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(Created page with "== Game Overview == As master weavers in the Scottish Highlands, you compete to create the most magnificent fabric patterns for the local clans. You strategically place tiles into the shared weave to create valuable color combinations and secure your claims. This is achieved through a tactical placement system where connecting lines correctly and deploying your shuttles determines your success. == Goal of the Game == The goal is to earn the most '''points''' by completi...")
 
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== Game Overview ==
== Game Overview ==
As master weavers in the Scottish Highlands, you compete to create the most magnificent fabric patterns for the local clans. You strategically place tiles into the shared weave to create valuable color combinations and secure your claims. This is achieved through a tactical placement system where connecting lines correctly and deploying your shuttles determines your success.
 
Two Scottish clans clash for dominance in the Highlands. Prophecy says that only a chief crowned by his bishop in a cathedral built by his own people can unify the lands. Rally your clan, build powerful formations, and be the first to complete the coronation ritual.
 
'''Tartan''' is a 2-player abstract strategy game with no randomness. Games last 10–20 minutes.


== Goal of the Game ==
== Goal of the Game ==
The goal is to earn the most '''points''' by completing color patterns (tartans), achieving majorities in clan colors, and fulfilling secret clan assignments.


== Gameplay ==
Be the first player to move your '''Bishop''' onto a '''Cathedral''' of your own color. This completes the coronation and wins the game immediately.
The duel for the finest fabric lasts exactly '''12''' rounds. On your turn, perform the following steps:
 
== Setup ==
 
The game begins with two phases:
 
=== 1. Placement Phase ===
 
Players take turns placing their '''12 Family tokens''' on the hexagonal board:
* A token '''cannot''' be placed on a '''Loch''' space.
* A token '''cannot''' be placed adjacent to any other token (friendly or enemy).
* When no player can legally place a token, unplaced tokens go to the player's '''reserve'''.


=== 1. Extend the Pattern ===
=== 2. Bishop Placement ===
Choose '''1''' of your '''3''' hand tiles and add it to the common weave:
* '''Placement Rule:''' A new tile must always be adjacent to at least one already placed tile.
* '''Pattern Continuity:''' The colored lines must be continued logically; a break in the fabric pattern is not permitted.


=== 2. Deploy the Shuttle (Optional) ===
Both '''Bishop''' tokens are placed on the '''central Loch'''.
After placing a tile, you may place your '''shuttle''' on one of the lines that passes through your tile:
* The shuttle reserves that specific color line exclusively for your scoring.
* Once the line is completed, it is scored, and the shuttle returns to your supply.


=== 3. Replenish Supply ===
== Pieces and Formations ==
Draw '''1''' new tile from the stack to bring your hand back to '''3''' tiles.


== Special Rules ==
Tokens can unite by stacking to form more powerful units:
* '''Completing a Line:''' A color line is considered finished when it reaches the edge of the play area or ends at a side where no further tiles can be placed.
* '''Intersection Bonus:''' If two lines of your own color intersect within the pattern, you receive a '''bonus token'''.
* '''Clan Secrets:''' Your secret clan card determines which color combinations grant you additional bonus points at the end of the game.


== End of Game & Scoring ==
Once all players have placed their '''12''' tiles, the final craftsmanship is scored:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Category !! Points
! Unit !! Stack Size !! Movement !! Special
|-
|-
| '''Completed Lines''' || '''2''' points per tile making up the line.
| '''Family''' || 1 token || 1 space in any direction || Basic unit.
|-
|-
| '''Color Majorities''' || The player controlling the most tile backgrounds of a color earns '''10''' points.
| '''Horde''' || 2 tokens || Exactly 2 spaces || Can capture an enemy '''Family'''. Bounce effect on formation.
|-
|-
| '''Intersection Bonus''' || Each collected bonus token is worth '''3''' points.
| '''Army''' || 3 tokens || Exactly 3 spaces, in a straight line || Can capture an enemy '''Horde''' (not a Family). Bounce effect on formation.
|-
|-
| '''Clan Assignment''' || Variable points based on the fulfillment of the secret card.
| '''Cathedral''' || 4 tokens || Immovable || Formed by two friendly '''Hordes''' only. Cannot be moved or dismantled.
|-
| '''Bishop''' || Special token || 1 space in any direction || Can move onto any unit (friendly or enemy) to '''bless''' it: the unit is then immobilized and protected.
|}
|}


== Tie-breaker ==
'''Important:'''
In the event of a tie, the player who completed more lines in their specific clan color wins.
* Hordes and Armies must complete their '''full movement''' — they cannot stop short.
* All spaces along the movement path must be '''empty''' (passing through the same empty space twice is allowed).
* A Family '''cannot''' unite with an Army.
* A Cathedral can '''only''' be formed by two Hordes (not by an Army + Family).
 
== Bounce Effect ==
 
When a new '''Horde''' or '''Army''' is formed (by uniting two pieces), the newly formed unit may '''immediately perform a full bonus movement''' within the same turn. This can trigger chain reactions if the bonus movement creates another union.
 
== Gameplay ==
 
After the placement phase, players take turns starting with the player who placed the last Family token. On your turn, you must perform '''exactly one''' of the following actions:
 
=== Action 1: Move a Piece ===
 
Move one of your pieces (Family, Horde, Army, or Bishop) according to its movement rules. A move can:
* '''Occupy an empty space:''' Move to a valid empty space (not a Loch).
* '''Unite with a friendly piece:''' Move onto a friendly piece to form a stronger unit (triggers bounce effect if applicable).
* '''Capture an enemy piece:''' Move a Horde onto an enemy Family, or an Army onto an enemy Horde. The captured piece is removed from the game.
 
=== Action 2: Dismantle a Horde ===
 
Remove one of your Hordes from the board to redeploy your forces:
# Remove the Horde from the game.
# Take '''3 Family tokens''': the 2 from the Horde + 1 from your reserve (that has NOT been captured).
# Place these 3 Families on empty spaces, each adjacent to a '''different Loch''' (not the central Loch).
# New Families cannot be placed on a Loch or on an occupied space.
 
== Bishop Rules ==
 
* Moves '''1 space''' in any direction, like a Family.
* Can move onto a space occupied by any unit (friendly or enemy). The unit beneath is then '''blessed''': immobilized and protected as long as the Bishop remains on it.
* '''Cannot''' move onto a Loch (except at the start of the game on the central Loch). Once it leaves the central Loch, it cannot return.
* '''Cannot''' move onto the opponent's Bishop.
 
== End of the Game ==
 
=== Victory ===
 
A player wins '''immediately''' when they move their Bishop onto a Cathedral of their own color. The coronation is complete.
 
=== Draw ===
 
The game is a draw if:
* Both players agree to a draw, '''or'''
* '''15 consecutive moves''' are made without any capture or union.

Latest revision as of 03:09, 22 March 2026

Game Overview

Two Scottish clans clash for dominance in the Highlands. Prophecy says that only a chief crowned by his bishop in a cathedral built by his own people can unify the lands. Rally your clan, build powerful formations, and be the first to complete the coronation ritual.

Tartan is a 2-player abstract strategy game with no randomness. Games last 10–20 minutes.

Goal of the Game

Be the first player to move your Bishop onto a Cathedral of your own color. This completes the coronation and wins the game immediately.

Setup

The game begins with two phases:

1. Placement Phase

Players take turns placing their 12 Family tokens on the hexagonal board:

  • A token cannot be placed on a Loch space.
  • A token cannot be placed adjacent to any other token (friendly or enemy).
  • When no player can legally place a token, unplaced tokens go to the player's reserve.

2. Bishop Placement

Both Bishop tokens are placed on the central Loch.

Pieces and Formations

Tokens can unite by stacking to form more powerful units:

Unit Stack Size Movement Special
Family 1 token 1 space in any direction Basic unit.
Horde 2 tokens Exactly 2 spaces Can capture an enemy Family. Bounce effect on formation.
Army 3 tokens Exactly 3 spaces, in a straight line Can capture an enemy Horde (not a Family). Bounce effect on formation.
Cathedral 4 tokens Immovable Formed by two friendly Hordes only. Cannot be moved or dismantled.
Bishop Special token 1 space in any direction Can move onto any unit (friendly or enemy) to bless it: the unit is then immobilized and protected.

Important:

  • Hordes and Armies must complete their full movement — they cannot stop short.
  • All spaces along the movement path must be empty (passing through the same empty space twice is allowed).
  • A Family cannot unite with an Army.
  • A Cathedral can only be formed by two Hordes (not by an Army + Family).

Bounce Effect

When a new Horde or Army is formed (by uniting two pieces), the newly formed unit may immediately perform a full bonus movement within the same turn. This can trigger chain reactions if the bonus movement creates another union.

Gameplay

After the placement phase, players take turns starting with the player who placed the last Family token. On your turn, you must perform exactly one of the following actions:

Action 1: Move a Piece

Move one of your pieces (Family, Horde, Army, or Bishop) according to its movement rules. A move can:

  • Occupy an empty space: Move to a valid empty space (not a Loch).
  • Unite with a friendly piece: Move onto a friendly piece to form a stronger unit (triggers bounce effect if applicable).
  • Capture an enemy piece: Move a Horde onto an enemy Family, or an Army onto an enemy Horde. The captured piece is removed from the game.

Action 2: Dismantle a Horde

Remove one of your Hordes from the board to redeploy your forces:

  1. Remove the Horde from the game.
  2. Take 3 Family tokens: the 2 from the Horde + 1 from your reserve (that has NOT been captured).
  3. Place these 3 Families on empty spaces, each adjacent to a different Loch (not the central Loch).
  4. New Families cannot be placed on a Loch or on an occupied space.

Bishop Rules

  • Moves 1 space in any direction, like a Family.
  • Can move onto a space occupied by any unit (friendly or enemy). The unit beneath is then blessed: immobilized and protected as long as the Bishop remains on it.
  • Cannot move onto a Loch (except at the start of the game on the central Loch). Once it leaves the central Loch, it cannot return.
  • Cannot move onto the opponent's Bishop.

End of the Game

Victory

A player wins immediately when they move their Bishop onto a Cathedral of their own color. The coronation is complete.

Draw

The game is a draw if:

  • Both players agree to a draw, or
  • 15 consecutive moves are made without any capture or union.
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