Physical version
Assuming a feasible 4 cards per constellation, each game of Astrocards shall include 25 constellations,
hence 100 main cards + 25 indicator cards, for a grand total of 125 cards.
Of the 25 constellations 14 are permanent, that is to say they are present in every edition/print of Astrocards, whereas 11 constellations are variable, they may alter with every edition/print of Astrocards.
The 14 permanent constellations are the 12 of the ecliptic/zodiac, ursa minor (northern celestial pole) and
octans (southern celestial pole) = 56 main cards.
The 11 variable constellations are circumpolar north, circumpolar south and equatorial
(at or near the celestial equator) = 44 main cards.
A game of Astrocards shall therefore include:
12 constellations of the eclptic/zodiac (permanent) *
4 northern constellations (1 permanent, 3 variable)
4 southern constellations (1 permanent, 3 variable)
5 equatorial constellations (variable)
Indicator cards to reflect the above order:
12 ecliptical *
4 northern
4 southern
5 equatorial
*To reflect what is deemed to be the "astronomical zodiac", Ophiuchus, a 13th constellation of the zodiac could be added - as a result, a variable equatorial constellation is subtracted leaving 4 variable equatorial constellations in each game.
Image selection
Images are variables in all constellations, that is to say in a given edition a particular constellation may display a set of images and in the following edition display a different set of images, provided the images hail from the constellation in question.
Alternatively, 3 or fewer images per constellation may vary with every edition.
With the exception of artwork in permanent constellations, the variability of images across the spectrum implies that data associated with each main card is variable from edition to edition, depending on the image displayed.
Scoring points
Note: Several alternative methods can and likely will be developed based on data available on cards.
The description below amounts to "General Guidelines".
Base score
At the outset of a round of play players agree on values to be assigned to corner colors.
As an example, if white cornered cards have been assigned the value of 5 then with every relevant use of a white cornered card 5 points are gained.
All the cards are dealt among the players. Each player, clockwise or anticlockwise, reveals a main card.
A main card is a card belonging to a constellation set of 4 cards. Each card revealed has to belong to a different constellation set.
Depending on the number of players involved there will be x amount of cards on the table each belonging to a different constellation set.
Players in turn add relevant cards in order to complete a constellation set. Players may add cards to a single constellation set at a time.
In doing so a player gains the value of an added card.
When 4 cards belonging to a constellation set have been displayed, the player with the relevant indicator card gains the total value of the constellation.
As an example, 4 cards belonging to the constellation Taurus have been displayed.
Taurus, for example, may feature 4 cards as follows: 2 blue cornered (clusters), 1 red cornered (nebula), and 1 yellow cornered (stellar system).
The agreed values at the outset were as follows: blue cornered cards 10 points each, red cornered cards 20 points each, yellow cornered cards 25 points each.
The player with the relevant indicator card, in this case the "ecliptic" card, gains 10+10+20+25 = 65 points.
A player who gains the total value of a constellation set by displaying a relevant indicator card then goes on to reveal a main card thereby opening a new constellation set.
The round continues until a player becomes the first to exhaust his/her cards.
The remaining players can have the values of the main cards they are left with subtracted from their individual total score.
Alternatively no values are subtracted and the status quo is maintained. A new round may then begin.
Assuming a feasible 4 cards per constellation, each game of Astrocards shall include 25 constellations,
hence 100 main cards + 25 indicator cards, for a grand total of 125 cards.
Of the 25 constellations 14 are permanent, that is to say they are present in every edition/print of Astrocards, whereas 11 constellations are variable, they may alter with every edition/print of Astrocards.
The 14 permanent constellations are the 12 of the ecliptic/zodiac, ursa minor (northern celestial pole) and
octans (southern celestial pole) = 56 main cards.
The 11 variable constellations are circumpolar north, circumpolar south and equatorial
(at or near the celestial equator) = 44 main cards.
A game of Astrocards shall therefore include:
12 constellations of the eclptic/zodiac (permanent) *
4 northern constellations (1 permanent, 3 variable)
4 southern constellations (1 permanent, 3 variable)
5 equatorial constellations (variable)
Indicator cards to reflect the above order:
12 ecliptical *
4 northern
4 southern
5 equatorial
*To reflect what is deemed to be the "astronomical zodiac", Ophiuchus, a 13th constellation of the zodiac could be added - as a result, a variable equatorial constellation is subtracted leaving 4 variable equatorial constellations in each game.
Image selection
Images are variables in all constellations, that is to say in a given edition a particular constellation may display a set of images and in the following edition display a different set of images, provided the images hail from the constellation in question.
Alternatively, 3 or fewer images per constellation may vary with every edition.
With the exception of artwork in permanent constellations, the variability of images across the spectrum implies that data associated with each main card is variable from edition to edition, depending on the image displayed.
Scoring points
Note: Several alternative methods can and likely will be developed based on data available on cards.
The description below amounts to "General Guidelines".
At the outset of a round of play players agree on values to be assigned to corner colors.
As an example, if white cornered cards have been assigned the value of 5 then with every relevant use of a white cornered card 5 points are gained.
All the cards are dealt among the players. Each player, clockwise or anticlockwise, reveals a main card.
A main card is a card belonging to a constellation set of 4 cards. Each card revealed has to belong to a different constellation set.
Depending on the number of players involved there will be x amount of cards on the table each belonging to a different constellation set.
Players in turn add relevant cards in order to complete a constellation set. Players may add cards to a single constellation set at a time.
In doing so a player gains the value of an added card.
When 4 cards belonging to a constellation set have been displayed, the player with the relevant indicator card gains the total value of the constellation.
As an example, 4 cards belonging to the constellation Taurus have been displayed.
Taurus, for example, may feature 4 cards as follows: 2 blue cornered (clusters), 1 red cornered (nebula), and 1 yellow cornered (stellar system).
The agreed values at the outset were as follows: blue cornered cards 10 points each, red cornered cards 20 points each, yellow cornered cards 25 points each.
The player with the relevant indicator card, in this case the "ecliptic" card, gains 10+10+20+25 = 65 points.
A player who gains the total value of a constellation set by displaying a relevant indicator card then goes on to reveal a main card thereby opening a new constellation set.
The round continues until a player becomes the first to exhaust his/her cards.
The remaining players can have the values of the main cards they are left with subtracted from their individual total score.
Alternatively no values are subtracted and the status quo is maintained. A new round may then begin.
