Epicycle
Epicycle | ||
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Nick Wedig | ||
A game where you exchanges pieces with those in a circle and try not to get stuck with pieces of the same size | ||
Players: | 2 | |
Length: | unknown | |
Complexity: | Low | |
Trios per color: | 1 | |
Number of colors: | 1 | |
- - - - - - Other equipment - - - - - - | ||
none | ||
Setup time: | 5 minutes | |
Strategy depth: | Medium | |
Random chance: | None | |
Theme: | Abstract, Strategy | |
BGG Link: | Epicycle | |
Status: Complete (v1.0), Year released: 2001 | ||
Overview
Epicycle is a simple game for two players that requires a single Icehouse stash. The object of the game is to force your opponent to pick up three pyramids of the same size or to deprive your opponent of any legal move.
Setup
Player 1 | Setup in center of table | Player 2 |
Pieces are arranged as if to form a pie shape of ten pieces. The tip of each piece should be in the center, and its sides touching and parallel to those of each adjacent pyramid. The initial setup of the board follows an order of a small pyramid, medium, then large, then repeat twice (ie, 1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3) and the final space of the theoretical ten-slice pie left empty.
(Once the players are familiar with the basic game, the setup of the board could be randomized, with pieces drawn from a bag or something similar, and placed around nine places in the pie shape.)
Each players receives one pyramid of each size.
Determine who goes first by whatever means both players agree upon.
Play
On your turn, place one pyramid from your inventory into the gap in the center of the table. Then remove one other pyramid from the board. The pyramid you are eligible to remove is determined by the size of the pyramid you have just placed: count the pips on your pyramid and then count that exact number of spaces away from it, either clockwise or counterclockwise. You may take either piece as long as it differs in size from one you have just placed. So if you just placed a medium piece, you are prohibited from picking up another medium. This keeps players from immediately reversing the last move, and also keeps your inventory in constant flux.
A player cannot pass on a turn if any move is possible. If no move is possible, that player has lost (see below).
Victory Conditions
A player loses when they have three pieces of the same size in their inventory.
A player also loses if they have no legal play possible.
In either case, the other player is the winner. (In games of more players, the losing players are removed from the game, and the last player in the game is the winner.)
Miscellaneous
The strategy in the game comes from forcing your opponent to make certain moves, by limiting the choices available to them.
Although two move loops are impossible (because you cannot take a piece of the same size you play), larger loops are theoretically possible. If both players agree the game has become stuck in a loop which neither can break out of, then they can quit and start a new game, or go off and play something else, or do whatever they wish.
Theoretically, more players could join using multiple stashes.