Rules:Elemental FAQ
From CCG Workshop Wiki
Here is the FAQ for Elemental (CCGW Version). This FAQ has been approved by Kenzer and Co. for use with the CCGW Version of Elemental.
Contents |
1. Setup
1.01 Can I start a one player game?
Sure you can. You'll get a warning that it's below the minimum required numbers of people to start the game, but you can still start the game anyways by clicking "Yes" on the warning.
1.02 Is it necessary to decide what elements to play before the game?
No, it's not necessary. However it's convienient since it ensures that nobody will choose the same element.
1.03 What happens if two people chooses the same element?
Well, two people can't play with the same element because it's too confusing. One of them can change their choice of elements by right clicking the player area before the game starts.
1.04 Can I change my choice of elements halfway through a game?
No, you choose one element and you play with that throughout the game. The only time you can change elements is if two people chooses the same element (Refer 1.03).
1.05 Where to we choose whether to play or not to play the optional erosion rule?
At the moment, there is no means of choosing this. Please announce via your game name or in the forums if you want to play with the optional erosion rules. The default play rules does not include erosion.
2. Gameplay
2.01 How do I win the game?
You can win in two ways:
1. By making the Rose pattern
2. If the board is completely filled, the player with the most markers on the board wins.
2.02 I'm playing with the Fire element. Can I form a Tidal Wave pattern?
Sure. All players can form any of the patterns irrespective of the elements they are using.
2.03 What happens if a pattern is formed and nobody notices it?
According to the rules, nothing happens. However, always give a chance to your opponents to observe where you are placing your marker so that they can observe if there are any patterns being formed.
2.04 Must I place a marker adjacent to another marker I own?
No, you can place a marker anywhere on a free space on the board. It does not have to be adjacent to a marker you own.
2.05 What happens if two patterns are created simultaneously?
The player who creates it gets to choose which effect to resolve first.
3. Mountains
3.01 Are mountains destroyed by Fireballs?
No.
3.02 Are mountains changed by a Winds of Change?
No.
3.03 Are mountains destroyed by Tidal Waves?
Only if you are playing with the Erosion rule. (See Section 8 for more details of the Erosion rule). Otherwise, Mountains can not be destroyed by a Tidal Wave.
3.04 Can Mountains form combos?
Sure. The official rule states that a Mountain can form the base of a Volcano. (See section 7)
3.05 How can Mountains be destroyed?
If you aren't playing with the optional Erosion rule, Mountains can never be destroyed.
4. Fireball
4.01 Can a Fireball fire in any direction?
Yes, a fireball can fire in any direction that the "top" of the fireball is facing.
4.02 How many markers does a Fireball destory?
A Fireball destroys all the markers in a straight line from the "top" of the fireball to either the side of the board or a Mountain, which ever comes first.
4.03 Does a Fireball pass through a Mountain?
No. A Fireball stops at a Mountain.
4.04 Can I combine two or more Fireballs?
Sure, you could have a 2 directional Volcano, for example. (see section 7)
4.05 I have a Fireball in play that has already fired. I add one marker to create a Death Star. Does it fire in all 4 directions again?
No, it fires in the other 3 directions, since according to the rules, a Fireball can only occur once for the same 4 markers.
4.06 So how do I make a Death Star fire in all 4 directions?
You can make a Death Star fire in all 4 directions by placing the "middle" marker last.
4.07 I have a Fireball in play and it has already fired. Someone makes a Fireball and destroys one of the markers that forms my Fireball. On my next turn, can I put back that marker to reactivate the fireball?
Sure, and the Fireball fires again. Note that this is possible because the new Fireball doesn't share all 4 markers with the old one.
4.08 What are some other Fireball combinations?
The official rules list the Death Star and the Volcano. You can also have a 2 headed Volcano. A Fireball can also be combined with a Tidal Wave or a Winds of Change. (See section 7)
5. Tidal Wave
5.01 How many markers do I need to make a Tidal Wave?
At least four markers is required to make a Tidal Wave.
5.02 Does the Tidal Wave move immediately as it is formed?
Yes.
5.03 Can a Tidal Wave move in any direction?
When a Tidal Wave is created, you can choose it to move up, down, left or right, but not diagonally. It moves one step immediately when it is formed. It continues moving this direction for one step at the beginning of your turn until it is stopped.
5.04 What happens when a Tidal Wave move?
All other markers in the part of the Tidal Wave that are not part of a Mountain are destroyed (removed from the game).
5.05 How can a Tidal Wave be stopped?
There are 3 ways that a Tidal Wave can be stopped:
- When it encounters the edge of a board.
- When it encounters a mountain.
- When the pattern is destroyed. If at least 4 of the markers retains the Tidal Wave pattern, the pattern is not destroyed. For example, if a 5 marker Tidal Wave loses a marker at either of the "ends", the remaining 4 markers still move on (provided it is possible to move). If however, one of the other markers of the 5 marker Tidal Wave is changed/removed, the Tidal Wave is destroyed, since it no longer has at least 4 markers in the Tidal Wave pattern.
5.06 When does a Tidal Wave grow?
A Tidal Wave grows whenever it encounters another marker that continues a pattern. This may be an existing marker on the board or a piece that you have placed during your turn.
5.07 If a Tidal Wave moves as it is formed and it encounters anoter marker to add on to the pattern, what happens?
The Tidal Wave grows. All 5 markers move one step in the same direction you have chosen the next turn.
5.08 Can I add one marker to an existing Tidal Wave to change the direction?
Not unless the Tidal Wave has stopped (by a Mountain or a board edge). Adding a new marker to a moving Tidal Wave will only make it grow. It will still move in the direction initially chosen.
5.09 I have a marker at the edge of the board. My moving Tidal Wave encounters this marker and it grows. What happens?
If the Tidal Wave is moving towards the edge of the board, then it stops. Otherwise, if the moving Tidal Wave is not moving toward that edge, the whole wave (including the new marker) moves one step during your next turn as usual (unless it's stopped by another board edge or a Mountain). It does not change direction.
5.10 So how can I change the direction of a Tidal Wave?
To change the direction of a Tidal Wave, you must first stop it. Refer to 5.05 to see how a Tidal Wave can be stopped.
5.11 Can I use part of a Mountain to form a Tidal Wave?
No.
5.13 Can a Tidal Wave form any combos?
Sure. You can combine a Tidal Wave with a Fireball to form a Geyser. Part of the Tidal Wave can also trigger off a Winds of Change. Note that if a Winds of Change causes a Mountain to be formed from the Tidal Wave, the Tidal Wave pattern is destroyed. See also Section 7.
5.12 What is the optional Erosion rule?
See section 8 below.
6. Winds of Change
6.01 Does the Winds of Change need to have exactly 5 spaces between like the illustration in the rules?
No, you can have any number of spaces between both sides of the Winds of Change.
6.02 Does only one marker gets changed during a Winds of Change?
All markers in between the line formed by the Winds of Change (except those that are part of a Mountain) get changed to your Element. If there is only one other marker in that line then it'll be the only marker changed. If there are 6 markers that are not part of a mountain, then all 6 will be changed.
6.03 Does a Mountain stop a Winds of Change?
A Mountain in between the markers formed by the Winds of Change doesn't stop a Winds of Change. However, the Mountain itself is not changed. Any markers on either side of the Mountain that are not themselves part of a Mountain are changed.
6.04 Can I form combos with a Winds of Change?
Sure. See section 7 below.
6.05 Can I form a diagonal Winds of Change?
No, Winds of Change are either horizontal or vertical.
7. Combos
7.01 What are combos?
Combos are when two or more patterns are combined. The official rules lists the following combos:
Volcano: Fireball and mountain (note that the "top" of the volcano cannot be part of a Mountain) Death Star: A 4-directional Fireball
The CCGW version has the following additional combos:
Mountain Range: 2 (or more) interlocking Mountains
Mountain Breeze: Winds of Change where one side of the pattern is also part of a Mountain
Uplift: Winds of Change where both sides of the pattern are part of a mountain
Geyser: A fireball within a Tidal Wave
7.02 Do I have to use the combos?
No, you don't have to use the combos if you prefer not to. They are optional.
7.03 Why are the combos included? Isn't it too confusing for newbies?
The combos are optional and are included for completeness sake. Newbies can be told to safely ignore them.
7.04 What would you call a combo where both a Winds of Change and a Fireball is formed?
Good Question. I suppose it can be called Heatwave, but it'll be unofficial.
8. Erosion Rule (optional)
8.01 Why is this rule optional? What does that mean?
It is optional because it is not normally used in normal games. Treat it as an "advanced" rule.
8.02 Is the Erosion rule used normally?
No, not usually. However make sure to ask the person creating the game if the Erosion rule will be used before you join the game.
8.03 I want to use the Erosion rule in a game I'm starting. What should I do?
Tell everyone who's joining your game that you are playing with this rule and that they are OK with it. You might also want to put into your game name that you are playing with this rule.
8.04 What happens during Erosion?
When a Tidal Wave meets a Mountain, it may move one more step to destroy part of the Mountain. It then stops. If a pattern (usually a Fireball) is formed from the Mountain because of Erosion (and it is noticed by the players), then the effects are resolved.
8.05 Can I use Erosion when my Tidal Wave meets the edge of the board?
No.
8.06 After Erosion has occured and the Tidal Wave, can I add another marker to cause the Tidal Wave to grow change direction?
Yes, provided that the Tidal Wave wasn't wasn't destroyed when it caused the Erosion.
8.07 Let's say that Erosion has occured. I add a piece to cause it to grow. Can I move it in the original direction of the Tidal Wave?
Sure. If it meets another Mountain, Erosion occurs and it stops again. All other Tidal Wave rules apply.
9. Other Questions
9.01 How much will it cost to play Elemental on gatlingEngine?
After the testing phase, it'll costs 1 silver or 1 gold Token per game. You can buy Tokens by logging into your account from the webpage http://www.ccgworkshop.com . PayPal and most major Credit Cards are accepted.
9.02 Where can I buy the game?
You can order the game from Kenzer & Co.'s site.
9.03 Where can I contact Kenzer & Co.?
Kenzer & Co.'s website is at http://www.kenzerco.com/
Contact information:
Kenzer & Company
25667 Hillview Court
Mundelein, IL 60060
USA
Phone: [+ 1](847) 540-0029
Fax: [+ 1] (847) 540-8065
Email: http://www.kenzerco.com/contact.php
9.05 How can I contact CCG Workshop?
CCG Workshop's website is at http://www.ccgworkshop.com/
Contact information:
CCG Workshop
P.O. Box 531
New Windsor, Md
USA 21776-0531
Email: questions@ccgworkshop.com
