How to play Viceroy Official Rules

By: Dennis B. B. Taylor

Viceroy Game Rules

Welcome to the world of Viceroy! In this captivating game, you’ll dive into a world filled with mystery and strategy as you strive to become the most powerful ruler. As in any game, there are rules that shape the gameplay and guide your path to victory. Here, I will present to you the essential rules of Viceroy, helping you understand the intricate mechanics and enticing possibilities.

Component Overview

Before we delve into the gameplay, let’s take a moment to familiarize ourselves with the components of Viceroy. The game consists of Gem Cards, Law Cards, Viceroy Cards, and a board displaying different provinces. Each component serves a specific purpose and contributes to the overall dynamics of the game.

Game Setup

To start playing Viceroy, you need to follow a few simple steps. Firstly, lay out the province board in the center of the playing area. Shuffle the Law Cards and deal five to each player, placing the rest face-down as a draw pile. Create a separate deck for each Law Type (Green, Yellow, and Red) by placing the corresponding cards face-up next to the board. Shuffle the Gem Cards and place them face-down as a draw pile. Each player will also receive a set number of Viceroy Cards, depending on the number of players. And lastly, determine the starting player.

Objective of the Game

In Viceroy, your ultimate goal is to accumulate the most Power Points (PP) at the end of the game. You earn PP by strategically placing Gem Cards onto your Viceroy Cards and fulfilling their requirements. Additionally, Law Cards and special abilities can also help you increase your PP. Remember, the player with the highest PP wins!

Gameplay

The game consists of several rounds, with each round divided into three phases: Recruitment, Resolution, and Scoring.

Recruitment Phase: During this phase, players take turns in clockwise order. On your turn, you can either claim a Viceroy Card or decline and gain one PP. To claim a Viceroy Card, simply pay the required Gem Cards and place the Viceroy Card in front of you. You can only have a maximum of three Viceroy Cards. Resolution Phase: In this phase, players simultaneously decide whether to use their Law Cards or not. Using Law Cards allows you to activate their effects and potentially gain PP or other advantages. However, using a Law Card means losing the corresponding Gem Card. Players reveal their chosen Law Cards simultaneously, following the order of the Law Types (Green, Yellow, and Red). Scoring Phase: During this final phase of the round, PP is calculated. Each Viceroy Card has a specific scoring time, indicated by numbers from one to three. Players earn PP based on the Gem Cards they have placed on their Viceroy Cards. The more Gem Cards and higher values you have, the more PP you’ll receive.

End of the Game

The game continues for a number of rounds determined by the number of players. Once the final round is completed, the game ends, and players tally their PP. The player with the highest PP emerges as the ruler, ascending to greatness and mastering the art of governing.

Now that you’re familiar with the rules of Viceroy, it’s time to embark on this thrilling journey where power and strategy intertwine. Get ready to shape your destiny and build a legacy that will be remembered for ages to come. May fortune favor the one who dares to become the greatest ruler in Viceroy!

  • There are 60 character cards
  • There are 20 law cards
  • There are 4 auction cards
  • There are 64 gemstones
  • There are 33 double-sided magic/science tokens
  • There are 17 double-sided attack/defense tokens
  • There are 54 power point tokens of different values
  • There are 24 bonus tokens for magic
  • There are 12 bonus tokens for circles
  • There are 4 players’ screens
  • There are Instructions

Object of the Game

In the game of Laar, I struggle to take control over a fantasy world. I recruit allies such as wanderers and princes and create various laws.

Throughout the game, I build my pyramid of power by strengthening my military and magical abilities, increasing my authority, and gathering valuable gemstones to expand my nation.

When you play the game, the goal is to gather as many power points as possible. The player who collects the most power points will become the ruler of Laar and be declared the winner!

Now, let’s talk about how to set up the game:

Setup

Hey there! Let’s get started with the auction setup for this awesome game. I’ll guide you step by step, so you’ll be ready to play in no time!

First things first, grab four auction cards and place them in a line on the table. It doesn’t matter what order they’re in, but make sure all the arrows on the cards face the same direction. This will be our auction line! Cool, right? That’s step one!

Next up, we need to set up some piles in the middle of the table. We’ll have separate piles for magic and science, attack and defense, power point, and bonus tokens. Make sure they’re all in their own piles and nicely organized. That’s step two done!

Now, let’s move on to setting up the gemstone reserve. The reserve is like our treasure trove of colorful gems! Depending on how many players we have, we’ll need a certain number of gemstones. For a two-player game, we’ll need 32 gems (8 of each color). In a three-player game, it’s 48 gems (12 of each color). And for a four-player game, we’ll use all 64 gemstones.

Here’s the trick: each player gets to use 4 gemstones of each color. So, divide the gemstones accordingly and place the reserve in the middle of the table. Any leftover gemstones can go back in the game box. That’s step three wrapped up!

Great job! Now we’re all set up and ready to dive into the exciting world of auctions and gemstones. Have a blast playing and may the best bidder win!

When we play the game, we each get a screen 4. Behind our screens, we hide our gemstones. It’s important that nobody knows which gemstones are hidden behind other players’ screens.

We start with 8 gemstones of different colors. Each player gets 2 of each color, so we have 6 gemstones behind our screens at the start of the game. We also return 2 random gemstones to the reserve.

The character cards are shuffled and we each get 2 cards. We choose one card and place it face-up in front of us. The card’s bottom row shows the reward we’ll receive. This card becomes the base of our pyramid. The second card goes into our hand.

Hey there! Let me walk you through how to set up the game. It’s super easy, I promise!

Start by dividing the deck of character cards into two stacks. We have the big deck with 48 cards, and the small deck with the remaining ones. The large deck goes face-down next to the auction cards, and the small deck goes on the other side of the auction cards – both face-down, of course!

Now, let’s reveal some cards! Take the top four cards from the large deck and place them face-up next to the auction cards, right at the bases of the arrows. The first card goes next to the leftmost auction card, the second card goes next to the one right after it, and so on.

Next, we’re going to shuffle the law deck. Each player will receive three cards from this shuffled deck. The law deck goes face-down next to the small deck. Now, here’s the trick – the players add these law cards to their hands but keep them hidden from their opponents.

Now, let’s talk about color independent tokens!

Character Card

I have a really cool character card to share with you! It’s a special way to learn more about a character in a book, movie, or even a video game. You might find character cards in a game guide or on a website. They’re like a little summary of everything you need to know about a character.

Let’s take a closer look at a character card and see what we can learn. First, we have the character’s name in big letters at the top. This helps us know who we’re talking about. Next, there’s usually a picture of the character. This can show us what they look like and help us imagine them in our minds.

Underneath the picture, there are usually some key details about the character. This might include things like their age, where they’re from, or even their special abilities. It’s like a little snapshot of the character’s background.

On the left side of the card, we’ll find some more information about the character. This might include their personality traits, likes and dislikes, or even their goals and motivations. It helps us understand what makes the character tick and why they do what they do.

Finally, at the bottom of the card, we might find some fun facts or interesting tidbits about the character. This could be something like their favorite food or a secret talent they have. It adds a little extra flavor to the character and makes them more interesting to learn about.

Character cards are a great way to get to know a character on a deeper level. They give us a quick and easy way to understand who the character is and what they’re all about. Plus, they’re a lot of fun to collect and compare with your friends!

So, next time you’re reading a book, watching a movie, or playing a video game, see if you can find a character card for one of the characters. It’s like having a cheat sheet for learning all about them. Happy character exploring!

How to Play the Game

Hi there! I’m excited to tell you all about Viceroy and how to play it. It’s a fun game where your main goal is to earn as many power points as you can. And guess what? I’ll show you how!

So, in Viceroy, you have these cards that you can play. The trick is to play them strategically and aim for the highest levels of your power pyramid. The higher you go, the more points you earn. Pretty cool, right?

The game has 12 turns, and each turn is divided into two phases. During each phase, all players, including you, get to take action at the same time. It’s all about making quick decisions!

  1. Auction Phase: In this phase, you can take part in an auction to get a character card. Each player has the opportunity to grab one.
  2. Development Phase: This is where the action really happens. You can play up to three cards from your hand. The more cards you play, the more power points you can earn. Go all out!

Oh, and one important thing! Every card you play throughout the game goes in your pyramid. But don’t worry, your pyramid isn’t a secret. It’s there for everyone to see. So make sure to place your cards side by side, nice and visible.

Imagine a tower made of cards. The bottom row is the first level, the one above it is the second level, and so on, up to the fifth level. To build the tower, each card in the upper levels must rest on two cards in the lower levels. And here’s the catch – the colored sections of these three cards must form a circle, but it doesn’t have to be all the same color.

When you start playing the game, your power pyramid only has one card on the first level. You get to choose whether to place the next card to the right or left of that card.

Now, when you play your next card, you have more options. You can place it to the right or left of the cards you’ve already played, or you can even put it on top of two first-level cards, creating the second level of the pyramid.

When playing the game, you can’t change or take away cards that are already making up the pyramid, unless a law card says you can. The pyramid can’t have more than five levels, but there’s no limit to how long the base can be.

  • Did you know that cards are considered adjacent even if they’re on different levels? A card can actually be adjacent to up to six other cards. Pretty neat, huh?
  • Now, here’s something interesting about the law cards. Sometimes, they might tell you to put a card underneath another card. But don’t worry, that doesn’t count as playing a card. The best part? You don’t have to pay anything for that card, and you don’t get a reward either. It’s like a freebie!
  • Oh, and speaking of free stuff, if there’s no higher-level card resting on the outermost card in a row, and no cards underneath it, that card is considered free! So, keep an eye out for those freebies, my friend.

I. Let’s Get Auctioning!

Alright, let’s talk about how the bidding process works in this game. At this point, we’re in the bidding phase, and some character cards are placed face-up on the table. Each of these cards is paired with an auction card of a specific color. To get one of the character cards, you need to bid with a gemstone of the same color as the corresponding auction card.

For example, if you want the Captain card, which is next to the yellow auction card, you’ll have to bid with a yellow gemstone.

So, here’s the deal, folks. We’re about to get into some serious bidding action. Each of us gets to pick a character card we want from the auction. For that, we need to grab a gemstone of the same color from behind our screens and keep it hidden in our fists. That’s right, it’s a secret. Ready? Let’s go!

Once everyone has chosen their gemstone, we all reveal our bids at the same time. It’s like a big surprise party!

If only one person has picked a certain color, they get the character card that goes with it. Easy peasy. Then they just return their gemstone back to its hiding spot. Auction phase over for them!

Now, if two or more of us have chosen the same color, things get interesting. Nobody gets the card, and all the gemstones go back to where they came from. It’s like starting all over again. But don’t worry, these players still have a chance to join the second round of bidding if they want. But wait, there’s an exception! If two players pick a color that matches two cards, they can work it out between themselves and decide who gets what. Pretty cool, huh?

When you play this game, you have the option to not participate in the auction. If you choose to skip the auction, you don’t need to bid a gemstone, but you still mimic the gesture as if you did. Once everyone has made their bids, you reveal that your hand is empty and declare that you are passing.

In this case, you won’t receive any cards and won’t be part of any future auctions during this phase.

After the first auction is over, all players who didn’t receive any cards and didn’t pass move on to the second auction. If, by the end of the second auction, there are still players who haven’t passed or taken a card, the third and final auction begins.

Any players who haven’t received a card by the end of the third auction are considered to have passed.

Keep in mind:

  • If there are no gemstones of the corresponding color behind your screen, you can’t bid on a card.
  • If you don’t bid any gemstones, you can’t receive a card during an auction (except for attack tokens).
  • Even if you couldn’t receive any cards, all the gemstones you bid are returned to the reserve.
  • You can only receive one card at the auction per turn.
  • If you receive a card or pass, you can’t participate in any more auctions during that turn.
  • There can be a maximum of three auctions per turn.
  • If there are no character cards next to the auction card of a certain color, you can’t bid a gemstone of that color.

When I take part in an auction, any cards I receive are added to my hand. But hold on, those cards aren’t considered played yet. I have the chance to play them during the development phase, which is pretty cool.

If we all agree, my fellow players and I can decide who gets to play which color before the auction. It’s not something we have to do, but it’s an option. Oh, and by the way, we can’t trade gemstones, tokens, or cards. We also can’t show each other what’s behind our screens, unless a law card tells us to.

Here’s something interesting that can happen starting from the second turn: there might be two character cards right next to the same auction card. Yup, that’s right, one card at the base of the arrow and another one at the tip.

If only one of us bids on this color, you can choose whichever of the two cards you want (but not both). If both of us bid on this color, let’s decide between ourselves who will take which card. If we do that, we’ll get our cards and won’t participate in any more auctions this turn.

But if we both want the same card, none of us will get it, and we’ll move on to the next auction. And if three or four of us bid on a color with two character cards, none of us will take a card, and the next auction will start.

Once each of us has either received a card or passed (after the third auction, anyone who hasn’t received a card automatically passes), the auction phase ends. All character cards that are at the ends of the arrows on the auction cards are thrown away.

When you see those arrows, you take all the cards beneath them and move them to the other side of the auction cards. Then, you reveal four new character cards from the large deck and put them at the bases of the arrows, just like you did at the beginning of the game.

If the last four character cards are revealed from the deck, that means the next turn will be the final one.

What Happens When I Decide Not to Bid?

There are two situations in which you are considered to have passed:

  • If, during the auction, you choose not to bid on a gemstone and instead reveal that your hand is empty. This can happen at any point during the auction.
  • If, after three rounds of auctions, you have not been able to acquire a character card.

Once you have passed, you get to select three gemstones of your choice from the reserve. But that’s not all! If you happen to have any science tokens in your pyramid, you can also grab an extra gemstone for each token. Remember to place all the gemstones you’ve taken behind your screen.

When a group of players passes at the same time, we each take gemstones in a particular order. First, the player with the lowest number in their pyramid takes gems, followed by the player with the next lowest number, and so on. We each take all the gems we’re supposed to take.

Pay Attention:

  • If there are no more gemstones of a certain color in the reserve, you can’t take gemstones of that color.
  • If there aren’t enough gemstones in the reserve, take as many as you can.
  • If there are no gemstones in the reserve, you don’t get any.
  • You can’t pass twice in the same turn.

II. Development Phase

This phase has three rounds where we play cards.

When a round begins, we each have to pick a card and put it facedown on the table. If you don’t want to play a card, you can just pass. But once you pass, you’re out for the rest of this round. Passing doesn’t earn you any gemstones, though.

For those who do want to play a card, we choose independently and then reveal them at the same time. We play the cards in order of their numbers, starting with the lowest one. Each of us puts our card in our pyramid and follows its instructions.

To play a character card, you have to pick an empty space in your pyramid and pay its cost, which depends on where you want to place it.

In each character card, you’ll find four rows at the left side. These rows represent the four levels of the pyramid. The bottom row is for the first level, followed by the second, third, and finally the top row for the fourth level.

In each row, just before the colon, there’s a symbol of a gemstone. This symbol shows the cost of playing the card on that level. Keep in mind that you have to pay the cost not only for the level where you play the card, but also for all the levels beneath it.

When you play a law card, you don’t need to pay anything. You can place it in any available space in your pyramid, except for the fifth level. Immediately after playing a law card, its effect comes into play. Depending on the card, its effect can happen only once, continuously, or at the end of the game. Either way, the law card stays in your pyramid.

Here’s an example: If you choose to be the Captain on the first level of the pyramid, you’ll need to give up one green gemstone (shown in the bottom row of the card).

But if you decide to play the same card on the second level, you’ll have to pay with one green gemstone (in the bottom row) and one blue gemstone (from the second row). If you go for the Captain on the third level, it’ll cost you one green, one blue, and one yellow gemstone. And if you aim for the fourth level, the price will be one green, one blue, and two yellow gemstones.

Remember, these are the rules for playing any card:

  • If you play a card on the first level, you can place it on either side of other cards on that level.

I’m going to have some fun here and rewrite this text with a playful tone while keeping the original information intact. Let’s see how it turns out!

  • So, here’s the deal: when you play a card on the second level or higher, it has to rest on two cards from the previous level. And get this, the colored sections of all three cards have to form a circle! Pretty cool, right? And just so you know, the circle doesn’t have to be all one color. Variety is the spice of life!
  • Oh, but wait, there’s more! If you happen to create a circle with cards of the same color after playing a card in your pyramid, you’re in for a treat. You get to snag a gemstone of that exact color from the reserve! How awesome is that?!
  • Now, here’s the real challenge. To play a character card on the fifth level, you not only need to pay the cost required to play it on the fourth level, but you also have to cough up an extra gemstone. Yup, you heard me right. The card will show you the color of the gemstone you need to give up in the top row. For example, if you want to play the Captain on the fifth level, you’ll have to pay one green, one blue, and three yellow gemstones. It’s all about balance, my friend!
  • When you bid on cards during the auction, the gems you spend have no connection to the gems you need to play the cards. These are separate costs and don’t affect each other.
  • When you pay to play a card, you take the required gems from behind your screen and put them back in the reserve.
  • As soon as you play a card, you immediately receive a reward. The reward and the cost of playing the card depend on the level of your pyramid where you played it. However, you don’t receive any rewards for the previous levels, only for the level where you placed the card.
  • For example: If you play the Captain on the first level of your pyramid, you get to take one card from either the law deck or the small deck (as shown in the bottom row on the card).

    If you play a card on the second level, you’ll get five gemstones. That’s the row right above the very bottom. On the third level, the Captain will give you a magic token. And on the fourth level, you’ll earn 12 power points.

    Now let’s talk about the fifth level. When you play a character on that level, you have two options. You can either get the rewards shown in the first three rows of the card, or you can place a 15 power points token on the card.

    Let’s use the Captain as an example. If you play the Captain on the fifth level, you can choose to do one of three things. You can draw one card, take 5 gemstones and place a magic token on the card, or you can put a 15 points token on the card.

    Once everyone has received their rewards for the cards they played, it’s time for the next round of the development phase.

    Now, there are three options for ending the development phase. You can either complete three rounds of development, wait until all players have passed, or until all players have used up their turns. Once any of these conditions are met, it’s time to move on to the Auction Phase.

    What You Get in Return

    The Precious Gems You’ll Earn

    When it comes to rewards, there’s something truly special about the gemstones you’ll receive. These little wonders hold the power to captivate, inspire, and transform your experience. They are like tiny fragments of magic, waiting to be discovered.

    You might be wondering, “What can these gemstones do for me?” Well, let me tell you. These gemstones are not your ordinary rocks. They possess unique properties that can make a real difference in your life.

    Imagine you have the Tiger’s Eye gemstone in your possession. This powerful stone is known for its ability to enhance focus and determination. It can help you overcome challenges and stay motivated when things get tough. With the Tiger’s Eye by your side, you’ll have the strength and clarity to conquer any task that comes your way.

    Or maybe you prefer the soothing and calming energy of the Amethyst. This gemstone is known for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. It can help you find inner peace and create a sense of harmony in your life. With the Amethyst by your side, you’ll feel a wave of tranquility washing over you.

    Each gemstone carries its own unique set of qualities and benefits. Whether it’s the energizing properties of the Citrine, the protective nature of the Black Onyx, or the loving vibes of the Rose Quartz, there’s a gemstone that’s just right for you.

    But it’s not just about the individual gemstones. It’s about the overall experience of collecting and connecting with these precious treasures. Each gemstone you earn becomes a meaningful symbol of your journey and personal growth.

    So, imagine yourself holding a beautiful gemstone in the palm of your hand. Feel its energy radiating through your fingertips. Let it remind you of the power you possess and the potential that lies within. These gemstones are more than just pretty rocks – they are catalysts for transformation and tools for self-discovery.

    When you embark on the journey of collecting gemstones, you open yourself up to a world of endless possibilities. Each gemstone becomes a stepping stone on your path to personal evolution. With every new gemstone you earn, you’ll uncover a new part of yourself and unlock a new level of growth.

    Are you ready to embark on this magical adventure? It’s time to dive into the world of gemstones and discover the power they hold. So, go ahead and start your gemstone collection today. You won’t be disappointed.

    When I’m playing the game, I can choose any combination of gemstone colors from the reserve. If there aren’t enough gemstones in the reserve, I’ll take as many as I can.

    If there are no gemstones left in the reserve, I won’t take any. I’ll place the gemstones I’ve taken behind my screen.

    The Energy of Power Points

    When you play this card, you put a power point token on it. These points will be added to your score at the end of the game.

    If there isn’t a token with the exact value you need, you can use multiple tokens of lesser value. Just remember, it will still count as one power point token.

    Cards from the small deck or the law deck

    When playing the game, you need to retrieve a specific number of cards. You can choose to draw them from the law deck or the small deck. It’s up to you how you want to divide the cards if you need to draw two of them.

    Add the cards you draw to your hand. During the development phase, you have the option to play any cards from your hand, whether they are laws or characters.

    Exploring Science

    When you play this card, you’ll need to place a science token on it. Some cards let you place 2 science tokens on the fourth level. It’s important to remember that science and magic go hand in hand, so you’ll place the token with the science side facing up.

    Having science tokens comes with its benefits. They allow you to collect extra gemstones when you pass. Let’s say you have 4 science tokens in your pyramid. If you pass, you’ll be able to take 3 + 4 = 7 gemstones. These tokens also count towards your final score.

    Discover the Magic

    When you play, you can put a special token on this card. Some cards let you put 2 tokens on the fourth level. Remember, science and magic are like two sides of a coin. This token is placed with the magic side facing up. The tokens don’t do anything during the game, but they can score you a lot of points at the end.

    Now, let’s talk about defense.

    When you play this card, you’ll put a defense token on it. You see, attack and defense go hand in hand, like two sides of the same coin. In this case, the token is placed with the defense side facing up.

    Now, defense tokens don’t have any immediate use during the game. However, they do come in handy when it’s time for the final scoring. They can earn you points and provide protection against enemy attacks.

    Let’s talk a bit about attack.

    So here’s what you do: you grab an attack token and hide it behind the screen. Now, remember, it doesn’t matter which side is up because both sides have the same effect while the token is behind the screen. We’ll save the defense tokens for the pyramid.

    If you’ve got an attack token hidden away, you can use it instead of the regular bid during the auction phase. Just hold it in your fist and you’re good to go. This means you get to pick any one card right at the start of the Auction Phase, before anyone else.

    Once you’ve used the attack token, return it to the reserve. But here’s the thing, you won’t be participating in any more auctions this turn. You’ve already snagged a card, so you’re all set. And here’s a cool bonus: if you manage to grab the last card of a certain color, everyone else who bid on that color loses their bid. Tough luck for them, but hey, that’s the way the game goes.

    When it comes to the auction, if multiple players use attack tokens, the player with the card having the lowest number in their pyramid is the first to acquire a card. At the end of the game, any remaining attack tokens you have will deduct points from your opponents.

    Magic or Circles Bonus Token

    When you play this card, you need to put the specified token on it. Remember, bonus tokens come in different values and symbols. These tokens don’t have a purpose during the game, but they can earn you points at the end.

    Magic Gemstone

    When I play the game, I get to choose a gemstone that matches the color shown on the card. I can take it from the reserve and place it on the card. But if there are no gemstones of that color in the reserve, I can take one from behind my own screen.

    If I don’t have any gemstones of the right color behind my own screen either, I don’t place a gemstone on the card. However, there’s a special rule that allows me to use an infinite gemstone once per turn. This means that when I need to spend gems during the development phase, I can declare that I’m using the infinite gemstone.

    When I use the infinite gemstone, I reduce the number of gemstones I need to spend by one of the same color. For example, if I need to spend one yellow gemstone and two blue gemstones, and I have a blue infinite gemstone, I can declare that I’m using it and only spend one blue and one yellow gemstone.

    If you have multiple infinite gemstones, you can choose any of them to use each time. However, you can only use each infinite gemstone once per turn. The gemstone stays on the card in your pyramid and you can use it in future turns following the same rules.

    Restrictions on Components

    Once cards are discarded, they are never put back into the decks for the current game. If a deck runs out of cards, none of the players can draw from it.

    The number of gemstones is limited based on the number of players. If there are no gemstones of a particular color left in the reserve, players are unable to take gemstones of that color until someone spends one and returns it to the reserve. It is not possible to add gemstones during the game or use any substitutes for them.

    In the game, you’ll find enough of everything you need, except in rare cases. But don’t worry! If there’s a shortage, you can use coins or other markers instead.

    You can have as many cards and gemstones as you want. Your pyramid can hold any number of cards, but only five levels.

    Dealing with Conflicts

    In Viceroy, most actions happen at the same time. But sometimes, we need to figure out the order (like when there are only a few gemstones left and players want them).

    In those moments, we go in order from the lowest card number to the highest.

    When the game starts, the player with the card with the lowest number in their pyramid takes the first turn. They complete the entire action, and then it’s the next player’s turn, who has the next lowest card in their pyramid.

    It’s especially important to determine the order if multiple players use attack tokens during the auction phase. In this situation, the player with the lowest number card goes first and chooses a card from the auction.

    The only exception is when several players play the same color cards during an auction. In this case, they hold an additional auction following the rules.

    End of the Game

    If all four character cards are dealt from the large deck at the end of the auction phase, the game will enter its final turn. This last turn will be played until the end, at which point the players will determine the winner.

    First, you and the other players will remove your screens and discard any law and character cards that you haven’t played. Then, you can use your remaining gemstones to “paint” sections of the circles that are formed where three cards touch.

    To change the color of a section, simply place a gemstone of your choice on it. Each circle has four sections: two on the top corners of the lower cards, and two on the bottom side of the top card.

    When you “paint” sections, you can create circles with different colors and turn them into circles of a single color. However, if you create a single-color circle using this method, you won’t receive a gemstone of that color because it didn’t result from playing a card.

    After you have completed all the sections you wanted to “paint,” you count your victory points in the following way:

    Points for single-color circles

    When you create a single-color circle in my pyramid, you earn power points equal to the level where the top card in that circle is placed. This means that the higher the level, the more power points you earn. It’s like building a tower of circles, with each level adding to your points.

    But wait! There’s more! Some bonus tokens can give you extra points for creating circles of a specific color. Let’s say you have a green circle between the first and second levels, which is worth 2 points. And let’s say you also have a bonus token that gives you +4 points for a green circle. That means your green circle is worth 2 + 4 = 6 points in total.

    So, by strategically placing your cards and using bonus tokens, you can multiply your points and elevate your game. It’s a bit like a puzzle, figuring out the best way to maximize your score. And the more points you earn, the closer you get to victory!

    Earn Points for Infinite Gemstones

    When you have an infinite gemstone in your pyramid, you earn power points based on its level. The higher the level, the more power points you receive. If you have a yellow infinite gemstone on the third level, for example, you would earn 3 points.

    But that’s not all! Bonus tokens for circles can also give you extra points for each infinite gemstone of their color. Let’s say you have a yellow infinite gemstone on the third level, worth 3 points, and a bonus token that gives you an additional 4 points for yellow circles. In this case, your yellow gemstone would give you a total of 7 points (3 + 4).

    Points for law cards

    When you look at the text on a law card that has power points at the end of the game, it tells you how many points it gives and what for. You only get points from law cards that are part of the pyramid.

    Points for power point tokens

    When you play a power point token in your pyramid, you earn points equal to the token’s value.

    Points for magic

    When you have magic tokens in your pyramid, each token gives you points based on the bonus tokens you have for magic. Let me give you an example. If you have 3 magic tokens in your pyramid, and you also have a bonus token that gives you +5 points for magic and another bonus token that gives you +2 points for magic, you will gain a total of 7 points for each magic token. That means you will have a grand total of 21 points for your 3 magic tokens. Here’s the catch though – in order to get points for magic, you need to have both magic tokens and bonus tokens for magic in your pyramid. If you only have one type of token, you won’t get any points for magic.

    Points for completed sets

    When you have a set of three tokens in your pyramid – one defense token, one magic token, and one science token – you gain 12 power points. It’s important to note that each token can only be used in one set. So, if you have 2 defense tokens, 5 magic tokens, and 3 science tokens, you’ll earn 24 points for having 2 sets.

    The downside of attack tokens

    When playing the game, I keep track of how many unused attack tokens my opponents still have at the end. For each token they have, I lose 4 power points. But here’s the twist – if I have defense tokens, they can neutralize the attack tokens. Let me give you an example: if one opponent has 2 attack tokens left and another has 3, I would lose 20 points (4 x (2 + 3)). However, if I have 2 defense tokens, the calculation changes. I would lose 12 points (4 x (2 + 3 – 2)).

    Now, the goal is to have the most power points after everything is said and done. That’s how you win the game!

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