Clueverge Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• 1. Overview and Objective
• 2. Components
• 3. Investigation Cards, Crime Scene Cards, and Determining the True Culprit
  • Icons, effects, and number of cards
  • 3-1. Example of Determining the True Culprit 1
  • 3-2. Example of Determining the True Culprit 2
• 4. Competitive Play Mode
  • 4-1. Setup
    • 4-1-1. Crime Scene Cards
    • 4-1-2. Investigation Cards
    • 4-1-3. Initial Investigation Status Sharing
    • 4-1-4. Detective Pawns and Reference Cards
    • 4-1-5. Fled the Country Card
    • 4-1-6. Choosing the Starting Player
  • Setup Example for a 2-player game (excluding Reference Cards and Detective Pawns)
• 4-2. Sequence of Play
  • 4-2-1. Placement of Detective Pawns (When your Detective Pawn is not placed on any card)
  • 4-2-2. Investigation (When your Detective Pawn is on a card)
  • 4-2-3. Next Player's Turn
• 4-3. Verification of the Case and End of the Game
• 4-4. Play Until Someone Wins Twice (Optional Rule)
• 5. Cooperative Play Mode
  • 5-1. Setup
    • 5-1-1. Initial Investigation Sharing
    • 5-1-2. Detective Pawns
  • 5-2. Discussion
  • 5-3. Sequence of Play
    • 5-3-1. Using an unused Detective Pawn (if there are unused Detective Pawns)
    • 5-3-2. Detective Pawn Placement (if the player's Detective Pawn is not placed on any card)
    • 5-3-3. Found the Culprit (if the player's Detective Pawn is placed on a card)
  • 5-4. Verification of the Case and End of the Game
• 6. Solo Play Mode

1. Overview and Objective

Clueverge is a competitive game for 2-4 players, where the players take on the role of detectives and conduct investigations into a murder case. From gradually revealed evidence and suspects, try to identify the "True Culprit" before anyone else!

The "Investigation Cards" and "Crime Scene Cards" are arranged in a 4x4 grid. Each card contains hidden information about "Suspects", "Weapons", "Motives" and "Clues". However, due to "False Testimony", some cards may contain misleading information. Additionally, some of "The Suspects" may have "Alibis". Who among these cards is the "True Culprit"? Or perhaps the "True Culprit" has already "Fled the Country"?

Players can place their "Detective Pawns" in a lying position on the investigation cards or move them around. While a pawn is on an investigation card, the content of that card can be checked only by the player who placed this pawn. Once you have a strong suspicion of the "True Culprit", place your pawn in a standing position on the suspected card and declare: "Found the Culprit"!

The player who successfully found the "True Culprit", wins the game!

This game also offers a "Cooperative Play Mode" and a "Solo Play Mode".

2. Components

• Investigation Cards: 15 cards
• Crime Scene Cards: 3 cards
• Case Cards: 5 cards
• Reference Cards: 4 colors, 4 cards
• Fled the Country Card: 1 card
• Rule Cards: 8 cards
• Detective Pawns: 4 colors, 4 pieces

3. Investigation Cards, Crime Scene Cards, and Determining the True Culprit

In this game, the goal is to identify a single "True Culprit" from the 15 "Investigation Cards" and 1 "Crime Scene Card", arranged in a 4x4 grid. At the end of the game, all the 16 cards are revealed face-up and the "True Culprit" is determined. If there are multiple valid culprits, the one with the highest number is generally considered to be the "True Culprit". If a valid culprit was not found, it is considered to be the "Fled the Country" scenario.

There are six types of "Investigation Cards" and three types of "Crime Scene Cards". The information contained in the "Crime Scene Cards" may be more important than that contained in the "Investigation Cards".

Icons, effects, and number of cards

• "The Suspect": "The Suspect" becomes the "True Culprit" under specific conditions. If there are multiple candidates, generally, only the one with the highest number becomes the "True Culprit". To be the "True Culprit", "The Suspect" must be indicated by the arrow symbols of the "Weapons used in the crime" and "Motives". However, "The Suspect" must not be indicated by the arrow symbol of the "Alibis". If there are no "True Culprits", it is considered the "Fled the Country" scenario. Generally, 6 cards (+1 card, depending on the "Crime Scene Card".)
• "Motives": The "Motives" refer to "The Suspects" who could have committed the crime. The "Motives" indicate "The Suspects" by arrow symbols, pointing in a straight line vertically or horizontally, regardless of distance. Always 2 cards.
• "Alibis": The "Alibis" indicate that "The Suspects" did not commit the crime. As long as "Alibis" are valid, "The Suspect" cannot be the "True Culprit". The "Alibis" indicate "The Suspects" by arrow symbols, pointing in a straight line vertically or horizontally, regardless of distance. Always 2 cards.
• "Weapons": The "Weapons" do not necessarily represent the actual weapons used in the crime. Only the "Weapons" indicated by the "Clues" are considered to be the "Weapons used in the crime". There can be multiple "Weapons used in the crime". The "Weapons used in the crime" indicate "The Suspects" by arrow symbols, pointing in a straight line vertically, horizontally, or diagonally in all directions, regardless of distance. Always 2 cards.
• "Clues": The "Clues" indicate the "Weapons used in the crime". The "Clues" indicate the "Weapons" in a one-card radius in all directions, including vertically, horizontally and diagonally. Always 2 cards.
• "False Testimony": The "False Testimony" invalidates the "Motives" and "Alibis". (It does not invalidate the "Clues".) The "False Testimony" indicates the "Motives" and "Alibis" in adjacent cards vertically and horizontally by symbols. Generally, 1 card (+1 card, depending on the "Crime Scene Card".)
• "Plot Twist": The "Plot Twist" swaps the upper and lower numbers of "The Suspects". In other words, if there are multiple candidates for the "True Culprit", the one with the lowest number becomes the "True Culprit". Unlike other cards, this card remains effective as long as it is in play. Generally, 0 cards (+1 card, depending on the "Crime Scene Card".)

3-1. Example of Determining the True Culprit 1

1. The "Weapons" are indicated within 1 card radius of the "Clues". Therefore, these "Weapons" are the ones used in the crime.
2. For "Suspect 2" (the dog), there are "Motives", no "Alibi", and it is indicated by the "Weapons used in the crime". Thus, there is a possibility that "Suspect 2" (the dog) is the "True Culprit".
3. For "Suspect 3" (the woman), there are "Motives", but there are also "Alibi". Therefore, "Suspect 3" (the woman) is not the "True Culprit".
4. For "Suspect 4" (the man), there are "Motives", no "Alibi", and it is indicated by the "Weapons used in the crime". Thus, there is a possibility that "Suspect 4" (the man) is the "True Culprit".
5. For "Suspect 1" (the cat), there are no "Motives", so he is not the "True Culprit".
6. Both "Suspect 2" and "Suspect 4" are possible "True Culprits", but the higher-numbered "Suspect 4" (the man) is the "True Culprit".

Note: In the actual game, take account of all the cards in the 4x4 grid.

3-2. Example of Determining the True Culprit 2

1. The two "Weapons" are not indicated by the "Clues" (the "Clues" only point to the "Weapons" within one card radius). As there are no valid "Weapons used in the crime", the "True Culprit" is considered to have "Fled the Country".
2. The dog, the only "Suspect" with "Motives", also has "Alibi", so he is also considered to have "Fled the Country".
3. Both case 1 and case 2 are considered as "Fled the Country" and it is sufficient to consider either one of them as "Fled the Country".

Note: In the actual game, take account of all the cards in the 4x4 grid.

4. Competitive Play Mode

4-1. Setup

4-1-1. Crime Scene Cards

Shuffle the "Crime Scene Cards" face-down and set one aside face-down. Return the rest to the box without looking at them.

4-1-2. Investigation Cards

Combine the "Crime Scene Card" chosen in 4-1-1. and all the "Investigation Cards" face-down, then shuffle them. Afterwards, arrange them face-down in a 4x4 grid.

4-1-3. Initial Investigation Status Sharing

Shuffle the "Case Cards" face-down, choose one and reveal it face-up. The front-side of the "Case Card" shows a layout corresponding to the arrangement of "Investigation Cards" in the 4x4 grid. Depending on the number of players, reveal the investigation cards face-up:

• 2 players: 8 cards
• 3 players: 6 cards
• 4 players: 4 cards

Following the numbers written on the "Case Card" (in order from the highest one to the lowest one), reveal face-up the investigation cards that correspond to the grid. If the "Crime Scene Card" would become face-up, prevent it by rotating the "Case Card" or flipping it horizontally before reading its content.

Return all the "Case Cards" to the box. They will not be used during the game.

Note: Rarely, it may become evident at this stage that there is no "True Culprit". In that case, please redo the steps from 4-4-1. to 4-4-3.

4-1-4. Detective Pawns and Reference Cards

Distribute 1 "Detective Pawn" and the corresponding color "Reference Card" to each player. Place the "Reference Card" (facing up the side without a crown symbol) in front of each player.

4-1-5. Fled the Country Card

Place "Fled the Country" Card near the "Investigation Cards".

4-1-6. Choosing the Starting Player

Choose the starting player randomly.

Setup Example for a 2-player game (excluding Reference Cards and Detective Pawns)

• Note: When revealing the cards according to the "Case Card", the "Crime Scene Card" would end up facing up. Therefore, the content of the "Case Card" is horizontally flipped, and the cards will be revealed according to the flipped version.
• Note: For the reference purpose, the "Case Card" is placed on the table, but in actual gameplay, it can be returned to the box.

4-2. Sequence of Play

4-2-1. Placement of Detective Pawns (When your Detective Pawn is not placed on any card)

During your turn, place your Detective Pawn in a lying position on any face-up "Investigation Card" of your choice (you cannot place it on the "Crime Scene Card"). Additionally, at any time, you can check (only for your own information) the front side of the card your Detective Pawn is placed on.

4-2-2. Investigation (When your Detective Pawn is on a card)

If your Detective Pawn is already on a card, take one of the following actions:

• Without moving your Detective Pawn, reveal face-up any face-down "Investigation Card" or "Crime Scene Card" that does not have a Detective Pawn on it.
• Move your Detective Pawn, in a lying position, to any other "Investigation Card" or "Crime Scene Card" that does not have a Detective Pawn on it. When you do this, reveal face-up the card where your Detective Pawn was previously located.
• Move your Detective Pawn, in a standing position, onto any "Investigation Card", "Crime Scene Card", or "Fled the Country" Card that have no other Detective Pawn in a standing position, and declare "Found the Culprit". Alternatively, unless your Detective Pawn is placed on the same card with another player's standing Detective Pawn, you can leave your pawn without moving to another card, put it in a standing position and declare "Found the Culprit". These actions can also be performed on face-down cards. The player who declares "Found the Culprit" cannot take any further turns.

Note: If all the players except you have declared "Found the Culprit", you also have to declare "Found the Culprit" during your turn. However, in a 2-player game, you can take one additional action before declaring "Found the Culprit".

4-2-3. Next Player's Turn

If there are still players who have not declared "Found the Culprit", the player on the left side (of the current player) who has not declared "Found the Culprit" will take the turn. If all the players have declared "Found the Culprit", proceed to "4-3. Verification of the Case and End of the Game".

4-3. Verification of the Case and End of the Game

Turn face-up all the face-down cards and determine the "True Culprit". Please refer to "3. Investigation Cards, Crime Scene Cards, and Determining the True Culprit" for details.

The player who declared "Found the Culprit" for the "True Culprit", wins the game. If the "True Culprit" has "Fled the Country", the winner is the player who declared "Found the Culprit" for the "Fled the Country" Card.

If no one successfully declared "Found the Culprit" for the "True Culprit", there is no winner.

4-4. Play Until Someone Wins Twice (Optional Rule)

You can apply the optional rule to continue the game until one player successfully achieves "Found the Culprit" twice. There is a crown symbol on one side of the "Reference Card". The player who successfully achieved "Found the Culprit", can flip their "Reference Card" to reveal the side with the crown symbol facing up. The player who successfully achieves "Found the Culprit" again while the crown symbol is facing up, wins the game.

5. Cooperative Play Mode

In the Cooperative Play Mode, some rules differ from the Competitive Play Mode. The modifications are as follows:

5-1. Setup

5-1-1. Initial Investigation Sharing

In the Cooperative Play Mode, regardless of the number of players, set up the "Initial Investigation Status Sharing" for a 2-player game. In other words, reveal 8 "Investigation Cards" face-up.

5-1-2. Detective Pawns

Place all the unused Detective Pawns (if any) next to the arranged "Investigation Cards".

5-2. Discussion

After the setup is complete, each player is free to discuss the currently revealed information. Communication among the players is allowed during this stage. However, from the steps of the "Sequence of Play" till the "Verification of the Case and End of the Game", any communication is not allowed.

5-3. Sequence of Play

During their turn, the players take one of the following actions:

• Using an unused Detective Pawn (if there are unused Detective Pawns)
• Detective Pawn Placement (if the player's Detective Pawn is not placed on any card)
• Found the Culprit (if the player's Detective Pawn is placed on a card)

5-3-1. Using an unused Detective Pawn (if there are unused Detective Pawns)

Place an unused Detective Pawn in a lying position on an "Investigation Card". This action cannot be performed on the "Crime Scene Card". At any time you can check (only for your own information) the front side of the card under your placed Detective Pawn.

5-3-2. Detective Pawn Placement (if the player's Detective Pawn is not placed on any card)

Place the player's Detective Pawn in a lying position on any face-down "Investigation Card" or "Crime Scene Card". You can check (only for your own information) the front side of the card under your placed Detective Pawn at any time.

5-3-3. Found the Culprit (if the player's Detective Pawn is placed on a card)

Move your Detective Pawn to any "Investigation Card", "Crime Scene Card", or "Fled the Country" Card, put it in a standing position and declare "Found the Culprit". Alternatively, if you choose not to move your Detective Pawn, you can simply declare "Found the Culprit" instead.

Note: Unlike in the Competitive Play Mode, you can perform "Found the Culprit" even if there is already a standing Detective Pawn on the card. However, "Found the Culprit" is effective only for the card with the highest number of Detective Pawns placed in a standing position on this card.

Hint: Pay attention and be observant of where the pawns move. Since each player has different information, the location of the pawns may reveal what other players know... or what they don't know.

5-4. Verification of the Case and End of the Game

Turn all the face-down cards face-up and determine the "True Culprit". For details, refer to "3. Investigation Cards, Crime Scene Cards, and Determining the True Culprit".

Unlike in the Competitive Play Mode, "Found the Culprit" is effective only for the card with the highest number of Detective Pawns placed in a standing position on this card. If multiple cards have the same number of Detective Pawns, "Found the Culprit" is effective only for the card where the last player declared "Found the Culprit".

If the players declare a valid "Found the Culprit" for the "True Culprit", all the players win. If the "True Culprit" has "Fled the Country", and the players declared a "Found the Culprit" for "Fled the Country" Card, all the players win.

Otherwise, all the players lose the game.

6. Solo Play Mode

The Solo Play Mode follows the same rules as the Cooperative Play Mode.

• While performing "Using an unused Detective Pawns" or "Detective Pawn Placement", you can reveal the cards face-up.
• To increase the difficulty, reduce the number of unused Detective Pawns by one.
• Once you are familiar with the game, challenge yourself by playing multiple games consecutively for each "Case Card" and see how many victories you can achieve.