Board Game Arena - User contributions [en]

Gamehelpphotosynthesis

2023-02-12T17:01:02Z

Caranteth: Document structure

=== Objective ===
Help your species of tree outcompete the others in the forest to absorb as much sunlight as possible over the course of three (or four) full rotations of the sun. When a tree reaches the end of its lifecycle, you will earn points based on the richness of the soil it was growing in.

=== Components ===
Each player has their own personal Player Board from which they can purchase new seedlings and trees of various sizes. The costs of purchase are indicated next to each space, and items must be purchased from the bottom up (cheapest first). Any items purchased are stored next to the board, to the right hand side. This supply represents seeds and trees that are available for planting.

In the centre of the table is a map of the forest, which is split into 4 zones differentiated by the number of leaves printed in each hex. The further towards the centre of forest, the more rich (and general more valuable in terms of points) is the soil.

At one corner of the board is a "Sun Segment". This indicates the direction that the sun shines from on any given round. During the game it will rotate around the board three times (four in the long game), taking 6 rounds to make each full rotation around the board.

=== Setup phase ===
Players take turns to place one of their available small trees onto the edge of the main board, in the "one leaf" zone. This is then repeated until every player has placed two of their small trees.

=== Playing a round ===
Each time the sun is in one position, a round of two phases is played.

==== Photosynthesis Phase (collecting "light points") ====
Except for the first round of the game, the current first player will rotate the Sun Segment clockwise around the board to its next position. Every player receives light points based on the size of their trees (see table below) '''unless''' they are being shaded by any other trees in the forest.

===== Shade =====
Any tree will cast a shadow behind it (i.e. in the direction opposite to the sun). A seedling or tree that is in shadow will not generate light points '''unless''' it is at least one size category larger than the tree casting the shadow. The species of tree casting the shadow is not relevant (meaning a player can affect their own trees).

The length of shadow each size of tree casts is shown in the table below.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Tree Size
!Light Points Generated / Length of Shadow / Seed Throw Distance / Growth Costs
|-
|Seedling
|0
|-
|Small
|1
|-
|Medium
|2
|-
|Large
|3
|}

===== Life Cycle Phase (spending light points to perform actions) =====
Starting with the first player, players can spend their light points on a number of actions. Any unspent light points can be saved for future rounds.

'''Where an action involves activating a tree, note that each tree's space may only be activated once per round.''' This means that you cannot grow the same tree more than once per round, or throw out a seed from and grow the same tree, or grow and collect the same tree on the same round.

====== Possible Actions ======

====== i. Buy new items ======
Spend light points to purchase items from your Player Board for the indicated costs. Items may be purchased from any column but must be purchased from the bottom up (i.e. cheapest first). Purchased items are placed to the right of the Player Board to denote that they are available to be planted.

====== ii. Plant a seed ======
So long a seed is available to the right of the player board, that tree can be activated (using the ^ icon) to throw out a seed into a nearby empty space. The distance a tree can throw out its seeds is based on its size as shown in the table above.

'''(NB - under the Heavy Shadow variant, the planting action is not available while the source tree is in shade.)'''

====== iii. Grow a tree ======
So long as the next size of tree is available to the right of the player board, a planted seedling or tree can be activated (using the ^ icon) to grow to the next size. The original token is then placed back onto the Player Board in the topmost available space of that type. If no space is available, then the token is removed from the game.

'''(NB - under the Heavy Shadow variant, the growth action is not available while the tree you wish to grow is in shade.)'''

====== iv. Collect scoring tokens ======
A large tree can be activated (using the ^ icon) to end its life cycle and collect a scoring token from the top of the pile corresponding to its soil type. If the pile has already been exhausted, then the player would receive the topmost token from the next lowest available pile of tokens.

The tree itself is removed from the main board and returned to the Player Board as per the removal rules under "Grow a tree" above.

Although the collecting player may not activate the space again that round, the vacant space '''may''' be used by other players to plant a new seedling later in the same round.

==== End of a round ====
When all players have had a turn, the first player passes in a clockwise direction and a new round begins, starting with the rotation of the sun and the photosynthesis phase.

Once the sun completes one full revolution of the board, the top Sun Revolution token is removed from the game.

=== End of the game ===
Once the Sun Revolution tokens have been exhausted (i.e. after 3 full rotations - or 4 in the variant rules) the game will end. Players count the value of their scoring tokens and add 1 point per 3 unspent light points (round down). The player with the most points wins. In case of a tie, the player with the most seeds and trees on the main board is the winner. In the case of a further tie, all tied players win.

=== Variant rules ===

==== Long Mode ====
Add a fourth Sun Revolution token, extending the game length from the standard 18 rounds to 24.

==== Heavy Shadow ====
Players cannot activate trees in shade to perform the "plant a seed" or "grow" actions.

Gamehelpphotosynthesis

2023-02-12T16:58:55Z

Caranteth: Document structure

=== Objective ===
Help your species of tree outcompete the others in the forest to absorb as much sunlight as possible over the course of three (or four) full rotations of the sun. When a tree reaches the end of its lifecycle, you will earn points based on the richness of the soil it was growing in.

=== Components ===
Each player has their own personal Player Board from which they can purchase new seedlings and trees of various sizes. The costs of purchase are indicated next to each space, and items must be purchased from the bottom up (cheapest first). Any items purchased are stored next to the board, to the right hand side. This supply represents seeds and trees that are available for planting.

In the centre of the table is a map of the forest, which is split into 4 zones differentiated by the number of leaves printed in each hex. The further towards the centre of forest, the more rich (and general more valuable in terms of points) is the soil.

At one corner of the board is a "Sun Segment". This indicates the direction that the sun shines from on any given round. During the game it will rotate around the board three times (four in the long game), taking 6 rounds to make each full rotation around the board.

=== Setup phase ===
Players take turns to place one of their available small trees onto the edge of the main board, in the "one leaf" zone. This is then repeated until every player has placed two of their small trees.

=== Playing a round ===
Each time the sun is in one position, a round of two phases is played.

==== 1. Photosynthesis Phase (collecting "light points") ====
Except for the first round of the game, the current first player will rotate the Sun Segment clockwise around the board to its next position. Every player receives light points based on the size of their trees (see table below) '''unless''' they are being shaded by any other trees in the forest.

==== Shade ====
Any tree will cast a shadow behind it (i.e. in the direction opposite to the sun). A seedling or tree that is in shadow will not generate light points '''unless''' it is at least one size category larger than the tree casting the shadow. The species of tree casting the shadow is not relevant (meaning a player can affect their own trees).

The length of shadow each size of tree casts is shown in the table below.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Tree Size
!Light Points Generated / Length of Shadow / Seed Throw Distance / Growth Costs
|-
|Seedling
|0
|-
|Small
|1
|-
|Medium
|2
|-
|Large
|3
|}

===== 2. Life Cycle Phase (spending light points to perform actions) =====
Starting with the first player, players can spend their light points on a number of actions. Any unspent light points can be saved for future rounds.

'''Where an action involves activating a tree, note that each tree's space may only be activated once per round.''' This means that you cannot grow the same tree more than once per round, or throw out a seed from and grow the same tree, or grow and collect the same tree on the same round.

====== Possible Actions ======

====== Buy new items ======
Spend light points to purchase items from your Player Board for the indicated costs. Items may be purchased from any column but must be purchased from the bottom up (i.e. cheapest first). Purchased items are placed to the right of the Player Board to denote that they are available to be planted.

====== Plant a seed ======
So long a seed is available to the right of the player board, that tree can be activated (using the ^ icon) to throw out a seed into a nearby empty space. The distance a tree can throw out its seeds is based on its size as shown in the table above.

'''(NB - under the Heavy Shadow variant, the planting action is not available while the source tree is in shade.)'''

====== Grow a tree ======
So long as the next size of tree is available to the right of the player board, a planted seedling or tree can be activated (using the ^ icon) to grow to the next size. The original token is then placed back onto the Player Board in the topmost available space of that type. If no space is available, then the token is removed from the game.

'''(NB - under the Heavy Shadow variant, the growth action is not available while the tree you wish to grow is in shade.)'''

====== Collect scoring tokens ======
A large tree can be activated (using the ^ icon) to end its life cycle and collect a scoring token from the top of the pile corresponding to its soil type. If the pile has already been exhausted, then the player would receive the topmost token from the next lowest available pile of tokens.

The tree itself is removed from the main board and returned to the Player Board as per the removal rules under "Grow a tree" above.

Although the collecting player may not activate the space again that round, the vacant space '''may''' be used by other players to plant a new seedling later in the same round.

==== End of a round ====
When all players have had a turn, the first player passes in a clockwise direction and a new round begins, starting with the rotation of the sun and the photosynthesis phase.

Once the sun completes one full revolution of the board, the top Sun Revolution token is removed from the game.

=== End of the game ===
Once the Sun Revolution tokens have been exhausted (i.e. after 3 full rotations - or 4 in the variant rules) the game will end. Players count the value of their scoring tokens and add 1 point per 3 unspent light points (round down). The player with the most points wins. In case of a tie, the player with the most seeds and trees on the main board is the winner. In the case of a further tie, all tied players win.

=== Variant rules ===

==== Long Mode ====
Add a fourth Sun Revolution token, extending the game length from the standard 18 rounds to 24.

==== Heavy Shadow ====
Players cannot activate trees in shade to perform the "plant a seed" or "grow" actions.

Gamehelpphotosynthesis

2023-02-12T16:57:27Z

Caranteth: Added some rules

=== Objective ===
Help your species of tree outcompete the others in the forest to absorb as much sunlight as possible over the course of three (or four) full rotations of the sun. When a tree reaches the end of its lifecycle, you will earn points based on the richness of the soil it was growing in.

=== Components ===
Each player has their own personal Player Board from which they can purchase new seedlings and trees of various sizes. The costs of purchase are indicated next to each space, and items must be purchased from the bottom up (cheapest first). Any items purchased are stored next to the board, to the right hand side. This supply represents seeds and trees that are available for planting.

In the centre of the table is a map of the forest, which is split into 4 zones differentiated by the number of leaves printed in each hex. The further towards the centre of forest, the more rich (and general more valuable in terms of points) is the soil.

At one corner of the board is a "Sun Segment". This indicates the direction that the sun shines from on any given round. During the game it will rotate around the board three times (four in the long game), taking 6 rounds to make each full rotation around the board.

=== Setup phase ===
Players take turns to place one of their available small trees onto the edge of the main board, in the "one leaf" zone. This is then repeated until every player has placed two of their small trees.

=== Playing a round ===
Each time the sun is in one position, a round of two phases is played.

==== 1. Photosynthesis Phase (collecting "light points") ====
Except for the first round of the game, the current first player will rotate the Sun Segment clockwise around the board to its next position. Every player receives light points based on the size of their trees (see table below) '''unless''' they are being shaded by any other trees in the forest.

==== Shade ====
Any tree will cast a shadow behind it (i.e. in the direction opposite to the sun). A seedling or tree that is in shadow will not generate light points '''unless''' it is at least one size category larger than the tree casting the shadow. The species of tree casting the shadow is not relevant (meaning a player can affect their own trees).

The length of shadow each size of tree casts is shown in the table below.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Tree Size
!Light Points Generated / Length of Shadow / Seed Throw Distance / Growth Costs
|-
|Seedling
|0
|-
|Small
|1
|-
|Medium
|2
|-
|Large
|3
|}

===== 2. Life Cycle Phase (spending light points to perform actions) =====
Starting with the first player, players can spend their light points on a number of actions. Any unspent light points can be saved for future rounds.

'''Where an action involves activating a tree, note that each tree's space may only be activated once per round.''' This means that you cannot grow the same tree more than once per round, or throw out a seed from and grow the same tree, or grow and collect the same tree on the same round.

====== Possible Actions ======

====== i. Buy new items ======
Spend light points to purchase items from your Player Board for the indicated costs. Items may be purchased from any column but must be purchased from the bottom up (i.e. cheapest first). Purchased items are placed to the right of the Player Board to denote that they are available to be planted.

====== ii. Plant a seed ======
So long a seed is available to the right of the player board, that tree can be activated (using the ^ icon) to throw out a seed into a nearby empty space. The distance a tree can throw out its seeds is based on its size as shown in the table above.

'''(NB - under the Heavy Shadow variant, the planting action is not available while the source tree is in shade.)'''

====== iii. Grow a tree ======
So long as the next size of tree is available to the right of the player board, a planted seedling or tree can be activated (using the ^ icon) to grow to the next size. The original token is then placed back onto the Player Board in the topmost available space of that type. If no space is available, then the token is removed from the game.

'''(NB - under the Heavy Shadow variant, the growth action is not available while the tree you wish to grow is in shade.)'''

====== iv. Collect scoring tokens ======
A large tree can be activated (using the ^ icon) to end its life cycle and collect a scoring token from the top of the pile corresponding to its soil type. If the pile has already been exhausted, then the player would receive the topmost token from the next lowest available pile of tokens.

The tree itself is removed from the main board and returned to the Player Board as per the removal rules under "Grow a tree" above.

Although the collecting player may not activate the space again that round, the vacant space '''may''' be used by other players to plant a new seedling later in the same round.

==== End of a round ====
When all players have had a turn, the first player passes in a clockwise direction and a new round begins, starting with the rotation of the sun and the photosynthesis phase.

Once the sun completes one full revolution of the board, the top Sun Revolution token is removed from the game.

==== End of the game ====
Once the Sun Revolution tokens have been exhausted (i.e. after 3 full rotations - or 4 in the variant rules) the game will end. Players count the value of their scoring tokens and add 1 point per 3 unspent light points (round down). The player with the most points wins. In case of a tie, the player with the most seeds and trees on the main board is the winner. In the case of a further tie, all tied players win.

==== Variant rules ====

===== Long Mode =====
Add a fourth Sun Revolution token, extending the game length from the standard 18 rounds to 24.

===== Heavy Shadow =====
Players cannot activate trees in shade to perform the "plant a seed" or "grow" actions.

Gamehelptranquility

2021-03-01T14:21:25Z

Caranteth: Include reference to the values of the cards in the deck and format into sections

==Summary==
You will attempt to find your paradise island on the good ship Tranquility. To do this you will need to fill
the entire 6x6 sea grid with Island cards (which are numbered 1-80) and have played one Start and one Finish card. You all win if you
complete the grid, and have placed a Start and Finish card, living out your days in an island paradise. You all
lose if a single player can no longer play or discard any cards (see Section 4) causing the ship to be lost forever.

==Overview of play==
You may NOT communicate with other players except when discussing the Start card (see below).

You all take a turn, one after another, starting with the first player and then moving clockwise around the table.
Play continues in this fashion until the game is either won or lost.
On your turn you must take one action by doing one of the following:

A) Play a card; or<br>
B) Discard two cards.

After taking an action you must draw back up to a hand of five cards by taking cards from the top of your
own draw pile (unless your draw pile has run out, in which case continue playing until the game ends).

==A) Play a card==

You select an Island card from your hand and may play it anywhere in the grid providing you follow these rules:
1. Cards must be placed so that the grid ascends in numerical order from bottom-left to top-right, first
moving along the bottom row from left to right, followed by the second row moving left to right etc.
2. If the card is placed next to an existing card in the ascending sequence (even if they are on different
rows) then you must discard the number of cards face down from your hand equal to the difference between
the numbers shown on the two cards e.g. placing a ‘5’next to a ‘3’ will mean you must discard two cards.

If a card is played between two cards, you discard cards equal to the difference between the card you
played and one of the cards to either side, whichever result is the lowest. You may not place a card if that
would require you to discard more than the four cards remaining in your hand. You may not discard cards
from your draw pile.

===Start Cards===
If you have a Start card in your hand, and one has yet to be played, you must play that Start card as your
action this turn. The Start card is not placed within the grid but in the bottom left-hand corner of the frame.
When a Start card is played you must discard a total of eight cards between you. You may discuss how many
cards each of you is willing to discard but not specifics about what is in your hand or where you might wish to
play cards in the future.

Note: this is the only time in the game that players can communicate. After discarding all players draw back
up to five cards. If the Start space has already been filled the remaining Start cards have no purpose and
may be discarded using the normal rules.

===Finish Cards===
You may only play a Finish card once the rest of the grid (plus a Start card) has been completed. If this card
is played before any player runs out of legal moves then you all win the game. Finish cards may be discarded using
the normal rules but beware: there are only five in the game! You cannot win without a Finish card being played.

==B) Discard two cards==

You may discard two cards rather than playing a card either because you cannot legally play a card or because you choose to.
To do this you must place two cards of your choice from your hand, face down, in front of you.
Note: we advise keeping this discard pile messy so as to easily differentiate from the draw pile

==Game end==

You all win if the active player successfully plays a Finish card after the grid is complete.
You all lose if any player cannot take a legal action on their turn. This could be because they can’t play a card into the grid,
either because it doesn’t fit numerically, or because the player doesn’t have enough cards to discard in order to play it,
or you have either one or zero cards left in your hand at the start of your turn.

==Guidance for Communication==

Strictly speaking, Tranquility should be played in
silence. Ultimately, however, players may create their
own rules of communication or may simply choose to
take the opportunity to discuss other aspects of life.

Gamehelpthecrew

2020-10-15T18:28:59Z

Caranteth:

==Introduction==
The aim of the game is to investigate the possibility of a mysterious ninth planet in our solar system by completing 50 different missions of increasing complexity by working as a team, but with very limited communication permitted.

Each mission consists of a series of tasks and may have additional victory conditions and/or complications. For example, frequently the tasks must be completed in a certain order.

The game mechanic is similar to Whist or other trick-taking card games. Mission tasks are completed by specific players winning tricks containing specific cards.

==Initial Setup==
The deck consists of 36 '''Colour Cards''' (1 to 9 value in four coloured suits) plus 4 black '''Rocket Cards''' (1 to 4).

These 40 cards are shuffled and all cards are dealt out equally (although in a three player game, one player will have more cards than the others).

The player who has been dealt the 4 Rocket must act as the '''Commander''' for that mission. They receive the '''Commander Token''' to indicate this and must go first.

Each player also receives a grey '''Reminder Card''' (with a picture of a planet) and a double-sided '''Communication Token''', which are both placed in front of them on the table. The Communication Token is initially placed green side up.

A double-sided '''Distress Token''' is placed face down in the centre of the table (on Board Game Arena, this appears in the green mission briefing area)

A deck of 36 '''Task Cards''' is shuffled and kept as a concealed pile. There are also 10 purple '''Task Tokens'''. Each attempt at a mission will therefore have a random set of task cards, and may (or may not) require a specific set of task tokens. On Board Game Arena, this is all handled behind the scenes.

==Missions==
There are 50 unique missions. Each mission describes the conditions under which it is played.

A number of tasks as specified by the mission are placed in front of the players. Unless otherwise specified by individual mission requirements, these are divided between the players. The Commander chooses first and then choice of task proceeds clockwise around the table until all tasks have been assigned.

Certain missions may have additional conditions. These are explained in the mission text.

Where task tokens are required, some or all of the tasks must be completed in a particular order, e.g. a task might have to be completed "first", or "before" or "after" another.

A player completes a task by winning a trick that contains the specific card that is indicated on the task card, so long as they also fulfill any additional conditions per the task tokens.

==Trick Taking==
The Commander will have the lead at the start of the game. Play proceeds clockwise.

Highest card wins. A player must follow suit unless they have no cards of that suit.

The Rockets are trump cards and can only be beaten by higher value Rockets.

The winner of each trick takes the lead for the next trick.

As each trick is played, if one of the cards indicated by a task is won by the owner of that task and any other conditions such as task order are met, the task is complete.

If a card indicated by a task is ever won by someone other than the owner of the task, or winning the card has meant that other task / mission conditions have not been met, then the mission is instantly failed and must be replayed in order to proceed.

==Communication - how to help your crew==
Once per mission, you may at any time click on your green Communication Token to indicate that you wish to communicate some limited information about your hand to the other players.

Once you have clicked on the token, you will not be able to communicate immediately - there will be a communication phase at the start of each trick. By clicking on the token you indicate a desire to participate in the next available phase. If this phase has been triggered, communication then proceeds in clockwise order starting from the person with the lead. Only players who had clicked on their tokens prior to that phase may participate - if you forget to click in time, then you will have to try again ahead of the next round.

If you have selected the communication token during a trick but then change your mind when it gets to the communication phase, you may refrain from communicating and try again at the start of a future round (or not at all).

When communicating, you may choose a card in your hand to show to the other players. This card is then placed on the table under the Communication Token, which is then flipped to the red side to indicate that it has been used during this mission. You also pick up the grey Reminder Card which is placed in your hand to remind you and the other players that you still have a communicated card on the table.

The chosen card must be either:
* The lowest card you hold in a particular suit (token placed at bottom of card)
* The only card you hold of a particular suit (token placed in middle of card)
* The highest card you hold of a particular suit (token placed at top of card)

So if at any given moment you had the 1, 2, 5 and 7 of a particular suit, you would only be able to communicate about the 1 (lowest) or the 7 (highest), but not the 2 or 5 as they do not meet any of the 3 communication criteria.

The communicated card then remains face up on the table until it has been played. At that time the Reminder Card is placed back on the table.

==Distress Signal - what if more help is needed?==
Some missions may be difficult to complete due to the random nature of both the tasks and the cards themselves.

At the beginning of the mission, after the cards and tasks have been assigned, but before any communication has been made or cards have been played, the black distress signal token in the green mission briefing area may be activated. If this is done, the token is flipped and its use is logged.

Each player may then pass one of their cards to one of their neighbours. All cards must be passed in the same direction; the players may agree upon the direction to pass.

==Additional Mission Conditions==
===Dead Zones===
Where indicated, communication is limited even further.

The basic communication mechanics (in terms of which cards you may choose to communicate) are unchanged, but the communication token '''must''' be placed in the centre of the card.

As a result, you can no longer tell what a player is communicating about a card (only that they have it, and that it is either their lowest, highest, or only card of that suit.

===Disruption===
Where indicated, no communication whatsoever is allowed until the beginning of the indicated trick.

For example, if "Disruption 3" is indicated, then no communication would be possible during the first two tricks, players may however communicate '''before''' the third trick is started.

===Commander's decision===
Where indicated, the commander will ask each other player in turn whether they think they are capable of completing '''all''' of the tasks for this mission - they must each answer yes or no.

Once all players have responded, the commander will choose which of the players should receive the tasks.

The commander must choose one of the other players, not themselves.

===Commander's distribution===
Similar to the above, the commander offers one task at a time to each of the other players, who may each answer yes or no. The commander then chooses which player should receive that task.

This is then repeated for any additional tasks. The tasks must be evenly distributed - nobody may have two more tasks than anyone else.