Overview

Rumis (also published as Blokus 3D) is a three-dimensional building and strategy game designed by Stefan Kogl. Inspired by Inca architecture, players take turns placing polyomino-shaped 3D blocks onto a building scenario, trying to maximize the number of their colored faces visible from directly above. Each scenario board depicts a different Inca structure with specific height limits and shape constraints.

Components

• 3 double-sided building scenario boards (6 scenarios total: Chullpa, Pirka, Tambo, Pisac, Coricancha, Cucho)
• 44 Rumis stones (blocks) in 4 colors (11 unique polycube shapes per color, composed of 2, 3, or 4 unit cubes)

Setup

1. Each player receives all 11 stones of one color.
2. Choose a building scenario and place the corresponding board in the center of the table.
3. Note the maximum height allowed for the chosen scenario and player count (printed on the board).
4. Determine the starting player.

Turn Structure

On each turn, a player places one of their stones onto the building area following the placement rules. Play proceeds clockwise. If a player cannot legally place any stone, they are eliminated from further placement for the rest of the game.

Actions

Place a Stone: Place one of your 11 polycube stones onto the building scenario board.

Placement Rules:

• First Stone (first player): May be placed anywhere within the building boundaries, resting on the base.
• First Stone (subsequent players in round 1): Must touch at least one unit cube of an already-placed stone of a different color AND rest on the base board.
• All Later Stones: Must touch at least one unit cube of your own color (same color adjacency required).
• Physical Support: Every unit cube of the placed stone must rest on either the base board or on top of an existing stone. No overhanging cubes with empty space beneath.
• Building Boundaries: No part of the stone may extend beyond the building scenario’s outline.
• Height Limit: No part of the stone may exceed the maximum height for the chosen scenario and player count.
• No Gaps: Stones may not create unfillable gaps when viewed from above (no covered empty spaces that cannot be filled).

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The game ends when no player can place any further stone.

Scoring: Each player counts the number of their colored unit-cube faces visible from directly above the completed structure. Each visible face = 1 point. A single stone can contribute up to 4 visible faces (one per unit cube, when viewed from above).

Penalty: Subtract 1 point for each stone remaining in a player’s supply (unplaced stones).

The player with the highest score wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Different scenarios have different shapes (rectangular, pyramidal, wedge-shaped) and height limits, creating varied strategic challenges.
• Height limits change based on player count (fewer players = higher allowed structures).
• Two of the 4-unit polycubes are chiral (mirror images of each other), providing asymmetric placement options.
• A player who cannot legally place any stone loses all future turns but still scores their visible faces.
• Blocking opponents by covering their visible faces while maximizing your own is the central strategic tension.
• Stones from different colors may touch, but you can only build off your own color (after the first stone).

Player Reference

Scoring: Count your colored faces visible from above. Subtract 1 per unplaced stone.

Placement: Must touch own color (after first stone). Must rest fully on base or existing stones. Must stay within building outline and height limit.

Scenarios: 6 total (Chullpa, Pirka, Tambo, Pisac, Coricancha, Cucho), each with unique shape and height rules.

Stones: 11 unique polycube shapes per player (2-4 unit cubes each).