Villa Paletti

Overview

Villa Paletti is a dexterity game where 2-4 players build a multi-story villa by moving columns from lower floors to the top. On each turn, a player removes one of their colored columns from any lower level and places it on the highest floor. If a player cannot safely move a column, they may propose adding a new floor. The game ends when the villa collapses or no one can build further. The player holding the Master Builder Seal at that point wins.

Components

• 1 Base plate
• 5 Wooden floors (different colors, decreasing sizes)
• 20 Columns (3 sizes, 4 player colors)
• 1 Master Builder Seal
• 1 Hook (for column removal assistance)
• Rulebook

Setup

1. Place the base plate centrally on the table.
2. All players place their columns on the base plate in any arrangement.
3. Place the blue floor (largest) on top of the columns, not extending beyond the base plate.
4. The youngest player rolls the Master Builder Seal and selects a color. Other players choose colors in turn order. The last player to choose becomes the starting player.

Turn Structure

Play proceeds clockwise. On your turn, choose one option:

Option 1: Move a Column

Remove one of your colored columns from any level EXCEPT the current top level and place it on the uppermost floor. The column must not overhang the floor.

Option 2: Propose a New Floor

If you believe you cannot safely move a column, propose adding the next floor in sequence (Blue -> Yellow -> Orange -> Red). Other players may object:

• If someone objects, they must successfully move one of their own columns upward. If they succeed, the column is moved. If they fail (causing collapse or instability), one of their columns is removed by the original player.
• If no one objects, the next floor is placed on at least 3 supporting columns.

Actions

• Remove Column: Carefully extract a column from a lower floor. You may use the hook for assistance. The floor above may be lightly lifted but must return to its original position.
• Place Column: Set the removed column on the topmost floor. It must not overhang the floor edge.
• Abort Attempt: If you fear collapse while removing a column, replace it in its original position. That column may not be moved again for the rest of the game.
• Add Floor: Place the next smaller floor on at least 3 supporting columns.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Master Builder Seal

Once the green floor is placed, scoring begins for columns on the current top level. The first player to place a column on a new floor claims the Master Builder Seal. Previous scores reset when a new floor is added.

Game End

The game ends when:

• The villa collapses, OR
• No player can build further (no legal moves remain).

Winner: The player holding the Master Builder Seal wins. If the Seal holder caused the collapse, the previous Seal holder wins instead.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Column Stacking: Columns do not stack on top of each other, except on the red (final) floor.
• Floor Order: Floors must be placed in decreasing size: Blue (largest), Yellow, Orange, Red (smallest).
• Top Level Restriction: Columns on the current topmost level cannot be moved.
• One Column Per Turn: Only 1 column may be moved per turn.
• No Holding Floors: Players cannot hold or support floors while placing columns.
• Hook Usage: The hook may be used to assist in column removal but not to support the structure.
• Aborted Moves: If a player replaces a column after an aborted attempt, that column is permanently locked in place.
• 2-Player Variant: Each player controls 2 colors and scores their combined columns.
• 3-Player Variant: Players must first move a neutral-color column upward before moving one of their own. At least 1 neutral column must remain on each level.

Player Reference

Floor	Order	Size
Blue	1st (placed at setup)	Largest
Yellow	2nd	Large
Orange	3rd	Medium
Red	4th (final)	Smallest

Turn: Move 1 column up OR Propose new floor

Victory: Hold the Master Builder Seal when game ends

Collapse: Seal holder loses; previous holder wins