BODYGUARD - A fresh new multiplayer format
The Kitchen Table forum
Posted on May 4, 2016, 6:33 p.m. by Badwolf681
Ive been playing MTG with the same group of friends since 1997 (yes, we're all in our 30s and 40s) and we have; over the years; come up with many different formats and game structures to help keep the game fresh. We've played everything from Prismatic to Two-Headed Giant to Planeswalking and Arch-Enemy. We've played Assassin, EDH, Pauper and Star.. etc. etc.We've also made up our own formats and the one we've made that keeps the game completely new and refreshing, we call "Bodyguard".
Here's how BODYGUARD works:
It requires 3 or more players but 5 or more works best.Everyone puts their name in a hat and each person pulls out one name. (it's ok if you pull your own name)The name you pull out is your secret Ward. You are his or hers secret Bodyguard. Your job is to make sure that person (and yourself) doesnt get killed.
The game then starts and continues just like any multiplayer Free-For-All with one exception:You can block anyone else's attacks with your creatures! This includes attacks to any player not just your secret Ward.HOWEVER!!!! - If you block another person's attack - you're creature is then Tapped and unable to block until your next Untap step. ....side note.... : all Untap spells and or mechanics still function as normal.
The game ends when you have successfully removed all possible threats and only you and your secret Ward remain. However, if your secret Ward is eliminated you dont lose the game BUT you must declare that your Ward is dead and your life total is reduced to 1 at END OF TURN.
It can create a very strange domino effect under some circumstances.
Here's an example of what could happen:
Bob is Bodyguard to Suzy
Suzy is Bodyguard to Jeff
Jeff is Bodyguard to Dan
Dan is Bodyguard to Bob
Mary is Bodyguard to Herself
Bob eliminates Dan. Since Jeff is his bodyguard he declares that he was Dan's bodyguard and his life total is reduced to 1.Bob ends his turn.
Suzy is up next and attacks Mary, Mary protests and tells Suzy she is her Bodyguard and its best not to attack her. (It's a lie of course, but Mary is sneaky like that).
Mary casts a global instant that damages all creatures and players. She kills off Suzies attackers and kills off Jeff as well.Since Suzy was Jeff's Bodyguard she ends her turn and admits that Jeff was her Ward and her life total is reduced to 1.
So, Jeff is Dead and Dan is Dead. Suzy is at 1, and Bob and Mary are still alive and doing well.
Marys turn and she attacks Suzy trying to finish her off. Bob swoops in with his creatures to block and taps them. Suzy is saved and now she knows Bob is her bodyguard.
Now comes the dilemma.Suzy knows that if she kills Mary, Bob wins the game. So she has to kill Bob first and then Mary to win as sole survivor. She thinks Mary is Bob's Bodyguard as logic would dictate. *Remember Bob killed his own bodyguard in the beginning so Dan didnt reveal who he was guarding (You only reveal yourself when your Ward dies). Bob thinks that Suzy is his bodyguard and Mary picked her own name cus Bob is a pretty clever cookie.
Bob attempts to kill off Mary and Suzy blocks - and Bob is like "WTF!"
Suzy is up next and since Bob tapped himself off on the attack attempt on Mary, Suzy kills him off.
Mary then casts Rupture on her turn killing the remaining creatures and damaging Suzy and winning the game. Yaaaaa Mary.
It's not as complicated as it may seem at first. It's actually quite simple.Everyone starts at 20 life.You can block anyone's attack on anyone else with your creatures BUT they get TAPPED afterwards.When your Ward dies you must declare you were their bodyguard and your life is reduced to 1.You win the game if only you and your Ward survive or if you are the Sole Survivor.
Yes, you can attack your own Ward or Bodyguard... but why would you do that? It's a weird strategy but have at it!
Just remember these simple rules and let paranoia dictate the rest of the game.
HAVE FUN
Badwolf681 aka Jason Creative Director and Co-Founder of EPiC EViL PARTNERS iN CRiME
www.evilpartnersincrime.weebly.com <--- on hiatus at the moment as I work on an MTG section to the site.
Badwolf681 says... #3
Sweet, I didnt think of it that way but ya it does. cool.
May 4, 2016 7:43 p.m.
atomic_moose says... #4
I like it. You should make some bodyguard themed cards, test them out. For example, an enchant that says, "when you block for another player, flip a coin. Heads you do not tap" stuff that interacts with the politics and concept much like edh generals are tuned to that format.
May 4, 2016 7:55 p.m.
I like it. It's a bit over-complicated, but it's a weird take on round-table. Be perfect with a commander group looking for a change; shuffle your commander in and play bodyguard.
May 4, 2016 9:23 p.m.
RoarMaster says... #8
Cool concept, although it seems pulling your own name gives you a huge advantage.
May 4, 2016 9:33 p.m.
If you pull your own name and put it back, every one would know whose it was.
I like the added strategy. I'll see if I can get my edh group to try it. One guy hates 2hg but this might work
I don't like that blocking creatures tap. I just imagine my gf's Doran, the Siege Tower deck doing work otherwise
Your playgroup sounds fun
icehit6 says... #2
I like it. I might have to try this with my friends! Sounds like Town of Salem a little.
May 4, 2016 7:39 p.m.