Iconica Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Game Overview
• Components
  • Iconica Character Card (Fig. 1)
  • Game Markers and Reference Card
• Game Setup (Fig. 2)
  • 2-Player Game Setup (Page 2)
  • 4-Player Team Setup (Page 7)
• Turn Phases (Fig. 3)
• Action Rolls
• Character Actions
• Status Effects
  • Minor Status Effects – Last for one of your turns
  • Major Status Effects – May last for multiple turns
  • Unique Status Effects – May last for multiple turns
• Reaction Tiles
• Nullifier Tiles
• Character Strengths
• Final Acts
• Gameplay Lingo
• 4-Player Team Games (2v2)

Game Overview

In Iconica, you lead a party of adventurers in a contest of turn-based strategy. The characters you choose are your Party Members.

The object of Iconica is to eliminate your opponent's characters. Players take turns using character actions against each other. The player to eliminate all of his/her opponent's characters first, wins.

Components

Iconica Character Card (Fig. 1)

Each character is represented by a character card. The numbered parts of the card are:

1. Faction Banner and Icon
2. Character Archetype
3. Character Health Value
4. Nullifier Icons
5. Character Affiliation
6. Character Description
7. Influence Icon (Nonfunctional)
8. Start Tile and Health Meter
9. Character Portrait
10. Character Faction
11. Character Class
12. Card Type
13. Skull Tile
14. Character Action Box
15. Action Break Icon
16. Final Act
17. Nullifier Tile
18. Strength Bonus
19. Nullifier Tile Statistics
20. Reaction Statistics
21. Card and Series Numbers

The Status Marker Placements shown on the card are:

• A) Confusion (Orange)
• B) Blind (Orange)
• C) Stun (Orange)
• D) Fear (Purple)
• E) Poison (Green)
• F) Restoration (Blue)
• G) Siphon (Red)

Game Markers and Reference Card

The setup figure (Fig. 2) lists Game Markers and a Reference Card as components.

Game Setup (Fig. 2)

2-Player Game Setup (Page 2)

2-player games begin with Party Member selection. To form parties, players roll a die. The player who rolls the lowest number chooses a character first and begins setup as in Fig 2. Players alternate character selection, placing cards face up on the table. Continue until both players have three characters.

Three characters each is standard. Feeling brave? Try five!

Your party may be formed using any combination of characters with the following restrictions:

1. Characters aligned with Legion and Protectorate factions, can not be in the same party. (Fig. 1, #10)
2. Duplicate characters can not be in the same party or team.
3. Players are limited to one Legend or Special character each. (Fig. 1, #12)
4. Players can not use the same Legend or Special character.

There are five main Character Classes.

1. Offensive are damage dealers.
2. Defensive avoid and absorb damage.
3. Disruptive cause status effects and conditions.
4. Supportive are healers and protectors.
5. Adaptive maintain a balanced range of actions.

Once players finish character selection, place a black damage marker on the Start Tile (Fig. 1, #8) of each card. Whether you're playing a 2-player or 4-player game (Page 7) setup should look something like the example in Fig. 2.

The player who rolled the lowest number during party member selection begins play by taking an Action Roll (Page 4). Players follow the guidelines in Fig. 3 and alternate taking turns.

4-Player Team Setup (Page 7)

In team games, players are allied. Each team is an opponent of the other team. Coordinating your strategy as allies is encouraged.

Turn Phases (Fig. 3)

Opening Phase

1. If needed, apply any delayed actions from previous turn(s).
2. Eligible characters may attempt their Final Act.
3. If applicable, roll to resolve Status Effects such as Poison, Fear, Restoration, or Siphon.

Action Phase

1. Take your Action Roll.
2. Choose a character and action to use.
3. If applicable, apply your Action Break bonus.
4. If necessary, roll to resolve Status Effects such as Blind and Confusion.
5. Select a target and attempt your chosen action.

Closing Phase

1. Eligible characters may attempt their Final Act.
2. Remove any Status Effects that end after one turn.

Action Rolls

The Action Roll determines the character actions available during your turn. Roll two dice – one white and one black. You may then choose one of two options:

1. Use numbered character action matching the number on your white die, OR
2. Use a numbered character action with an Action Break Icon (a black badge with a left-pointing arrow and a "#") next to it. This must match the number on the black die.

If you choose this second option, you may also heal the acting character of 20 damage and dispel any negative effects it has.

Character Actions

Actions may call for damage, status effects, or healing to be dealt. Some types of actions are Melee, Ranged, and Status. Always do what a character's action calls for even if it is not covered in these rules. If you can not do what an action calls for, perform any part of the action that you can. In some cases, the result may be your turn simply ending.

When applying damage, move your damage marker down the Health Meter (Fig. 1, #8) towards the Skull Tile. (Fig. 1, #13) When applying healing, move your damage marker up the Health Meter away from the Skull Tile.

When an action results in a character's damage marker landing on the skull tile, all status effects, conditions, auras, Iconica Travels cards, etc., are removed from that character as it waits to attempt a Final Act. (Page 6)

Apply actions in the order in which they read. If an action reads "Deal Poison and 30 damage...", apply Poison first, then the damage. If an action reads "Deal 30 damage and Poison...", apply damage, then Poison.

Status Effects

Some status effects are negative, others have a positive effect on your characters. There are three types of status effects: Minor, Major, and Unique.

Minor Status Effects – Last for one of your turns

Confusion – Use an orange marker to indicate Confusion (Fig. 1, A). You may attempt to use the action of a character that is Confused. Roll a die. If the number is odd, Confusion ends and the action succeeds. If the number is even, take no action and either: 1) deal 10 damage to one of your characters OR 2) a rival heals one character of 10 damage. If your opponent can not heal a character, one of yours takes 10 damage.

Blind – Use an orange marker to indicate Blind (Fig. 1, B). If you attempt to use the action of a character that is Blind, roll a die. If the number is odd, Blind ends and your action succeeds. If the number is even, the action fails.

Stun – Use an orange marker to indicate Stun (Fig. 1, C). Stun prevents a character from taking an action for one turn. Attempt dice rolls for other status effects your character may have. Stun does not prevent you from taking your turn. Take your Action Roll as normal, which may lead to an Action Break opportunity (Page 4, Action Rolls).

Major Status Effects – May last for multiple turns

Fear – Use a purple marker to indicate Fear (Fig. 1, D). Before your Action Roll, roll a die. If the number is odd, Fear ends. If the number is even, your character can not act for that turn and Fear remains. Fear does not prevent you from taking your turn. As with Stun, take your Action Roll as normal, which may lead to an Action Break opportunity.

Poison – Use a green marker to indicate Poison (Fig. 1, E). Before your Action Roll, roll a die. If the number is odd, Poison ends. If the number is even, your character suffers 10 damage and Poison remains.

Restoration – Use a blue marker to indicate Restoration (Fig.1, F). Before your Action Roll, roll a die. If the number is even, Restoration ends. If the number is odd, your character gains 20 health and Restoration remains.

Siphon – Use a red marker to indicate Siphon (Fig.1, G). Before your Action Roll, roll a die. If the number is even, Siphon ends. If the number is odd, heal your character of 10 damage, deal 10 damage to one foe, and Siphon remains.

Siphon can only be used by Sarion characters.

Unique Status Effects – May last for multiple turns

Some characters have the ability to inflict status effects which are not listed in these rules. Examples include Venom, Toxin, and Sleep. Each character's actions will explain how to resolve these Unique Status Effects.

Reaction Tiles

Some characters have tiles on their Health Meter marked with an "R" followed by a number. (R-#) These are Reaction Tiles. If you land on a Reaction Tile after applying damage, immediately deal damage back to the attacking character in the amount specified on the tile.

Important: Reaction Tiles may not be used as a result of applying health or from damage caused by Poison, Final Acts, etc. However, Reaction Tiles can be used if landed on as a result of Parry.

Nullifier Tiles

Nullifier Tiles provide your characters with benefits when your damage marker lands on them (Fig. 1, #17, example is Parry). These tiles prevent new status effects and may remove existing ones. Watch for the icons below.

• Antidote – Prevents / removes Poison
• Courage – Prevents / removes Fear
• Evasion – Prevents / removes Stun
• Focus – Prevents / removes Confusion
• Clarity – Prevents / removes Blind
• Parry – Nullifies damage. If you land on a Parry Tile after taking damage, you may move your damage marker up one tile preventing 10 damage.

Important: Parry applies to damage taken from your opponent. Parry can not be used after applying healing or when damage is caused by Poison, Confusion, Final Acts, etc.

Character Strengths

Strength Bonus (Fig. 1, #18) are used against rival archetypes, races, or classes. These bonuses are applied after a character takes its action.

Final Acts

When a character's damage marker reaches the Skull Tile, it is eliminated from play. However, the character may still be eligible to attempt a Final Act. Final Acts (Fig.1, #16) are special actions taken when a character's damage marker reaches the skull tile.

If your opponent "skulls" one of your characters, attempt your Final Act at the end of their turn, before you take your next Action Roll. If "Skulled" during your own turn, attempt your Final Act at the end of your turn. (Fig. 3, Turn Phases)

After executing a Final Act, turn your card over to indicate that your character is out of the game. In general, the effects of Final Acts can not be prevented or avoided, such as by Nullifiers, Auras, etc. However, some characters may have unique benefits which prevent Final Acts or their effects.

Gameplay Lingo

• Allied Character(s) – All characters in your party and your teammate's party, not including the character taking an action.
• Dispel – Immediately removing any negative status effects a character may be inflicted with.
• Friendly Character(s) – Any character in your party or your teammates.
• Opponent/rival – Any person/team playing against you.
• Opposing character(s) – Characters under the control of your opponent.
• Skulled – An Iconica buzzword meaning a character has no health left.

4-Player Team Games (2v2)

In 4-player games, two players team up against two others. Party member selection begins with all four players rolling a die. Whoever rolls the lowest number, selects a character first. Then, a player from the opposing team selects a character. This cycle alternates until all four players have three characters each.

In 4-player games, each team member takes an Action Roll during their team's turn. Both team members follow the guidelines in Fig. 3, Turn Phases. Cooperating and planning is encouraged as you decide on which actions to take against your opponent and in what order.