring them to justice.

But that’s not all. I also have to keep an eye out for the Renegade. They might not seem as dangerous as the Outlaws, but they are cunning and will do anything to seize power. The Renegade hides in plain sight, pretending to be on my side, but secretly plotting against me.

As the Sheriff, it’s my responsibility to gather enough information and figure out who the Outlaws and the Renegade are. It’s like a puzzle, and every move I make counts. If I make the wrong choices, the Outlaws and the Renegade might gain the upper hand and take control of the town.

So, how do I go about catching these troublemakers? Well, it takes a combination of strategy, wit, and a little bit of luck. I need to observe the townsfolk closely, listen to their conversations, and gather information about who might be working with the Outlaws or the Renegade.

Once I have my suspects, I must act quickly and decisively. I can’t afford to make mistakes or trust the wrong people. I have to eliminate the Outlaws one by one, making sure not to accidentally eliminate any innocent townsfolk in the process. And I have to keep a close eye on the Renegade, as they are always plotting and scheming.

Being a Sheriff is a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it. By staying vigilant, using my wits, and always staying one step ahead, I can protect law and order in this town. So, partner, if you’re up for the challenge, join me in the pursuit of justice and let’s bring these Outlaws and Renegade to justice.

What are Outlaws?

Outlaws are a group of individuals who are up to no good. They have a common goal: to take down the Sheriff. However, despite being united against a common enemy, they are not afraid to turn on each other in order to secure rewards.

Now, you might be wondering, why would anyone want to be an Outlaw? Well, it’s not that simple. Being an Outlaw comes with risks and rewards. On one hand, it’s thrilling to live outside the law, always on the edge, and taking matters into your own hands. It can give you a sense of power and freedom. But on the other hand, it’s a dangerous path that can lead to dire consequences. It’s a double-edged sword.

Outlaws operate in a world where trust is a luxury, and discretion is the key. They are constantly on the lookout, not just for the Sheriff, but also for their fellow Outlaws. It’s a game of survival, and only the smartest and most cunning can come out on top.

If you’re considering becoming an Outlaw yourself, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First and foremost, always trust your gut. Trust is hard to come by in this line of work, so make sure you listen to that little voice inside your head. Second, be prepared for the unexpected. Things can change in an instant, and you need to be able to adapt quickly.

Lastly, remember that being an Outlaw is not for everyone. It takes a certain kind of person to thrive in this world. If you’re not ready to take risks and make tough decisions, then maybe being an Outlaw is not the right path for you. But if you’re ready to embrace the chaos and live life on your own terms, then welcome to the world of Outlaws.

Deputies: We’re the ones who have the Sheriff’s back and make sure his mission is achieved, no matter what!

Renegade: I want to be the new Sheriff. My goal is to be the last character remaining.

Setting up the Game

(Before we start, let’s carefully remove the bullet tokens from their frames). Each player gets a playing board. Place it in front of you to hold your role, character, weapon, and bullets.

Let’s take role cards. The number of cards depends on the number of players:

• 4 players: Sheriff, 1 Renegade, 2 Outlaws
• 5 players: Sheriff, 1 Renegade, 2 Outlaws, 1 Deputy
• 6 players: Sheriff, 1 Renegade, 3 Outlaws, 1 Deputy
• 7 players: Sheriff, 1 Renegade, 3 Outlaws, 2 Deputies

Once the cards are shuffled, the Sheriff reveals himself by turning his card face up. All other players should look at their role but keep it a secret.

Let’s get started! Take some cards and give one to each player, face up. Now, it’s time to announce our characters and read our abilities. Count the bullets shown on your character’s card and take that many bullets.

The Sheriff is a special player. They get an extra bullet! If their card shows three bullets, it actually counts as four. And if they have four bullets, well, the Sheriff plays with five.

Now, let’s clean up a bit. Put away the extra roles, boards, and character cards back in the box.

Get ready for the main event! Shuffle the playing cards and deal each player cards face down, equal to the number of bullets they have. The remaining cards go in the middle as a draw pile. Make sure there’s room for a discard pile.

Note: If you’re just starting out, you can try an easier version of the game by removing all cards with the symbol of a book.

Characters

Each Western character has special abilities that make them unique. The number of bullets a character has represents their starting life points. It shows how many times they can be hit before getting knocked out of the game.

Additionally, the number of bullets also indicates the maximum number of cards that a player can hold in their hand at the end of their turn.

For example: Jesse Jones starts with 4 life points, which means he can be hit four times before getting eliminated. He can also hold up to four cards in his hand at the end of his turn.

If I lose a life point during the game and I’m down to 3, I can only hold three cards in my hand at the end of my turn. But don’t worry! I can recover life points!

How to Play the Game

The Sheriff starts the game. We take turns playing in a clockwise order. Each player’s turn is divided into three phases:

1. Draw two cards;
2. Play as many cards as you want;
3. Discard any extra cards.

1. Draw two cards

From the draw pile, I draw the top two cards. Once the draw pile is empty, I shuffle the discard pile to create a new deck to play with.

2. Play any number of cards

Now I can play cards to either help myself or hurt the other players, with the goal of eliminating them. I can only play cards during my turn, with the exception of “Missed!” and “Beer” (which we’ll talk about later).

Hey there! You don’t have to play cards right now if you don’t want to. You can play as many cards as you like, but there are a few rules you need to keep in mind:

• You can only play one BANG! card per turn. This rule only applies to BANG! cards, not ones with the symbol.
• You can only have one copy of each card in play. If you already have a card with the same name in play, you can’t play another one.
• You can only have one weapon in play. If you play a new weapon, you have to get rid of the one you already have.

For example: Let’s say you have a Barrel in play. You can’t play another one because you’d end up with two copies of the same card in front of you.

There are two types of cards: brown-bordered cards (these are played and then discarded) and blue-bordered cards (these are weapons and other objects).

Brown-bordered cards work by placing them directly into the discard pile and activating the effect described on the card, either through text or symbols (which will be explained in the following paragraphs).

Blue-bordered cards are played by placing them face up in front of you, with the exception of Jail. These blue cards in front of you are considered to be “in play”.

The effects of these cards remain active until they are discarded or removed in some way, such as playing a Cat Balou card, or when a special event occurs, like with Dynamite. There is no limit to the number of cards you can have in front of you, as long as they do not have the same name.

3. Get Rid of Extra Cards

Once the second phase is finished (when you no longer want to or are unable to play any more cards), you must get rid of any cards in your hand that exceed your hand-size limit.

Hey there! Just a quick reminder: your hand size limit, at the end of your turn, is equal to the number of bullets, or life points, you have. Pretty nifty, right?

Now, it’s time to pass the torch to the next player. They’ll take their turn in clockwise order. Keep the game rolling!

The Gap Between You and Others

The distance between players is crucial in gameplay, as it determines the minimum number of spaces separating them. This can be counted either clockwise or counterclockwise, as shown in the figure. Understanding and considering this distance is vital, as it affects all cards with a line of sight.

Usually, you can only reach targets like players or cards within a distance of 1. Imagine your trusty Colt .45 on your playing board—its reach is limited to just one space.

However, when a character is eliminated, they are no longer counted when evaluating the distance. This means that some players actually get “closer” to you when someone is eliminated. It’s a strange twist of fate.

Say Goodbye to a Character

When you lose your last life point, you’re out of the game. Your time is up, unless you play a quick Beer card to stay in the fight (more about that in a moment).

If you are eliminated from the game, you must reveal your role card and get rid of all the cards you hold in your hand and have in play. It’s a clean slate for you.

Consequences and Perks

• If the Sheriff takes down a Deputy, the Sheriff pays a steep price—he must discard all the cards he holds in his hand and has in play. It’s a heavy blow.
• But here’s a twist—even if you’re an Outlaw yourself, if you eliminate another Outlaw, you draw a reward of 3 cards from the deck. It’s a little something for your troubles, no matter where you stand on the side of the law.

The Game Comes to an End

The game reaches its conclusion under the following circumstances:

• When the Sheriff loses their life. If only the Renegade remains, then the Renegade emerges victorious. If there are other living players besides the Renegade, the Outlaws claim the win.
• When all the Outlaws and the Renegade are eliminated. In this case, the Sheriff and their Deputies seize victory.

For instance: If the Outlaws are entirely removed from the game, but the Renegade continues to play, the game carries on. The Renegade is now left to confront the Sheriff and their Deputies alone.

Consider another example: The Sheriff is eliminated, yet all the Outlaws are removed, leaving only one Deputy and the Renegade in the game. The game concludes with the Outlaws emerging triumphant! They have achieved their objective at the expense of their own lives!

Commence a New Game

If you play multiple games in a row, you can choose to keep your character for the next game if you’re still “alive” at the end. But remember, you won’t be able to keep any of the cards you had in your hand or in play. If you’ve been eliminated, you’ll need to randomly draw a new character for the next game.

If you want to make sure everyone gets a chance to play as the Sheriff, you can decide, before starting the game, to randomly assign the other roles and pass the role of Sheriff from game to game.

Now that you know the rules, let’s take a closer look at the cards in BANG!

Remember:

• If a card has a Missed! symbol, it can be used to cancel the effect of a card with a BANG! symbol.
• You can only play one BANG! card per turn, but you can play as many other cards as you want that show the symbol.
• You can’t have two cards with the same name in front of you.

Hey there! Have you ever played this super cool game called Bang!? It’s a game where you can only have one weapon at a time, but don’t worry, you always have a trusty Colt .45 by your side. The weapons in this game don’t really change how far apart players are, they just represent your shooting range.

Oh, and here’s something interesting – Beer, the drink, doesn’t really do anything when there are only two players left in the game. But don’t worry, when you’re down to your last life point, you can still play a Beer to keep you going, but not a Saloon.

Pretty cool, right? I love these little quirks in the game that keep things interesting. So, next time you’re playing Bang!, remember these fun facts and get ready for an awesome time!

If you’re looking for a way to keep track of your life points, I’ve got a simple solution for you. Just grab another character card that you have left over and turn it face down. Then, all you have to do is slide your character card on top of it to cover or uncover the bullets, like in the picture.

This little trick makes it so much easier to bring BANG! with you wherever you go. You can play it anytime, anywhere!

For example, let’s say I’m Jesse Jones and I start with three life points.