EQUILIBRIX Connect – Game rules

The game is based on the theme of universal geometric pattern which is known as The Flower of Life. The pattern is comprised of two different shapes in a ratio of 3:5. At the start of the game each player gets 9 triangular and 15 biangular stones and three bases in the same colour. Dice show various positions and each player has to respect them when it is their turn to play.

1. Preparation

Place your bases in a circle on the playing field — alternately according to the colour (option for 2 players) or opposite each other (option for 5 players). Then place 1 biangular and 1 triangular stone of each colour to a starting position. All players start with the same layout of the stones. The first one to connect all of his bases is the winner. The way of connecting stones is determined by imaginary points situated in the centre of all “Flowers” that form the playing field. Each of these points connects all 12 surrounding fields (imaginary points on the edge connect fewer fields). You can find 2 of these imaginary points on your bases and at least one of these points is needed to be connected.

2. How to play

Player’s turn begins with rolling two dice. However, there is one exception – the player who starts the game carries out his first roll just with one die. There are always two fields in a certain position depicted on the dice. You are allowed to carry out one action for each of the rolled dice. Remember that you have to respect the positions shown on the dice while carrying out your actions. One of the possible actions is “The Birth” which is carried out by placing one of your stones on a free field. What follows is a creation of a stone group formed by the original and newly born stone. This group has to be shaped as given by the rolled position on the die. You can turn the dice clockwise or counterclock-wise as you wish so that every rolled position offers more ways of birth.

3. Special situations

The newly born stone can work as a maternal stone for further action within the same turn. It can happen exceptionally that you do not have any stones of definite shape on the playing field. You can carry out “Birth” on any free field in that case, because there is no other stone to be connected. You can also use the position for a reverse action — you take 1 stone back to your stock instead of placing the stone on the field. However, you can only do this with stones from a stone group that has the same shape (position] depicted on the dice.

4. Surrounding

Surrounding of the opponentis stones is an important part of the game. You can learn different ways of surrounding from descriptions on the card (attached]. If you are playing in a group of three players you can also work with the stones of one opponent against the other. Instead of only one opponent, each player then faces an alliance of two teammates. Attacked player takes the surrounded stone back into his stock and the attacker gains one extra action in his turn. However, the player has to carry out this action immediately using the same position on the dice which has been used for the particular attack. If this bonus action leads to another surrounding, the attacker gains one more action, etc.

10 most frequently asked questions concerning the EQUILIBRIX Connect game

Firstly, I would like to thank to all of you, who plucked up the courage to try my unusual game and who were not shy to ask about various things. Since the questions were meaningful and many of them have repeated frequently, I have decided to put followinghelp at your disposal – expressed by modern language: TOP 10 FAQ =)

1. Am I allowed place a stone to the stones of different colour?

No, you can’t. A newly born stone has to be always connected with a maternal stone of the same colour

2. Is it possible to carry out “The Birth” directly from the basis?

No, the bases only define points which have to be connected.

3. Am I allowed to place a stone on the surrounded field?

Yes, it is not only allowed, but also recommended, because this kind of position is quite safe. Surrounding is not evaluated retrospectively, it is possible just in the moment the attacker creates the surrounding formation in his turn.

4. What if I run out of stones?

You can carry out a reverse action anytime during the game and you can take back one stone back to your stock instead of placing the stone on the field.

5. How many dice should I roll as a bonus for the surrounding?

You play with one dice – that one which has been just used for placing the attack stone. However, you don’t roll the dice again, the following action will be carried out by using the same position rolled on the dice.

6. Am I allowed to surround my own stone?

No, the player can’t take part (not even with one stone) in his own surrounding.

7. Do I gain more actions for surrounding more stones?

No, you always gain just one action as a bonus. The aim of the bonus actions is to compensate the dice used for another purpose than connecting bases.

8. Do I cut off a connection of other player, if I cross it with my connected stones?

No, the connection of stones is completely independent of a neighbouring situation on the playing field.

9. Am I allowed to place a stone on the playing field which has been taken to my stock right now by using the reverse action?

No, you take back the stone to your stock and that means the dice is used.

10. Should I give the surrounded stone back to the owner?

Yes, there are no captives in the game.