Compile: Main 1

2024 · Card Game

Compile: Main 1

Players take the role of competing artificial intelligences testing conceptual Protocols to achieve understanding. Each player chooses three Protocol cards and plays hand cards into Protocol command lines to push them toward compilation, using actions to accelerate their own progress or interfere with an opponent's Protocols. Concepts such as Darkness, Water, and Gravity provide thematic targets for each Protocol, while card effects manipulate tempo, resources, and the status of active Protocols. The game ends when a player compiles all three of their chosen Protocols, representing successful synthesis of those concepts.

Players
2
Playing time
20–30 min
Age
14+
Complexity
2.4 / 5
7.9 on Ludoyafrom $18.99Science FictionArea Majority / InfluenceHand ManagementRace

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On Ludoya's tables

Full stats in Ludoya
209
Plays logged
174
Players
28m 59s
Average play
112
In collections
14
On wishlists

7.9/10

from 25 Ludoya reviews

  • Fun8.0
  • Interaction8.0
  • Replayability8.0
  • Uniqueness8.0
  • Looks8.0
  • Accessibility8.0
  • Max9.0

    In the simplest terms possible, I adore this game. It posseses an endless complexity with mechanics that appear briefly enough to continue to be novel, yet frequently enough for nuanced strategies to develop. At the same time, however, it is light, fun and quick (although at times, especially with newer players, it can drag). Despite these advantages, I do have a minor issue in that the game lacks an element of inginuity; instead it draws from the well established line mechanic, copying games like Air Land & Sea. All reservations aside, this game never ceases to dissapoint, and I would thoroughly reccomend getting your hands on a copy, and, if possible, the Auxillary expansions too.

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Rules questions

Answered from the rulebook by Ludoya's rules assistant.

Can I play a card face-down into any line, or does it have to match the Protocol?

You may play a card face-up only into the line matching its Protocol, but you may play a card face-down into any line (face-up cards must match their Protocol when played) (p.1).

When exactly do I have to Compile — and what are the requirements?

During the Check Compile step, if you have 10 or greater value in a line and that value is greater than your opponent's in the same line, you must Compile that line as your sole action; you may only Compile one line per turn even if you qualify for more (pp.1–2).

Do covered cards still count toward a line's Value and can they be targeted?

Covered cards still contribute their Value (the rules require Value be visible when covered), but only the most recently played (uncovered) card in a stack can be manipulated unless an effect specifically references “covered cards” or “all cards” (p.2).

What does the Control component let me do and when can I use it?

If you have higher value than your opponent in at least two lines you gain the Control component; when you have it you may first rearrange one player's Protocols before Refreshing or before Compiling, after which Control returns to neutral (p.1–2).

What happens if I Compile a Protocol that's already Compiled — do I flip it again?

Recompiling (compiling a line whose Protocol is already Compiled) still deletes all cards in that line, but instead of flipping the Protocol you draw the top card of your opponent's deck (p.2).

How many cards can I play per turn, and what if I have no playable cards?

On your Action you may either play one card or Refresh; if you don't have any cards to play you must Refresh, drawing up to five and reshuffling your trash into your deck if needed (p.1).

Opens Ludoya's rules assistant, which reads this game's rulebook.

Game facts (players, playing time, age, credits) from BoardGameGeek.