Moku Tower Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Components
  • Wood Introduction (Natural Wood Types)
  • Game Content
• Game Objective
• Setting Up Everything
• Game Flow
  • Step 1: Draw Cards
  • Step 2: Score Points
  • Step 3: Pass the Turn
  • How to Use Special Function Cards
• Understanding the Cards
  • Starting Position Cards
  • Extra Piece Cards
  • Super Jet Pot Cards
  • Special Function Cards

Components

Wood Introduction (Natural Wood Types)

The set includes the following natural wood types for the blocks:

• Pine Wood
• Maple Wood
• Sapele Wood
• Walnut Wood
• Ash Wood

The set also includes the following mini wood types:

• Mini Pine Wood
• Mini Camphor Wood
• Mini Walnut Wood
• Mini Rosewood Wood
• Mini Birch Wood

Game Content

• 10 wooden blocks
• 1 one-minute hourglass
• 1 wooden board. Blocks stacked on the board are not included in points (see the Starting Position Chance card).
• 24 Starting Position cards
• 24 Super Jet Pot cards
• 48 Extra Piece cards
• 10 wood block description cards
• 20 Special Function cards

A cloth bag is included and may be used freely to hold blocks or cards.

Game Objective

The first player to reach the target total score wins. Each card has a point value according to its difficulty, shown in the upper-left corner of the card.

The target total score is:

1. 25 points for games with 2 to 4 players.
2. 15 points for games with 5 or more players.

Setting Up Everything

1. First, look at the description cards for the 10 types of wooden blocks to get familiar with them. (It is also possible to play by drawing cards beneath the block.)
2. Prepare four face-down decks: Starting Position cards, Extra Piece cards, Super Jet Pot cards, and Special Function cards. Shuffle each deck well.
3. Each player draws 2 Special Function cards. Do not show the contents of these cards to the other players.
4. Decide the order of play (clockwise).

Game Flow

Step 1: Draw Cards

Turn the hourglass over and, within the time limit (1 minute), draw cards, stack the wooden blocks as the cards instruct, and complete every additional challenge that applies.

Cards are drawn in the following order:

1. Starting Position card
2. Extra Piece card (optional)
3. Super Jet Pot card (optional)

Note: drawing the second and third cards is optional. You do not have to draw them.

Step 2: Score Points

If you complete every challenge shown on your cards within the time limit, you may keep the cards and score the point value shown in the upper-left corner of each card.

If you fail at even one of the challenges, you must return your cards to the bottom of the deck they came from. You score zero points for the turn.

If you drop even one block while stacking, it counts as a failure. You score zero points for the turn.

Step 3: Pass the Turn

Whether you succeeded or failed, when your turn ends, turn the hourglass over. This shortens the time available to the next player. Repeat this step until a player first reaches the target total score.

How to Use Special Function Cards

Unless a card states a specific condition for its use, a Special Function card may be played at any time, and may be used to "attack" another player to prevent that player from scoring.

Understanding the Cards

Starting Position Cards

Standard Starting Position cards. These cards show how the blocks should be stacked. Stack the blocks shown on the card, in the order shown on the card. You draw one of these cards each time it becomes your turn.

Starting Position Chance card. When you draw this card, choose one of the following options:

• Option 1: Stack blocks on the wooden board (blocks on the board are not included in points). Also draw at least one Extra Piece card.
• Option 2: Draw one Special Function card and end your turn.

The Starting Position cards shown in the manual's card pages are listed below, with the points printed in the upper-left corner and the blocks to stack (the base is the wooden board). The Chance card is the card showing only "Base" with the 0 points indicator. "Light Walnut" is the Mini Walnut Wood block. Note: the manual's card pages show 17 Starting Position cards in total, although the Game Content page lists 24.

• Chance card (0 points): Base
• +1: Sapele, Base
• +1: Ash, Base
• +1: Maple, Base
• +1: Pine, Base
• +1: Light Walnut, Base
• +2: Light Walnut, Ash, Base
• +2: Maple, Pine, Base
• +2: Light Walnut, Maple, Base
• +2: Pine, Ash, Base
• +2: Pine, Sapele, Base
• +3: Light Walnut, Pine, Ash, Base
• +3: Ash, Pine, Sapele, Base
• +3: Sapele, Maple, Ash, Base
• +3: Pine, Ash, Maple, Base
• +3: Light Walnut, Ash, Sapele, Base
• +3: Ash, Maple, Pine, Base

Extra Piece Cards

Each Extra Piece card shows an additional number of blocks to stack on top of the challenge shown on the Starting Position card. If you succeed, you receive the additional points shown in the upper-left corner of the card.

You may choose not to draw an Extra Piece card, or draw as many as you wish. You may choose any type of block for the additional blocks.

Extra Piece cards are printed as follows:

• +0 pcs: no additional blocks.
• +1 pc: stack 1 block of your choice.
• +2 pcs: stack 2 blocks of your choice.
• +3 pcs: stack 3 blocks of your choice.
• +4 pcs: stack 4 blocks of your choice.

Super Jet Pot Cards

A Super Jet Pot card shows additional challenges that must be completed on that turn. If you complete them, you receive the bonus points shown on the card. However, if you fail, you lose all points you have scored up to that point. You may draw at most one Super Jet Pot card per turn.

Super Jet Pot cards in this set (English titles as printed on the cards):

• Left-Handed (+2): You may use only your left hand.
• Right-Handed (+2): You may use only your right hand.
• Stack Like a Cat (+3): Use both palms to stack. No fingers.
• Shaka (+3): Use only your thumb and little finger.
• Victory (+3): Use only your index and middle fingers.
• Encouragement (+3): Clap once each time you stack a block.
• Give Me Five (+3): High-five any player at the table after stacking each piece successfully.
• Cross Your Arm (+3): Cross your arms while stacking.
• Show Your Muscle (+5): Hold a block with your elbow and stack with that hand.
• Digital Age (+3): Use your phone as the base to stack, and beware of people calling.
• Put It Back (+3): Remove the last block you stacked and put it back, then stack again.
• Oops (+3): Cover your mouth and stack.
• My Friends (+3): Name all the players at the end of the turn.
• Keep Silence (+3): You cannot talk while stacking.
• Early Celebration (+3): Shout "Moku!" before stacking the last block.
• The Sticky Pad (+3): Put this card on your head and stack blocks.
• Goodnight (+3): Close your eyes when stacking the last block.
• Flamingo (+4): Stand up on one leg and stack.
• Salute (+4): Stand up and stack.
• The Computer (+4): Each player mentions a 3-digit number, and after stacking, repeats the number.
• Rock Paper Scissors (+4): Play rock-paper-scissors with any player. You are allowed to stack one block every time you win.

Special Function Cards

Special Function cards may be used to "attack" other players or add further challenges. Unless a special condition is stated on the card, you may use any number of Special Function cards at any time, against any player. After use, return the card to the bottom of the Special Function deck.

Special Function cards shown in the manual (English titles as printed on the cards; note: the manual's card pages show 26 Special Function cards, although the Game Content page lists 20):

• Redraw (Sp): Redraw all cards except the Starting Position card. Can only be used before stacking.
• Theft (Sp): Take the points of the other player when that player succeeds.
• The Magician (Sp): Redraw the Starting Position card. Can only be used before stacking.
• Consolation Prize (Sp): The player must take a Super Jet Pot card.
• The Magic Ball (Sp): Review any 5 cards from the deck and rearrange them as you want.
• One Less (Sp): Reduce the number of blocks you stack by 1 in any round. You may still gain all the points if you finish successfully.
• Successor (Sp): When this card is played, take charge of that round. If you succeed, you gain the points. Can only be used before the last block is stacked.
• Reverse (Sp): Skip this round and return the turn to the previous player. Can only be used before stacking.
• Skip (Sp): Skip this round and pass the turn to the next player. Can only be used before stacking.
• Don't Laugh (Sp): If a player laughs, add 1 additional block (of any type).
• Tornado (Sp): Blow hard to disrupt the opponent's stacking, but you must not touch the blocks.
• Let's Swap (Sp): Swap all your Special Function cards with a player.
• Don't Touch (Sp): If a player touches any part of the face, add 1 additional block.
• No Hands (Sp): If a player touches the block with both hands, add 1 additional block.
• The Dictionary (Sp): Name all the blocks you stacked this round, or choose zero points.
• Do It Again (Sp): Re-stack the whole tower within the time limit.
• Time Freeze (Sp): The player can turn the hourglass on its side to freeze time at any time.
• The Musician (Sp): The player can drum his or her fingers on the table once.