Leaning Towers

Leaning Towers
Geoffrey Globus
http://www.weirdwireworks.com/images/complete2.jpg
Build Out Build Up
:Players	Players:	2 - 10
:Time	Length:	unknown
:Complexity	Complexity:	Medium
Trios per color:		5
Number of colors:		1 per player + 1
Pyramid trios:
Monochr. stashes:		1 per player + 1
Five-color sets:
- - - - - - Other equipment - - - - - -
playing surface maybe a newspaper
Setup time:		1 minute
Playing time:
Strategy depth:		Medium
Random chance:		Little
Game mechanics:
Theme:		Abstract 3D Dominoes
BGG Link:		35206
Status: Complete (v1.0), Year released: 2007

Setup

Determine who goes first.

The first player takes two pieces of a neutral color, medium or large, then assembles them according to the basic placement rules making sure each piece is touching the table; this is the Foundation. The first player then decides to place a piece or passes to the player on the right. Play continues counter-clockwise.

This game requires a surface with a decent amount of friction, so if the surface is to smooth lay down a piece of newspaper

How To Play

Basic Placement Rules

• No piece may have more than two corners touching the table
• A piece can touch as many other pieces as it has pips
  • Small: 1
  • Medium: 2
  • Large: 3

• Each player must place a piece of a different size than the previous placement. (The first piece placed on the Foundation is not affected by this rule.)
• The point of one piece cannot touch the inside point of another piece
• A piece can be placed on top of another piece as long as it does not violate these rules
• Pieces must be placed with one hand
• A player cannot touch any pieces other than one the being placed (unless reassembling after a break)

Holding

If a player wants to use a piece in a way that is not normally possible that player may choose to Hold that until their next turn. The Held piece must be placed on the player's next turn unless another piece is Held. If the Held piece is properly placed the player receives a bonus in addition to the normal score. If the piece cannot be properly placed it is forfeited and the player incurs a penalty. Held pieces cannot touch the table. Held pieces may, at a penalty, touch more pieces than their pip count when initially placed.

Slipping

Slipping occurs when a newly placed piece slides out of place but does not disturb any other piece, before the next players turn. There is no penalty if the player can place the piece back in its position or into a new position. Slipped pieces cannot be traded for another piece. If the piece cannot be successfully placed it is forfeited, but no point penalty occurs.

Breaking

Breaking occurs when a Slipped piece knocks over no more than two other pieces. The player who Breaks forfeits their piece (and any held pieces) incurs a score penalty and must rebuild the broken structure or suffers a Wrecking penalty.

Wrecking

Wrecking occurs when more than three pieces are disrupted during a placement. The player who Wrecks suffer a penalty and is ejected from the game (but not a Series). If the structure is salvageable then play continues, if not the game ends.

Bumping

Bumping is like Wrecking but occurs out of turn. If a player Bumps standard Wrecking rules apply. If a non-player Bumps then no player receives a Wrecking penalty.

Closing

Closing occurs when there are no more moves. If a Game is Closed then all the players with pieces left over suffer a penalty.

Scoring

Score each placement immediately

Score

• +1 point for each piece placed

• +1 point for each level above the table (a piece is considered to be on top of the lowest piece it is touching when it is placed, later contacts do not change score)

• +1 point for having only one corner touching the table

• +2 points for each Held piece successfully placed

Penalty

• -1 point if a piece is placed on a level above the table but is supported by more than one piece

• Unplaced Hold: -2 points for each piece

• Break: -2 points for each piece disturbed and forfeit of piece

• Bump/Wreck: -(15-remaining pieces)

• Closed Game: -1 point for each remaining piece

• -1 point for each piece touching a Held piece beyond its pip count

Ending The Game

The game ends as soon as all players run out of pieces, or if the game is Closed or Wrecked.

Series

Play a series of games until one player reaches a predetermined score.

External Links

• Images are available at the Leaning Towers page at Weirdwireworks