TOPSCORE

TOPSCORE™ is a board game that simulates a football league for 2 to 6 Managers.

It is recommended that all rules are read before starting the game. 

🧩 Components 

1. Game board
2. Manager tokens (6 colours) 
3. Dice (1 per Manager) 
4. Player cards: GK, DF, MF, FW, SUB 
5. 1st Half and 2nd Half cards 
6. Reference cards (player list and fixture schedule)

⚙️ Game Setup 

1. Each Managers chooses one die and a token of the same colour and starts the game with 0 points. 
2. Shuffle the 1st and 2nd Half cards and place them face down on the board.
3. Shuffle and separate the Player cards by position (GK, DF, MF, FW, SUB), and place them face down beside the board.
4. Reveal as many Player cards of each position as the number of Managers playing and place them in a row next to the decks. See the image below as a reference (example shown for 2 Managers).

💼 Transfer Window 

1. Managers take turns selecting players of any position, following these rules:
   • Draft order is determined by a dice roll, assigning Managers as M1, M2, etc., and this order is maintained throughout the game.
   • Each Manager may select only one player per position.
   • Selected players cannot be returned. 
   • Managers may select a face-up player card or draw blindly from the top of a deck. 
   • Each player is worth a number of points equal to their star rating.
   • Combining players of the same colour across GK-DF, DF-MF, and MF-FW grants +1 bonus point per player involved.
2. Once all teams are complete, Managers may trade players with each other.
3. Unselected players are placed at the bottom of their decks and remain on the table.
4. The game includes a reference card listing all available players.

🗓️  Fixture Schedule 

1. In a league format, Managers play several matches against each other.
2. A reference card shows the recommended match sequence depending on the number of Managers.
3. With 4 or more Managers, it is recommended to play matches simultaneously to reduce total game time.

⚽ Matches

1. Each match has two halves (1st Half and 2nd Half).
2. In each half, there is a goal scoring opportunity, resolved in two phases: Possession and Attack vs Defence.
3. 1st Half: 
   • Each Manager draws a 1st Half card and immediately applies its effect.
   • Each Managers selects and announces their tactic (see table below) for the 1st Half.
   • The Manager with the least game points may adjust their tactic after seeing the opponent’s tactic. In case of a tie, both roll the dice to decide who chooses last.
   • According to their tactic, each Manager totals the points of the players involved in Possession.
   • Managers roll their dice simultaneously.
   • The Manager with the highest total (players + dice) wins Possession. In case of a tie, re-roll the dice.
   • The Manager who wins Possession now plays Attack, and the opponent plays Defence.
   • According to their tactic, each Manager totals the points of the players involved in Attack or Defence.
   • Managers roll their dice simultaneously. The Manager playing Attack scores a goal if their total (players + dice) is higher than the Manager playing Defence. In case of a tie, the Manager playing Attack wins a penalty. To score the penalty, the Manager rolls the die and must call odd or even correctly.
4. In the 2nd Half, follow the same steps above, with the following differences:
   • Draw a 2nd Half card.
   • Managers may choose a new tactic.
   • The Substitute (SUB) can be used in any position, provided it has not already been used.
5. After each match, all 1st and 2nd Half cards used are discarded.

Tactics	Possession	Attack	Defense
Defensive	MF	FW	GK + DF
Balanced	DF + MF	FW	GK
Offensive	DF	MF + FW	GK

🃏 Free Players 

1. At the end of each round, for every goal scored, Managers may replace a player with another of the same position from the top of the deck. Draft order is maintained (M1, M2, etc.). Replacements are permanent; the replaced card goes to the bottom of the deck.
2. Managers may continue trading players between themselves.

🏆  Points 

1. Managers advance on the board:
   • 3 points for a win (1-0 or 2-0).
   • 1 point for a draw (0-0 or 1-1).
2. The first Manager to reach 16 points wins the game. If two or more Managers reach 16 points in the same round, they play additional matches until a winner emerges.

⚡ Effects of 1st and 2nd Half Cards 

1. In Form: +2 points to the indicated player 
2. Off Form: -2 points to the indicated player 
3. Super Form: +3 points to a player of choice 
4. Injury: The indicated player is replaced by the substitute
5. Morale Boost: +2 points to the indicated player 
6. Super Sub: Substitute gains +3 points when used