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S R U U G C A s s a s s i n s R u l e b o o k

Metadata

Name: Assassins

Optimal Length: 2 to 3 weeks

Optimal Number of Players: 15+


Optimal Number of Moderators: 2
What is the game most comparable to?: A Cat and Mouse game of tag.
Funding

Funding: >10 dollars


Props:
- Contract Cards: Each player in the game is represented by a playing card, used

in the selection process. If saved, it would be possible to re-use these cards, should a club
member participate in multiple games of Assassins
Overview
Assassins is a game wherein players are tasked with assassinating their peers in a variety
of ways, later discussed in the rules, and in doing so acquire points; the player who has the
most points at the end of the game, as well as the last surviving assassin, win. Assassins is
a passive game as it allows for players to have full participation in the game while going
about their daily routine.
Definitions

- Assassin: Any club member participating in a game of Assassins


- Assassinate: An action that removes another player from play
- Target: An individual whom is being targeted.
- 3-Day Cycle: The number of days in which a target is valid
- Spy Checking: Any instance in which a means of assassination is used against a player
who is not the assassins target.
- Means of Assassination: shooting a player with a dart, stabbing them with a plastic
spoon, setting an alarm titled Time Bomb on their phone, or placing a slip of paper
beneath their plate.
- Classroom or Class: Any time a player is in a classroom for class, this does not mean
empty classroom, or a classroom being used for club or extra-curicular purposes.

Assassins: An Introduction

Select your target. Find your target. Kill your target.


The rules to Assassins are not complex, as in all honesty, it is not an overly intricate game
in its construction, however do not believe that this means the game is simple, for the
games difficulty, and in many ways its enjoyability, come from how players interact with one
another; how individuals plots collide; the fragility of alliances; as well as the
simple joy of outfoxing your prey. Like many UGC games, some amount of roleplaying is
required: You, as the title of the game suggests, are an Assassin, not a highway brigand, so
act like a professional. While you, the player, are more than welcome to run in with blasters
blazing, the game is meant to be played slowly, tactically, meticulously. This is not meant
to be a shoot em up style game, so much as it is intended to be a game of strategy and
subterfuge.
A Brief Note on Lying
Unlike many of the games the SRU UGC plays, Assassins has no honesty policy,
which is to say that you, the player, are not expected to tell any other players the truth, on
any matter, at any time. You are free to lie about your status within the game, your target, your schedule, whether or not youre armed. Essentially you can lie about anything
youd like. However, there are two important caveats: Firstly, and obviously, you cannot
lie to a moderator, about anything, ever. Secondly, as upsetting as being killed may be,
you are expected to accurately and immediately report your own death to a moderator.
Failure to do so will result in your removal from the game, as well as potential exclusion from
future SRU UGC games.
A Brief Note on A Brief Note on Lying
Ever hear of a thing called plausible deniability? Essentially what it means is a
safe lie, though its other definition is: A situation in which the incredible handsome
(or beautiful) moderators of the game cannot make a fair call, because to many facts are
unkown.
For instance, if you set your explosive to go off while your target it alone in
their room, they have plausibledeniability when denying their death,
regardless of whether or not they deactivated your explosive or not, as no one was there
to validate either claim. So, while we all know lying to a moderator is bad, and
expressively forbade in the previous section, we also know that it would be nave to think
a rulebook could prevent all rule breaking. So, when stalking your target, keep plausible
deniability in mind, and when you do eventually strike, do so in a manner that minimizes
their potential for lying.

Getting Your Target

One target. Three Days. Sounds Easy Enough...


Receiving the identity of the target you are expected to assassinate is some of the most
important information in the game, so it is imperative this next bit is understood:
This style of Assassins operates on a 3-day cycle, which means that every 3 days, targets
are randomized, giving each assassin only three days in which to track down their target.
After this 3-day cycle is up, all assassins recieve new targets, regardless of whether theyve
succeeding in killing their previous target or not. The only way for an assassin to aquire
a target is through the random lottery system, an assassin does not inherient the target of
the assassin whom they have killed. Those of you who have played Assassins before may
be disappointed to hear that this system are no kill-chains which is to say that once you
assassinate your target, whoever it is they were targeting is a secret they take to their grave.
Quick Facts About the 3-Day Cycle
- There are two Assassins meetings a week; they will be in the
student center at 10pm - 11pm on Monday and Thursdays of every week during
the game
- Play is suspended between the hours of 9pm - Midnight on those days
- During those hours, no Assassinations may be attempted, nor do they count.
- At these meetings, Players will recieve their target for the next 3-day cycle
-These meetings should be very brief, but are essential, if you cannot
regularly attend, you cannot play (special exceptions can be made on account
of work status or if youre a commuter)
Target Selection
At these meetings, players will form a line and each draw a card from a deck, these
cards will indicate a name, and that name will be whom the player who drew the card is
targeting for that 3-day cycle. If a player should happen to draw their own name, they must
assassinate themselves. Just kidding. If you draw your own name you may choose between
a pass (meaning you neither have a target, nor can be a target) for that cycle, or to draw
again. During the selection process, a moderator will be taking note of each players new
target, once the moderator has taken this note, the player who drew the card may leave the
meeting. A player may show up at any time during the meeting to receive their target,
however if you do not show up at all, and do not inform the moderators that you will not be
able to attend at least an hour in advance, theyre removed from the game.

Points

So you think money is the root of all evil. Have you ever
asked what is the root of all money?
- Ayn Rand

There is a winner to Assassins, and as you have by now figured out, there are points. Points
represent the money earned from completing the contract, and is awarded after killing your
target, the number or points earned corresponds to how long the contract has been active,
as well as the manner in which the target was assassinated.
Points are added to an Assassins total as soon as the kill is reported.
Methods of Assassination and Their Point Value

Shooting your target ............................................................................... 5 points


Stabbing your target ........................................................................... 10 points
A Coup de Grace ................................................................................... 15 points
Poisoning your target ........................................................................ 30 points
Explosives kills .................................................................................... 30 points
Monday Meeting Multiplier

Tuesday .................................................................................................. x3 points


Wednesday ............................................................................................ x2 points
Thursday .............................................................................................. x1 point
Thursday Meeting Multiplier

Friday ..................................................................................................... x3 points


Saturday & Sunday .............................................................................. x2 points
Monday ................................................................................................. x1 point
Example
So, should you successfully assinate your target on the day after youve recieve their
name, the points recieved are multiplied by 3. For instance, if you were to Coup De Grace
the target you recieved on Monday, on Tuesday, you would recieve 45points for your kill,
due to the method of assassination multiplied by the bonus for the speed at which you
performed the kill.

The Four Methods of Assassination

Assassination is the extreme form of censorship


- George Bernard Shaw

Obviously, the fun part of this game are the manners in which you can kill your friends,
which is why, of course, I buried it beneath most of the boring rules. Take that! Listed below
are the four methods in which an assassin can kill their target, as well as the specific rules
that relate to that manner of execution. Remember that Assassins takes place every day until
only one assassin remains, and that, unless otherwise stated, any of these methods can be
used at any time or place.
The Blaster

Sometimes, if you want to get rid of a gun, you need to


pick up a gun.
- Huey Newton

Simple and dependable, the Nerf Blaster (or cheap knockoff) is a solid, if not unoriginal, choice for rendering ones target a metaphorical blood splat upon the pavement, or
wall, or screaming face of their friends. However, dont think this means you can get too
trigger-happy, as a game of skill, not savagery, Assassins only allows blasters which do not
use clip systems. Side arms and smaller: think more James Bond and less John Rambo.
As stated before, this is meant to be cloak and dagger, not the O.K. Corral, and blaster fights,
fun as they may be, are to be avoided, not strived for.
It should also be mentioned that headshots are allowed in assassins, but not face shots, as
you should never be firing at someone if theyre facing you anyways. This does not mean
that if youre shot in the face the kill does not count, it still does, what this means is: Do not
intentionally shoot someone in the face, or fire from a position in which them being shot in
the face is a likely outcome.

Quick Facts for Blaster Kills

- No blasters which use clip systems may be used in this game


- Shooting your target is worth 5 points
- Headshots count, but face shots should be avoided
- Since Firing Blasters indoors is against school rules, this method may
not be used inside buildings

The Blade

Japanese chefs believe that our soul goes into our knives
once you start using them.
- Masaharu Morimoto

Favored by specialists and psychopaths alike, the blade (in our case a plastic spoon) is
an efficient, if not gruesome, manner of execution. Similar to the blaster in many regards,
a spoon may be used to kill your target in close corridors, by pressing the flat disc of
the spoon against your targets stomach, back, or neck. Realize, to use this method is an
exercise in self-control, if you accidently punch your target in the gut saying I got you
with a spoon! youll be removed from the game so quickly your head will spin. This
is meant to be used deftly, think a stiletto, not a cleaver. As a method of assassination,
the blade is available so that, in situations where you cannot use a blaster,
you still have a means of assassination (and defense) available to you, so remember:
A touch is all it takes. Spoons may be used indoors, but not in classrooms.
Additionally, a player using a spoon may attempt a Coup De Grace where the assassin, having snuck up behind their target, reaches their arm around their targets neck,
places the flat disc of the spoon on the neck, and draws the spoon across the targets neck
(In a motion similar to slitting a throat.) Realize that, the spoon only needs to touch the
targets neck one time, at the beginning of the pull, the actual action of moving the spoon
across your targets neck does not need to, nor should it make, actual physical contact.
A Coup De Grace can be defended against should the target stop their assassin from
completing the motion, which can be done by grabbing their arm, or simply dropping
on the floor and running away. The ultimate effectiveness of this method, should it be
contested, is determined by the moderators.
Quick Facts for Blade Kills

- Only plastic spoons can be used as blades


- For a blade kill to count, the flat of the spoon must make extended
and deliberate contact with the targets neck, back, or chest.
- A touch is all it takes, hurting a player, even if accidently, may result
in being removed from the game.
- Spoons may not be thrown.
- A spoon kill is worth 10 points
- A coup de grace is worth 15 points
- spoons kills (as well as Coup De Graces) may be used indoors, but not
in classrooms.

The Bomb

There are very few problems that cannot be solved


through a suitable application of high explosives.
- Scott Adams

When wanting to ensure that your target is not only dead but also utterly destroyed,
an assassin must look no further than the time bomb, the subtle choice for those
looking for maximum carnage. An assassin who has come into possession of their targets
cellphone may modify the device to explode, instantly killing anyone in contact with it, by
imputing an alarm titled TIME BOMB into the phone, as well as increasing the volume
of the phone to maximum. (Sorry, but there is no such thing as a silent bomb)
Time Bombs may be set to explode at any time, which includes when your target is in
class. This is the one manner of execution that can kill a player while they are in class.
Sorry, but cellphones are supposed to be off in classrooms, you forgetting to turn your
phone off, or even on silent, is not your assassins, or the UGCs, fault.
Time Bombs are one method in which a player can accidently dispose of another player who is not their target or assassin. Any player who is holding the
weaponized phone when the alarm goes off is instantly killed, as well as any players who
are in a confined space with the detonating device. Should a time bomb explode while in
a car, dormatory, or classroom, all players in that area are removed from play.
No points are gained by killing players who are neither your target, nor your assassin.
Should your time bomb result in your own death, your point total is reduced to 0.

Quick Facts for Bomb Kills

- The time bomb must be set on your targets phone


- the bomb must be an alarm, set to maximum volume, titled Time Bomb
- Any player who is in physical contact with the phone when it
explodes, or who is in a class, dorm, or car when the explosive goes off,
is removed from play.
- Additional players killed by one explosive does not generate
additional points
- Being killed by a time bomb you yourself set reduces your total score
to 0
- Bombs can kill a player during class.
- Bombs are worth 30 points

Poison

If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we


not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die...
- William Shakespeare

Dastardly indeed is the assassin who turns his targets biological need for food and drink
against them, turning mealtime, into I dont know, squeal time? They die, you poison
them, and then they die. That is how poison works. An assassin who writes POISON
on a piece of paper that is, after being folded no less than a 1 inch by 1 inch square and
places that piece of paper beneath a plate or glass from which their target eats has
successfully poisons their target.
In order to count, the slip of paper must be beneath the plate immediately beneath the
food which the assassin intended as poison. Should there be a stack of four plates, with
the target eating off of the top-most plate, then the poison slip would need to be between
that plate, and the next plate in the stack. Not beneath the entire stack.
Similar to bombs, poison may unintentionally result in more deaths then expected. Any
player who eats off a poisoned plate is killed by the poison. However, should the food be
moved from one plate to another, it is no longer poisoned. So, eating a french fry off a
poisoned plate is a death sentence, but having food from a poisoned plate shovelled onto
your plate, does not equal you being poisoned. This does not however, serve as a safty
measure for the intended target, as it is still their food, being served off of their plate,
touching it against an unpoisoned plate does not purify it.
As with before, additional deaths do not grant additional points, and being killed by
your own poison reduces your total score to 0.
Quick Facts for Poison Kills

- The paper used to indicate poison must read POISON


- The paper used to indicate poison must be at least a 1 inch by 1 inch
square, after folds are made to the paper.
- The paper used to indicate poison may be taped or otherwise attached
to the plate, glass, waterbottle, etc.
- Only individual servings can be poisoned, not entire sources.
(A glass can be poisoned, not a gallon of milk)
- Being killed by a your own poison reduces your score to 0
- Poison is a method of assassination that can kill a player during
class.
- Poison is worth 30 points

Defense in Assassins

...and if you wrong us, shall we not seek revenge


- William Shakespeare

When one enters the high-stake underground world of assassination, they are putting
a contract on their own backs just as surely as they are accepting a contract upon anothers, and as such it is not uncommon for someone in this situation, to give in to paranoid
tendencies, which brings us to the matter of defense.
Should you, the player, dispose of your would-be killer, you gain the same number of
points for the kill as you would have had they been your target, and they are removed
from the game as surely as you would have been had they succeeded. However, should
you shoot an innocent bystander (which in this case refers to someone not currently
trying to murder you) you get a single warning, that should you attempt to kill anyone
who is not actively trying to kill you again, you will be removed from play.
So be pretty damn certain before you attempt to kill anyone who isnt your target.
Once again, you are supposed to be a professional, getting jumpy and firing, poisoning,
stabbing, or exploding anyone who gives you a weird look isnt professional, so dont do it
unless youre certain. Youre allowed one Spy Check per cycle.

Quick Facts forSpy Checking

- A spy check is any contact between a method of assassination and


another player who is not your target.
- You are allowed one, and only one, spy check per cycle
- Yes, jokingly placing a spoon in someones neck, or shooting them just
cause is a spy check, and uses up your only one for that cycle,
regardless of how serious you were in your attempt.
- Abuse of this allowance is the quickest way to be removed from the
game, save for actually hurting another player.
- You must inform the moderators of who youre spy checking BEFORE
you attempt the spy check.
- If you are spy checked, inform the moderators immediately.

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Dying in a game of Assassins

Im not afraid of death, I just dont want to be there


when it happens
- Woody Allen

To say that Assassins is a game all about killing would only be half right, as the other
half is all about dying. Whenever a player is killed in Assassins, their card is removed
from the deck and their final point total is calculated. As such, it is possible to both win
Assassins, and be dead, or should you be truly gifted and win both categories by having
highest score and also be the last living assassin.
When you successfully kill your target, make sure that they text the moderator and let
them know that theyre dead. I know that sounds silly, but seriously, that is how we keep
score. So, when you kill your target, make sure that they text the moderator not only who
got them, but also how they were killed. An example of this is as follows:
Dear Moderator, Ive just been Coup De Graced by Alex Rabeneck, long may he reign
From there, the mod can calculate the score Alex has just earned, as the name of
the assassinated player, as well as the date and time at which they were killed, would
atomatically be included in the texts information. We all know that getting killed early
blows, but once dead, please respect the players who are still alive and try not to affect the
game in any way. Even telling people who killed you may reveal a hidden plot, and, as the
old saying goes dead men tell no tales
Questions?

q: Are there any reasons I would be removed from a game of Assassins, or barred
from playing in the future?
A: In addition to standard UGC rules, a player can be removed from a game of
Assassins , or barred from future games, for abusing their spy checking privledges or
intentionally allowing themselves to be assassinated by their friend, in order to help
their friends score. This is a fairly large infraction, and would cause both players to
be banned from future games.
q: What if I cant participate regularly, or fail to get any kills?
A: If a player goes 3, 3-day cycles without getting any kills, their case is reviewed and
they may be removed from the game. This is not a punishment, and if the player is
actively trying to play and failing, they will not be removed, this is simply to promote
actively trying to participate.

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Additional Questions?

q: Can I hire another assassin to kill my target? or, have a player who is outside the
game place poison or a bomb?
A: No. Only you can assassinate your target; However, non-players can assist you
in your assassinations, either by helping you plant a bomb or poison. They simply
cannot place the bomb, or poison, themselves.
q: Can I make a truce with another player, for instance my roommate, and agree
that we wont kill eachother inside the dormroom?
A: Yes and No. While agreements like that are common in many UGC games,
theyre not binding, which is to say that they have no impact on the moderators
decision. If you agree with your roommate not to kill each other inside the dorm,
and then they kills you inside the dorm, it is still a legal assassination, as they didnt
break any rules, they simply broke your trust.
q: What if me and my assassin both stab each other at the same exact time?
A: If you and your assassin both mutually agree that it is a Simul-kill, then both of
you are dead, and both of you get the points.
q: A non-player, or dead player, attempted to assassinate me, what do I do?
A: This is an annoyance that often occurs with UGC games. If the person is in the
UGC, but is not playing, chew them out. Every semester a few individuals cause
problems by pretending to play, it is important that all players keep on the
lookout for these want-to-be Trolls. If the person is not in the UGC, then there is
little that can be done, unfortunately.
q: Can I use my Boffer, or foam-sword, as a Blade in Assassins?
A: No. Only a plastic spoon can be used as a Blade. No exceptions.

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