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Table #567026555

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ScribalWelcome to *Cosmoctopus* where we'll be playing as devotees of *Cosmoctopus*, the younger, cuter cousin of Cthulhu. As devotees of [blue]*Cosmoctopus*[/blue], we will move around the *Inky Realm*, collecting resources to play cards and complete rituals to summon *Cosmoctopus* into our realm. [green][tip] We recommended you complete this tutorial on a large screened device.[/green]1csm-tile4

ScribalBehold the *Cosmoctopus* and the *Inky Realm*, a 3x3 grid of tiles. The tiles are laid out randomly and [blue]8 of the tiles[/blue] will be in every game. The [green]9th tile[/green] is chosen randomly from a group of 4, each of them offering a different ability.2overall_player_board_96564609

Scribal[red][tip] In order to see the entire grid, you may need to click the arrow in the bottom left hand corner to hide your hand of cards.[/red]3archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

ScribalOn every turn, you'll start by moving *Cosmoctopus* to gather resources and complete 1 or 2 optional actions. *Cosmoctopus* always starts on the same tile, which provides 3 stars when you move to it. There are 4 resources to match the 4 different card types in the game, and we'll go over each one of those as we progress through the tutorial.4overall_player_board_96564609

ScribalLooking at our hand of cards, we have 2 yellow cards, also known as Relics. Let's start by gathering the resources required to play one of those. *Cosmoctopus* can move to an orthogonally (up, down, left, or right) adjacent tile for free. We'll see a longer move momentarily. Move *Cosmoctopus* one tile down to collect 3 gold coins and click Confirm movement.5overall_player_board_96564609

ScribalIt's time to play one of our relics. Let's first take a look at the iconography of the cards. [img]https://x.boardgamearena.net/data/tutorials/img6785eded29dce7.01873725.jpg[/img] As you can see in this picture, the cost of the card, listed to the left of the name, is circled in red. Most of the cards you'll see in the game have a specific cost on the top(8 coins here) and a generic cost(the grey diamond icon).1overall_player_board_96564609

Scribal[img]https://x.boardgamearena.net/data/tutorials/img6785eded665f43.43996842.jpg[/img] Some cards will have an additional icon below the cost and those icons are specific to the types of cards. The icon depicted here will only show up on relic cards and this icon means that you'll draw the top card of the devotee deck when it is played.2overall_player_board_96564609

ScribalLet's focus on this card that's in our hand. [img]https://x.boardgamearena.net/data/tutorials/img6785eded4844a9.75814970.jpg[/img] The specific cost of the *Angler's Gaslamp* is 3 coins. The generic cost is 3 of any resource and cards can be played from your hand to reduce either cost. Let's play this relic. Click on the *Angler's Gaslamp* and then *Play Angler's Gaslamp* at the top. Click continue.3overall_player_board_96564609

ScribalWe need to decide how to pay for the relic. We have to pay with the resources [blue]*in our inventory*[/blue] and can discard cards from our hand to reduce that cost. [red][tip] Any resource or card can be used to pay the generic cost, but only coins or other relics can be used to pay the coin cost.[/red]4csm-payCard73

ScribalI have a plan that requires all of the cards we have in our hand, so we are going to pay with just the resources in our inventory. Click the [blue]*double arrow icon*[/blue] to use all of our coins and the [green]*plus icon*[/green] next to the red resource, called whispers, for a total of 6 resources. Click continue.5overall_player_board_96564609-portal

ScribalAfter we have told it how we want to pay for the relic the Pay button, which was previously greyed out, should now be blue and list the resources we are using to pay the cost. Click the Pay button. [green][tip] If you clicked the double arrow to use all of our coins first, you weren't able to add more than 1 whisper. The game will not let you over pay.[/green]6csm-payCard26

ScribalCongratulations! We've made our first move and played our first relic. Relics give additional resources when events are triggered. We'll look at the *Angler's Gaslamp* more closely when it triggers to explain its effect. Click End turn.1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

ScribalClick the tile in the top left corner to move *Cosmoctopus* and collect 3 ink. This will require that we pay a *tribute* to move more than the single space. Notice that next to [red]*confirm movement*[/red], there is a grey diamond, showing a generic cost. Click confirm movement and then continue.1overall_player_board_96564609

ScribalWhen we are paying tribute, we can only use our stored resources. We can not discard a card from our hand. The plan I referenced last turn requires playing the red card, called a hallucination, later than the rest of the cards in our hand, so let's pay the tribute with the red resource, called a whisper. Click [blue]either button[/blue] and then Pay.2csm-payPlus3

ScribalIt's time to play our black scripture card, but first let's take a look at what it does. Scriptures provide discounts. This card provides a single star discount. Stars are the specific resource cost for the blue constellation cards. The icon shown below the cost of the card is for the submerge action which will trigger when we play it.1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

Scribal[green][tip] Submerge is specific to scripture cards.[/green]2archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

ScribalSelect *Story of the Salt-Scarred Shipwreck*, Play card, and then continue.3overall_player_board_96564609

ScribalClick [blue]the double arrow[/blue] to use all of our ink and click Pay.4csm-payMax1

ScribalThe submerge action discarded all of the relic and scripture cards in the card row. Now, for each of the 3 cards discarded, we must move *Cosmoctopus*. Click the tile to the right and then Confirm movement.1overall_player_board_96564609

ScribalI like that middle card. It'll work well with the *Angler's Gaslamp*. Click on the *Spaceborne Geode* and click Draw Card at the top.1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

ScribalWe have two more moves. Let's move down one tile to collect 3 stars.1csm-tile4

ScribalFor our last move, let's move down again to collect 3 coins.1csm-tile7

Scribal[red][tip] *Cosmoctopus* just pointed out that I didn't explain when the game ends. The first person to summon their 8th tentacle will usher *Cosmoctopus* into our realm and the game will end immediately with its embrace.[/red]1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

ScribalMove *Cosmoctopus* to the right. This tile will discard the cards in the card row and let us draw one of the new cards.1csm-tile5

ScribalLet's draw *Infinite Anthology*.1csm-display-cardRow-card4

ScribalNow, let's play our constellation, *Electric Seahorse*. It has a cost of 3 *stars* and 2 *generic resources*. Since we played that scripture last turn, it reduces that cost by 1 *star*. Pay with 4 *stars*.1csm-payCard26

ScribalIt's time to see *Angler's Gaslamp* in action. Move to the top left tile to get +3 ink, and pay a coin for tribute to move the additional space.1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

ScribalWe have [red]*a new button at the top*[/red]. This will allow us to add a resource token to the open spot on our *constellation card*. When a *constellation card* is played, the [blue]*top left spot*[/blue] is always open. When the top left spot is covered, it will open any spot connected by an arrow.1csm-buttonConstellation

ScribalPlacing resources on the constellation card must be done before playing a card and we can only place resources on the card that we've collected after placing the card. Only one resource can be placed at a time, but we can place multiple resources in a turn. 2csm-buttonConstellation

ScribalThat's a lot of information, I've been talking for a while and I know you want to push [blue]*that button*[/blue]. When you push the button, it will ask you where you want to place the ink. Click on the ink icon spot and click Place at the top. Go ahead and prove your devotion to *Cosmoctopus*!4overall_player_board_96564609

ScribalNotice the coin was placed on the constellation at the same time. This is what the *Angler's Gaslamp* does. Whenever a coin is open on a constellation in our tableau, it will be covered. If there had been another *ink* connecting to the *coin*, we'd be able to cover that up now. [green][tip] When the open spot is covered by a relic, that resource comes from the bank, not our inventory.[/green]1csm-card73-token1

ScribalWe've just moved *Cosmoctopus* and collected 3 coins. Let's play *Cackling Coin Purse*. It has a specific cost of 5 coins which has been discounted 2 by *Infinite Anthology* and a generic cost of 2. We only have coins in our resources, so this will use 5 of them.1overall_player_board_96564609-portal

ScribalFrom now on, whenever we gain at least 1 coin, *Cackling Coin Purse* will give us 3 additional coins. [green][tip] This is not limited to once per turn. If we collect a coin when we move *Cosmoctopus* and then collect a coin from a card effect(such as playing a hallucination or completing a constellation), each action will earn an additional 3 coins.[/green]1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

ScribalLet's move *Cosmoctopus* to collect 3 *whispers*. Pay a *coin*.1overall_player_board_80606858

ScribalGo ahead and add a whisper to our constellation.1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

ScribalIt would be nice to complete this constellation this turn, but we'd need to collect a star, or. . .1csm-card73-slot2

ScribalThat's it! We can play the *Spaceborne Geode*, but we'll have to pay the hallucination we've been holding onto. Playing *Escape from the Water Prison* would give us 8 *coins* and the purple lightning bolt under the cost would then allow us to play another card. This derails my plan, but let's get that first tentacle. [red][tip] Hallucinations provide a 1 time benefit and are discarded.[/red]2csm-card42

ScribalPlay the *Spaceborne Geode* by paying all of our resources and click the *hallucination* in our hand.3overall_player_board_96564609-portal

ScribalWhen we summon our first tentacle, we get to choose a First Contact cards. Each of the First Contact cards is free to play. *Twisted Prophecy* reduces generic costs by 1. *Eternal Offering* makes moving cheaper requiring 1 less resource during tribute. *Awaken the Dreamer* gives one of each resource. *Sleeping Cephalopod* is a constellation which only gives a tentacle.1csm-tnt96564609-0

ScribalLet's take *Twisted Prophecy*. Click [blue]*Draw Twisted Prophecy*[/blue] at the top.2csm-card101-logundefined

ScribalIt's free to play, but unfortunately, we've already played a card this round. We are almost done with this tutorial. We're going to skip forward a few rounds.1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

Scribal*WOAH!* I just had the strongest sense of Déjà vu! Maybe it was a warning from *Cosmoctopus* that our opponent is going to make a big move. *Spooky!* Maybe I really have done this before and I just wanted to channel a young Keanu Reeves. Let's watch what our opponent does.1csm-cosmoctopus

ScribalThat was a simple move that gave them 4 stars. I don't understand what *Cosmoctopus* might have been warning us about.1csm-cosmoctopus

ScribalOur opponent completed the constellation *Curious Lobster* which earned them 5 coins and 5 stars. Unfortunately, there's a limit of 8 resources of each type at the end of the turn, so they'll have to discard the extra stars.1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

ScribalThey drafted *Awaken the Walking Dreamer* and played it which allowed them to finish their second constellation card giving them 2 tentacles in a turn. This must have been what *Cosmoctopus* was trying to. . . No, they have 13 stars. That's what *Cosmoctopus* was warning us about.1csm-cosmoctopus

ScribalOur opponent paid those 13 stars to access *Forbidden Knowledge* which allowed them to summon 2 more tentacles! [red][tip] There are only 4 *Forbidden Knowledge* tiles in the game, one for each type of resource.[/red] [green][tip] Working to amass *Forbidden knowledge* was why I was holding on to that hallucination that would have given us 8 coins.[/green]1csm-cosmoctopus

ScribalWe are on our to way summoning *Cosmoctopus*, but I think you have all of the forbidden knowledge you need in order to play the game.2archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

ScribalA quick recap: Moving a single space is free. Additional steps require tribute. Scriptures provide ongoing discounts. Relics provide ongoing bonuses. Hallucinations provide one time bonuses. Constellations, when completed, summon a tentacle and usually provide a one time bonus. Forbidden Knowledge costs 13 resources of the same type and summon 2 tentacles.3archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

ScribalBefore you go, there are multiple options available at game creation. This game can be played solo and cooperatively. The Cooperative variant brings in the solo opponent.4archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

ScribalThere are 6 additional layouts for the *Inky Realm*. Most of them consist of 9 tiles. The disconnected option uses 2 groups of 5 tiles connected by the *Cosmic Bridge*. All of these options present a slightly different puzzle for movement. [green][tip] The disconnected layout will use 2 of the 4 special tiles.[/green]5archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

ScribalFinally, you can use the *Cosmic Bridge* on any layout. It connects 2 initially random. On your turn, you can move 1 end of the cosmic bridge by discarding a card from your hand. Now, devotee, go forth and summon *Cosmoctopus* so it can hug us and squeeze us and call us George. [green][tip] We are devotees. Don't let anyone call us cultists. That is reductive.[/green]6archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

Scribal[blue]Thank you for playing this tutorial for *Cosmoctopus*. Good luck and have fun![/blue] If you have any questions or comments regarding this tutorial, please send a message to [blue]*Scribal*.[/blue] We'd like to thank the designer of this game, *Henry Audubon*, the publisher, *Paper Fort Games*, and the developers of this implementation, *Kayvon* and *Mogri*.7archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

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Cosmoctopus

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