Learn to Play
Play. Process. Draw.
Two-Player Game
Each player selects one of the factions and sits accross from each other. Demarcate a 3-by-3 grid (tic tac toe style) to create the "board". Shuffle all of the cards of that faction together and draw 3 cards to form your starting hand. Determine which player goes first.
Play
Place one card from your hand into an open space on the board. This card must be played oriented "face-up" from your perspective - not side-ways or upside-down.
Process
Compare the numbers on the card you just played to adjacent opponent's cards. Always check the top number first (from your perspective), then continue around the card clockwise (top, right, bottom, left). When comparing each set of numbers - - If your card's number is higher: remove their card from the board and keep it until the end of the game. - If your card's number is the same: do NOT remove their card, but continue processing clockwise. - If your card's number is lower: stop processing and do NOT remove their card. Your card stays on the board, but you do not get to "capture" their card or process any more numbers on your card.
Draw
Draw one card from the top of your deck into your hand to replace the card you just played.
End of the Game
The game ends when there are no remaining empty spaces on the board - or when both players have played all of their cards. When the game ends, each player determines how many points they have given the following: - 1 point for each opponent's card captured - 1 point for each corner spot occupied on the board. - 2 points for each side spot occupied on the board. - 3 points if you occupy the center spot on the board. The player with the most points wins the game! If you play a 3-game "match" - keep track of the points from all three games, the player with the highest total wins the "match". When playing a match, randomly determine who goes first in the first game. In the following games, the player who won the previous game must go first.
Four-Player Game
When playing with four players, each player sits on one side of a square table and the board is enlarged into a 4-by-4 grid. Randomly determine the starting player, then continue taking turns around the table clockwise. Each player must play their cards oriented correctly to be "right-side-up" for their perspective. Each player still processes - from their perspectives - top first, then continues clockwise - right, bottom, left.