Ghost Stories: Jean-Claude Van Rice

About this expansion

Ghost Stories: Jean-Claude Van Rice is a 2010 promotion for 1–4 players, with an approximately 60-minute play time. Originally offered as an April Fools download from Repos Production, this unusual challenge introduces Jean-Claude as a distinctive enemy with two legs, two resistances, and a time-sensitive reward.

Jean-Claude enters play sideways and fills two spaces. His color is considered green. If Buddha or Ghosts prevent two adjacent spaces from being free, he makes room next to a free space by discarding what occupies it. This does not grant a curse or reward for a Ghost, and it cannot eliminate an incarnation.

Defeating him requires a successful exorcism on each leg, in either order. His left leg has a 3 Blue resistance, while his right leg has a stronger 4 Green resistance. Once one leg is broken, Jean-Claude moves completely onto the space occupied by the remaining leg, leaving the other space open.

• Break both legs through successful exorcisms.
• Manage his two-space positioning and forced discards.
• Claim the apple artifact when both legs are broken.

When both legs are broken, Jean-Claude is discarded and gives an apple to the active player. During that player’s Yang Phase, the apple can be discarded to return any Taoist, including the active player, to 3 Qi. However, if another Wu-Feng enters play before the apple is used, it spoils and must be discarded without effect. The apple cannot be used on a dead Taoist.

Jean-Claude Van Rice adds a playful, tactical twist to Ghost Stories through unusual board positioning, split resistances, and a reward that must be used before it expires. The promotion was also announced for inclusion in the limited-edition version of 7 Wonders released by Repos Production at Spiel 2010.