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A More Perfect Union
We The People... has always had a strong presence at
WBC for good reasons. It is the fastest to play and simplest
to learn of the ever expanding genre of Card Driven Games (CDG).
So if you've ever wondered about CDG's, this will be your best
chance to give it a try. Both newcomers and our returning competitors
continue to be drawn by WTP's uncomplicated rules and fast play
(games are expected to be decided within two hours); just the
thing we all need after a week of coping with the mind numbing
details of more complex games. But the real attraction of WTP
is the fact that luck plays an astonishingly small role in the
outcome -- it is entirely possible for a player with a well executed
strategy to lose every single battle and still win the war. If
that doesn't remind one of the American Revolution, nothing will!
On the other hand, the turn of a single card can either derail
a fragile strategy or reward a daring chance and thus generate
excitement levels equal to any game.
WTP is a coached event, but within limits. Anyone wishing
to play competitively should consider the event to be a Class
A event. Those wishing to learn from scratch will be enthusiastically
accommodated. It is the GM's policy to use WTP to introduce CDGs
in the WBC environment where players can have a "try before
buy" experience. However, rookies WILL NOT be put in a situation
where they will slow up or otherwise interfere with competitive
play and the enjoyment of the event by our cherished veterans.
The way we achieve this balance is that concurrent with the play
of the first round, the GM and approved volunteer assistants
will teach the game to all newcomers. The newcomers will not
get credit for this first round regardless of whether or not
they win their learning game. Those that successfully demonstrate
to the GM that they will be able to keep up with the competitive
pace will be inserted into the second Swiss round (see below).
Historically players with three victories in the four Swiss rounds
have advanced to the Single Elimination rounds, so it is mathematically
possible, but unlikely, that a talented rookie could advance
to the SE brackets. The remaining coached players will stay in
their own bracket, receive coaching for the remainder of the
event, and while not eligible for BPA Laurels, they will be eligible
for the Minuteman Militia Prize, provided by the GM, as the best
Citizen-Wargamer to answer the call to arms. Rookies are also
eligible for the WTP Sportsman Nominee award.
We The People uses the Swiss - Elimination format.
A sufficient number of opening rounds are played (probably four
but the exact number is determined by the number of entrants)
to fill a bracket of eight quarter-finalists. In the Swiss format
portion, players score two points for a victory and one point
for a draw. After each round, players with like records are randomly
matched for the subsequent round. Once the field has been trimmed
so that eight players have like scores, they will begin the Single
Elimination portion of the tournament. Three SE rounds will result
in a champion.
In each game, players will bid for sides. Bidding is a two
stage process. First, each player will take a PC counter and,
covering it with one hand, will turn up either the American side
or the British side. The side facing UP corresponds to the side
the player wishes to play. If the PCs show opposite sides, then
the players each get to play their desired side and no bonus
PCs are used. If both players wish to play the same side, then
they secretly write on their 'Player Record Form' (GM provided)
a bid in the form of the number of bonus PCs that they give their
opponent to play the opposite side. For example: Bill and Tony
both prefer to play the Americans. Bill thinks he can still win
as the American if he gives Tony 3 bonus British PCs, so he writes
"British + 3" on his form. For his part, Tony is convinced
that he has the perfect American plan and is really unwilling
to play the British. He writes "British +7" on his
form. Because he is willing to give up 7 PCs to Bill's 3 PCs,
Tony "wins" the bid and will get to try out his American
perfect plan. Bill will play the British and, immediately after
the American Committees of Correspondence PCs are placed, he
will get to place the 7 British PCs Tony offered.
Three important details: First, if both player's bid the same
number of PCs then the players roll a single die to randomly
determine the side. The player with the higher roll may choose
his side and the bid is used by the appropriate player. Secondly,
the bonus PCs must be placed either in a port OR linked to a
friendly PC regardless of which side the PCs belong to, i.e.
BONUS American PCs can not be "paratrooped" anymore
than the British. (This prohibition on American PC's does NOT
apply to the Committees of Correspondence PCs nor during the
course of the game.) Lastly, during the Single Elimination portion
of the tournament, the player receiving PCs is awarded the victory
in case of a draw. If during this stage of the tournament, both
players bid zero or bid for opposite sides, then a draw will
be adjudicated by a tie breaker rule distributed to all quarterfinalists
at the start of the SE phase of the tournament.
Seeding for the initial round of the Swiss portion of the
tournament will be semi-random. That is it will be random but
adjusted to ensure that (in order): (a) players who frequently
play each other at home are not paired, (b) semi-finalists from
last year are not paired, and (c) former champions are not paired.
Byes (if necessary) will be offered (but need not be accepted)
according to the BPA bye precedence rules found in the GM Guidelines.
There will be no byes during the Single Elimination portion of
the tournament; the GM reserves the right to place any qualifying
player from the Swiss rounds into the bracket as needed to replace
drops.
Procedural rules (e.g. die rolling, deck shuffling, slow play)
will be posted on the Kiosk and promulgated at the tournament.
To facilitate player understanding of the game before the tournament
begins, some interpretations of the game's rules are provided
below. Additional questions should be posted on the ConsimWorld
WTP discussion group where designer Mark Herman will either answer
the question or check the answer if it is provided by another
experienced player.
The GM provides additional prizes in the form of books about
the American Revolution: The John Paul Jones Award to the Sportsmanship
nominee. The Minuteman Militia Award to the best performing
tyro. The Von Steuben Award to a deserving coach. The Valley
Forge Award to a player with dogged determination and persistence
despite outrageous fortune.
ERRATA: The following long standing official FAQ and errata
from the Designer are in effect:
2.1 Errata: Boston should be a Port.
6.2 The European War card says that if the French Alliance isn't
in effect, the strategy cards are reshuffled. Does this include
the discards also?
A. Any time a card calls for a reshuffling of the Strategy Deck,
ALL cards (excluding those removed as a result of play) are reshuffled,
including discards.
6.2 There are three cards: William Pitt Peace Talks, Hortelez
et Cie, and the European War card that under certain conditions
reshuffle the Strategy Card deck, can these cards be discarded
and prevent the deck from being reshuffled?
A. The William Pitt and Hortelez et Cie cards must be played,
not discarded, in order for any of their effects to occur, hence
if they are discarded the deck is NOT reshuffled. On the other
hand, the European War card may NOT be discarded and it always
causes a reshuffling of the Strategy Card deck if the French
Alliance has not yet occurred in the game.
6.2 Can the Nathan Hale, Jane McCrea, or the Thomas Paine event
cards be used to convert a British PC marker into an American
PC marker in a space containing an American General?
A. No, each of these cards states that the space may not contain
a British piece. The presence of the American General doesn't
change this fact.
6.2 Can the Declaration of Independence Special Event card be
used to convert a British PC marker into an American PC marker
in a space with an American General?
A. No, the card allows you to place American PC markers, if possible,
not convert British ones.
6.2 When the Declaration of Independence Special Event is played,
is the American player required to play a PC marker if possible
in each colony, or is it an option that he can exercise or not
as he sees fit?
A. Yes, placement of a PC is required in every colony where there
is an empty space available.
6.2 The European War card states, "two British units are
removed". Who chooses which CUs are removed?
A. The person playing the card removes the two CU; hence if the
British play it then they get to remove the ones they want, and
if the Americans play the card, they choose.
6.2 If the European War card is played prior to the French Alliance,
causing a reshuffling of the card deck, does it activate the
various cards that require it to be played, such as the Don Bernardo
Galvez card?
A. No, the only effect of the European War card being played
prior to the French Alliance is to reshuffle the deck.
6.2 Can the Benedict Arnold card be played during the Strategy
Phase, if no battle is occurring?
A. No, this card may be played prior to a battle only.
6.2 Can the Benedict Arnold card be played prior to a battle
when Benedict Arnold isn't present?
A. Yes, the card doesn't require the presence of Benedict Arnold
in order for the two additional Battle cards to be received.
Regardless of whether Benedict Arnold is at the battle when the
card is played or not he is still removed from play.
6.2 If the Benedict Arnold card is played and Benedict Arnold
is the commanding American General, whether attacking or defending,
when is he removed?
A. Benedict Arnold is removed the instant the card is played.
He would not be used for determining Battle Card totals, nor
Counterattack.
6.2 Is the John Glover Marblehead Regiment card an activation
card like a Minor Campaign card or is it played in conjunction
with an Operations or Campaign card?
A: It is NOT an activation card that allows a General to move
but is used in conjunction with an Operations or Campaign card
to increase the movement of ONE General. In the case of a Minor
or Major Campaign card only ONE of the two or three Generals
moved would get the movement bonus.
6.2 Does Rochambeau get the American general special abilities
of interception and retreat before combat?
A. Rochambeau, as stated, acts like an American General in EVERY
way. Rochambeau gets the special abilities to intercept and retreat
before combat. Additionally, the British get their Regulars bonus
in combat against French forces since they are treated as American
units in EVERY way.
7.0 When a Campaign card is played may a specific CU be moved
by more than one general?
A. No.
7.2 When a Campaign card is played can a General attempt one
intercept per enemy General moved?
A. No, as stated, each General gets one intercept attempt per
Strategy card played. Therefore, when a Campaign card is played
each General gets ONE intercept attempt total. For example if
the British played a Major Campaign card and Washington made
an intercept attempt against the first British General moved,
he would not be allowed to make any further intercept attempts
when the second and third Generals moved. It should be remembered
that a General who attempts an intercept, whether successful
or not, forfeits his ability to retreat before combat until the
next Strategy card is played. In this example after George Washington
attempted his intercept against the first British General he
loses his ability to retreat before combat for the remainder
of the British movements conducted during the Major Campaign
card play.
7.2 Can multiple intercepts occur when a British army enters
a space?
A. Yes, but the first successful intercept IMMEDIATELY causes
a battle preventing any further intercept attempts from occurring.
For example, if a British General entered a space with an American
PC which was also adjacent to two American Generals, each in
turn could attempt to intercept the British army, but if the
first attempt were successful then a battle would immediately
occur preventing the second General from attempting an interception.
If the first attempt failed then the second attempt could occur
and if successful the second American General would fight a battle.
7.2 If an intercepting American army loses the battle it caused,
must it retreat back to the space that it originated from before
the battle?
A. No, an interception places the intercepting American general
in the space as if he were there prior to the British move. His
retreat options are calculated as if he were in the space prior
to the British attempt to enter it and the normal retreat options
would prevail.
7.2 Can an American army intercept into a space that already
contains another American army?
A. Yes, but one of the Generals must be removed prior to the
battle. Remember, Washington is never the one removed.
7.2 If an American army attempts to intercept into a space that
already contains another American army and fails, does this prevent
the other American army from attempting a Retreat Before Combat?
A. No, because the intercept of one General doesn't prevent the
other from attempting a Retreat Before Combat. However, if the
intercept is successful then a Battle is immediately conducted
preventing any further attempts at Retreat Before Combat.
7.2 If an American army fails to Retreat Before Combat, can another
American army then attempt to intercept into the space?
A. No, because after a failed Retreat Before Combat a Battle
is immediately conducted preventing any further attempts at interception.
7.2 Can an American General alone, intercept into a space containing
American CU that are about to be attacked?
A. No, the interception pre-condition requires an army (i.e.,
a General and a CU), not a General alone.
7.2 Can an American General intercept into a space that a moving
British army is entering, if besides the presence of an American
PC marker there is also another British army?
A. No, an intercept assumes that the American army was in the
space prior to the British move which the prior presence of a
British army would preclude.
7.2 Does the American player receive an extra Battle Card for
intercepting into a space already containing American CUs or
only for a battle caused by a successful interception?
A. Yes, the act of interception gives the one card bonus whether
the battle would or would not have happened without the interception.
8. Can reinforcements for both sides be placed in a space that
only contains an enemy General, and if so is that General captured?
A. Yes and Yes.
9.1 When can the British get Battle Cards for the Navy in the
Charleston, SC space?
A. The only time that the British get Battle Cards for the Navy
in the Charleston, SC space is when they are the original defender
in that space and there is a British PC marker present with no
French navy.
9.2 Does a player have to cancel an attackers' Battle Card if
he can or can he choose to play another card and lose the battle?
A. A player can play any card he desires, if the one played fails
to cancel the attackers' Battle Card he loses the battle. The
fact that the defender had the proper card to cancel the attack
is immaterial.
9.2 Can a CU without a General perform a retreat?
A. Yes, a General is necessary for movement NOT retreat. Obviously,
a general is required to attempt retreat BEFORE combat.
9.2 Can the British retreat from a Port that they are attacking
into?
A. No, the attacker must always retreat back to the space from
which they attacked. Therefore the British can only retreat from
a Port space that they are defending.
9.2 Can the British attack from a port space into an adjacent
space, lose the battle, which places them back in the original
port space, and then retreat by sea to another port space?
A. No, they would fall back into the port space, but NOT into
the port and then by sea somewhere else. The retreat by sea only
occurs if you are in a port space not retreated into one.
9.2 Can the British retreat from a Port space that they are defending
which has an American PC marker in it?
A. Yes, regardless of the presence (or absence) of a British
or American PC marker, the British can retreat from the Port
space (assuming the French navy isn't present). However, the
space they retreat into must be either empty or have a British
PC marker and in all cases neither space can contain the French
navy.
10.1 The American player cannot use Ops cards to place PC when
the Continental Congress is dispersed, but can the American still
convert British PC due to the presence of a General when the
Continental Congress is dispersed?
A. Yes. If the Continental Congress is dispersed, the American
player can still use an OPS card to flip PCs (one or more as
appropriate) in spaces where he has a General present.
10.1 If the Continental Line Mutiny Card is in play, can the
American still convert British PC due to the presence of a General?
A. Yes. The effects of the Continental Line Mutiny Card in this
regard are the same as dispersing the Congress. An OPS card can
still be used to FLIP a PC in a space under one or more generals
(as appropriate) and PCs may still be placed if mandated by the
play of an EVENT card.
10.1 For purposes of playing a British PC marker or determining
political isolation, would Falmouth be considered adjacent to
Quebec and vice versa?
A. No, the Quebec-Falmouth line represents one of the greatest
winter marches in all history. Its only use is to allow Benedict
Arnold to have an historically important capability that offsets
the fact that you can't trust him. It has no effect on any other
game system other than those stated on the map and in the rules.
10.1 Can the British player place a PC marker during the strategy
phase using an operations card in an area occupied by a British
Army but not adjacent to an already existing British PC?
A. No.
10.1 Can the British player flip a PC marker during the strategy
phase using an operations card in an area occupied by a British
Army but not adjacent to an already existing British PC?
A. Yes.
10.1 Can the British player place a PC marker during the strategy
phase using an operations card in an area occupied by an American
General without CUs that is adjacent to an already existing British
PC?
A. Yes.
10.2 Can the British player place or flip a PC marker in areas
occupied by a British Army during the political control phase,
regardless of whether the army is adjacent to an existing British
PC?
A. Yes.
10.2 Can the American player place or flip a PC marker in an
area occupied only by an American General without CUs during
the political control phase?
A. No.
10.2 Can American PC markers be considered un-isolated if they
can trace through other American PCs to a British PC space that
contains an American CU or general?
A. In all cases the American CU or general piece must be in an
empty or American PC space. It cannot be in a British PC space
to fulfill the requirement. The same concept would go for the
British army.
10.2 If a British PC is located in a port blockaded by the French
Navy, can it trace to an adjacent neutral space or army to avoid
isolation?
A. Yes.
10.2 For purposes of tracing for isolation, is a space containing
an enemy CU but not an enemy PC considered "empty"?
A. No, it is not considered "empty" as that term is
used in 10.2. Nor is it considered "empty" when occupied
by an American general without any CUs. However, such a space
IS considered "empty" if it is occupied by a British
general without any CUs.
11 ADDITIONAL RULE: Single CUs are no longer immune to Winter
Attrition. During the Winter Attrition Phase, the owning player
must make an attrition die roll for all non-winter quarters spaces
north of the Winter Attrition Line containing a single CU with
no general. On a die roll of 1-3 there is no effect. On a die
roll of 4-6 the CU is eliminated.
12 Does control of Detroit and either Quebec and Montreal give
that player control of Canada?
A. No, in order to control Canada a player must possess both
Montreal and Quebec. The value of controlling Detroit is that
it counts when determining who has more PC markers in Canada
for militia purposes.
12 In cases of PC marker total ties the American player controls
a colony for victory purposes at the end of the game. If Detroit
has no PC marker in it and the Americans control either Montreal
or Quebec and the British control the other does the American
player control Canada due to the PC total tie?
A. No, Canada isn't a colony, as stated, the American player
needs to control both Quebec and Montreal in order to count Canada
for Victory purposes. In cases where the American player controls
either Quebec and Montreal without the other then the British
control Canada by default.
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we the people [Updated April 2006]
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Lampeter
Don
Chappell [4th Year]
3604 Ruidoso Drive.
Arlinton, TX 76017 
NA