The Lorax

Adapted from the story by Dr. Seuss. Game design by Kjeld.

The Once-ler has come with his Thneed factory to chop down all the Truffula trees in the name of Industry! Only the Lorax and his friends stand in the fashion baron's way, boldly standing up for Nature. Will the Once-ler succeed in his quest for profit? Or will the Lorax avert catastrophe and save the Truffulas?

Gameplay

Objectives: The Once-ler player is trying to harvest (chop down) all five Truffula trees, while the Lorax player is trying to grow all five into healthy, mature trees.

Growth/Decay: A Truffula tree expands from the inner foliage layer outward (+1 factory bonus of each layer on the next outer layer, Lorax player may speed growth by one-way attacks outward). Outer layers feed inner layers with new sunlight: 2nd layer gives +1 factory bonus to 1st layer, 3rd layer gives +1 to middle layer and +1 to inner layer. However, a Truffula tree's outer layers will quickly wither and die if the inner layers are harvested, which can be a shortcut to a rapid harvest for the greedy Once-ler. **Note: decay (auto-destruct) factories are set to trigger before growth factories.

Setup: The game begins with two trees fully harvested, and the Once-ler starting in on a third. Once-ler goes first. Both players start with units in reserve (10 for The Once-ler and 8 for the Lorax) that can be placed anywhere at any time during the game--you choose whether to blow them all at the start or save them for an opportune moment to end the game. Use these units wisely, as it is difficult to get more that can be placed anywhere (see Monopoly and All Things Bright and Beautiful).

Rules: Three attacks and three fortifies per turn, with return to attack from fortify.

Once-ler Player Explanation

The Once-ler: An industrious fellow who came in his wagon to a lush new land to make his way in the world. From just an axe and the strength of his arms, the Once-ler has built up a mighty Thneed empire based on the natural bounty of the lush Truffula trees. +3 placed automatically here per turn (will respawn if emptied). May attack to axe, chop-o-tree 3000, and the Thneed factory. In his ongoing effort to prevent the cheeky Bar-ba-Loots from constantly stealing his axe, the Once-ler regularly shoes them away from his factory. Artillery attack to Bar-ba-Loot (7v6).

Axe: The Once-ler's oldest and truest friend, the axe lets the Once-ler chop down Truffula trees to harvest their foliage and produce Thneeds. Artillery attacks to each layer of foliage (easier the further from the core)- 6v6, 6v7, 6v8 respectively. Also, the Once-ler may use it to take down the Lorax's stump a notch or two, 6v8. +3 factory bonus on self.

Chop-o-tree 3000: As his operation expanded, the Once-ler invested in advanced technology. With this handy automatic chopper, the Once-ler can harvest Truffulas faster than ever before. Improved artillery attacks to foliage- 8v6, 7v6, 6v6. Its heavy treads also compress the fragile forest soil, stunting the tree's growth. -1 factory bonus to each layer of foliage. The one downside to this magic machine is the operating cost: it takes a lot of fuel to run one of these wonders, so the Once-ler constantly has to keep filling the gas tank. -1 factory bonus on self.

Thneed Factory: The source of the Once-ler's wealth and his sole purpose in life, this factory converts the Truffula tree harvest into valuable clothing known as Thneeds. In addition to increasing the Once-ler's means and allowing him to harvest at ever-increasing rates, the factory also produces a number of byproducts that have a nasty impact on local wildlife. +1 factory bonus on self, +1 factory bonus on Once-ler. May attack to smog, toxic sludge, and Thneed delivery truck.

Smog: The Once-ler's Thneed factory belches out this noxious smoke as it processes the raw Truffula foliage into fine apparel. It has a devastating effect on the Swomee Swans, which grow sick and leave if it builds up in the air. Artillery attack to Swomee Swan (6v6). The Lorax also has a hard time getting his message across while he's hacking up a lung. -1 factory bonus to pedestal per turn. Fortifies back to Once-ler.

Toxic Sludge: To make the finest threads and the brightest colors, the Once-ler uses a slew of dangerous chemicals. With lax regulation in these parts, the Once-ler finds it easiest just to dump the waste, which can find its way to the lakes and rivers, choking out the Hummingfish and forcing them to leave. The polluted water also sickens the Truffula trees, making the Lorax's watering bucket less effective. Artillery attack on Hummingfish (6v6), -1 factory bonus on watering bucket per turn. Fortifies back to Once-ler.

Thneed delivery truck: With a fleet of these, the Once-ler can reach a far wider market than ever before, bringing in greater profits and driving up demand for Thneeds. +2 factory bonus on the Once-ler, +1 factory bonus on smog and toxic sludge. Fortifies back to Once-ler.

Polluter Doesn't Pay: When the Once-ler's factory really gets rolling, all the sludge, smog, and noisy trucks really get the Lorax down. -1 factory bonus on the Lorax per turn.

Baron of Industry: Once he's got his sturdy axe and his Chop-o-tree both working for him, the Once-ler gains a boost to company morale. +1 factory bonus on Once-ler per turn.

Monopoly: With all his harvesting tools and factory bi-products up and running, the Once-ler clamps down on the Thneed market and establishes a very lucrative monopoly. +5 per turn that can be placed anywhere.

Lorax Player Explanation

Lorax: The lecture-prone champion of nature and arch-nemesis of the greedy Once-ler. He cares for and advocates on behalf of the Truffula trees and the local wildlife. +2 placed here per turn. May attack to pedestal, trowel and water bucket. The Lorax can use the Truffula Tree foliage for sustainable sustenance (fortify-only border from outer truffula layer to Lorax). In addition, when the pollution gets too bad, the Lorax may lobby the Once-ler to clean up his act. Artillery attack to smog and toxic sludge, 7v6.

Spade: The Lorax's trusty spade is good for digging holes to plant new Truffula trees. +1 factory bonus per turn to the inner growth rings of each tree. +1 factory bonus on Lorax.

Water Bucket: With the water bucket, the Lorax can keep the Truffula trees well-hydrated, encouraging their growth. +1 factory bonus toward the second and third growth ring of each tree. Fortify-only borders to each Truffula tree foliage layer.

Pedestal (Old Stump): The Lorax's go-to soap box, the old tree stump provides a prime location for the Lorax to pontificate about the ills of wasteful living and gather allies to his conservation cause. +3 factory bonus on self, provides access to Hummingfish, Bar-ba-Loot and Swomee Swan.

Humming Fish: The beautiful melody of these fish causes the Once-ler to regret chopping down trees, but heartens the other forest denizens. -1 to Once-ler factory bonus per turn, +1 to Bar-ba-Loot and Swomee Swan (standard factory). Fortifies back to Lorax.

Swomee Swan: Their joyful songs cause the Once-ler to lose himself in nostalgic revery. -1 to Once-ler factory bonus per turn. Occasionally the Once-ler's truck drivers will be distracted by the swans graceful flight, leading them to wind up in a ditch more often than not. -1 factory bonus per turn to the Thneed Delivery Truck. Lastly, the Swomee Swan may attempt to interrupt the operation of the Chop-o-Tree 3000 by repeatedly dive bombing it. This is a dangerous operation, though. 6v7 artillery attack against Chop-o-Tree 3000. Fortifies back to Lorax.

Bar-ba-Loot: These playful and merry denizens of the Truffula forests frequently try to steal the axe from Once-ler (6v3 artillery attack). Their silly antics also bring good cheer to the Lorax, giving him a +2 factory bonus per turn on Lorax. Fortifies back to Lorax.

Biodiversity Bonus: If you control the Bar-ba-Loot, Swomee Swan, and Humming Fish, +1 factory bonus to outer foliage layer of each Truffula tree.

Green Thumb: With spade and bucket in hand, the Lorax is in his element as a gardener. +1 factory bonus to Lorax per turn.

All Things Bright and Beautiful: With all the creatures of the forest and both his tools in hand, the Lorax receives a major boost to positive thinking, and feels he can do anything. +5 units that can be placed anywhere.