Hi,

I got one question about "discarding".

When I discard an evidence token or a puzzle tile where do I put it? I suppose it is going back to the corresponding pile - or is remove from play by putting it into the box? Thinking about AH or TI3 I expect an explicit statement if something is moved to the box, but I didn't find any in the Android rules (but maybe I overlooked them).

Cheers,

Alexander

Great question. I can't find a definitive answer, either, but the last paragraph on page 24 makes me think they go "out of the game".

"...Note that because of the way pieces are placed, it is possible that some rows, columns, and diagonals may become impossible to complete over the course of the game. This is perfectly legal and does not interfere with the game, although it may mean that some later puzzle pieces are less desirable to take, since the will have to be discarded when drawn instead of being added to the puzzle."

I supposed one could keep recycling them like the twilight cards, but this would lead to a situation where the only reason for going after a puzzle piece was to get the bonus (if any) on the tile. That may be legit, but "feels" wrong.

On the other hand, if one can just toss pieces out of the game whenever, I wonder how often the Jinteki and Hass pieces would ever actually make it on the board? All it would take is someone drawing that tile who doesn't have and/or doesn't care to have those VP tiles, and pow! they don't score. This doesn't feel as wrong as the "recycle" option.

Wish I knew for sure. Bring on the FAQ!

TK

I agree that removing the puzzle tiles is "better" than putting them back: Let's say there is only one puzzle tile in the first pile left and it doesn't fit into the existing puzzle. The rules state that discarding is now the only option. In this case it has to be put back and - being the only tile in the pile - force the players to go for the second pile to expand the puzzle first, before eptying the pile. Not very elegant or "natrual".

But in connection with the Haas/Jinteki-tiles the "discard to the box" is better but seems still awkward to me. But creating an exception for both tiles makes the rules more complicated and isn't very elegant.

I prefer elegant rules. Maybe somone has an idea?

Cheers,

Alexander

I don't see the problem. When you are in a situation where you must discard conspiracy tokens, you are in a situation where the puzzle is finished. If you were not, there would be one open end to extend. And since every token can extend at least one line, you didn't have to discard it. Hence, you are in a situation where you cannot extend the conspiracy puzzle any longer. By that extend, however, you will have to discard every subsequent token you draw as no token possesses the ability to move the conspiracy, opening up an end to extend and thus generating a valid placement.

Ergo, the first time a player ->must<- discard a conspiracy token is the time when the conspiracy puzzle is closed. There really is no option for deliberately discarding Jinteki or Haas tokens.

edit: I'd also discard to the box.

Mike said:

This may not necessarily be so. From page 23 in the rules: "After gaining this benefit, the player may add the puzzle piece to the conspiracy puzzle, observing the rules below. Alternately, the player may simply discard the piece."

If one may discard puzzle pieces when the mood strikes, it would be easy to remove the Jinteki and Hass pieces from play IF they are discarded out of the game.

FAQ! FAQ! FAQ!

TK

Oh, alright. I forgot about that part. You're correct.

Still, I believe that the puzzle piece goes back to the box. Jinteki and Haas are Baggage tiles(?), so you'll have to take a lot of effort to get them. I don't think many will simply discard them away.

KevinW said:

Heya folks, long time lurker peaking out from under my rock here.

While I get what is being said about discarding back to the box as opposed to the pile, and sort of agree with it, it seems Kevin's quote here contradicts that option. Until we get a more definitive answer, it seems like this is the closest to an official ruling we can look to.