Unlocking the Game: A Guide to DECODE Rules

The Game Manual is 50 pages of legal text. We read it so you don’t have to. (Just kidding—please read the manual. But here are the highlights).

The Field Layout

The DECODE field is split into distinct zones:

• The Source (Loading Zone): Where Human Players feed Artifacts.
• The Cipher (Scoring Grid): Where you place artifacts to form patterns.
• The Secret Tunnel: A protected passage for traversing the field.

Critical Scoring Rules

1. The Motif Bonus

Scoring is not linear. Creating specific patterns (e.g., Purple-Green-Purple) multiplies your score.

• Strategy: Don’t just spam game pieces. Coordinate with your partner to build the Motif. A completed Motif is worth more than 5 random pieces.

2. The 9-Artifact Limit

There is a hard limit of 9 Artifacts permitted on the Ramp at any time.

• The Danger: If your Human Player feeds a 10th artifact, it’s a Penalty.
• The Fix: Your drivers must clear the Ramp faster than the Human Player feeds. Communication is key.

3. Possession Limits

You can only control 1 Artifact at a time (unless in the Loading Zone).

• Accidental Herding: Pushing a second artifact while driving is “Herding” and acts as possession. Be careful drifting into piles of game pieces.

Penalties to Watch

• Pinning: You cannot trap an opponent for more than 5 seconds. The ref will count down. Back away visibly.
• Protected Zones: Touching an opponent in their Loading Zone is usually a Major Penalty. Just don’t go there.
• Descoring: Knocking an artifact off the Cipher is a definitive No-No. It often results in the opponent being awarded the points plus a penalty on you.

End Game: The Hang

The last 30 seconds are chaotic.

• The “Grace Period”: Robots hanging are often protected. Do not touch a hanging robot. It can count as a climb for them and a penalty for you.

Conclusion

Matches are lost on penalties. A reliable robot that commits zero penalties often beats a high-scoring robot that hands out free points to the other team. Drive clean. Win big.