Special Powers; Game Availability

[Spaceman]

Two questions:

First, I cannot find any new copies of Acquire. Are there plans to re-release this game any time soon?

Second, I recently played Acquire with "special powers." These included the ability to get three stocks free, and selecting 5 extra tiles. I've heard of different ways of playing with these "special powers," but they're not mentioned in the PDF instructions on this site. Can you shed some light on the rules regarding these powers?

Thank you.

[HuskerJD]

Acquire is indeed out of print and is becoming quite difficult to find.

I currently have a brand NEW, factory SEALED copy of Avalon Hill's Acquire for sale. I already have 2 copies of the game (try double-acquire sometime if you haven't already, it makes a great game even better!!! :cool: ) so I'm willing to part with the third one.

The special powers can be played in a couple ways. 1. The "normal" method is that each player can use each power one time during the game. 2. Another option, which allows for more strategy, is that each power can only be played ONCE, so no matter who plays the power first, the other players can not use that particular power. Each player has the option to use a special power at any point after the first 2 or 3 rounds (or whatever initial "blackout period" your group agrees on), but once that particular power has been used by ANY player, it can no longer be used by anyone else! Strategically this means that not only do you have to figure out when you most need to use a certain power but you also have to watch the other players to determine when they might be planning to use it. And of course, only one power can be played by a player on his/her turn, so obviously the first player can't use them all. 3. A third possible option is that special powers are only available to players who purchase them. No one starts out with any powers, so they must be bought for around $1000 each (again, decide on the price for each power with your group). The "free stock" power is an exception though, it should be more money (usually double the others, so say $2000), since it can be very valuable later in the game. Also, the power purchases count toward a player's maximum stock purchase on any turn (for example, can only buy two stock if one power is purchased). That power can then be used anytime on or after the player's next turn, but it CAN be re-purchased up to three times (or players may choose to buy and hold up to three of each power). Most players won't buy too many because financially it will significantly limit their stock purchasing ability. Because a person could use one power up to three times in a game, the purchase price should increase by another $1000 for each subsequent purchase by the same player - $2k the second time someone buys it, $3k the third time - to discourage exploitation of one power. Both of these alternate versions of the special powers are fun and can add more strategy - as if any more is needed! ;)

Contact me if you're interested in purchasing my version of Acquire, I was going to put the game on ebay but I will give anyone here first crack at it without the bidding. E-mail is jasondurbin@yahoo.com. God bless. :D