Zahlen-Zauber Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Components
• Before the First Game
• Game Variant 1: Running Game
  • Setup
  • Turn Order
  • Gameplay
  • End of the Game
  • Tip for Younger Children
• Game Variant 2: Quick Collecting Game
  • Setup
  • Gameplay
  • End of the Game

Components

• 40 treasure cards (Schatzkärtchen). Each card shows a number on one side and the matching number of treasures on the other side. There are four cards for each number from 1 to 10.
• 4 treasure types: magic stars (Zauberstern), gems (Edelstein), magic potion bottles (Zaubertrank) and magic stones (Magischer Stein).
• 4 game figures: the elf (collects magic stars), the dwarf (collects gems), the wizard (collects magic potion) and the giant (collects magic stones).
• 1 magic castle (Zauberschloss).
• 2 silver stands (silberne Aufstellfüße) for the castle and board.
• 1 game board made of three parts (Spielplan). The numbers 1 to 10 run down the left edge. The right edge shows each number as fingers and as dice pips. The path to the magic castle runs between the two edges.
• 4 transparent stands (transparente Aufstellfüße) for the game figures.

Before the First Game

1. Take all of the game material out of the box.
2. Carefully punch the treasure cards, the game figures and the magic castle out of their punch sheets.
3. Push the two silver stands up from the underside into the openings provided in the game board.
4. Slide the magic castle in from above.
5. Join the parts of the game board together.
6. Insert the game figures into the transparent stands.

Adults may wish to go through the following with the children:

• Ask the children to look closely at the game figures. Which figure collects which treasures?
• Look together at the treasure cards. One side shows a number, the other side shows that many treasures.
• Look together at the game board. The numbers 1 to 10 are shown on the left edge. On the right edge the same numbers appear as fingers and as dice pips. Those fields are where the treasure cards will be placed later. The path between the two edges is the way the game figures walk toward the castle.

Game Variant 1: Running Game

For 2 to 4 children from age 4.

Goal: Uncover the correct treasure cards for your own game figure and be the first to reach the magic castle.

Setup

Place the game board in the middle of the table and shuffle the treasure cards. Lay them out with the number side facing up around the game board. Each player chooses a game figure and places it at the bottom edge of the game board.

Turn Order

The youngest player begins. Play then continues clockwise.

Gameplay

On your turn, help your game figure find all of its treasures in the correct number and move forward quickly.

• The elf looks for magic stars, the dwarf for gems, the wizard needs magic potion and the giant values magic stones.
• Only a figure that finds the treasures matching its own type, in the correct quantity, may move forward to the next field on the path toward the magic castle.

Look at the game board to see which number you need next.

• If the number is 1, uncover one of the four cards showing a 1. Look at the treasures on the underside and show them to the other players.

  • If the treasure fits your game figure (the "Prima!" case): Place the card, treasure side up, on the right side of the game board, on the field that shows that number as fingers and dice pips. Compare the treasure with the pattern on that field to check that they agree. If a card from another player is already on that field, place yours on top of it. Then move your game figure onto the path next to the field where you placed the card.

    Now look at the next number on the game board. Uncover a card with that number and check whether its treasures match your game figure. Keep uncovering, placing and moving your game figure for as long as the treasures match. Your turn ends when you uncover a card showing treasures that belong to another game figure. Turn that card back over, number side up, and the next player takes their turn.

  • If the treasure does not fit your game figure (the "Schade!" case): Turn the card back over, number side up, and return it to the table. Your turn ends and the next player takes their turn.

  Note: Pay attention when other players uncover a wrong card. Remember where they return it to the table. This will help you find your own valuable treasures more easily later.

End of the Game

The game ends as soon as a game figure places the treasure card showing the number 10 on the game board. That figure is admitted into the magic castle and its player wins the game.

Tip for Younger Children

If you are playing with younger children, you may first limit the game to the numbers 1 to 5. Cover the fields 6 to 10 on the game board and set aside all treasure cards showing 6 to 10. Once the children are familiar with the numbers 1 to 5, play with all of the numbers.

Game Variant 2: Quick Collecting Game

For 2 to 4 children from age 6.

Goal: Be the first to have your own treasures lying in front of you in ascending order from 1 to 10.

Setup

Place all of the treasure cards, number side up, in the middle of the table. Each player chooses a game figure and places it in front of themselves. Make sure everyone knows which treasures their game figure collects. This variant does not use the game board, so put it back in the box.

Gameplay

One player calls out "Auf die Schätze, fertig, los!" ("On your treasures, ready, go!"). Everyone now searches at the same time for their own treasures. Turn over the treasure cards as quickly as you can and look at what is underneath.

• If the treasure matches your game figure, take the card for yourself.
• If it does not match, put the card back on the table.

Keep going until you have ten treasure cards lying in front of you.

Then sort your treasures. Start with the card showing one treasure. Next to it lay the card showing two treasures, then the card with three treasures, and so on, up to ten.

End of the Game

The game ends as soon as a player has all ten of their treasure cards lying in front of them in ascending order. That player calls out loudly "Schätze gefunden!" ("Treasures found!") and wins the treasure hunt.