How to Play
Mystic Codes

How to Play Mystic Codes

Object of the Game: Be the last player remaining with an unsolved code
Mystic Codes can be played by 2-4 players.

The Deck: The playing deck contains 76 playing cards, featuring a combination of numerical playing cards and

mathematical symbols specifically designed for the mathematical elements of the game. Also included are 60 double-sided tokens to be separated and used as the color cards for creating and guessing patterns, 80 answer tokens, 4 barrier shields and 1 QR card.

**Setup:**

1. Each player assembles a barrier by folding the side walls, then secretly selects 3 color code tokens to create a unique

code and places them behind their barrier, keeping the code hidden from all other players. Colors may be repeated.

2. Shuffle the 76 playing cards.

3. Deal 16 cards to each player. Any remaining cards are set aside to be reshuffled for the next round.

**Gameplay:**

1. **Part A (Using Math Skills):**
- Turns are taken in a clockwise direction, starting with the player to the left of the dealer (Player 1).
- Player 1 begins by playing any one card from their hand to the central playing area.
- Each subsequent player, starting with Player 2, has two options:
    - Play a different card from their hand, play will then move onto the next player  OR
    - Match the value of the last card played by either:
                - Playing a single card of the same value, OR
                - Playing multiple cards whose total equals the value of the last card played.
                - If a player matches the value, they must play one additional card of their choice after matching.
                Play will then move onto the next player.
- Play continues in this manner until a player has no cards remaining. This player wins Part A and advances to Part B.
- All cards played together are added toghether, unless a negative card is used, then that card is subtracted from the previous. If a player uses
the "- / +" card, that card may be used to either add or subtract the next card. Example: 10  " - / + "  3  could be 10-3=7  or  10+3=13

2. **Part B (Mystic Code Breaking):**
- The player who won Part A gets one chance to guess each color code of each player.
- For each player, the guessing player makes a guess at the three-color tokens behind their shield barrier, attempting to

guess the correct colors in the correct order. Place corresponding color tokens in front of the shield to show the attempt.
- The player with the code reveals answer tokens to indicate how many colors are correct and how many are in the right

spot, without revealing the correct color or spot.
- If a player's code is correctly guessed then that player is out of the game.

3. ** Return to Part A: **
- After all guesses are made, gameplay returns to Part A with all remaining players and continues until there is only one

player left with an unbroken code.

** Winning the Game: **
- The ultimate winner is the last player remaining with an unbroken code.

Gameplay Examples:

Player 1 plays a 7. Player 2 can a) play any other card, example a #9, b) play a #7 or c) play a #3 and a #4, which total 7. If

Player 2 satisfies the 7, then plays one other card of their choice. Play then moves to Player 3, who can now play any card

of their choice or match the last card from the previous player.

Mystic Code Guessing Example:

Player 1 makes a guess by placing the color tokens of RED, BLUE, YELLOW in front of Player 2’s shield, trying to guess the correct code, which is YELLOW, BLACK, GREEN.  Player 2 will show the answer token “1 color, 0 places” because the YELLOW is a correct color, but it is not in the correct place. Player 2 will not tell what color is correct.