Spellbinder (also known as Waving Hands) is a simultaneous 1977 pencil-and-paper game invented by Richard Bartle and first published in his fanzine, Sauce of the Nile. It has since been re-created in a variety of formats, including software for the X Window System, play-by-email, Java applet, Android application, and web-based.
Two or more players take the role of wizards, and the object of the game is to be the last wizard standing. Wizards can cast spells at other wizards, themselves, or summoned monsters. These spells are cast through gestures: each turn, the player chooses two gestures, one for each hand, from clap (C), wave (W), snap (S), wriggle fingers (F), proffered palm (P) and digit point (D). There are also the non-magical gestures stab (>) and nothing (-). Turns are resolved simultaneously once all wizards have submitted their gestures for a given turn.
These gestures are built up via many turns to form spells. For instance, one can cast the spell "Magic Missile" by performing the S (snap) gesture followed by the D (digit point) with the same hand on a consecutive turn. This is usually denoted as 'SD'. The spell is cast on the turn that the D is made, assuming no intervention (such as a Counter Spell). Play centers around the strategy of tracking what spells are being cast on all four (or more) hands, thus ensuring your spells achieve their desired effect while attempting to mitigate those of your opponent.
The game is one of pure strategy; outside of the "Confusion" spell which causes a random gesture to be made all spell effects can be anticipated deterministically, making it akin to Chess or Go. Through a few minor variants to the rules, all random chance and other imbalances can be removed.
StrategyEdit
While there are many aspects to Spellbinder strategy,[1]Bluffing is a key element to all game play, often referred to as "Shadow Casting".[2] In this common practice, warlocks play a set of gestures, which form the beginning of a spell, without ever completing it. When this happens opponents are left with the choice to either defend against a spell which may not be cast at all, or risk not defending against it. For example, 'PSD' forms the beginning of a 'Charm Person' spell 'PSDF', but one may also continue this set to a '..DPP' which forms an 'Amnesia', without ever completing the Charm.
Much like in Chess, the resolution of the game opening plays an important part in the later development of the game. Common openings such as 'D/P', 'S/P', 'S/W' have been studied in depth.[3][4][5]
Rock Paper ScissorsEdit
Spellbinder may be regarded as an advanced variation of Rock paper scissors, a popular hand game often played between 2 players.
This variation includes two main differences. First, the game allows for eight different gestures vs. the original three. Second, in Spellbinder there is a meaning to a sequence of gestures, and not only to individual gestures.
Spellbinder history including links to playing online.
Rules as written by Andrew Buchanan.
Spellbinder Combo Assistant (250Kb) a freeware program written in Delphi that help to calculate the best spell combinations for next turns. It contains a spell list and descriptions in English, Spanish and Italian. (Screenshot).
Warlocks a fully developed free-to-play web interpretation by Raven Black. Includes ladder, melee (3+ player duels) and Elo ranking system, challenge board, and optional rule variants.
Warlocks for Android Android application to access to games.ravenblack.net site
The Refuge Forum a forum for discussions of game strategy and tactics
Facebook Community Spellbinder Facebook Community
External linksEdit
Freeware software helper with game rules in 3 languages
August 30, 2023
spellbinder, paper, pencil, game, spellbinder, also, known, waving, hands, simultaneous, 1977, pencil, paper, game, invented, richard, bartle, first, published, fanzine, sauce, nile, since, been, created, variety, formats, including, software, window, system, . Spellbinder also known as Waving Hands is a simultaneous 1977 pencil and paper game invented by Richard Bartle and first published in his fanzine Sauce of the Nile It has since been re created in a variety of formats including software for the X Window System play by email Java applet Android application and web based Contents 1 Gameplay 2 Strategy 3 Rock Paper Scissors 4 References 5 External linksGameplay EditTwo or more players take the role of wizards and the object of the game is to be the last wizard standing Wizards can cast spells at other wizards themselves or summoned monsters These spells are cast through gestures each turn the player chooses two gestures one for each hand from clap C wave W snap S wriggle fingers F proffered palm P and digit point D There are also the non magical gestures stab gt and nothing Turns are resolved simultaneously once all wizards have submitted their gestures for a given turn These gestures are built up via many turns to form spells For instance one can cast the spell Magic Missile by performing the S snap gesture followed by the D digit point with the same hand on a consecutive turn This is usually denoted as SD The spell is cast on the turn that the D is made assuming no intervention such as a Counter Spell Play centers around the strategy of tracking what spells are being cast on all four or more hands thus ensuring your spells achieve their desired effect while attempting to mitigate those of your opponent The game is one of pure strategy outside of the Confusion spell which causes a random gesture to be made all spell effects can be anticipated deterministically making it akin to Chess or Go Through a few minor variants to the rules all random chance and other imbalances can be removed Strategy EditWhile there are many aspects to Spellbinder strategy 1 Bluffing is a key element to all game play often referred to as Shadow Casting 2 In this common practice warlocks play a set of gestures which form the beginning of a spell without ever completing it When this happens opponents are left with the choice to either defend against a spell which may not be cast at all or risk not defending against it For example PSD forms the beginning of a Charm Person spell PSDF but one may also continue this set to a DPP which forms an Amnesia without ever completing the Charm Much like in Chess the resolution of the game opening plays an important part in the later development of the game Common openings such as D P S P S W have been studied in depth 3 4 5 Rock Paper Scissors EditSpellbinder may be regarded as an advanced variation of Rock paper scissors a popular hand game often played between 2 players This variation includes two main differences First the game allows for eight different gestures vs the original three Second in Spellbinder there is a meaning to a sequence of gestures and not only to individual gestures References Edit Strategy amp Tactics The Refuge Forums Strategy Tips RavenBlack Opening Overview Slartucker s Refuge 2 0 D P vs D P Slartucker s Refuge 2 0 Openings win rates The Refuge Forums Spellbinder history including links to playing online Rules as written by Andrew Buchanan Spellbinder Combo Assistant 250Kb a freeware program written in Delphi that help to calculate the best spell combinations for next turns It contains a spell list and descriptions in English Spanish and Italian Screenshot Warlocks a fully developed free to play web interpretation by Raven Black Includes ladder melee 3 player duels and Elo ranking system challenge board and optional rule variants Warlocks for Android Android application to access to games ravenblack net site The Refuge Forum a forum for discussions of game strategy and tactics Facebook Community Spellbinder Facebook CommunityExternal links EditFreeware software helper with game rules in 3 languages Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Spellbinder paper and pencil game amp oldid 1146351877, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
