Archer: Once You Go Blackmail...
Archer: Once You Go Blackmail... Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
16 character cards, 13 victory points, 4 reference cards.
Object of the Game
Identify the secret character, or eliminate all other players, or hold the highest card in hand at the end of the round.
Setup
- Each player takes 1 reference card.
- Shuffle the 16 cards, then place the deck face down in the middle of the table.
- Place the top card of the deck face down beside the deck. This is the secret character to be guessed.
- Deal each player 1 card.
- The player who most recently discovered a secret goes first.
Playing the Game
Starting with the first player and continuing clockwise, each player draws a card, chooses one of the two cards in hand to play in front of them, and carries out its effect. The other card is kept in hand. Played and discarded cards must be placed so that their number is visible to everyone.
Character Cards
Each card has a number in its upper left corner, which indicates its strength. The pictogram next to it shows how many copies of that character card are in the deck. Each card has a special effect.
Elimination
A player who is eliminated from the game places the card they hold in hand face up in front of them, without carrying out its effect, and turns their reference card over.
End of the Round
The round ends when someone correctly guesses the secret character, when the draw deck runs out, or when only one player remains in the round.
- If the deck runs out, the player holding the card with the highest value in hand scores 1 victory point. If there is a tie, each tied player scores 1 victory point.
- If only one player remains in the round, only that player scores 1 victory point.
- If someone correctly guesses the secret character, they score 1 victory point and the round ends immediately.
Next Round
Repeat steps 2-4 of Setup. The winner of the previous round goes first.
End of the Game
The game ends when one player has scored the required number of victory points. If there is a tie, there are multiple winners.
| Number of players | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victory points needed to win | 6 | 4 | 3 |
Character Card Effects
8, Malory Archer (1) If you play it, you are eliminated from the round.
7, Lana Kane (1) Without looking at them, collect all players' cards and the secret character, shuffle them, then deal them out again at random.
6, Ray Gillette (1) Choose a player - you may choose yourself - who discards the card they hold and takes the secret character card, placing the top card of the draw deck in its place. The effect of the discarded card is not carried out. If the deck is empty, the round ends without a secret character.
5, Pam Poovey (2) Choose a player - you may choose yourself - who discards the card they hold and draws a new one in its place. The effect of the discarded card is not carried out. If the deck is empty, that player must draw the secret character.
4, Cheryl-Carol Tunt (2) Until your next turn, you are protected from card effects, OR you may look at the secret character card.
3, Cyril Figgis (2) Choose another player and secretly compare your hands. The player with the lower value is eliminated from the game. If the values are equal, nothing happens.
2, Dr. Krueger (2) Name a character, then look at the secret character. If you named it correctly, you win the round; if not, the game continues.
1, Sterling Archer (5) Choose another player and name a character - other than Sterling Archer - then look at that player's card. If you named it correctly, that player is eliminated from this round.
Reference Card
8, Malory Archer (1) If you play it, you are eliminated.
7, Lana Kane (1) Collect all players' cards and the secret character, shuffle them, then deal again.
6, Ray Gillette (1) A player discards their card and draws the secret character, which is replaced by the top card of the draw deck.
5, Pam Poovey (2) A player discards their card and draws a new one in its place.
4, Cheryl/Carol Tunt (2) Protection until your next turn, OR you may look at the secret character.
3, Cyril Figgis (2) Duel: the player with the lower value is eliminated.
2, Dr. Krueger (2) Guess the secret character; if you guess correctly, you win.
1, Sterling Archer (5) Guess - other than Sterling Archer - a player's character, then look. If you guessed correctly, that player is eliminated.