I Dissent
I Dissent Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Overview
Players preside over the court of public opinion and rule on hot button topics of the day.
In each round all players will vote to AGREE or DISAGREE on a topic. Be on the side with the most votes to score points. The player with the most points after 7 rounds is the winner and reigns supreme!
However, being on the side with the most votes takes skill. Watch out for players switching sides or playing a Dissent card to get ahead. You may find yourself on the wrong side of a vote and not scoring any points at all.
Collecting Points & Voting Strategy
The goal is to score the most points by the end of the game. Points are found on the bottom of each Voting card, signified by the number of gavels.
So, in order to collect points, you will need to win votes during the game. You'll see that each Voting card (1, 2, and 3) has a different point value on it (gavel icon). Cards with less votes have more points.
The 1-vote card carries three gavel icons, the 2-vote card two, and the 3-vote card one.
Since cards have different point values than the number of votes, that will tell you that you need to play a bit more carefully when playing certain cards in order to get those points. Play strategically and get others to vote a certain way so you can successfully play less votes for a reward of scoring more points!
Play wisely. Remember, each voting card will only be used once during the game. Play your cards carefully so you can get the most points that you can.
For example:
- If you're confident that you'll be in the majority, you play a 1 vote... and get rewarded with 3 points!
- If you're not sure and trying to swing the vote in your favor, you may play 3 votes to get your side to win... but only get rewarded with 1 point.
The sheet shows the 1-vote card as "WORTH 3 POINTS when scoring" and the 3-vote card as "WORTH 1 POINT when scoring".
Dissent Cards
Once you get a good handle on the game's strategy, you may want to try using your Dissent card to steal the vote.
Each player has one Dissent card in their hand.
If played successfully, you will score 6 points and BLOCK those in the majority from scoring any points in the round. That's the power of this dissent!
However, this card must be played in the MINORITY of a vote to succeed.
You'll need strategy and savvy to play this card. For example, make a strong argument to get others to AGREE, then play your DISAGREE and DISSENT cards to try and ensure your spot in the minority of a vote.
How a Dissent Card Works
Play the Dissent card as a Voting card along with your Opinion card. It is worth 1 vote for your side.
- If a player successfully played their Dissent card in the MINORITY of a vote, they score and place their Dissent card in their score pile. All players in the majority, and any players in the minority that did not play a Dissent card, do not score and discard their voting cards into the box. Only the Dissenters in the minority win the round.
- If multiple Dissents are successfully played in the MINORITY, they all score.
- If a Dissent card ends up in the MAJORITY, then it doesn't score. The Dissent card is discarded into the box, and those in the majority who did not play a Dissent card still score as normal.
- If a Dissent card ends up in a TIE vote, then it doesn't score, and all Voting cards for the round are discarded.
Examples
Example 1: A Successful Dissent!
Vote totals as printed: 6 VOTES TO AGREE (MAJORITY) and 3 VOTES TO DISAGREE (MINORITY).
The Dissent card is played successfully in the MINORITY vote. That card is the only one that scores for the round and scores 6 points.
Example 2: Multiple Dissents Are Played
Vote totals as printed: 6 VOTES TO DISAGREE (MAJORITY) and 3 VOTES TO AGREE (MINORITY).
Two Dissent cards are played. One in the MAJORITY and one in the MINORITY vote. The Dissent in the minority is the only card that will score for the round. ALL other Voting cards are discarded.
Editorial note: the sheet prints "MAJORTIY" and "MINORTIY" in its example labels; they are corrected to MAJORITY and MINORITY here. The card diagrams themselves are not reproduced; the printed totals and captions are.
Scoring & Winning
After the final round, each player tallies up the number of points (gavel icons) on the cards in their scoring line. (Each player will have one Voting card leftover in their hand. This card is not counted in the final score.)
The player with the most points is the winner and reigns supreme!
Components
What's in the box:
- 81 Topic Cards
- 18 Opinion Cards (9 Agree / 9 Disagree)
- 9 Sets of Voting Cards (8 cards per set)
- 1 Chief Justice Card
- 1-Minute Timer
- Game Instructions
Players: 3-9. Age: 14+.
Gap note: the sheet lists the Chief Justice Card, but the recovered copy does not explain its function or how it is used. It is not described here.