OCTAGION (rhymes with “contagion”) is a fast-paced word-building game that uses special cards, each displaying a letter and a number. The catch is that you can’t use more than one card with the same number when spelling a word. Ideal for solo play, head-to-head matches, or team competitions, each team uses its own deck to strategize. The game consists of eight rounds, presenting an 8-letter challenge word for each round that players must solve quickly. OCTAGION is the ultimate family-friendly speed-spelling game. It’s contagious!
How to Play
1. Setup
2. Starting a Round
3. Constructing the Word
4. Ending the Round
5. Game Length
Scoring
1. Only the first 8 letters count. If your variant has more than 8 letters, remove the trailing cards.
2. Start with 8 points. Then, make the following subtractions and/or additions. Individual cards are not penalized more than once.
The following variations include the use of Treatment and Countdown Cards. You may adjust the difficulty level of your games. Set aside any superfluous cards and start with the easiest variations for your initial games.
1. Countdown Cards (red backs) indicate the amount of time you are allowed for each round. The top of each card is labeled with a number from 1 to 3.
2. Treatment Cards (blue backs) are wildcards that are good for just one use during the game.
Rule “Mutation” Alpha: Reducing the Clock for Each Round in a Game
1. Start the first round with a 2-minute timer. See Timers.
2. Reduce the clock by 5 seconds for each round. The last round is set at 1:25.
Rule “Mutation” Beta: Using Treatment Cards to Handicap the Competition
1. Allocate up to five Treatment Cards (blue backs) to each team based on their skill level. Give fewer or no cards to stronger teams.
2. Use a 2-minute timer for your rounds or combine with rule gamma. Set the timer and begin the round. See Timers.
3. After scoring each round, remove any exposed Treatment Cards from the game.
Rule “Mutation” Gamma: Using Countdown Cards
1. Shuffle the Countdown Cards (red backs) and place the stack face down.
2. Draw the top card.
3. The time indicated in the middle is the amount of time you are allowed to play for this round. Set the timer and begin the round. See Timers.
4. After scoring each round, remove any exposed Treatment Cards from the game. Place the used Countdown Card on the bottom of the stack.
5. Repeat from step 2 to begin a new round.
Rule “Mutation” Delta: Randomizing the Word Selection
1. Shuffle the Countdown Cards (red backs) and place the stack face down on the table.
2. Shuffle the Word Cards (green backs) and place the stack face down to the right of the Countdown Cards.
3. Shuffle your decks, randomly choose a card from one of them, and place it to the left of the Countdown Cards.
4. Flip over the top card of each stack.
5. Add the number on the Letter Card to the bottom number (+0, +8, +16, +24, +32) on the Countdown Card. The result is a number from 1 to 40. Use this number to pick the corresponding word on the Word Card. (Note: Word Cards are numbered A1...A40, B1...B40, etc. Ignore the letter prefix.)
6. Return the Letter Card to its proper deck.
7. Set the timer and begin the round. See Timers.
8. After scoring each round, place the used Countdown and Word Cards on the bottom of their stacks.
9. Repeat from step 3 to begin a new round.
Rule “Mutation” Epsilon: Each Team Solving a Different Word
1. Just like it says, repeat the word selection for each team.
2. Either choose a word for your opponents or combine with rule delta.
Rule "Mutation" Zeta: Using Non-conforming Words
1. Use 8-letter words that do not necessarily conform to the OCTAGION deck.
2. The use of Treatment Cards may be necessary to spell words without repeating numbers.
Virulent Octagion: Combining rules beta, gamma, delta and epsilon
1. Allocate the agreed number of Treatment Cards (blue backs) to each team.
2. Shuffle the Countdown Cards (red backs) and place the stack face down on the table.
3. Shuffle the Word Cards (green backs) and place the stack face down to the right of the Countdown Cards.
4. Each player shuffles their deck, randomly chooses a card, and places it to the left of the Countdown Cards.
5. Flip over the top card of each stack.
6. For each player, add the number on their Letter Card to the bottom number (+0, +8, +16, +24, +32) on the Countdown Card. The result is a number from 1 to 40. Use this number to pick the corresponding word on the Word Card. (Note: Word Cards are numbered A1...A40, B1...B40, etc. Ignore the letter prefix.)
7. Return the Letter Cards to their proper decks.
8. The time indicated in the middle of the Countdown Card is the amount of time you are allowed to play for this round. Set the timer and begin the round. See Timers.
9. After scoring each round, remove any exposed Treatment Cards from the game. Place the used Countdown and Word Cards on the bottom of their stacks.
10. Repeat from step 4 to begin a new round.
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