Auxiliary Rules Part 1: One Versus One game

Welcome to the new mini-series on Auxiliary Rules! In this series, there will be a mix of official rules and some unorthodox suggestions. For those of you who are getting sick of the usual game style, here are a few interesting variations to this already very complex game.

So, are you ready? Here we go into Part 1!


Rule Name: "1 VS 1"
Type: Official/Unorthodoxed
Complexity: Simple
Strategic Level: 3 / 5
Fun Level: 3 / 5


"1 VS 1" is a variation to the game where there are only 2 people available - you and some other sad person. Both of you probably have no other friends, but that's okay. You enjoy each other's company and that is all that matters... right?

Ok I admit, I played "1 VS 1" a few times. What was I to do? My hands were itching to play but nobody else was free except my girlfriend. That was how we decided to research online for any rules for 2 players only, and it turns out there is actually an official "1 VS 1" rule provided by Yoka Games.

Right... enough yabbering. Let's dive right in!


The Setup:

*Important! Before the game begins, remove Heaven Scorcher Halberd 方天画戟 and Unicorn Bow 麒麟弓 from the deck.

Every player will need to draw 2 characters - one General and one Vanguard 先锋. The Role cards such as Ruler 主公, Loyalist 忠臣, etc. are not needed. The layout is displayed below in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Characters Layout

The General is equivalent to the Ruler but is NOT permitted to use the Ruler Abilities if he chooses to use a Ruler character. Once the General is dead, that player loses and the game is over.

Choosing the General and Vanguard character is kept very flexible. You can either decide to blindly draw 1 from the deck, name 1 which you prefer, or distribute a number of characters to pick from. It really does not matter since there are only 2 players. As long as both agree, the game will go on!

Distance calculations are as shown below in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Distance Calculations

I hope you understand about range and distances well by now. If not, do read up on the basics of range calculations on Game Rules Part 3.

At some point in the game, a vanguard will probably (but not necessarily) die first. Thus the alterations to distance is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Distance when 1 vanguard dies.

Ok so far things should be pretty easy to digest, yes?

Now for the game play proper. Everything else about the set-up of the game is identical to the normal game, every character gets 4 cards at the beginning.

Decide which player goes first. Again, it's really up to you how you want to decide.

The order to play goes like this as shown in Figure 4 (assuming Beck goes first).

Figure 4: Order of play

Now here are some very important things you must take note of when playing "1 VS 1". I suggest you memorize these by heart!

1. When a Vanguard uses BARBARIANS 南蛮入侵 or RAINING ARROWS 万箭齐发, his or her own General is not affected (has no effect). However when used by a General, the Vanguard will be affected.

2. DURESS 借刀杀人 cannot be used on a character from your own team.

3. Ruler abilities, if any, cannot be used by the General.

4. During the General's turn, the General can choose to give 1 card (either on-hand or equipped) to his Vanguard.


Well, that wraps up this simple post on "1 VS 1" game rules. Look out for my next post on "3 VS 3" tournament-style play!

Till then... have fun and 杀!