Eureka Miniatures makes two different stoker models, one with a shovel and one with a bucket of coal. This rule allows you to use two different stokers in the one game.

Two Stokers – Simple Method

Place both stokers on the field as per the rules for placing a single stoker. During a player's turn, the player may activate either stoker (but may only activate one stoker). This stoker may move the pig or attack another lancer.

Two Stokers – Complex Method

At the start of the game create a deck of cards, with one card for each player. If there are an odd number of players, round up to the nearest even number. This deck is composed of spade and diamond cards (the numbers are irrelevant). There should be the same number of spades and diamonds. Example, if there are 5 players, the deck consists of 3 diamonds and 3 spades.

At the start of the game each player takes a card and keeps it face down. The player may look at the card, but the player does not show the card until it is first used.

A player can only attack another lancer with a specific stoker. This stoker is represented by the card they player drew. If the player drew a spade, he has bribed the stoker with the shovel (spade). If the player drew a diamond, he has bribed the stoker with the bucket (coal and diamonds are both made from carbon).

During a lancer's turn, the lancer's player may select either stoker, but he can only select one of them. The player can use either stoker to stoke the pig (allowing an extra move of the pig). However, for all other purposes the player can only move the stoker that he bribed.

When the player wants to move a stoker (except to stoke the pig) or attack a player with a stoker, he first flips over the card to show the stoker he has bribed. He then moves that stoker, or uses that stoker to attack another player, as per the regular Pig Tickler rules.

Team Pig Tickler with Two Stokers

If playing Team Pig Tickler, a variant of the Complex Method is used.

At the beginning of the game, each team writes down on a piece of paper which stoker they bribed.

Either team may use either stoker to stoke the pig.

The first time the team wishes to move a stoker (other than to stoke the pig) or use a stoker to attack a lancer on another team, they show the piece of paper indicating the stoker they bribed. For the rest of the game, this is the only stoker that can be used to attack another lancer.

It is possible for both teams to bribe the same stoker!

Design Notes

Eureka produces two different stoker models. It's a shame, therefore, that the rules don't accomodate both stokers. This house rule gives players options for using both stokers.