Pentachrome
| Pentachrome | ||
|---|---|---|
| Joss Ives | ||
| Form chains by color or size to earn points | ||
| Players: | 2 | |
| Length: | unknown | |
| Complexity: | unknown | |
| Trios per color: | 1 | |
| Number of colors: | 5 | |
| - - - - - - Other equipment - - - - - - | ||
| discs or poker chips | ||
| Setup time: | 1 minute | |
| Status: Initial design (v), Year released: 2007 | ||
Designed by Joss Ives
Notes
Let's call this an alpha version of the rules!
Setup
The game-play area for Pentachrome is defined by 5 neutral positions arranged in a pentagon shape. You may find it useful to arrange five flat objects (such as poker chips or playing cards) in a pentagonal shape to emphasize these neutral positions. During the game there will always be an upright pyramid in each of these neutral positions and up to two pyramids laying down in between any adjacent neutral spots so make sure to leave room between your flat objects.
- Divide the Treehouse stash into sets by size;
- One large pyramid will be placed upright at each of the 5 neutral positions;
- One player takes the 5 small pyramids and the other takes the 5 medium pyramids;
- The player with the small pyramids will be the start player
Overview
Each turn a player will get two actions, where they can bring pieces into play or swap pieces already in play. Points are scored by maneuvering 4 pyramids of the same size or 3 pyramids of the same colour such that they form a chain.
Playing the Game
The game begins with the start player getting one action (actions are described in "A Player's Turn). Afterward, the player's will take turns and each use two actions per turn.
The game is played to 3 victory points and as described in "Scoring", a player can score points by forming pyramid chains in two ways:
- Begin their turn with a chain of pyramids under their control.
- End their turn with 2 chains of pyramids under their control.
Note that it is possible that a player begins their turn with a chain and ends that same turn with 2 chains, scoring 2 victory points during their turn. Scoring a victory point does not cause the game to restart or affect how the game is played in any way other than the player gaining a victory point.
A Player's Turn
Each turn (other than the very first turn) a player can perform two actions. The player can perform one of these actions twice or each of them once.
- Place - The player can place a pyramid from their reserves into an empty space which they control;
- Swap - The player can swap any two neutral pieces, any two pieces in play under their control or a neutral piece with a piece in play under their control. A player can never swap a piece under their opponent's control.