Click Here for a YouTube Video

 

### Updated on 02/10/2024 ###

1. This board game demands patience and learning, much like any strategy game.

2. IT IS A WAR: Feel free to make your own house rules and enjoy!

 

Components:

• Quick Start Guide
• Instruction Booklet
• Quick Start Guide
• 1 Game Board
• 2 Sets of the Ultimate Vowels (Includes an extra set in case you lose a piece)
• 4 Sets of Square Alphabet Pieces in Two Colors
• 2 Sets of 50 Directional Pieces/Spacers
• 20 Eraser Pieces – 10 per Alphabet bag
• 6 Dictionary Pieces – 3 per Alphabet bag
• 20 Pencil Pieces – 10 per Alphabet bag (Optional to use)
• 2 Dice
• 4 Tile Racks

Description

Alphabet Wars is a multifaceted word board game that tests your knowledge, strategic thinking, skills, and fortune.

The goal is to cleverly arrange your alphabet tiles into intersecting words, with the goal of seizing your opponent's Ultimate Vowel positioned in your opponent’s territory. Achieve this objective before your alphabet tiles run out or your carefully crafted words get wiped off the board.

Objective

Your mission is to seize your opponent's special letter, the Ultimate Vowel, by cleverly weaving it into one of your words. Additionally, you can win by trapping your opponent’s Ultimate Vowel by surrounding it with your words.

Two Ways to Win:

1. Seize your opponent's Ultimate Vowel by incorporating it into one of your words.
   See Figure 1.
2. Create a wall of words around your adversary's Ultimate Vowel.
   See Figure 2

Fig.1

Fig. 2

All your words must be connected in a line starting at your base line. A continuous chain of words must be maintained to claim victory by incorporating the opponent’s Ultimate Vowel into one of your words or surrounding it with your words. You can make multiple word lines starting from your base line.

 

 

- How to Play -


Start


Connect


Win!

Setting Up the Game:

1. Separate the Letter pieces into the corresponding red or blue bag.
2. Place 3 Dictionary pieces, 10 Eraser pieces, and 3 to 5 Pencil pieces into each bag.
3. Shake each bag well to mix up the pieces.
4. Set the Spacer/Directional pieces and the large vowel pieces to the side - you'll need these during the game.
5. Each player rolls a die. The one with the highest roll is Player 1, and chooses their preferred color and the appropriate Ultimate Vowel.
   
   For instance, if you roll a 5, you use the vowel 'U’. (1=A, 2=E, 3=I, 4=O, 5=U). Place this Ultimate Vowel on your yellow square. If you roll a 6, you can choose any Ultimate Vowel you want.

6. Player 2 places their Ultimate Vowel in their yellow square based on the number they just rolled

 

Playing the Game:

1. Player 2 places their Ultimate Vowel in their yellow square based on the number they just rolled.

The word length can't be longer than the number you rolled.

If you roll two 6s, you can make a word of any length.

Place a Spacer/Dictionary piece at the end of your word. This will determine which direction your next word will go.

Spacer/Directional Piece

Example: If you rolled a total of 4, your word could be 'wars' with a spacer at the end."

 

No diagonal words formation is allowed.

 

Words can go left-right or right-left, up or down. Words can be made in reverse.

Player 2 now does the same.

 

.

Continuing the Game:

1. Player 1 rolls the dice again and pulls out more letters based on the numbers rolled.
2. Player 1 can make a new word from the spacer or start again from their base line.
3. If Player 1 can't make a word, Player 2 goes.
4. Players keep taking turns until someone includes or surrounds their opponent’s Ultimate Vowel. That person wins!

Continuous line of words

WINNER

 

Making Words:

• Words must be real (check the dictionary).
• Put a Spacer/Dictionary piece at the end of your word. If you can't, you must form a different word.
• Don't make a word that's touching and running alongside one of your own words.
  
  
  
  
• New word formations can only start from your base line or a Spacer/Directional piece.
• You cannot start a new word from your opponent's Ultimate Vowel, letter tile, Spacer piece, Dictionary piece, or your opponent’s base line.
  
  
• If your opponent has blocked one side of their Ultimate Vowel with a word, you cannot capture the Ultimate Vowel by crossing that word. See the image below
  
  
  
  
• You can cross your own word.

Removing an Opponent's Word:

• If your word crosses another player's word, you can choose to remove their word.
  
  
  
  • The shared letter stays but can't be used by the other player. In this illustration, it is the red R.

• If your word-line ends on your opponent’s base line, you can remove any one of their words.
• Put any removed letters back in the bag and remove the Spacer.

• Be careful not to use your own Ultimate Vowel in your word. If that word is removed, you lose!

Using the Eraser Piece:

 

 

Eraser

If you pull an Eraser, you can remove one of the other player's words from the board (including the Spacer). Leave any shared letters of other crossed, connected, or combined words of the opponent (if any) in place.

An Eraser can only be used once on one word. Turn it face down when you're done.

Use an Eraser before making your word on your turn.

The erased letters must be returned to the bag, and the Spacer for that word must be removed from the board.

Using the Pencil Piece (optional):

• If you pull a Pencil it can be used to stop the other player from using an Eraser.
• A Pencil can only be used once. Turn it face down when you're done.
• After blocking an Eraser use the other player loses their turn and cannot form a new word and you get to roll the dice.
• Some players like to limit Pencil pieces (if using) to 3 – 5 per player.

 

 

Using the Dictionary Piece:

 

• A Dictionary piece can be used instead of a spacer.
• With a Dictionary piece, you can build lines of words in 3 directions if desired on subsequent turns. See Figure 3.
  Fig 3
• • A Dictionary piece can be removed only if it is connected to the last word in a line. See the example below.
  • Once a dictionary piece has been removed it needs to be turned over and cannot be used again.

  
  
  

Last word in line with Dictionary Piece

  

Word Removed

A Dictionary piece stays if branched:

See Figure 4, Figure 5, and Figure 6.

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

 

Other Rules:

1. If you run out of pieces without reaching the other player's Ultimate Vowel, the other player wins.
2. If no one can make a word or everyone runs out of pieces, the game is a draw.
3. A word can't end at the edge of the board unless it ends with a spacer.