Âmbar
Âmbar Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- 96 Fossil pieces, divided into four types, numbered from 1 to 6 (four of each):
- 24 Dinosaur Fossils
- 24 Plant Fossils
- 24 Marine Fossils
- 24 Amber Fossils
- This rulebook.
Setup
Regardless of the number of players, shuffle all the Fossils face down in the center of the table. Then each player will create a horizontal row of 10 initial display Fossils. Keep the Fossils in this display face-down (do not look at their reverse side), following the below rules:
- Randomly take 4 Fossils, one of each type, from the center and place them in a row.
- Then take another 4 Fossils, one of each type. Continue the same row, in the same order as the previously placed Fossils.
- Finally, take 2 more Fossils of the same type as the first two Fossils in the row and place them at the end of the row, keeping the same order.
Note: Each player creates their own initial display. The remaining Fossils are kept in the center of the table within all players' reach, forming the Excavation.
If you prefer, you can separate the Excavation Fossils into the four types.
Objective of the Game
Stack Fossils in your row so that, at the end of the game, you are the player with the most Fossils on the second level. In case of a tie, the player with the most Fossils on the third level wins, and so on for higher levels as needed.
How to Play
The oldest player goes first. Play then continues clockwise.
On your turn, follow these steps in order:
- Choose one Fossil from the Excavation
- Place the chosen Fossil (optional)
1. Choose One Fossil from the Excavation
You must choose one of the following options:
A. Choose a face-down Fossil from the Excavation and reveal it.
If there is no identical Fossil already visible in your display, you may proceed to Step 2.
If there is an identical Fossil already visible in your display, leave the Fossil face-up in the Excavation. Your turn ends immediately, and play passes to the player on your left.
An identical Fossil is a Fossil with the same type and the same number as one already in your display.
OR
B. Choose a face-up Fossil from the Excavation, as long as there is no identical Fossil already visible in your display.
2. Place the Chosen Fossil (optional)
Place the chosen Fossil face-up in one of the 10 columns, the Fossils already in your display.
When placing a Fossil choose one of the following options:
A. Place the chosen Fossil in your display by swapping it with a initial Fossil (see below).
OR
B. Place the Fossil in your display on top of an already FACE-UP FOSSIL (see below).
Fossils must ALWAYS be placed in ascending order based on their number (see below).
It is not mandatory to place the chosen Fossil in your display. You may return it to the Excavation, face-up, either by choice or because it cannot be placed according to the rules.
If you cannot or choose not to place the Fossil, your turn ends immediately and passes to the player on your left.
A. Place the Chosen Fossil in Your Display by Swapping It with a Fossil in Your Initial Display (a face-down piece)
Place the Fossil you chose from the Excavation into your display, face-up, replacing one of your initial Fossils. The replaced initial Fossil is placed face-up in the Excavation.
B. Place the Piece in Your Display on Top of an Already Face-Up Fossil
The Fossil you chose may also be placed on top of a column, covering a Fossil that is already face up and increasing the height of that column in your display. This Fossil CANNOT be placed if it would end up two levels higher than the top Fossils of both immediately adjacent columns (the columns immediately to the left and right).
Exception: if the Fossil is placed in the first or last column of the display, compare it only to the single adjacent column.
Ascending Order
ALWAYS ensure an ascending order of numbers.
When looking only at the visible numbers in your display, from left to right, each number must be equal to or higher than the previous one. Initial Fossils that are still face down are considered blank and do not affect this placement order.
Extra Turn
After placing your Fossil, play passes to the next player, unless you are able to place the Fossil next to one of the same type whose number is exactly 1 higher or 1 lower than the placed Fossil. This is an excellent arrangement and earns you one extra turn. You may gain consecutive extra turns, with no limit if you are able to continue placing Fossils in excellent arrangement.
If you place a Fossil between two columns whose topmost Fossils are both of the same type and sequential relative to the placed Fossil (−1 / +1), you still gain only one extra turn.
End of the Game
When there are no more face-down Fossils in the Excavation, the end of the game begins.
If face-up Fossils remain, players may continue taking turns by choosing and placing those Fossils following the normal rules, or by passing. If all players pass consecutively, or if no Fossils remain in the Excavation, the game ends and the winner is determined.
Winning the Game
Players compare their displays to determine the winner. The player with the most Fossils on the second level of their display wins. If there is a tie, the tied players compare the number of Fossils on the third level, and so on for higher levels as needed. If, after comparing all levels, the tie remains, the tied players share the victory.
Example of a 3-player game ending: Emily completed Fossils up to the 2nd level. Olivia and James both completed up to the 3rd level. Olivia and James are currently tied. To break the tie, Olivia and James compare how many Fossils they managed to place on the 4th level. James placed more Fossils on the 4th level than Olivia and therefore wins the game, regardless of Fossils that may exist on higher levels.