ChainGrapplers Rules

Rules

Learn the game fast, then check the full rules.

Start with the short version, then move into the exact chain logic, submission pressure, and special card effects.

Quick Rules

ChainGrapplers is a two-player duel. Build stronger sequences than your opponent, create submission pressure, and leave them with bad options.

Each player starts with 6 cards.
The round opens with Takedown.
On your turn, you may play up to 2 cards.
Most cards follow the chain. Your card's Start color (top) must match the current card's Result color (bottom).
If a player plays an offensive card, the opponent must answer with a defensive card that matches the color.
At the end of your turn, you may draw 1 card (if you are not holding Fatigue, which prevents you from drawing new cards).
If a submission is active, the defender must answer it with an escape or lose immediately.

How to Read a Card

Each positional card shows a move from one position into another.

Think of every normal card as a top to bottom transition.

Visual Guide

Player 1 starts each match with the Takedown card.

Player 2 needs a defensive response.

Defensive cards always end on green, so Player 1 can attack again with a green-start card.

Player 1 can continue the attack with a second offensive card because the chain now ends on orange.

Player 2 must answer the red submission threat with an escape card or lose immediately.

Full Rules

The game is for 2 players.
Shuffle the deck and deal 6 cards to each player (the Takedown card should be one of them).
One player opens the round with Takedown (must be played alone.).

Any defensive card is legal to play on Takedown.
After that, a card is legal when its Start color (top) matches the current card's Result color (bottom).
If a player plays an offensive card, the opponent must answer with a defensive card that matches the color.
If a player plays a defensive card, the next normal response is offense.
If an attacker still has a second legal offensive card, they may continue the attack on the same turn.

You may play up to 2 cards on your turn.
At the end of your turn, you may draw 1 card (if you are not holding Fatigue, which prevents you from drawing new cards).
You may choose to stop and draw even if you still have a legal move.
If Fatigue is in your hand, drawing is blocked. You must either play a legal card, or end the turn without drawing.

Special Cards

Mat Enforcer: draw 3 cards. It counts as one played card. The chain does not change, and the card is thrown into the discard pile.
Teenage Rage: play it into the chain. The next card may be any legal follow-up.
The Black Belt: play it into the chain, then pick up the most recently played card, except Takedown. The next card may be any legal follow-up.
Fatigue: can only be played as your first and only card of the turn. After Fatigue, the next player may play any card.
Ultra Heavy cards: steal 1 random card from your opponent. The chain does not change, and the card is thrown into the discard pile.

Winning

Submission: if your opponent cannot answer an active submission, you win.
Card advantage: if the deck is exhausted and the chain can no longer continue, the player with fewer cards left wins.
Draw: if both players are equally stuck, the round is a draw.