Cat Tree? We can handle this!
This game is from ldjam.com, which is currently unavailable.
You can try viewing the original page on Web Archive (may not load correctly).
You can try viewing the original page on Web Archive (may not load correctly).
_Physical game! Play with any 54 card deck if you want to try it._
---
In this card game for two players, build the greatest cat tree turn by turn with the components you have in your hands.
Games are quick, it is recommended to do several games and compare your trees.
This is the first time making a board game for the jam, we made it in a team of two during 3 hours. It is not a feature complete game and it will lack balance, but we had quite some fun making it. Don't hesitate to change the rules or the way you count the points.
In order to play it, you'll need a regular 54 card deck. Then sort your deck and pick all your Aces, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, J and K. The rest will not be used.
Each card corresponds to a structure of your tree, described as following:
Shuffle all your 32 cards in a single deck. Your cards will be played on the desk in a grid layout.
You must decide which side of the grid represents the floor. Every piece must be placed on top of a solid surface (_floor on certain other pieces_) or attached by both sides, with some exceptions (_refer to the previous table_).
You draw 2 cards for each player. Each player decides which card they play, the other will be discarded. Players can't communicate about their cards or what they'll do.
Then, the two players reveal their cards. Players can talk, decide who plays first and how they place their cards on the grid.
If some card can't be placed because there is no way to attach it (_such as the hammock_), you can't play them and _must dismiss it_.
You repeat this step 7 more times until there is no more card available.
Now that you have built your cat tree, you can count points based on what is in the grid. Distances are Manhattan distances (_diagonals = One horizontal step + one vertical step = distance of two_)
Every card that is at a height of 5 or more has an altitude bonus and points are _doubled_.
If a part is separated by a distance of 3 from all continuous structure touching the ground (_understand pieces that aren't separated by an empty space and one of them is touching the ground_), it is not part of the tree and doesn't add any point (_a shelf + a toy with a distance of 3, or a single structure with a distance of 3_).
Have fun, make the best cat tree!
---
A team card game where you build cat trees
In this card game for two players, build the greatest cat tree turn by turn with the components you have in your hands.
Games are quick, it is recommended to do several games and compare your trees.
This is the first time making a board game for the jam, we made it in a team of two during 3 hours. It is not a feature complete game and it will lack balance, but we had quite some fun making it. Don't hesitate to change the rules or the way you count the points.
Setup
In order to play it, you'll need a regular 54 card deck. Then sort your deck and pick all your Aces, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, J and K. The rest will not be used.
Each card corresponds to a structure of your tree, described as following:
| Card | Structure | Description | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ace | Pipe | A horizontal pipe cats can enter from both sides | 📥 Must be laid on a flat surface. 🚧 You can't use it as a basement or to attach pieces (_you can still place other pieces if they are attached by some other way_) |
| Tree | Scratcher | A vertical trunk circled with ropes. Cats can scratch their claws on it. | 📥 Must be laid on a flat surface. 🗼 You can build on top but you can't use it to support other pieces on their left or right side (_you can still place other pieces if they are attached by some other way_) |
| Six | Hammock | Piece of cloth hanging attached on the opposite sides. Cats can sleep inside. | 📌 Must be attached by both left and right side to be placed (_you can't hang them by a single side_). 🚧 You can't use it as a basement or to attach pieces (_you can still place other pieces if they are attached by some other way_) |
| Seven | Catwalk | A walk hanging attached on the opposite sides. Cats can cross gaps with it. | 📌 Must be attached by both left and right side to be placed (_you can't hang them by a single side_). 🚧 You can't use it as a basement or to attach pieces (_you can still place other pieces if they are attached by some other way_) |
| Eight | Box | A box with many openings cats can walk through. | 🌉 Must be laid on a flat surface or attached by both sides. 🏢 You can build on top and it can be used to hang on the sides. |
| Ten | Toy | A toy attached to the ground cats can play with. | 📥 Must be laid on a flat surface. 🚧 You can't use it as a basement or to attach pieces (_you can still place other pieces if they are attached by some other way_). |
| Jack | Shelf | A shelf attached directly to the wall. cats can use them to wall higher. | 🌈 Can be placed anywhere on the grid. 🏢 You can build on top and it can be used to hang on the sides. 🪁 Shelves can't touch the ground. |
| King | Nest | A box with a single opening. Cats can sleep inside. | 🌉 Must be laid on a flat surface or attached by both sides. 🏢 You can build on top and it can be used to hang on the sides. |
Shuffle all your 32 cards in a single deck. Your cards will be played on the desk in a grid layout.
You must decide which side of the grid represents the floor. Every piece must be placed on top of a solid surface (_floor on certain other pieces_) or attached by both sides, with some exceptions (_refer to the previous table_).
Turn
You draw 2 cards for each player. Each player decides which card they play, the other will be discarded. Players can't communicate about their cards or what they'll do.
Then, the two players reveal their cards. Players can talk, decide who plays first and how they place their cards on the grid.
If some card can't be placed because there is no way to attach it (_such as the hammock_), you can't play them and _must dismiss it_.
You repeat this step 7 more times until there is no more card available.
Points count
Now that you have built your cat tree, you can count points based on what is in the grid. Distances are Manhattan distances (_diagonals = One horizontal step + one vertical step = distance of two_)
| Structure | Points |
|---|---|
| Pipe | 5 points + 3 points by side attached. |
| Scratcher | 5 points. Scratchers placed side by side horizontally are grouped and counts only for one. They must be separated horizontaly by a distance of 2 or more to be considered a separate group. Scratchers built on top of another are considered as a separate group. |
| Hammock | 8 points. |
| Catwalk | 8 points. |
| Box | 5 points. |
| Toy | 5 points. Toys placed with less than a distance of 3 are grouped and counts only for one. |
| Shelf | 5 points. |
| Nest | 5 points. |
Every card that is at a height of 5 or more has an altitude bonus and points are _doubled_.
If a part is separated by a distance of 3 from all continuous structure touching the ground (_understand pieces that aren't separated by an empty space and one of them is touching the ground_), it is not part of the tree and doesn't add any point (_a shelf + a toy with a distance of 3, or a single structure with a distance of 3_).
Have fun, make the best cat tree!