Paperback

2014

Engage your literary creativity in Paperback! Build words and decks, purchase powerful letters, and strategize your way to victory. Perfect for cooperative play!

45
minutes

2 - 5
player(s)

Medium Light

About the game

Paperback is an innovative and engaging fusion of a word game and deck-building board game. Filled with strategy and fun, it draws players into a setting where they are budding authors trying to finish their paperback novels.

Set in the golden age of paperback fiction, players aim to write a bestseller. The player who is most able to master language and combine words into a compelling storyline will emerge victorious. This unique blend of words and strategy makes Paperback a standout in the world of board games.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Paperback is a unique combination of a word game and a deck-building game. It’s filled with various components, each having its own purpose and interaction within the game. Here are the components included in the game:

1. 60 Letter Cards: These are the basic building blocks of words you will be creating throughout the game. Each card contains a single letter or a combination of two letters. Players use these cards to form words during their turn.

2. 40 Novels: These are the victory point cards. Players purchase these cards using the money earned from the words they form. More valuable novels offer a higher victory point value but are also more expensive to purchase.

3. 16 Fame Cards: These cards are used to track the players’ fame points which are essentially the score. Once all fame cards are taken, the game ends and the player with the highest score wins.

4. 10 Common Cards: These cards are placed in the center of the play area and can be used by all players to form words. They act as shared resources and add a strategic twist to the game.

5. 4 Player Reference Cards: These cards are handy references that provide a summary of the turn structure and various actions a player can take during their turn.

6. 2 Wild Cards: These are special cards that can represent any letter. They give players more flexibility in word formation, but they don’t have any value when used to purchase other cards.

7. 1 Divider Card: This card is used to separate different types of cards in the game box for better organization and ease of setup.

8. 5 Player Dividers: Each player receives a player divider at the beginning of the game. This is used to separate their draw pile, discard pile, and active hand.

In Paperback, all the components interact with each other to create an engaging and strategic gameplay experience. Players use letter cards to form words and earn money, which is then used to purchase novel cards for victory points. Player reference cards guide the players through their turns, while common cards, wild cards, and fame cards add more layers of strategy and competition to the game.

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

Paperback is a unique combination of a word-building game and deck-building game where players purchase letters and use them to form words. Each player starts with the same deck and then customizes it over time with letters and powerful abilities.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game:

1. Player Decks:

Each player starts with a deck of starting cards. Each starting deck should include:

5 x Wild Card letters (with a value of 2 cents)
5 x Common letters (with a value of 1 cent)

2. Common Cards:

There are Common cards that have a cost of 2, 3, 4, and 5 cents. Arrange these in four separate piles in ascending order.

3. Fame Cards:

Sort the Fame cards by their cost (from 6 to 17), and arrange them in a pile, with the least expensive card on top.

4. Power Cards:

Shuffle the Power cards and display five of them face up. The rest of the Power cards form a draw pile.

5. Novel Cards:

Shuffle the Novel cards and place them in a separate draw pile. These cards will be used to reward players who form longer words.

6. Game Board:

The board is not required to play Paperback, but it can be used to organize the card piles and provides a visual guide for game flow.

7. Initial Resources:

Each player shuffles their deck and draws five cards. These are the letters they will use to form words in the first round.

8. Random Elements:

The random elements in Paperback come from the shuffling of the player decks, the Power cards, and the Novel cards. Every game will have different letter combinations and powers available, leading to a unique gameplay experience each time.

Now you’re all set to start playing Paperback!

Game flow Round and round we go

Paperback is a unique blend of word game and deck-building strategy. The objective is to score the most points by creating words and buying powerful letters based on their use in the English language. Here is how a typical game of Paperback is structured:

Setup:

Each player starts with a deck of letters comprising of five Rs, two Ls, two Ns and one WILD card.
The common cards are laid out in the center of the table. This includes a deck of common vowels, a deck of common consonants, and five piles of novel cards.

The Game Play:

Deal Cards: At the start of each turn, players draw five cards from their personal deck. If the deck is empty, they shuffle their discard pile to form a new deck.
Form a Word: Players use their cards to form a word. Each card used provides a certain amount of money (indicated on the card) and may also provide special abilities.
Buy Cards: The money earned from the word formed is used to buy more powerful cards from the common area. These cards can be letters with higher values or special abilities, or novel cards that provide Victory Points.
End Turn: The cards used to form the word and any purchased cards are moved to the player’s discard pile. Players then draw a new hand of 5 cards for their next turn.

The Game End:

The game ends when either two of the novel piles are depleted or the common letter cards can’t be refilled. Players add up the Victory Points from their novel cards, and the player with the highest total wins.

Overall, the game of Paperback tests players’ vocabulary and strategic thinking. By carefully choosing which cards to buy and when to buy them, players can create a powerful deck that enables them to form high-value words and score the most Victory Points.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Paperback is a unique blend of deck-building and word creation that offers an engaging experience for players. During a player’s turn in Paperback, the following actions and strategic choices come into play:

1. Draw Cards:

At the beginning of each turn, the player draws five cards from their deck. If the deck is depleted, the discard pile is shuffled to form a new deck.

2. Create a Word:

The player must use their cards to create a word. Each card has a letter or a combination of letters. Some cards also include special abilities that can be activated when the card is played.

3. Score Points:

After creating a word, the player adds up the points on the cards used in the word. The total points become the player’s score for that turn.

4. Purchase New Cards:

The score from the current turn is also used as currency to purchase new cards. The player can choose to buy cards from the common offer or the novel offer. The common offer includes cards with letters and abilities, while the novel offer includes cards with victory points.

5. Discard and Draw:

At the end of the turn, the player discards all the cards (played and unplayed) and draws a new hand of five cards.

Strategic Choices:

While the mechanics of the game are straightforward, the strategy lies in the choices made during the game. Here are some strategic considerations:

Word Creation: The player needs to create words that score the highest points. A longer word may not always be the best choice if shorter words can use higher-value cards.

Card Purchase: The choice of cards to purchase is crucial. Cards with special abilities can enhance the player’s deck, while cards from the novel offer can provide the essential victory points to win the game.

Deck Management: As with any deck-building game, players need to manage their deck effectively. It’s important to strike a balance between cards that provide points and cards that provide currency for purchasing.

Use of Wild Cards: Wild cards can be used as any letter, providing flexibility in word creation. However, they don’t provide any points or currency, so they should be used strategically.

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

In the card game ‘Paperback’, the game ends when two of the common stacks have been depleted. Players then finish the current round, ensuring that everyone has had an equal number of turns. After this, final scoring takes place. The victory conditions involve accumulating the most points through a combination of word formation and card purchasing.

Game End

As a deck-building game, ‘Paperback’ progresses as players purchase cards from common stacks. When two of these stacks are depleted, it triggers the end of the game. However, the current round is completed so that each player has played the same number of turns.

Victory Conditions

The winner of ‘Paperback’ is the player who has the most points at the end of the game. These points are accumulated in two ways:

Word Formation: Every time a player forms a word, they earn points based on the cards used. Each card has a point value, and these are added together to form the player’s score for that turn.
Card Purchasing: Some cards have victory point values. These cards are more expensive to purchase but contribute to a player’s final score. Unlike the points earned from word formation, these points are only counted at the end of the game.

Final Scoring

After the last round, players count the total points from their purchased victory point cards and add it to the points earned from word formation. The player with the highest combined total wins. In the event of a tie, the player with the longest word formed during the game wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

The scoring system in ‘Paperback’ revolves around the accumulation of victory points (VPs). The player with the highest number of VPs at the end of the game is the winner.

Victory Points (VPs)

Victory points are primarily earned by purchasing and playing cards that have VPs indicated on them. Here’s how it works:

Common Cards: These cards do not usually have VPs on them but are used to form words. They can generate income but do not contribute directly to your victory points.
Fame Cards: These are the primary source of victory points. The number of VPs on a fame card ranges from 1 to 10. The more expensive the card, the more VPs it contributes.
Wildcard Cards: These cards can be used as any letter and often come with VP values as well.
Award Cards: These cards offer additional ways to earn VPs. They are optional and can be included in the game for added complexity.

At the end of the game, players add up the victory points on all the cards in their deck (both in hand and in the discard pile). The player with the highest total wins the game.

Tie-Breaking Rules

In case of a tie, the following rules apply:

The player who has the most total cards in their deck (including in hand and in the discard pile) is the winner.
If there is still a tie, the player who first finished their turn in the final round is the winner.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Paperback is a unique blend of word creation and deck-building board game. While the basic gameplay is straightforward, there are several special rules and exceptions that can add layers of complexity. Here are some important clarifications:

1. Wild Cards:

Wild cards are unique as they can be used to represent any letter. However, they do not contribute any money value when used in a word. This is an exception to the general rule that every card contributes to your purchasing power.
If a wild card is used in a word, it cannot represent a vowel if a vowel card is present in the player’s hand.

2. Common Card:

In every game, one common card is revealed and is available for any player to use in their word. This is a special rule as this card is not a part of any player’s deck.
The common card can be used unlimited times by all players and does not get exhausted or discarded.

3. Fame Cards:

Fame cards are special cards that give victory points but do not contain any letters. They are an exception to the rule that all cards in a player’s deck should be used for word creation.
These cards can be bought just like any other card but they do not contribute to word creation. Instead, they offer direct points contributing to a player’s final score.

4. Theme Cards:

Theme cards offer a unique way to earn extra points by creating specific types of words. These cards introduce an exception to the general gameplay, adding an additional objective for players.
These cards are optional and can be included or excluded based on the players’ preference.

5. Rules for Ending the Game:

The game ends when either two of the card stacks in the common supply are exhausted, or when a certain number of Fame cards are purchased, depending on the number of players. This rule ensures that the game has a clear and definite end.

6. Deck Cycling:

When a player’s deck runs out, their discard pile is shuffled and becomes their new deck. This is an important rule that ensures continuous gameplay and also introduces a strategic element, as players must consider the composition of their decks.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

The board game ‘Paperback’ is a fascinating blend of deck-building and word game mechanics that can be challenging and rewarding to master. Here are some key strategies, tips, and common mistakes to avoid when playing:

Advanced Strategies:

Invest in Wildcards: Wildcards are versatile and can be used as any letter you need in the game. Although they might seem costly, investing in wildcards early can give you a significant advantage.

Build a Balanced Deck: Try to balance your deck with a mix of high-value letters and common letters. High-value letters can help you score big, while common letters will ensure you can always make a word on your turn.

Beginner Tips:

Start Small: If you’re new to ‘Paperback’, don’t be afraid to start with smaller words. As you become more comfortable with the game, you can start building larger words to earn more points.

Use Your Fame Wisely: You earn Fame through making words and can use it to buy more powerful cards. Be strategic about what you buy – it’s often better to save up for a powerful card than to spend it all on cheaper ones.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Avoid Overloading on Vowels: While vowels are essential for making words, having too many in your deck can limit your scoring opportunities. Try to maintain a good balance of consonants and vowels.

Don’t Neglect the Common Cards: It can be tempting to only buy high-value cards, but common cards are crucial for building words. They are often cheaper, too, which can help you build a stronger deck faster.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Plan Ahead: Try to plan your moves ahead of time. If you know what letters are in your deck, you can begin thinking of potential words before your turn.

Practice Makes Perfect: The more you play ‘Paperback’, the better you’ll get. Practice frequently to improve your vocabulary and strategizing skills.