TRIPWIRE
HACK THE SEQUENCE // SYSTEM CLEAR
2–6 PLAYERS
Shed all data packets to win.
20–40 MINS
Tactical sequence manipulation.
System_Manual_v3.0
01 Game Overview
Objective: Be the first player to play all cards from your hand, reaching exactly 0 cards. Declare "System Clear!" immediately upon playing your last card to win. The game ends instantly.
Key Concept: You are hacking into three central "Docks". Cards played must follow an ascending or descending sequence (Difference of 1).
02 Components (Total: 65)
Standard (30)
10 Teal, 10 Purple, 10 Orange (1-10).
Wilds (9)
Vector, Volt, Stasis.
Neutrals (23)
Grey (2-9), [+], [-], Null.
Draw
Discard
03 Setup Protocol
- Shuffle the entire 65-card deck thoroughly.
- Deal exactly 7 cards face-down.
- Place remaining cards as the Draw Pile.
- Initialize Docks: Place the 3 Sector Markers.
TEAL
PURP
ORNG
04 Turn Structure
1. Attempt to Play: Play as many valid cards as you can.
2. If No Plays: Draw exactly 1 card. Turn ends.
3. Bonus: If you played a DEFUSE (1) or valid Volt, take another turn.
4. Penalty Interrupt: Resolve penalties immediately.
5. Dock Priming: Turns are taken as normal to fill or add to Docks. You cannot initiate a Triple Play until all 3 Docks have at least one card.
05 Valid Plays
A. Standard Operations
- Standard Play: Match Color AND be +/- 1 value.
- Number Match: Match Number (any color) to Hijack the dock color.
B. Green Wilds
VECTOR (Wild 2–9)
Flexible number. Can be played as any number. Must be an increase or decrease (+/- 1) of the card below.
VOLT (Reset)
Can play as a 1 or 10 (i.e., on a 2 or 9). Triggers Defuse or Tripwire effects.
STASIS (Lock)
Is the midpoint (5). Can be played on a 3, 4, or 6. Triggers penalty for next player.
C. Neutral Strategy
Neutral Chain: Play unlimited Grey/Modifiers on ONE dock. Modifiers ([+] / [-]) adjust value.
06 Penalties & Defense
NULL CARD (DEFLECTOR)
The primary defense mechanism. When a penalty targets you, play this to pass it on to the next player. It cancels one unit of penalty (e.g., 1 card draw) or passes the entire effect depending on the active chain rule.
THE CHAIN REACTION PROTOCOL
Penalties stack into an "Attack Wave".
- Deflect (Null): Play a Null card to be SAFE from 1 penalty unit. Remainder passes to next player.
- Take Hit: If you cannot Null, you Draw 1 + Skip. You absorb 1 unit. Remainder passes.
- Wall Rule: If Chain returns to Initiator, they MUST take the hit.
> SIMULATION LOG
[EVENT] A triggers 3 Penalties.
>> TARGET: B (3 Incoming)
Action: B plays Null. SAFE. (2 Remain)
>> TARGET: C (2 Incoming)
Action: C has no Null. Hits. (1 Remains)
>> TARGET: D (1 Incoming)
Action: D takes hit. End.
07 Special Situations
- Tripwire (10): Resets stack. Next player Draws 1 + Skips. Move stack to Side Pile.
- Defuse (1): Resets stack. You play again (Bonus). Move stack to Side Pile.
- Empty Draw Pile: Shuffle Side Pile to form new Draw Pile.
- Triple Play: Playing 1 valid card on ALL 3 Docks in a single turn triggers a penalty on the next player. Restriction: You cannot initiate a Triple Play until ALL 3 docks have at least one card on them.
08 System Clear
"SYSTEM CLEAR!"
Play your last card. Shout the command. Win immediately.