How to Play Xylotar: Unhinged

Objective do Jogo

In Xylotar: Unhinged, an expansion for the trick-taking card game Xylotar, players are exploring additional materials related to the construction of a fabled instrument. This game builds upon the original Xylotar experience, where players aim to become trick-taking masters. The expansions, Bonus Beats and Off-Key, introduce new cards and mechanics to enhance gameplay. While the core victory condition of Xylotar isn't detailed here, these expansions provide additional ways to score points and manipulate the game, with the ultimate goal of outmaneuvering opponents in rounds of trick-taking.

Preparação (Setup)

Setup for Bonus Beats

• If playing with 2, 4, or 5 players, remove the Yellow 9 Bonus Beats card.
• If playing with 3 players, remove the Red 11 Bonus Beats card.
• If playing with the Off-Key expansion, include the Off-Key Bonus Beats cards.
• After the regular Xylotar cards have been dealt to all players, shuffle the Bonus Beats deck and deal 2 cards to each player, face down.

Setup for Off-Key

• Shuffle the Off-Key cards in with the rest of the cards.
• If playing with 3 players, do not deal any of the Red or Orange cards.
• Then take 1 random card of each color face down and place it to the side (these cards will be needed for the next round when they are shuffled in again).
• Deal the cards to players as normal.

Fluxo do Jogo

Bonus Beats Gameplay

Players may use 1 of their Bonus Beats cards each round. The 2 cards dealt to each player at the start of the game are all they will get, so each player must determine which round to play them. Many cards have specific timing requirements, such as "Immediately after you bid" or "Before you play your first card," which must be followed. Until a card is activated, it remains face down in front of the player and is not shared with any other player.

Once a Bonus Beats card is flipped face up, it is considered activated for that round, even if its ability is not used. No other Bonus Beats cards may be used that round by that player. At the end of the round, place any activated Bonus Beats cards back in the box.

Off-Key Gameplay

When playing with Off-Key cards, remember that 1 card of each color is removed after shuffling. This means an Off-Key card might be removed from the deck before dealing. When setting up the second and third rounds, remember to add in the cards removed from the deck previously. After shuffling in these cards, remove 1 of each color again.

Off-Key cards are 1/2 less than the highest card normally in each color. For example, if Red cards normally go from 0-10, the Off-Key Red card is 9 1/2. A 9 1/2 card is higher than a 9 card but lower than a 10 card.

When bidding, if a card you secretly view is a 1/2 card and you use it as your bid, its value is the number on the card (e.g., a 2 1/2 card used as a bid is a bid of 2).

Ações e Como Jogar

Using Bonus Beats Cards

Players have two Bonus Beats cards dealt at the start of the game and can use one per round. The timing of playing these cards is crucial, as specified on each card. Once a card is flipped face up, it's considered activated for the round, and no other Bonus Beats cards can be used by that player in that round.

Bonus Beats Card Descriptions:

• # (Get your bonus even if you are 1 over your bid.): Must be played immediately after you bid. Get the 5 point Bonus even if you are 1 over your bid.
• b (Get your bonus even if you are 1 under your bid.): Must be played immediately after you bid. Get the 5 point Bonus even if you are 1 under your bid.
• 0 (Replace your rightmost card with this one, which can be played instead of the led suit.): Must be played before you play your 1st card. Replace the rightmost card in your Xylotar with this 0 card, which can be played instead of the led suit.
• +1 (Get 1 point for each other player who misses their bid.): Must be played immediately after you bid. You will get 1 point for each other player that misses their bid, this round, in addition to any other points you score.
• (Change your bid to 1 of your unplayed cards, and flip your old bid card face down.): Must be played before you play a card. Change your bid to one of your unplayed cards, and flip your bid card face down and move it back into your row of Xylotar cards.
• (Get 8 points for a successful 0 bid (instead of 5).): Must be played immediately after you bid 0. Get 8 points for a successful 0 bid instead of the usual 5 points.
• (Flip up all your cards of any suit.): Must be played before you play your 1st card. Flip all cards of any suit face up, and they stay face up for the rest of the round.
• (You don't have to follow suit this trick.): Must be played before you play a card. You don't have to follow suit this trick, and may play any card, including a trump card.
• 9.d (Replace your leftmost card with this one.): Must be played before you play your 1st card. Replace the leftmost card in your Xylotar with this one. This card is a Yellow (trump) 9, and will always win a trick. Only used with 3 player games.
• (Discard 1 of your cards and do not bid. Get your bonus if you match any other player's bid.): Must be played immediately after you play any card. Discard 1 face down card. You will not bid this round. Instead, you will get your 5 point bonus if you match any other player's bid.
• 11: (Replace your leftmost card with this one.): Must be played before you play your 1st card. Replace the leftmost card in your Xylotar with this one. This card is a Red (trump) 11, and will always win a trick. Only used with 2, 4, or 5 player games.
• (View up to 3 cards and then choose 1 of them as your bid.): Must be played immediately before you bid. View up to 3 cards (they do not have to be adjacent) and choose 1 of them as your bid.
• (View any 2 of your cards.): Must be played before you play a card. View any 2 of your cards (they do not have to be adjacent), then place them back face down.
• (View your 3 leftmost cards.): Must be played before you play any card. Secretly view your 3 leftmost cards.
• (Lead the next trick no matter who wins this one.): Must be played immediately after you play any card. Regardless who wins this trick, you will get to lead the next trick.
• (When you have the lead, indicate a different player to lead.): Must be played immediately before you lead. When you have the lead, you may indicate a different player to lead other than yourself.
• (You may lead with your leftmost card.): Must be played Immediately before you lead. You may lead with your leftmost card.
• (Discard 1 card, and discard 1 of the discarded Off-Key cards as its replacement. Off-Key only): Must be played before you play any card. Discard 1 of your cards and replace it with a card of your choice (do not view that card) from the Off-Key pile, angling it in your xylotar so everyone knows it was replaced. Only used when Off-Key cards are in play.
• (Discard 1 card, and choose 1 of the discarded Off-Key cards as your bid. Off-Key only): Must be played immediately before you bid. Discard 1 of your cards, view the cards in the Off-Key pile, and choose one of those cards as your bid. Only used when Off-Key cards are in play.
• 1/2 (No penalty for Off-Key cards. Off-Key only): Must be played before you play your first card. Any Off-Key cards do not count as -1 to your score this round. Only used when Off-Key cards are in play.

Off-Key Cards

Off-Key cards have fractional values (e.g., 9 1/2). When bidding with a 1/2 card, its value is the whole number (e.g., 2 1/2 becomes a bid of 2). These cards must be ordered correctly at the start of a round.

Fim de Jogo e Pontuação

At the end of the 3rd round, if a player has not used either of their Bonus Beats cards, they get 1 extra point on that round.

At the end of the round, each 1/2 card you have won in any tricks reduces your score by 1 point. However, Off-Key (1/2) cards used as your bid are not subtracted from your score, as you did not win them in a trick.

Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.

Dicas para Vencer

• Carefully consider when to play your Bonus Beats cards, as you only get two for the entire game. Their timing requirements are specific, so holding onto them for the optimal moment can be crucial.
• If you're playing with Off-Key cards, be mindful of the negative points they can incur. Winning 1/2 cards in tricks reduces your score, so try to avoid them or use cards that mitigate their penalty.
• Utilize Bonus Beats cards that allow you to adjust your bid or gain points from other players' failures, such as the "+1" card, to maximize your score beyond just winning tricks.