Hardback: The Rules of the Game

Hey there! Welcome to the world of Hardback. This guide is all about the rules of the game. So, let’s dive in and get started!

The Objective

The objective of Hardback is to score the most points by forming words using the letter cards in your hand. Sounds simple, right? Well, it can be trickier than it seems!

Setting Up

Before we begin, let’s get set up. Shuffle the deck of letter cards and deal each player a hand of 7 cards. Then, place 5 cards face-up in the middle of the playing area. These cards make up the market.

Word Building

Now, the fun part begins. On your turn, you can form words using the cards in your hand and any of the cards in the market. The words you form can be as simple or as complex as you like.

Here’s a tip: try to use as many cards as possible when forming words to maximize your score. Longer words earn you more points!

Scoring Points

Each letter card in Hardback has a point value. When you form a word, add up the point values of the cards you used. There’s also bonus points for using certain color or wild cards.

Aim to build words that not only score you points but also activate special abilities. These abilities can give you an edge over the other players and help you earn even more points!

The End Game

Hardback is played over several rounds, with each round ending when a player uses all their cards or when there are no more cards in the market to refill it.

When a round ends, players tally up their points. Keep track of your score and the scores of the other players. Remember, every point counts!

Next Steps

Now that you know the rules of Hardback, it’s time to dive in and start playing! Gather your friends, set up the game, and let the word-building fun begin. Have a blast and may the best wordsmith win!

• 50 Starting Cards
• 35 Adventure Cards
• 35 Horror Cards
• 35 Mystery Cards
• 35 Romance Cards
• 5 Advert Cards
• 25 Event Cards
• 3 Card Dividers
• 6 Literary Award Cards
• 5 Player Cards
• 5 Player Power Cards
• 2 Co-Op Penny Dreadful Cards
• 38 Ink Tokens
• 18 Remover Tokens
• 5 Player Tokens
• 1 Prestige Tracker Board
• Rulebook

Setup

1. Give each of you your own starting deck of cards. It includes:
2. Eight starting Purchase cards. Each card gives one H Coin and has a letter: A, E, I, L, N, R, S, T. Look at the tiny dots on the bottom of the starting Purchase cards to help split them between yourselves.

I want to let you in on a little secret, and it’s all about the exciting game called Prestige. But before we dive in, let’s talk about what it takes to set up the game. Grab two starting Prestige cards, carefully selected at random, which will each give you 1 Prestige point. These cards could be any of the following letters: B, C, D, G, H, M, O, P, U, or Y. If you don’t use any of the starting cards, simply tuck them away safely in the box. Now that we’ve got that set up, let the adventure begin!

Hey there! Let me guide you through the setup process for this awesome game. Here’s what you need to do:

First, let’s organize the playing area. To do that, follow these steps:

1. Put the Prestige tracker in the center of the playing area, where it’s easy for everyone to reach.
2. Place the Ink and Remover tokens on the side of the Prestige tracker.
3. Now, every player chooses a colored player token and puts it on top of the Prestige tracker, above the prestige numbers. Take your Player card of the matching color and put it in front of you.
4. It’s time to shuffle the Adventure, Horror, Mystery, and Romance cards. Mix them all together and put them face-down near the Prestige tracker. That’s going to be your Offer Deck.
5. Take the top seven cards from the Offer Deck and put them face-up beside it to create the Offer Row.

Alright, we’re almost there. Now it’s time for each player to shuffle their starting deck and draw their first hand of 5 cards. And there you have it – you’re all set up and ready for some epic gameplay!

At the start of the game, the person who used a pen last will be the one to go first. From there, the turns will go in a clockwise direction, with each player taking their turn after the person to their right. To keep track of who went first, the player who started will place the First Player Token in front of them. This way, everyone can remember the order of play.

Card Basics

Do you know what makes Hardback cards special? Let me explain it to you in simple terms! Every card in Hardback has a few important things that make it unique and powerful.

First, there’s the title. It’s like the name of the card and gives you a clue about its theme. The title is usually a word or phrase that captures the essence of what the card is all about.

Next, we have the ability. This is what the card can do for you. It’s like a special power that activates when you play the card. Abilities can be really cool and can help you in different ways, so pay attention to them!

Then, there’s a number at the top left corner of the card, which is called the difficulty level. This number shows you how challenging it is to use the card effectively. The higher the number, the harder it might be to use the card in the right way.

Finally, we have the letters. These are the letters you can use to spell words. Each card has a combination of different letters. These letters can be used to create words and score points in the game. Try to make the most of the letters you have!

So, as you can see, there’s a lot more to a card than meets the eye. Paying attention to the attributes of each card can give you an edge in the game and help you come up with smart strategies.

• Letter: Each card has a big letter that is used to spell a word during your turn. You can also find the letter repeated in the top-left corner for easy reference.
• Genre: The genre of a card is shown by the icon in the top-left corner below the letter. The color of the ribbon behind the icon also helps identify the genre. To learn more about the different genres and their abilities, you can check out the Card Genres on page 9.
• Basic Benefits: The instructions above the line on a card are its Basic Benefits. These benefits include Coins, Prestige, and other Abilities that can change how the game is played. Basic Benefits come into effect every time you play the card. If you want to learn more about resolving card benefits, you can find the information on page 5.

Genre Benefits: When you use multiple cards of the same genre at the same time, you get extra benefits called Genre Benefits. These Genre Benefits are in addition to the regular benefits of a card, so they don’t replace them. For more information on how to use and resolve card benefits, check out page 5. Cost: The cost of a card is shown at the bottom left. It tells you how many Coins you need to spend in order to purchase the card.

There are some special cards in this game called Timeless Classic cards that look a little different from the others. They’re printed sideways. You can find more details about them on page 8 in the Timeless Classics section.

How to Play

Each turn, you’ll need to do a few things:

1. Spell a word.
2. Get rid of any unused cards.
3. Activate the abilities of your cards.
4. Buy new cards and get more Ink.

Once you’re done with your turn, there are a few more steps to follow:

1. Discard the cards and Ink you used.
2. Remove any Timeless Classic cards that other players have.
3. Draw new cards for your next turn.

At any time before you spell your next word, you can:

1. Use the Ink and Remover tools.

Step 1: Spell a Word

To play the game, you have to create a word using the letters in your hand. Place the letters face-up in front of you. You can only use words that are found in the dictionary. However, which dictionary you choose to use as a reference is up to you and the other players to decide.

When you’re playing the game, there’s an interesting strategy you can use with your cards. It involves making use of some of your cards as “wild” cards. This means that instead of using them for their normal letter value, you turn them face-down and treat them as any letter you want. It’s like having a secret weapon up your sleeve, allowing you to create the perfect word.

Now, the wild cards don’t give you any Coins or Prestige points, and you can’t use any of their other abilities. They simply act as a substitute for any single letter of your choice. It’s a pretty cool move to have, giving you more options and flexibility when forming words on the board.

So next time you play, remember this trick: if you have some cards you don’t need for their normal value, you can use them as wild cards to enhance your word-making skills. It’s like having a hidden power, ready to be unleashed!

When we play with Timeless Classic cards, we can use our own cards and other players’ cards as letters in our words. It’s like having an extra set of letters to work with!

Need Help? Request a Ghost Writer

Feeling stuck? Don’t worry! You can ask other players for assistance.

If you ask for a ghost writer, you’ll need to show your cards to everyone. But don’t worry, your turn will continue as usual. If another player suggests a word that you like and decide to use, they get a free Ink token from the supply. And that’s not all!

If you were brave enough to press your luck and got Ink tokens on your cards, the player who helped you also gets those tokens at the end of your turn. Cool, right? They won’t go back to the supply, but instead go to the player who helped you.

Struggling to Find the Right Words

Hey there! Have you ever had a moment when you just couldn’t think of the right word to say? Trust me, I’ve been there too. It can be a bit frustrating, but don’t worry, you’re not alone.

When you’re playing a game and encounter a word you can’t spell, you have a couple of options. You can choose to pass your turn, and if you do, all the cards and Ink you used will be discarded. But don’t worry, you’ll get to draw a new hand for your next turn.

2. Getting Rid of Unused Cards

We all have those cards in our hand that we didn’t get a chance to use. It happens to the best of us. When that happens, don’t fret! Just place those unused cards face-up next to your draw pile. This forms what we call the discard pile. Each player has their own unique draw and discard piles.

Now, during the game, let’s say you run out of cards in your draw pile. No biggie! Just take the cards from your discard pile, give them a nice little shuffle, and voila! You’ve got yourself a brand new draw pile.

When you use certain cards and discard them, it can have an impact on other cards in your discard pile. This is because you have the opportunity to use the effects of those unused cards from your hand in the same turn, since you discard them before resolving their benefits.

3. Get the Benefits from Cards

All cards provide different benefits when you use them face-up from your hand.

These benefits can come in the form of Coins, Prestige points, or Abilities. Coins are represented by a circle symbol and they serve as the currency in Hardback. You can use coins to purchase new cards and Ink.

Prestige points, on the other hand, are represented by the question mark symbol. These points increase your score and help you win the game. Lastly, Abilities are the benefits listed above the line on a card. They are called Basic Benefits, and every time you spell a word using a card face-up, you gain all of the Basic Benefits that card offers.

When you use multiple Abilities in a word, it can change the game in several ways. You have the freedom to decide the order in which you resolve those Abilities.

Below the line, you will find the Genre Benefits. To gain Genre Benefits, you need to include at least one other card of the same genre in your word, or have at least one Timeless Classic card of the same genre in play. For more information on Timeless Classics, please refer to page 8.

Let’s take a look at how this card works. When you use this card, you’ll earn 3 Prestige points. But here’s the exciting part: if you play this card alongside other cards in the same Genre, you’ll earn a whopping total of 5 Prestige points!

4. Get New Cards and Ink

When it’s time for me to spend the Coins I earned, I can use them to buy new cards and Ink. The price of each card is listed on the bottom left, so I can see how much they cost. Each Ink token costs 1 Coin.

I have the flexibility to purchase any combination of cards and Ink as long as I have enough Coins. It’s important to remember that any leftover Coins are lost once my turn is over, so I should try to use them to buy Ink.

Purchasing Cards

Flushing the Offer Row

• I need to buy at least four cards in the Offer Row that cost 6^ or more, or
• I need to buy at least four cards in the Offer Row that are the same genre

Purchasing Ink

5. Discard Used Cards and Ink

Once I have scored my Prestige and bought new cards, I need to put all the cards from my word into my discard pile, except for Timeless Classic cards.

Just a reminder: any cards you didn’t use in your word were already put aside, so you’ll get a completely new hand for your next turn.

All Ink tokens that you used to draw extra cards or get Coins go back to the general supply of Ink next to the Prestige tracker.

6. Get rid of Timeless Classic Cards from other players

If you used any of the Timeless Classic Cards from other players in your word, those cards go back to their owners’ discard piles. You can find more information about Timeless Classics on page 8.

7. Time to Draw Your Next Hand!

It’s time to draw your next set of five cards.

If you don’t have enough cards left in your deck, no worries! Just shuffle the cards from your discard pile to create a new draw pile. Keep drawing cards until you have five in your hand.

Now, let’s keep the game going in a clockwise direction. The player on your left gets to take their turn.

8. Bring Out the Ink and Remover

Once you’re done with your turn, you can immediately start working on your next word. Feel free to use any Ink or Remover tokens you have to draw more cards from your deck.

About the Cards and Tokens

Timeless Classics

Let me tell you about Timeless Classic cards. These cards have a big letter that’s printed horizontally. You can use them just like any other cards, but there’s an important difference. When you spell a word using a face-up Timeless Classic card, that card stays in front of you even after your turn ends. It’s like it becomes a part of you.

This special effect only happens if you use the Timeless Classic card as a regular card, not as a wild card.

After you play a Timeless Classic card, it keeps working for you on future turns, even if you don’t use it in your word. You get all the good stuff that comes with the card. These are called the Basic Benefits. But here’s the cool part: if you have a word that uses another card of the same kind, or if you have another Timeless Classic card of the same kind, then you also get the Genre Benefits. It’s just like when you use a regular card.

So here’s the deal with the Timeless Classic card: once you play it, it stays on the table until someone uses it to spell a word. Then it goes to your discard pile. The cool thing is, anyone can use any Timeless Classic card that’s on the table, no matter who owns it.

If you use someone else’s Timeless Classic card, you don’t get any of its special benefits or genres. Bummer, I know.

But here’s a sneaky move for smart authors: you can use other players’ Timeless Classic cards just to get rid of them! Even if you don’t get any benefits, you can still discard their cards. But remember, you can’t turn an in-play Timeless Classic into a wild card, no matter who owns it.

Card Genres

In Hardback, there are four card Genres:

Genres are fascinating because they each have their own special powers and way of playing. When a power is activated, it can either give you a basic advantage or a genre-specific advantage. Which one you get depends on where the power is mentioned on the card.

Mystery Revealed: Unlocking the Secrets

Let’s take a closer look at mystery cards. You’ll know them by the magnifying glass icon and the striking blue ribbon. These mysterious cards hold the power to uncover hidden treasures and eliminate cards from the Offer Row:

• Discovering Adjacent Wild Cards: When you encounter a mystery card, it’s like finding a hidden treasure. You can choose either the card to its immediate left or right, which is hiding a secret under its face-down disguise. When you reveal the hidden card, it not only acts as a wild card, but you also gain all the advantages it offers. Remember, if both adjacent cards are already face-up, the mystery card’s magic won’t have any effect. So make your move wisely and strategically, to unlock the full potential of these cards. Select this card to uncover and activate your chosen adjacent card’s powers.

The “Jail Offer-Row Card” is a special card that lets me choose one card from the Offer Row. I have two options: I can either remove the chosen card from the game completely, or I can reserve it in my own personal jail, which is located near my Player card. If I choose to reserve the card, I immediately draw a new card from the Offer Deck to replace it in the Offer Row. The reserved card in my personal jail can be purchased by me, but not by other players. However, I can only have one card in my personal jail at a time. If I already have a card in my personal jail, I can remove it from the game in order to reserve the new card instead.

If I play this card, I can jail a card from the Offer Row.

Horror

Welcome to the world of horror cards! These spooky cards have a skull icon and green ribbon to give you the chills. But don’t worry, they’re not all bad. In fact, they can be quite useful. Let me tell you why:

• Take Ink or Remover: With horror cards, you have the power to choose either an Ink or Remover token absolutely free. It’s like getting a bonus! Use this card and you’ll receive an Ink or Remover token for your collection.



• Gain Coin or Prestige: When you play a horror card, you have a tough decision to make. You can either take the indicated number of Coins or earn Prestige points. But here’s the catch: you can only choose one or the other, not both. It’s a tough choice, but every choice comes with consequences.

Play this card and you’ll either gain 2 Coins for your wallet or earn 2 Prestige points. It’s up to you! Which one will you choose?

Adventure cards, symbolized by the compass icon and yellow ribbon, are all about making progress towards victory quickly and steadily. They come with two main abilities:

Immediate Prestige: Certain Adventure cards grant you Prestige points right away. This benefit is only applied once, when you purchase the card. You can identify these cards by the expanded price tag in the bottom-left corner, with an arrow pointing to a small Prestige star. To gain 1 Prestige point instantly, simply buy this card.

Trash This Card: Imagine you find an Adventure card that gives you the option to get rid of it in exchange for a Coin or Prestige bonus. It’s important to remember that you have to use the card first and expose it before you can trash it and get the Benefit. Now, if you decide to trash the card, you get to enjoy its Benefits, but then you have to return it to the box and take it out of the game. So it’s a double-edged sword, but sometimes it can be worth it. For example, you can trash this card and get an extra 2 Coins.

Romance

Romance cards have a heart and arrow icon, along with a beautiful red ribbon. They can be quite mischievous and have the power to trash other cards. Think of them as trashy romance novels that add a bit of spice to the game. Let’s look at their benefits:

• Trash Another Card: You can remove a card from your discard pile to gain 1 Coin. However, please note that you cannot trash letters that you are currently using to form words. Once you trash a card, it’s gone from the game and can’t be used again. So, go ahead and get rid of a card from your discard pile and earn yourself a shiny coin!
• Double Adjacent Card: Choose a card that is next to this one, either on the left or on the right. When you choose the card, you can increase the amount of Coins and Prestige it provides. If the card has Coins and Prestige from both the Basic and Genre Benefits, you double the total values. If both adjacent cards are face-down, this card doesn’t do anything. If two cards with the Double Adjacent Card benefit surround and affect one card, the Coins and Prestige of the card are tripled. Play this card to double the Benefits of a card next to it.

I have always been fascinated by the beauty of tattoos. There’s something mesmerizing about the way ink is permanently etched onto the skin, telling stories and carrying meaning. Tattoos have been a part of human culture for centuries, and they continue to be a powerful form of self-expression.

But what happens when you decide that the tattoo you once loved is no longer a reflection of who you are? That’s when the magic of tattoo removal comes into play. Thanks to modern technology and advances in dermatology, you now have the option to remove unwanted tattoos.

Tattoo removal is a delicate process that involves breaking down the ink particles embedded in your skin. One popular method is laser tattoo removal, which uses focused laser beams to target the ink. The laser breaks the ink into tiny fragments, allowing your body to naturally eliminate them over time.

While tattoo removal has come a long way, it’s important to note that it may not be a quick fix. The number of sessions required depends on various factors, such as the size and color of the tattoo. Some tattoos may require several sessions spread out over several months.

It’s also crucial to understand that tattoo removal can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, may result in temporary side effects like redness or blistering. However, with proper care and the guidance of a trained professional, these side effects are usually temporary and can be managed.

If you’re considering tattoo removal, it’s essential to do your research and consult with a qualified professional. They can assess your tattoo and provide you with a realistic expectation of the removal process. They can also guide you on the best course of action, taking into account factors such as your skin type, tattoo location, and personal goals.

Remember, tattoo removal is a journey that requires patience and commitment. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, you can say goodbye to that unwanted tattoo and start anew.

Ink

Ink tokens are special coins that you can use in two different ways:

1. You can spend one Ink token to take a chance and draw an extra card. At any point before you create a word, even during another player’s turn, you can draw more cards from your draw pile by spending one Ink token per card. When you draw a card this way, keep it visible in front of you and put the Ink token you used on top of the card. This lets all players know that the card was drawn using Ink. On your next turn, you must use all cards with Ink tokens. You can’t turn them face-down or use them as wildcards. Using Ink tokens is the only way to draw extra cards in Hardback. But be careful! If you go too far and can’t make a word with the cards covered by Ink tokens, you have to give up your turn. Discard all your cards, including the extra ones, return all spent Ink tokens to the supply, and draw a new hand for your next turn.
2. I can spend three Ink tokens to gain one Coin during the Purchase phase of my turn. For every group of three Ink tokens, I can gain one Coin.

Remover

Remover tokens have a special power – they can remove an Ink token from a card when drawn. If I have a card in front of me with an Ink token on it, I can use a Remover token to discard the Ink token and add the card to my hand.

Once the Ink token is removed, the card becomes normal and I can decide whether or not to use it in my word and whether or not to make it wild. I can only get Remover tokens as rewards from playing certain cards; they cannot be purchased.

When you use a Remover token, you can return it along with the canceled Ink back to the general supply.

Remember, there is no limit to how many Ink and Remover tokens you can collect while playing the game. You’re not restricted by the components that come with the box.

The Game’s End

Once a player reaches at least 60 Prestige, the game continues as normal until it reaches the player to their right.

Basically, every player should have the same number of turns when the game ends.

When the last player finishes their turn, the player with the most Prestige wins and becomes the greatest author of the era! In the event of a tie, the player with the most ink remaining is declared the winner.

Advice from the Editors

Don’t worry too much if you can’t use all your letters in a word. Any card can be a wild card, and you’ll still get new letters on your next turn no matter what.

Try to focus on one or two types of writing styles so you have a better chance of getting multiple cards of the same genre in one hand.

You can use your opponents’ Timeless Classic cards in your own words before they get another turn! Even though you won’t get the benefits, it’s often worth it because it stops them from getting ongoing effects.

Using Ink is a good way to take a risk and get more benefits, as well as buy stronger cards. Just be careful because you have to use all the letters you draw with Ink in one turn.

• Don’t be afraid to accept help from a Ghost Writer. There is an abundance of ink, and even the most skilled writers can enhance their work by working with others.