Vault: A Solitaire Dice Game
Vault: A Solitaire Dice Game Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- 1 Player Board (the print out in the file section has 2 per sheet)
- 5 Six Sided Dice (5 x d6)
- 1 Writing Utensil
Gameplay
The vault you are trying to crack has twelve locks on it as mentioned earlier, each with a letter on it representing the round. At the end of each round, the next lock in the letter sequence will shut, removing chances of obtaining any gemstones in its row or column. Each round, you will complete 4 steps:
- Roll all five dice and place them in the section labeled, "UNUSED DICE."
- You will then mark off square(s) in the vault or skimmer using the dice you have rolled.
- Once you have used all your dice, or passed, the current round will end, locking up gemstones you have not already gathered from that row or column.
- If you have not completed round L, you will start the next round. Otherwise, move to End of the Game.
Marking Off Squares
For this part of your turn you will use unused dice to mark off the numbered squares that are in the vault. To do so, use any number of dice (you may add or subtract their totals) whose total value matches the number on a square in the vault. Some squares only require one die.
While most squares only have a number that you must match, there are a few other square types that are worth keeping an eye on:
- Odd and Even Squares: These squares only require one die to mark them off. The value must be either Even or Odd based on what is printed in the square.
- X2 Squares: These squares require two dice to mark off. Though the value does not matter, the value must be the same on both dice. For example: You may use two 2's to mark off the square.
- Blacked Out Squares: These squares are already marked off, there is no need to worry about them.
Once you have used a die, move it below your player board to the section labeled, "USED DICE."
Skimmers
Skimmers are devices used to crack electronic safes. Rather than using all your dice to mark off squares, you may use dice to power up your skimmers. Skimmers are found to the left of the vault on your player board.
Charging Skimmers
Skimmers allow you to store dice from round to round, by adding their totals together. To charge up the skimmers, mark off boxes above any of the three skimmer columns equal to the number(s) on each leftover die. Dice may be used to charge one/multiple skimmers, however each die may only be used for one skimmer. After marking off squares in the skimmer, move that die to the "USED DICE" section. For example: if you have a die that has a three on it, mark off three boxes above one of the three skimmers. Then move it to the "USED DICE" section.
Note: Though unlikely, it is also possible to skip using an unwanted die. However, if you use a die you must use all of that die.
Using Skimmers
Skimmers may be used at any time to mark off squares in the vault, just like any die. They may be used separately, or in combination (added or subtracted) with any unused dice. To do so, count the number of boxes in a skimmer's column and add or subtract it from the dice in your unused section, or use it by itself. For example: If you have 13 boxes in one skimmer marked off, you may mark off the 13, or use a die with 5 on it to bring your total up to 18 and mark off a square with an 18 in it.
After you have used a skimmer, mark off the power symbol below it. The skimmers do not need to be used in order, so it is possible to fill all 3 skimmers up before activating any of them.
Note: Once the skimmer has been used, it may not be added to or used again.
Rerolls
Over the course of the game, you are allowed to reroll dice up to three times. You may reroll any number of unused dice (1-5) at any point on your turn. In doing so, mark off one of the circles labeled "reroll" to the right of your player board.
Note: You may reroll dice multiple times in one round, however, you must mark off one "reroll" every time.
Stealing Gemstones
If you ever manage to mark off all squares in a row or a column check to see if that row has been locked (the letter is marked off). If locked, those gemstones are lost. However, if not, circle all the gemstones that are next to that lock. These will count towards your score at the end of the game.
Note: Some of the rows and columns contain more valuable gemstones than others, so keep this in mind.
End of Round
Once you no longer have any dice in your "UNUSED DICE" section the round is over. Mark off the lock of the current round, starting with A, and ending with L. If you have just crossed off the letter L, move to "End of the Game" otherwise keep playing until all the rounds have been completed in alphabetical order.
End of the Game
The game is over when you have finished round L. Count up all circled gemstone icons as well as every unused skimmer (regardless of how many boxes you have or have not marked). Then use the space provided on the right of your player board to calculate your total score. Congratulations, you are now a vault cracker.
Thanks To
I would like to thank all that helped this project come to life. Sarah (my wife) for helping with the rulebook, and Christian Senn for designing the vault door for my title illustration, as well as the Premium Artwork.
Also, I would like to thank my playtesters: Ben Panter, Steven Clegg, Evan Koenig, Vincent B, Jeevan Arumugam, Andy Desa, Kikwik, lerouquinmarteau, Trevor and Jack Critchley, Kazatan Games, Pablo Muñoz, Krymon, Patrick Meir, Radith Pr, Ki, and the Amole Family for playtesting. Also, I would like to thank Christian Patrick Scully and Sean May for helping me come up with an alternate theme for this game. This game could not have come to life without your help.
I would like to give a huge shout out to Trevor Critchley, Adam Sequoyah, George Lamirato III, Michael Sewall, and Chris Nayler for helping to develop the premium boards. The 18 boards would not have come together without their help.
Michael Jacobs helped us develop our APP implementation of the game that you can find on App Store.
Also n_e_s_s_u_n_o for his help with getting the game onto Board Game Arena.
Lastly for translation of the rules:
- Polish: Marek Szumny (Wirtualne Wydawnictwo MARK6)
- Spanish: Sergi Sanchez Labrador and Little Dungeons
- Portuguese: Ricardo Veloso
- French: Sébastien Aubry and Virginie Adine
Koenig Kreations is a one man design studio dedicated to bringing easy to play games into households around the world. A majority of what we offer is free to print games that are available in our Google Drive, while some of our games have been uploaded to Board Game Geek, some free and some paid.