Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition

2022

Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition is a captivating quantum trick-taking card game for 2-5 players. Hypothesize, bid, and strategize to avoid paradoxes and win!

40
minutes

2 - 5
player(s)

13+

Medium

About the game

Step into the whimsical world of ‘Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition’, an enchanting board game experience that combines strategy, unpredictability, and a whole lot of feline fun. This game is sure to enthrall players with its unique theme, engaging setting, and compelling core mechanics.

The game is set in a charming world teeming with playful cats and overflowing with colorful boxes. Imagine a maze of alleyways and rooftops, where our feline friends leap, pounce, and curl up in boxes, all while avoiding the neighborhood dog. This is the delightful and captivating setting that awaits you in ‘Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition’.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

The ‘Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition’ board game comes with an array of components, each playing a unique role in the gameplay. Below is a detailed breakdown of each component and their functions in the game:

1. Game Board

The game board is the primary component of ‘Cat in the Box’. It represents the house where the cats play. It contains various rooms and spaces where players move their cat tokens. Each room or space has unique effects on the gameplay, influencing cat movement and actions.

2. Cat Tokens

The game includes 4 cat tokens, each representing a player’s cat. These tokens move around the game board, and their position can affect the game’s outcome. Players control the movement of their cat tokens based on their strategy and the cards they play.

3. Play Cards

There are 80 play cards in total, each offering different actions for the players. The actions include moving cat tokens, manipulating the game board, or affecting other players’ moves. Players draw these cards at the beginning of their turn and may use them during their turn.

4. Catnip Tokens

The game contains 20 catnip tokens. Players can acquire these tokens during gameplay and use them to gain advantages, such as extra moves or special abilities. However, players must be careful as having too many catnip tokens can lead to penalties.

5. Mouse Tokens

There are 10 mouse tokens in the game, which serve as the cats’ targets. Players try to get their cat tokens to the same space as the mouse tokens to score points. Mouse tokens move around the board based on certain play cards.

6. Score Track

The game has a score track to keep record of each player’s points. The track is marked from 0 to 50, and each player moves their score marker along the track based on the points they score. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

7. Dice

The game includes a six-sided dice. The dice is used to determine the movement of the mouse tokens. Each roll of the dice moves the mouse tokens a certain number of spaces on the board.

8. Instruction Manual

The instruction manual provides a detailed breakdown of the game rules, setup, and gameplay. It’s essential for new players and provides a handy reference for experienced players.

Each component of ‘Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition’ interacts with the others to create a dynamic, engaging game with a high replay value. The components combine strategy, luck, and player interaction, making each game session unique.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

In this guide, we’ll be going through the step-by-step process of setting up ‘Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition’. This unique board game offers engaging gameplay that combines strategy, chance, and fun in equal measure. Here’s what you need to know:

Step 1: Understanding Player Roles

Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition is designed for 2 to 6 players. Each player will assume the role of a unique cat character, each with its own abilities and limitations. The roles are randomly assigned at the beginning of the game.

Step 2: Board Placement

The game board should be placed in the middle of the table or playing area where all players can easily reach it. The board consists of numerous spaces representing rooms in a house. Each room has its own set of attributes and impacts on gameplay.

Step 3: Initial Resources

Each player starts the game with an equal amount of resources. This includes:

1 Cat Token (representing the player’s cat)
5 Energy Tokens (used to perform actions)
3 Catnip Tokens (used to boost actions or create special effects)

These resources should be placed in front of each player.

Step 4: Random Elements

There are several random elements in Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition that keep the game exciting and unpredictable. These include:

Event Cards: These are drawn at the beginning of each player’s turn and can have a variety of effects, from changing room attributes, affecting player resources, or even altering the game’s rules for a short time.
Mystery Box: A player who lands on a Mystery Box space must draw a Mystery Box card, which can yield beneficial items or have unexpected consequences.

Step 5: Starting the Game

Once all the players have their roles, the board is set up, initial resources are distributed, and the deck of Event and Mystery Box cards is shuffled and placed next to the board, the game is ready to begin. The youngest player goes first.

Remember, the key to winning Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition is not just strategy and planning, but also adapting to the ever-changing circumstances of the game. Good luck, and may the best cat win!

Game flow Round and round we go

‘Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition’ is a game where players strategically play their cards to outwit their opponents, while trying to get their cat in the box first. The game is played over several rounds until one player reaches a set number of points. Each round is divided into several phases: drawing cards, playing cards, and scoring.

1. Drawing Cards:

At the start of each round, the dealer shuffles the deck and deals a certain number of cards to each player. The number of cards dealt depends on the number of players in the game.
Each player looks at their cards and plans their strategy for the round.

2. Playing Cards:

Starting with the player to the left of the dealer and proceeding clockwise, each player takes a turn playing one card from their hand onto the table.
The card played can either be a cat card or an action card. Cat cards have a number that represents the cat’s speed, while action cards allow players to perform special actions such as swapping their cat card with another player’s or moving their cat closer to the box.
Players continue taking turns playing cards until everyone has played all their cards.

3. Scoring:

Once all cards have been played, players compare the total speed of their cat cards. The player with the highest total speed is the first to get their cat in the box and scores points equal to the total speed of their cat cards.
If there is a tie for highest speed, the player who played the highest speed cat card first is the winner of the round.
The game continues with the next round, with the dealer role passing to the left. Players keep track of their scores over multiple rounds, and the first player to reach a set number of points is the winner of the game.

Understanding and mastering the rules and strategies of ‘Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition’ can lead to many enjoyable and competitive matches with friends and family.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

During a player’s turn in ‘Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition’, a variety of possible actions can be taken. Each action has both immediate and long-term strategic implications for the game. The following is a breakdown of each possible action and its effects on gameplay:

Action 1: Draw a Card

A player may choose to draw a card. The drawn card could be a Cat Card, a Box Card, or a Surprise Card. Each type of card has a different effect:

Cat Card: Increases the player’s potential points at the end of the game. It can be placed in a box or kept in hand for later use.
Box Card: Provides a space for the player to place their cats. It can be placed on the table immediately, or kept in hand for later placement.
Surprise Card: Offers a special action that can change the game dynamics, such as swapping boxes with another player or adding additional points to a box.

Action 2: Place a Cat in a Box

A player may choose to place a cat from their hand into a box they have on the table. The cat will score points equal to its number at the end of the game if the box is closed. However, the total number of cats in a box cannot exceed the number on the box.

Action 3: Close a Box

A player may choose to close a box on their table. This action ends the placement of cats in that box and protects it from being stolen or manipulated by other players. The player scores points equal to the total number of cats in the box at the end of the game.

Action 4: Play a Surprise Card

A player may choose to play a Surprise Card from their hand. The card could change the dynamics of the game, providing a strategic advantage or hindrance to the player or their opponents, depending on the card’s instructions.

Strategic Choices

Deciding when to draw a card, when to place a cat, when to close a box, or when to play a Surprise Card are all strategic choices that the player must make. The choices depend on the player’s current cards, the state of the game board, and the perceived strategies of their opponents. The game, therefore, requires a balance of strategy, risk-taking, and adaptability to changing game conditions.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

The game of ‘Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition’ concludes when any player successfully fills their box with cats or when the draw pile runs out of cards. Once either of these events occur, the game immediately ends, and players proceed to the final scoring.

Victory Conditions

Filled Box: If a player successfully fills their box with cats, they win the game. It’s important to note that cats must fit entirely within the box. Any cat parts sticking out do not count towards victory.
Empty Draw Pile: If no player has filled their box with cats and the draw pile runs out of cards, the player who has the most cats in their box at that moment wins the game. In the event of a tie, the player with the most ‘large cat’ cards wins.

Actions Before Final Scoring

Before final scoring, players must perform the following actions:

Box Check: Players check their boxes to ensure that all cats are entirely within their box. Any cat parts sticking out are removed from the box and put back into the discard pile.
Card Count: Players count the number of cat cards in their box. This number forms the base score.
Special Card Application: Players apply any effects from ‘special’ cat cards that might alter their score. These could include bonuses for specific cat types, penalties for unfulfilled conditions, etc.

Once all these steps are completed, players compare their final scores. The player with the highest score is the winner of ‘Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition’.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition is a fun and strategic board game where players aim to score the most points by clever placement of their cats and achieving secret objectives. Points are awarded in several ways throughout the game, and there are also specific rules for breaking ties.

Scoring during the game:

Placement of cats: Whenever a player places a cat onto the board, they score points equal to the number of squares that cat covers. For example, if a player places a cat that covers 5 squares, they score 5 points.
Completion of rows: If a player completes a row on the board with their cats, they score points equal to the number of squares in that row. For instance, a completed row of 6 squares will score the player 6 points.
Fulfillment of secret objectives: Each player is given a secret objective at the beginning of the game. When a player fulfills their secret objective, they score points as indicated on the objective card. The points vary depending on the difficulty of the objective.

Scoring at the end of the game:

Unused action points: At the end of the game, players score 1 point for each unused action point they have left.
Remaining cats: Players score 2 points for each cat they have left in their supply at the end of the game.
Majority control: The player with the most cats on the game board scores an additional 10 points. In case of a tie for most cats, all tied players score the 10 points.

Tie-breaking rules: In the event of a tie at the end of the game, the following rules are applied, in order, until the tie is broken:

The player with the most unused action points wins.
If still tied, the player with the most cats left in their supply wins.
If still tied, the player who went last in the turn order wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

‘Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition’ has a few special rules and exceptions that make the game unique. These rules also add another layer of complexity and strategic depth to the game. Here are some of the most important ones:

1. The ‘Double Move’ Rule

In this game, players can opt to make a ‘double move’. A double move allows a player to move two of their cats during their turn instead of just one. However, there are two important conditions:

The two cats must be in different boxes at the start of the turn.
The player must give up their next turn.

2. The ‘Box Swap’ Exception

Under normal circumstances, a player cannot move a cat into a box occupied by another cat. However, the ‘Box Swap’ exception allows a player to swap places with another cat if they land on a ‘Swap’ square. This can only be done once per turn.

3. The ‘Kitten Rule’

When a player draws a ‘Kitten’ card, they must place a kitten token in the same box as one of their cats. The kitten then behaves like a normal cat, but it cannot be moved until the player’s next turn.

4. Rule Clarifications

It’s important to clarify that a player cannot make a ‘double move’ and a ‘box swap’ in the same turn. Also, if a player has no legal moves left, they must skip their turn. However, they can still draw a card.

Another clarification pertains to the ‘Kitten’ rule. The player can place the kitten in any box, not just the ones adjacent to their cat. However, the box must be unoccupied.

Finally, a common question regards the number of cats a player can have in a box. The answer is that there’s no limit to the number of cats a player can have in one box. However, remember that a box swap can only be performed with a single cat.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

The board game ‘Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition’ is one that requires strategic thinking, quick decision-making, and a keen eye. It is a game that can be enjoyed by both beginners and advanced players. Here are some strategies and tips to help you optimize your gameplay, as well as some common mistakes to avoid.

Advanced Strategies:

Plan Ahead: Always think a few moves ahead. This will allow you to anticipate your opponent’s moves and prepare an appropriate response.
Control the Board: Try to control the central tiles of the board. This will give you more options and flexibility in your future moves.
Use Your Cards Wisely: Save your special action cards for the right moment. Don’t waste them on insignificant moves.

Beginner Tips:

Learn the Rules: Make sure you understand the rules thoroughly before you start playing. This will help you avoid making mistakes and will allow you to make the most of your moves.
Practice: The more you play, the better you will get. Practice as much as you can to familiarize yourself with the game mechanics and strategies.
Be Adaptable: A good player is one who can adapt their strategy based on the current state of the game. Be flexible and ready to change your plan if needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring Your Opponent’s Moves: Always pay attention to your opponent’s moves. If you only focus on your own game, you might miss an important move by your opponent.
Rushing Your Moves: Take your time to think about your moves. Rushing can lead to mistakes and missed opportunities.
Hoarding Cards: It might be tempting to save all your special action cards for the end of the game, but this can leave you vulnerable in the early and mid-game.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Communicate: If you’re playing in teams, communication is key. Coordinate your moves and strategies with your teammates to gain an advantage.
Observe: Pay attention to the strategies and tactics used by other players. You can learn a lot from observing others.
Stay Calm: It’s easy to get frustrated if things don’t go your way, but staying calm and focused will help you make better decisions and enjoy the game more.