How to play Crosscurrent
Pass your side's plans. The Alliance also hunts the Mastermind; the Moles want them in power.
- 5–10 players
- 30–45 min
- TV recommended
A round
- 1Captain
Nominate
Not last round's elected Partner, nor its Captain while more than 5 are in.
- 2Everyone
Team vote
Approve or reject. A strict majority elects them; otherwise the deadlock goes up by one.
- 3Captain
Draw 3, discard 1
In secret. The Partner gets the other two.
- 4Partner
Pass 1 plan
The other is discarded. Only the passed plan's kind is shown, never the discards.
- 5Captain
Use a power
Only if the Mole plan just passed unlocks one (table below).
- 6Everyone
Next Captain
The next player still in, in seat order.
Sides by player count
The deck holds 17 plans: 6 Alliance plans and 11 Mole plans.
| Players | Alliance | Moles | Mastermind | Mastermind knows the Moles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | No |
| 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | No |
| 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | No |
| 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | No |
Powers
Unlocked when the Captain and Partner pass the Nth Mole plan. A plan passed by the deadlock unlocks nothing.
| Players | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5–6 | — | — | Preview | Expel | Expel |
| 7–8 | — | Check | Appoint | Expel | Expel |
| 9–10 | Check | Check | Appoint | Expel | Expel |
Check: See one player's side · Preview: See the top 3 plans · Appoint: Pick the next Captain · Expel: Remove a player
Checked players show their side only: the Mastermind shows as a Mole.
Winning
Alliance5 Alliance plans passed, or the Mastermind expelled.
Mole6 Mole plans passed, or the Mastermind elected Partner after 3 Mole plans.
Good to know
Deadlock at 3?
The top plan passes on its own: no power, and the deadlock and term limits reset.
Table?
After 5 Mole plans, the Partner may propose discarding both. If the Captain agrees, the deadlock goes up.
Expelled?
You watch from then on: no votes, no Captain or Partner turns, no discussion.
Host settings: a decision reminder at 60 or 90 s (90 s is Plus; it reminds, never decides) · voice host or screen guide · Plus settings are free in every room during Early Access
Your phones deal the sides and the plans, and keep the tracks.
Play Crosscurrent