Pretense
Pretense Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
Base game: 1 rules sheet, 12 role cards, 1 wallet-style storage packaging for the game.
Goal of the Game
Collect as many role cards as possible during the evening, without being exposed and eliminated from the game.
Setup
For 6 or fewer players: Deal each player 2 cards, and remove the rest from the game. Each player chooses 1 of the two role cards and discards the other.
For 7 or more players: Deal each player 1 card, and set the rest aside. Each player may secretly look at 1 random undealt card, if any remain.
How to Play
The game lasts for the whole game night. There are no rounds, no turns and no time limits.
Players look at their role card and place it face down on the table or out of the other players' view.
Each role card has a secret task. If at any moment the event shown on your role card occurs, reveal your card and announce that event.
Then you take the role card of the other player, as shown on your card. Your revealed role card gives you 1 point.
You immediately get the role from the card you took, and the player you took it from is eliminated from the game.
Revealing Another Player's Role
If at any time during the game you think you know another player's secret role, you may declare it. That player must reveal their role card.
If you guessed correctly: that player is eliminated from the game, and their role card is discarded.
If you guessed wrongly: you are eliminated from the game, and that player takes your role card; it becomes their role. Their revealed role card is discarded and does not score points.
Winner
At the end of the game night, each revealed role card next to a player scores that player 1 point. The player with the highest total wins.
In case of a tie, the players agree on the next game night!
Roles (Base Game)
BOOKWORM (Книжный червь) - If another player hands you a game rulebook, take their role card.
BUSYBODY (Непоседа) - If another player makes a phone call, take their role card.
CHEAPSKATE (Скряга) - If another player gives you money, take their role card.
CLOWN (Клоун) - If you have made everyone laugh out loud, take the role card of any player.
CRITIC (Критик) - If another player refuses to play a game that at least 2 people want to play, take their role card.
FRAT BOY (Богатенький мальчик) - If another player gives you a "five" (raises a hand and slaps your palm), take their role card.
GLUTTON (Обжора) - If another player hands you food or a drink, take their role card.
KING (Король) - If another player sits in your seat, take their role card.
MAID (Горничная) - If you are clearing up the game alone and nobody helps you, take the role card of any player.
MODEL (Модель) - If another player photographs you, take their role card.
OLD DOG (Старая перечница) - If you have convinced everyone to play the same game for the second time in a row, take the role card of any player.
SPORT (Спортсмен) - If you catch something thrown by another player, take their role card.
Bonus Roles (Pretense: Bonus Roles)
5 additional roles for your game nights.
Components: 1 rules sheet, 5 role cards, 1 reference card.
Setup: Replace some or all of the bonus role cards in place of some of the base game cards.
Or simply add all the bonus role cards to the base game cards if your group is very large on this game night.
CRAFTER (Умелец) - If you have convinced everyone to play by house rules, take the role card of any player.
KLUTZ (Недотёпа) - If another player remarks that you often knock dice off the table, take their role card.
MAESTRO (Маэстро) - If another player turns on music or switches to different music, take their role card.
SHADOW (Тень) - Has no secret task. If another player does not guess your role, leave this card face up next to you (it gives you 1 point), and take their role card.
[BLANK] - Blank card for inventing your own role.
The Champ & Sore Loser (Pretense: The Champ & Sore Loser)
2 additional roles for the best and the worst players.
Components: 1 rules sheet, 2 role cards, 1 reference card.
Setup: Replace some or all of the bonus role cards in place of some of the base game cards.
Or simply add all the bonus role cards to the base game cards if your group is very large on this game night.
CHAMP (Чемпион) - If you have won two games in a row, take the role card of any player.
SORE LOSER (Неудачник) - If you have finished last in two games in a row, take the role card of any player.
Blanks (Pretense: Blanks)
3 completely blank role cards for adapting the game to your particular group, your personal game preferences and the behaviour during play.
Components: 1 rules sheet, 3 blank role cards, 1 blank reference card.
The Geek (Pretense: The Geek)
1 additional role card. Exclusive BGG Store promo card.
Components: 1 role card, 1 reference card.
GEEK (Гик) - If another player goes online to the website boardgamegeek.com, take their role card.