Introduction
The following rules are the definitive rules for the game 'Axiom' invented in 1988. They include the slight rule update from the year 2000. These rules can be used with any version of the game, including the online version, soon to be completed (alpha version playable, and regularly updated on this site). The illustrations that follow, show the Axiom 3000 playing pieces (The rounded wooden version). - The rule booklet showing illustrations of the original playing pieces (Axiom/Axiom 2000, angular ABS version), will be published soon.

Axiom - The 3D abstract stategy game for two players

Axiom is a unique 3D boardgame invented by Michael Seal. The 'board' or playing surface is made up of twelve specially designed Cubes. Beginning together in a block form, these Cubes are moved and eliminated during play, creating a gradually changing 3D environment. This simple idea offers you a new abstract landscape full of unusual and exciting strategies.

The other playing pieces known as Sceptres, simply travel over this new playing surface, stopping on the top, or on the side of a Cube as desired. Your objective seems simple - to occupy the same Cube as your opponent - to do this you must move into another dimension. The fun and indeed the depth of Axiom is soon realised as you enter and travel through this third dimension.

As you can only move your own colour pieces (Cubes or Sceptres) and there are so few, the game is knife edge. The Cube is the key and you must think in a different way, as you begin to control the unusual strategies that ultimately shape the game.The rules of the game are few, logical, and generally integral to Axioms' physical form - ie. A Sceptre cannot move past a physical obstruction (the dome/spike of a cube or another Sceptre) - So learning to play only takes a few minutes, and there is much to enjoy in this dynamic new world.

Average game time 30 minutes - advanced players 60 minutes.

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A complete set of axiom playing pieces includes:

2 x blue Sceptre
3 x blue single dome Cube
3 x blue double dome Cube

2 x white Sceptre
3 x white single dome Cube
3 x white double dome Cube

1 x Turning board (axiom 2nd Edition) - Perspex turntable (special edition)

Start position
Arrange the 12 Axiom Cubes and the 4 Sceptres into a block form as illustrated - figure 1.

Please note that the single Cubes (one domed side) are placed on top of the double Cubes (two domed sides), as illustrated in figure 1a and 1b. The end result should be equal from each players point of view.

figure 1 - the starting position.

figure 1a - the position of the White Cubes showing the 3 double domed Cubes underneath the 3 single domed Cubes. Hidden from view is one of the domes on the middle Cube of the double layer. This faces directly away - opposite to the Blue Cubes in figure 3.

figure 1b - the position of the Blue Cubes showing the 3 double domed Cubes underneath the 3 single domed Cubes.

Order of Play
Choose a colour - a player can only move their own colour playing pieces.

Take turns to move, whereby each turn involves moving either a Cube or a Sceptre of your own colour.

A Cube can be moved to a new position if it is free.

A Sceptre can be moved in either a lateral or in a diagonal direction over the surface of the Cubes, but not past an obstruction.

A Sceptre can eliminate an opponents Cube.

A move must always be made.

Object of the game
The first player to move one of their Sceptres onto any Cube that is already occupied (on another side) by the opponent’s Sceptre wins the game (figure 2 & 3).

A Cube can not be occupied by more than one Sceptre. Therefore at any point during the game, if a player is forced to move into a position where both their Sceptres are on the same Cube (figure 4) the game will end and that player will lose.

figure 2 - Blue moves diagonally to win the game.
figure 3 - White moves laterally to win the game.
figure 4 - Blue has lost the game.

Moving a Cube
Players can only move their own colour Cubes.

A Cube can be moved only if it is free - if it is not under another Cube or occupied by a Sceptre.

A Cube is not moved along a set route, it is simply lifted from its position and placed in a completely new position - figure 5

Moving a Cube always involves moving it to a new position. It can not just be reorientated in the same place.

A Cube can be placed on top of another Cube, but must interlock (a dome into a recess) with the Cube below - figure 6.

When placed in a new position the minimum requirement is that at least one side of the Cube must interlock (a dome into a recess) with one side of another Cube.

When a Cube is placed, where there is contact on more than one side, only one of the sides has to interlock - however the priority will always be the top-to -bottom interlock - figure 6.

A Cube can not be placed under another cube.

figure 5 - the only White Cube that is free, is moved to a new position interlocking with the blue Cube.
figure 6 - the Blue Cube being moved, must interlock with the White Cube below it, as illustrated.
figure 6a - completion of figure 6.

Moving a Sceptre
The recessed areas of an Axiom Cube are designed to hold a Sceptre in a vertical or in a horizontal position.

A Sceptre can be moved across these recessed areas in either a diagonal or a lateral direction, moving in a straight line any number of spaces until an obstruction is reached. Any Dome or any Sceptre presents an obstruction.

Diagonal Move
A Sceptre can not change plane or jump levels during a diagonal move.

figure 7 - the Blue Sceptre can move diagonally as illustrated. Either one or two spaces along that route.

Lateral Move
A Sceptre can change plane and level during a lateral move by passing straight over the edge of each cube, continuing in the same direction.

figure 8 - the Blue Sceptre can move laterally in 4 possible directions as illustrated. If the routes are not blocked by obstructions (out of view), the horizontal move could enable the Sceptre to loop completely around the game (and win). The vertical route upwards could have the Sceptre moving over the top of the White Cube and down the other side.

figure 9 - the Blue Sceptre can not stop in a restricted space - a space it can not fit into because of the proximity of another Sceptre or Cube. It can however pass through to the spaces beyond.

Eliminating a Cube
When a Sceptre is moved from a Cube of the opposing colour, to a Cube of its own colour, the opposing colour Cube is eliminated, and therefore taken out of the game. A Cube can be eliminated only if it is free, that is if it is not directly under another cube or occupied by a Sceptre.

An eliminated Cube is always taken out of the game and can not be recovered during the game.

figure 10 - the Blue Sceptre is about to move laterally from a White Cube to a Blue Cube as illustrated.
figure 10a - at the end of the Blue Sceptres’ move the White Cube (in figure 10a) is taken out of the game.

Playing tips and strategy
With the movement of Cubes during play Axiom changes in shape. The challenge of Axiom is realising the full potential of moving the Cubes. Control and the creative movement of these Cubes can be used to great advantage.

A Cube can be moved to create an advantage, by moving it to obstruct the route of an opponent’s Sceptre or by moving it to make a new route for your own Sceptre - figure 11 & 11a.

A Cube with 2 domes is useful for creating an obstruction (a dome) along a route, while a Cube with 1 dome is more useful for covering up an obstruction (a recess over a dome) to create a new route.

A good strategy is to stop your opponent from moving any of their Cubes. This gives you full control of the playing area and it also forces the opponent to move a Sceptre.

To stop your opponent moving a Cube, either move a Sceptre onto an opponent’s Cube, or place a Cube on top of an opponent’s Cube.

Another good strategy is to attack an opponent’s Sceptre with both of your Sceptres. Each one approaching from a different direction - figure 11a.

Elimination of an opponent’s Cube reduces the number of playing pieces available to that player. If an opponents' Cube is on top of your Cube, elimination of their Cube will also free up you own Cube to move again.

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Strategy example
figure 11 - The Blue Sceptre marked X can move laterally to a winning position as illustrated (long red arrow).

It is White’s turn to move, and the White Sceptre marked Y can only move one space either diagonally or laterally (short red arrow) as shown - the lateral move will stop Blue from winning the game. However, the White Cube marked Z is moved to a new position - figure 11a.

figure 11a - The White Cube Z covers the obstruction P (shown in figure 11) to create a new route (long red arrow) for the White Sceptre Y. The moving of Cube Z also uncovers an obstruction Q that blocks the attack route of the Blue Sceptre X.

figure 11a - If the White Sceptre Y moved to the new position W, White could win the game on its next turn. Blue would be unable to defend, because of the position of the other White Sceptre, and various obstructions. - An attack from two directions.

Unusual situations
figure 12 - the movement and elimination of Cubes during play may create completely separate groups of Cubes. Although a Sceptre can not move between completely separate groups, a Cube can be moved in the usual manner to rejoin the two groups.

figure 13 - possible situations within the rules.

A diagonal move can not be made on a diagonal path that is physically obstructed by a cube on both sides of that path. - an infrequent position soon to be illustrated.