Blur: An Original Game

Blur is a new board game I created that combines careful strategy with the randomness of the dice. The game is easy to understand, but difficult to master. Once you get the hang of it, it makes a great bar or picnic game.

EDIT: I added a new version 2 board. If you've previously printed this, consider re-printing the board. It removes the advantage of a first player who rolls an “R”.

Goal

The goal is to eliminate all of your opponent's runner pieces from the board.

This game is for two players and takes about 15 minutes per round.

Setup

Each player chooses a side and receives three runners (the pieces with the round tops) and two blockers (the cylindrical pieces).

The runners are arranged on the board as shown and the robot (the gold piece) is placed in the center.

The blockers and the dice are placed off to the side.

Each player rolls the die to determine who goes first. Order the letters in a wrapping alphabetical order. 'O' goes before 'P', 'P' before 'R', 'R' before 'O'. If the players roll the same letter, roll again.

Player's Turn

First, the player removes all of their own blockers from the board. There won't be any on the first turn, but this is important in subsequent turns.

Next, the player must move one of their own runners. The runner can move to any adjacent, connected, unoccupied space. A blocker should then be placed in the runner's original space.

If a player cannot move, they must select one runner to sacrifice. This runner is removed from the game. A blocker should not be placed.

Then, the player rolls the die. The next action is dependent on the letter rolled:

• P: The (p)layer moves one of their runners following the rules above. Afterwards, the player places their own blocker in the runner's previous space. If there are no available moves, the current player selects one of their own runners to sacrifice and they do not place a blocker.
• O: Same as above, but with the (o)pponent's runners. Be sure to place your own blocker in the opponent's runner's original space. If there are no moves available, you select one of the opponent's runners to sacrifice.
• R: The player must move the (r)obot into an adjacent, connected space. If the space is currently occupied by a runner, then that runner is eliminated from the game. If the space is occupied by a blocker, then that blocker is returned to the appropriate player. Afterwards, place your blocker in the robot's original space.

The turns continue until all of one player's runners are eliminated. The player with at least one runner remaining on the board is the winner.

Printing

• Nozzle: 0.4mm
• Layer Height: 0.2mm
• Infill: 25%
• Vertical Perimeters: 3
• Top/Bottom Layers: 6

You'll need 4 different colors: two colors for the players, one color for the robot, and one color for the board and die.

Print three runners and two blockers per player. You'll also need one robot, one die, and one board. The blocker holder is optional.

There are two versions of the board; use V2. The images show the original board, but that board gives the first player a small (but not insignificant) advantage. The setup and play rules are exactly the same.

The board and holder can use a lower infill at 15% and needs only 5 top/bottom layers. Take precautions to prevent warping. Setting the top pattern to 'Archimedean Chords' looks great too! 

For the blockers, runners, and the robot: a heavier weight feels better to play with, so increasing the infill to 40% is a good idea, but not functionally necessary.

For the die, use 4 vertical perimeters and 8 top/bottom layers as it will make all sides 1.6mm thick. Also, increase the infill to 40% and set the infill pattern to 'gyroid'.