Blockade

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Revision as of 20:46, 4 February 2021 by imported>Kataclysm (→‎Goal)
Blockade
Kristin Looney
2D race game
:Players Players: 2
:Time Length: unknown
:Complexity Complexity: Medium
Trios per color: 5
Number of colors: 6
Pyramid trios:
Monochr. stashes: 6
Five-color sets: 5
- - - - - - Other equipment - - - - - -
Volcano board, 4 colored dice
Setup time: 2 minutes
Playing time:
Strategy depth: Medium
Random chance: Moderate
Game mechanics:
Theme: Abstract
BGG Link: 25588
Status: Complete (v1.0), Year released: 2001


Blockade is a two-dimensional race game for two players, played Volcano-style. A Volcano board is helpful but not necessary.

Materials

  • 80 pyramids total
  • A 5×5 grid
  • 4 colored dice
::SML::SML::SML::SML::SML
::SML::SML::SML::SML::SML
::SML::SML::SML::SML::SML
::SML::SML::SML::SML::SML
::SML::SML::SML::SML::SML
:L:L:L:L:L
:Volcano 5×5 grid (optional)
:6 :6 :6 :6 4 dice in colors that match the pyramids
Materials Needed

Setup

:LPU ::LPU ::LPU ::LPU :LPU
::LPU ::LPU ::LPU ::LPU ::LPU
::LPU ::LPU :LPU ::LPU ::LPU
::LPU ::LPU ::LPU ::LPU ::LPU
:LPU ::LPU ::LPU ::LPU :LPU
Bottom layer: 25 large pyramids. Total pyramids on board so far: 25
:LPU ::SLPU ::SLPU ::SLPU :LPU
::SLPU ::SLPU ::SLPU ::SLPU ::SLPU
::SLPU ::SLPU :LPU ::SLPU ::SLPU
::SLPU ::SLPU ::SLPU ::SLPU ::SLPU
:LPU ::SLPU ::SLPU ::SLPU :LPU
Next layer: On top of each of the large color pyramids, place one matching small pyramid. Skip over the clears. Total pyramids on board so far: 45
::MMM ::MMM
::MMM ::MMM

Last step: Make four separate stacks of the medium colored pyramids: 5 green, 5 red, 5 yellow, and 5 blue. Place these stacks on the corners of the board, on top of the large clears. (The diagram above only shows three pyramids because of a technical limitation, but you must place five.) Total pyramids on board so far: 65.



Goal

The goal of the game is to form five towers in one of your colors.

Play

One player will be the cool colors (blue + green) while the other player will be the warm colors (red + yellow). Each turn consists of rolling the two dice that match your colors, then moving the pyramids up to that many spaces.

Movement Rules

The dice translate into movement points for each color.

  • Large pieces never move.
  • Medium and small pyramids each cost one pip to move one space.
  • You may move pieces in any direction, including diagonally.
  • You may divide these points up amongst any number of pieces, in any order. So you may move a piece one square, then move another piece, then come back and move the original piece, should you so desire.
  • You may pass over any color piece 'except' for an opponent's blockade (see below).
  • If BOTH of your dice show numbers of three or fewer, then their numbers may be summed and used for either one of your two colors.
  • You are not required to use all your points of movement.
  • You may almost always freely pass over a piece (or stack of pieces), but landing is more restricted.

Landing Rules: For the purposes of clarity, the word "you" in this table refers to the piece you are currently holding as you are in the process of moving it.

If the piece you want to land on is... Can you land there?
clear yes, always
the same color as you yes, if it's at least as big as you
black only if it's on top of a tower that matches your color and the black pyramid is larger than you
any other color no, never

Blockading

Whenever a ::SPN lands on the ::ML, to create a tower in all one color (::SML), take the largest available pyramid from the black supply and place that pyramid on top of your tower. That tower becomes a blockade, making movement more difficult for your opponent.

Passing Over: You may always pass over your own pieces, your opponent's pieces, and your own blockades, but you may never pass over your opponent's blockades.

External Links

  • The rules are available online.