Soviet System Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Box Contents
• General Principle
• Setup
• Playing the Game
• Final Victory
• Instructions
  • 1 - The Die
  • 2 - The Personal Record Sheets (the three social classes)
  • 3 - The Gosbank Space
  • 4 - The "O.P.I." Spaces (Worker, Peasant, Intellectual)
  • 5 - The "Interrogation" Spaces
  • 6 - The "Daily Life", "Political Life" and "KGB" Spaces
• The Nomenklatura
  • 7 - The Ranks of the Nomenklatura
  • 8 - Progress in the Nomenklatura
• The Different Cards of the Game
  • 9 - The "Political Life", "Daily Life" and "KGB" Cards
  • 10 - The "Amnesty" Cards
  • 11 - The "Good Answer" Cards
  • 12 - The "Question" Cards
  • 13 - The Jokers
  • 14 - The Examination
  • 15 - The Interrogation
  • 16 - Medals, Distinctions or Convictions
  • 17 - Bankruptcy of a Player
  • 18 - Final Victory
  • 19 - The Highest-Ranking Player
• Index

Box Contents

• 1 rulebook.
• 1 game board.
• 1 twelve-sided die (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 0, -1, -2, -3).
• 6 pawns in different colours.
• 6 dachas in the colours matching the 6 pawns.
• 6 personal record sheets ("fiches d'état civil") showing each player's social class, with spaces for medals, distinctions and convictions.
• 24 medals of the Order of the SOVIET SYSTEM.
• 24 military distinctions.
• 24 KGB distinctions.
• 24 convictions for public drunkenness.
• 56 "Daily Life" cards, including 3 "Amnesty" and 3 "Good Answer" cards.
• 56 "Political Life" cards, including 3 "Amnesty" and 3 "Good Answer" cards.
• 56 "KGB" cards, including 6 "Good Answer" cards.
• 526 "Question" cards. 500 of them carry the 1,500 knowledge questions used for examinations and interrogations; 26 are Jokers.
• Rouble banknotes: 30 of 1,000 / 70 of 500 / 100 of 100 / 100 of 50 / 100 of 20 / 100 of 10.

General Principle

SOVIET SYSTEM is a board game for 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 players. A game is played at the same time on a TRACK, where the players' PAWNS move according to the dice rolls, and in the NOMENKLATURA hierarchy, where the players' DACHAS are affected by what happens to the pawns on the track.

The winner, the new GENERAL SECRETARY, is the first player to place their dacha on the star bearing Marx's effigy at the top of the nomenklatura. To get there, they must overcome the obstacles of "Daily Life", "Political Life", or "Secret and Police Life" (KGB) of the SOVIET SYSTEM.

N.B. The dissident is deliberately absent from the game, because his approach within the system, of which he feels himself a victim, is to do everything possible to survive outside the rules.

Setup

• Unfold the game board.
• Shuffle the "Political Life" cards and place them in the space provided on the board.
• Do the same with the "Daily Life" and "KGB" cards.
• Appoint the banker. (This player looks after the Gosbank for the whole game. The banker is responsible for distributing money, paying bonuses, collecting fines, and collecting the sale price of "good answers" to examination questions.)
• Give out the players' starting cash. (Each player receives from the Gosbank: 1 note of 1,000 / 4 notes of 500 / 3 notes of 100 / 3 notes of 50 / 5 notes of 20 / 5 notes of 10. This is a total of 3,600 roubles per player. The printed figure reads "3 6000"; 3,600 is the sum of the listed notes.)
• Give each player a personal record sheet showing their social class and the state of their medals, distinctions and convictions (see 2).
• Give each player a pawn and a dacha. (Each player then places their pawn on the track space of their choice, and their dacha on the "Sans Parti" (Non-Party) rank of the nomenklatura; see 7.)

Playing the Game

The first player rolls the die (see 1), and the player to their left follows, and so on clockwise.

• Players roll the die and move their pawns on the track spaces by the number obtained. Then they follow the instructions printed on the space they land on.
• According to those instructions, players move their dachas within the nomenklatura. The nomenklatura has 10 ranks, from the gulag up to the post of General Secretary.

Progress of the dachas through these 10 ranks is the real stake of a game of SOVIET SYSTEM.

Final Victory

The game ends when the first dacha is placed on the star at the top of the nomenklatura hierarchy. Long live the new GENERAL SECRETARY...

We invite you now to begin the game, and to refer to the instructions below as you need them.

Instructions

1 - The Die

To move your pawn along the track, use the twelve-sided die (with positive, zero and negative results).

• If the number rolled is positive: move your pawn that many spaces clockwise.
• If the number rolled is negative: move your pawn that many spaces counter-clockwise.
• If the number rolled is "0": your pawn stays where it is. The next player rolls the die.

2 - The Personal Record Sheets (the three social classes)

For the duration of a game, all players are divided into 3 social classes: Worker, Peasant and Intellectual, shown by these symbols: [gear icon] Worker, [tools icon] Peasant, [book icon] Intellectual.

To determine your social class, roll the die. All the other players do the same. The player who gets the best score is the first player. They choose their social class, take one of the 6 record sheets and place it in front of them. The others follow in order of their scores. At the same moment, and in the same order, the players choose the colour of their pawn and dacha.

The record sheet also shows, at all times, the state of the medals of the Order of the SOVIET SYSTEM, the military or KGB distinctions, and the convictions for public drunkenness (see 16).

3 - The Gosbank Space

Each time you pass the Gosbank space (whichever direction you move), you receive a basic bonus of 1,000 roubles.

• If your pawn stops on this space, your basic bonus is doubled: 2,000 roubles.
• If your pawn is already on the Gosbank space and on your next turn you roll "0", your pawn stays where it is and you receive a bonus of 2,000 roubles again.

Note: all these bonuses may be multiplied according to the rank of your dacha in the nomenklatura.

In its role as the system's bank, the Gosbank applies these official rates:

• Sale to a player:
  • 1 medal or 1 distinction: 3,000 roubles.
  • 1 good answer: 2,000 roubles.
• Buy-back from a player who goes bankrupt:
  • 1 medal or 1 distinction: 500 roubles.

4 - The "O.P.I." Spaces (Worker, Peasant, Intellectual)

[Gear icon] 1,000 [Tools icon] 1,000 [Book icon] 1,000

Your pawn stops on one of the 20 "O.P.I." spaces on the track. You are affected if your record sheet matches one of the social classes shown on the space (Worker, Peasant or Intellectual).

The die roll that got you to this space shows a positive, negative or "0" result.

• If the number is positive: you receive a bonus from the Gosbank of the amount shown on the space (the amount may be multiplied according to the rank of your dacha in the nomenklatura).
• If the number on your die is negative: you must pay a fine of the amount shown on the space to the GOSBANK. (Because the rank of your dacha in the nomenklatura is a privilege, the amount of your fine is not multiplied.)
• If your die shows "0": your pawn stays where it is, you neither receive nor pay anything, and you pass the die to the next player.

5 - The "Interrogation" Spaces

When your pawn stops on one of the 5 "Interrogation" spaces (black with a question mark), you must undergo an interrogation by answering questions asked by the player on your right, who is called the "examiner" (see 15 - how the interrogation proceeds).

6 - The "Daily Life", "Political Life" and "KGB" Spaces

When your pawn stops on one of these 14 spaces, you must draw the top card from the matching pile of cards placed on the game board, and follow the instructions printed on it (see 9).

The Nomenklatura

7 - The Ranks of the Nomenklatura

The ranks of the nomenklatura (shown in the centre of the game board) number 10, from the gulag up to the post of General Secretary.

• To begin the game, your dacha is on the rank of "Sans Parti" (Non-Party).
• To win the game, your dacha must be the first to land on the star at the top of the nomenklatura hierarchy (the post of General Secretary).
• If your dacha is on one of the prestigious ranks of the nomenklatura, you may multiply your gains. The multiplying coefficient is printed on the game board. You must claim your bonus from the Gosbank or from your debtor before the next player rolls the die.
• A prisoner of the gulag is hit with a penalty and, in principle, receives no more money. (But if, by mischief, you manage to get paid and the next player has already rolled the die, you keep the money.)
• A prisoner of the gulag, in internal exile at Gorki, or under supervised freedom, takes part in the game normally. To speed up your return to favour, you may use an "Amnesty" card, which takes you directly back to the rank of "Sans Parti" (see 10).

8 - Progress in the Nomenklatura

Your dacha's progress depends on:

• The favourable or unfavourable instructions printed on the "Political Life", "Daily Life" or "KGB" cards you have drawn, and, where applicable, on whether you answer correctly in an "examination" (see 14).
• The successful outcome of your "interrogation" (see 15).
• Your collection of medals, distinctions or convictions (see 16).

The Different Cards of the Game

9 - The "Political Life", "Daily Life" and "KGB" Cards

The game contains 56 "Political Life" cards, 56 "Daily Life" cards and 56 "KGB" cards. These cards mainly determine the movements of your dacha in the nomenklatura hierarchy. Among them are 6 "Amnesty" cards and 12 "Good Answer" cards (see 10 and 11).

When you draw one of these cards, you must first read the short scenario printed on it, then apply the resulting sanction. The sanction, positive or negative, is shown by pictograms (see 20).

At the end of a "Political Life", "Daily Life" or "KGB" card, you may be entitled to:

• move up one rank in the nomenklatura (up-arrow icon, with star and SOVIET SYSTEM logo);
• or be obliged to move down one rank in the nomenklatura (down-arrow icon, with star and SOVIET SYSTEM logo).

In both cases, before your dacha changes rank, you must take an examination (see 14).

• The sanction to move down in the nomenklatura: if your dacha is already placed on a rank lower than that sanction, you do not move it.
• Apart from your rank in the hierarchy, the sanction may also award you, where applicable, medals, distinctions or convictions, which go on your record sheet (see 16).

10 - The "Amnesty" Cards

The 6 "Amnesty" cards are shuffled in with the "Political Life" and "Daily Life" cards. They may be kept and used at any time during the game.

• If you are in the gulag, in internal exile at Gorki, or under supervised freedom, an "Amnesty" card lets you return to the rank of "Sans Parti".
• If you must move down one or more ranks in the hierarchy, even as far as the gulag, an "Amnesty" card lets you cancel the sanction (your dacha keeps its rank).
• Once used, you return the "Amnesty" card to the bottom of its deck. During one game, you may benefit from several "Amnesty" cards.
• At any time during the game, you may negotiate an "Amnesty" card with other players. It has no official price; it is worth whatever a player is willing to sacrifice for it. In case of bankruptcy, the Gosbank does not buy it back.

11 - The "Good Answer" Cards

The 12 "Good Answer" cards are shuffled in with the "Political Life", "Daily Life" and "KGB" cards. They may be kept and used at any time during the game (to avoid answering an examination or interrogation question).

• During one game, you may benefit from several "Good Answer" cards.
• At any time during the game, you may negotiate a "Good Answer" card with other players. It has no official price; it is worth whatever a player is willing to sacrifice for it. In case of bankruptcy, the Gosbank does not buy it back.

12 - The "Question" Cards

The box contains 526 "Question" cards, divided as follows:

• 500 cards containing 1,500 knowledge questions about the USSR and its system since the Revolution of 1917. On each card, and in front of each question, is a pictogram showing one of the 3 social classes: Worker, Peasant and Intellectual. These "Question" cards are used for examinations (see 14) and for interrogations (see 15).
• 26 Joker cards (see 13).

13 - The Jokers

• Among the 526 "Question" cards, a player may be lucky enough to draw one of the 26 "Joker" cards.
• The Joker is a card showing a hero of the SOVIET SYSTEM. It must be used immediately.
• When you draw a Joker during an examination, your examination is passed automatically.
• During an interrogation, a Joker raises your dacha by 2 ranks.
• However, a Joker cannot give you automatic access to the post of General Secretary (see 18).

14 - The Examination

How the examination proceeds:

• The player on your right, your examiner, draws a "Question" card.
• Each card has 3 questions, each preceded by a pictogram showing one of the three social classes: [gear] Worker, [tools] Peasant, [book] Intellectual.
• The examiner asks you the question printed after the pictogram for your social class.

Your answer is correct. If you were supposed to:

• move up (up-arrow icon, with star and SOVIET SYSTEM logo): you move your dacha up one rank in the nomenklatura hierarchy.
• move down (down-arrow icon, with star and SOVIET SYSTEM logo): you have avoided a descent. Your dacha stays where it is.

Your answer is wrong. If you were supposed to:

• move up (up-arrow icon, with star and SOVIET SYSTEM logo): you have lost a promotion. Your dacha stays where it is.
• move down (down-arrow icon, with star and SOVIET SYSTEM logo): you move your dacha down one rank in the nomenklatura hierarchy.

Note 1:

If you do not know the answer to the question you are asked, the system offers several ways to get around the obstacle:

• You may answer by giving a "Good Answer" card (see 11).
• You may buy the answer from the Gosbank for 2,000 roubles (examination passed).
• You may buy the answer from another player. (All players except your examiner may make you financial offers to answer in your place. You are free to choose whomever you like.)
• The examination is passed if the player gives the correct answer in your place. If they get it wrong, the examination is failed and you bear the consequences. If the answer is correct, you pay the chosen player the sum of money they had asked for. If the answer is wrong, that player must pay you, as compensation, double the sum of money they had asked for.

Note 2:

A sanction involving medals, distinctions or convictions is sometimes linked to your movements in the nomenklatura.

• If you were supposed to move up one rank: if you pass the examination, you receive them. If you fail, you do not receive them.
• If you were supposed to move down one rank: if you pass the examination, you keep what you have. If you fail, you suffer the sanction.

15 - The Interrogation

• If your pawn lands on one of the 5 "Interrogation" spaces on the track, you must undergo an interrogation: answer at least 2 of the 3 questions on one of the 500 "Question" cards. This interrogation is a chance, or a misfortune, to move your dacha up or down 1, 2 or 3 ranks in the nomenklatura hierarchy.

How the interrogation proceeds:

• As in an examination, your examiner draws a "Question" card. Each card has 3 questions, each preceded by a pictogram showing one of the three social classes: [gear] Worker, [tools] Peasant, [book] Intellectual.
• They begin by asking you the question printed after the pictogram for your social class. Then they ask you the second question, and possibly the third, following the O.P.I. rule (Worker, then Peasant, then Intellectual, then Worker, then Peasant, and so on: O.P.I./O.P.I...).

The principle:

• If you give a correct answer to the 1st question: your dacha moves up one rank. It keeps moving up as long as you answer correctly (for at most the 3 questions on the card). Your interrogation ends at your first wrong answer.
• If you give a wrong answer to the 1st question: your dacha moves down one rank. It keeps moving down as long as you answer wrongly (for at most the 3 questions on the card). Your interrogation ends at your first correct answer.

Note:

• You may not buy answers to an interrogation from the Gosbank, nor negotiate them with other players.
• A "Good Answer" card gives you a correct answer to one of the 3 questions of your interrogation.
• A "Joker" card drawn by your examiner: your interrogation is suspended and your dacha moves up 2 ranks in the hierarchy (2 ranks only).

16 - Medals, Distinctions or Convictions

When a "Political Life", "Daily Life" or "KGB" card is drawn, in addition to a promotion in the nomenklatura hierarchy, you may receive honorary titles: medals of the Order of the SOVIET SYSTEM, KGB distinctions or military distinctions. You may also be convicted of Public Drunkenness.

• 4 medals, or 4 KGB distinctions, or 4 military distinctions move your dacha up one rank in the nomenklatura (you return them to the Gosbank).
• 4 convictions for public drunkenness move your dacha down one rank (you return them to the Gosbank).

Medals, distinctions or convictions are placed on your record sheet, in the spaces reserved for them, as you obtain them.

Note:

Each time it is your turn to play, you may buy one or more honorary titles from the Gosbank. You must pay 3,000 roubles per medal or distinction. They may not be exchanged or sold between players. They may only be sold back to the Gosbank in case of a player's bankruptcy (see 17).

17 - Bankruptcy of a Player

The Gosbank declares you bankrupt when you can no longer pay your debts or fines.

• To help you cope, the Gosbank buys back all your medals and distinctions at 500 roubles each, and leaves you your convictions. It is up to you to pay...
• But if you still cannot pay off your debts, the Gosbank pays them on your behalf... Your dacha goes down to the gulag. You receive 2,000 roubles from the Gosbank and start playing again. Your bankruptcy is cancelled.

18 - Final Victory

To be able to cry "Victory", that is, to place your dacha on the star bearing Marx's effigy, you must answer all 3 questions of a "Question" card.

Note:

• If your examiner draws a "Joker" card, they must put it back in the pack and draw a new card.

• You may buy a "Good Answer" from the Gosbank, buy one answer, and only one, from one of the players, and use a "Good Answer" card.

  In any case, you must answer at least 1 of the 3 questions alone. The O.P.I. rule applies (see 15): you begin with the question reserved for your social class, and so on. At each question you must choose whether to answer alone or to be helped.

19 - The Highest-Ranking Player

Some "Daily Life", "Political Life" or "KGB" cards refer to the highest-ranking player.

• [Player icon] [Military plane icon] [Star and SOVIET SYSTEM emblem]: the highest-ranking military player.
• [Player icon] [KGB icon] [Star and SOVIET SYSTEM emblem]: the highest-ranking KGB player.

This is the player who already holds on their record sheet at least one "military" or "KGB" distinction, and whose dacha is highest in the nomenklatura hierarchy.

Other players may be ranked higher than them in the nomenklatura, but they will not necessarily be military or KGB players.

In case of a tie, the tie is broken as follows:

1. The player who has the most KGB or military distinctions.

If there is still a tie:

2. The player who has the most other distinctions (KGB for military players / military for KGB players).
3. The player who has the most medals.
4. The player who has the fewest convictions for public drunkenness.
5. The players finally settle it with a coin toss.

20 - The Pictograms

• [Player face icon with heart]: THE PLAYER OF YOUR CHOICE
• [Up-arrow icon]: MOVE UP... IN THE SOVIET SYSTEM (nomenklatura)
• [Down-arrow icon]: MOVE DOWN... IN THE SOVIET SYSTEM (nomenklatura)
• [Star]: 1 RANK
• [Star and SOVIET SYSTEM emblem]: HIGHEST RANK IN THE NOMENKLATURA (see 19)
• [Medal icon]: MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF THE SOVIET SYSTEM
• [KGB icon]: KGB DISTINCTION
• [Military plane icon]: MILITARY DISTINCTION
• [Conviction icon]: CONVICTION FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS
• [0 icon]: The rank of "SANS PARTI" (Non-Party)
• [LS icon]: SUPERVISED FREEDOM
• [Gt icon]: INTERNAL EXILE AT GORKI

This is a rule that asks only for your interpretations, your bad-faith adjustments, your irritations and your transgressions, so as to be entirely respectable.

Index

The index of the game's situations, as printed:

1. The Die
2. Personal Record Sheets
3. The Gosbank Space
4. The "O.P.I." Spaces (Worker, Peasant, Intellectual)
5. The "Interrogation" Spaces
6. The "Daily Life", "Political Life" and "KGB" Spaces
7. The Ranks of the Nomenklatura
8. Progress in the Nomenklatura
9. The "Daily Life", "Political Life" and "KGB" Cards
10. The "Amnesty" Cards
11. The "Good Answer" Cards
12. The "Question" Cards
13. The Jokers
14. The Examination
15. The Interrogation
16. Medals, Distinctions or Convictions
17. Bankruptcy of a Player
18. Final Victory
19. The Highest-Ranking Player
20. The Pictograms