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Preview

Overview

Chase is a drafting game where one detective squares off against one or more thieves in a race to 15 points. The game is asymmetrical with the detective and thief roles scoring points according to separate rules.

Thieves

The thieves win when any one thief scores a total 15 points or more at the end of the round. Thieves score points detailed on the scheme cards in their hand. A thief obtains additional cards by taking actions from the locations on the board. If the thief chooses a location that the detective has trapped, however, then the thief loses a card to the detective and risks becoming exposed.

The Detective

The detective wins when they score a total of 15 points or more at the end of a round, or if all the thieves are exposed. Before the thieves take their turn, the detective chooses one or more locations to trap. If a thief chooses a trapped location, the detective takes a card from that thief. If the card taken this way matches that thief's identity card, they become exposed and the detective scores additional points. The detective also scores points from clues on the schemes collected from the thieves and the board.

Round Structure

The round begins by forming the drafting line: a row of cards revealed from the deck. Then a randomly chosen gem is placed on each location on the boards, except for the station. The detective plays first by choosing a number of traps they can employ, then secretly choosing a location in which to employ them.

The thieves' turn begins with the thief that has obtained the plans card. If no thief has, then play begins to the right of the detective. On a thief's turn, they choose a location with one or more gems on its space, then performs that location's actions. Then play proceeds to the right.

If a thief chooses a trapped location, the detective springs their trap, moves the location's gems to the station, then randomly takes a card from the trapped thief's hand. The thief then checks their identity card and reveals it if the taken card matches the color of the identity. Then the thief completes the location's actions.

At the end of a round, the detective reveals any unrevealed traps and performs the Vacancy action detailed by that location. Finally, the round ends with players totalling their scores. The game ends if any player has scored 15 or more.