Havic: The Bothering Cards

Index | Cards 1998 | Rules 1998


Havic: the Bothering is a humorous copy of Magic: The Gathering with similarly layouted cards, simplified rules, and a few twists.
There are just two different resources, alcohol and cigarettes, instead of five, and players start with 8 cards in hand and with 21 life points, in this game called sanity points.
Lands are called property, artifacts are articles, creatures are peons, sorceries are effects, instants do not exist. All permanents are whacked instead of tapped. The turn order is similar to Magic but hardly elaborated by the rules.
Combat rules are also heavily inspired by Magic. Summoning sickness is called hangover, but articles suffer from it the same way peons do. There is just one codenamed ability for peons called stealth which works like flying.
Destroyed permanents and spent effects go to the hospital which is an equivalent of the graveyard.

Havic: the Bothering was created by Peter Gray and Frank Martell. Its first set Skool Daze, which was thematically centered around life at a high school, was published by PGI Limited in 1998.
The set was sold in readily playable deck boxes of 60 cards, some of which were randomly inserted.
The pattern of the fixed cards and the rarity levels of the randomly inserted cards is currently unknown (but the article in Inquest #38 mentions only Commons and Uncommons).
Each deck also included 1 rule card, except some decks missing it and having an extra Brewery card instead. 10 Havic: the Bothering deck boxes were packaged in each simple shrink-wrapped box.

Due to its many similarities to Magic, Havic: The Bothering was a highly questionable product from a legal point of view.
In a more humorous than serious attempt to circumvent at least the infringement of Richard Garfield's patented trading card game foundations, the game rules advised players not to build their own decks out of the cards they had purchased.
Wizards of the Coast took active steps to hinder the distribution of the game and successfully shut out PGI Limited from attending GenCon in July 1998.
Soon after, the game vanished without further notice. A second set called Spring Break, which was supposed to be released in booster packs, was announced but never published.

A sealed booster in a clear wrapper containing 5 cards was offered or sold in some gaming stores like Shinders (Minnesota) whenever a starter deck was purchased. No further information is available for the moment.


Open letter from Peter Gray of PGI Limited:

Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 09:47:50 -0400 (EDT)
From: havic@erols.com
Subject: [none]

Dear HAVIC Fan:

PGI Limited, maker of HAVIC The bothering, has been banned from
attending GenCon. PGI Limited is extremely disturbed by this decision.
GenCon was designed support the ENTIRE gaming community. Conventions
allow manufacturers and distributors to get together to form mutually
beneficial relationships. To single out and ban one particular
manufacturer from participating is nothing less than a disgraceful
display of unfair competition. This kind of injustice must not be
tolerated by the gaming community. We can not allow Wizards of the
Coast to have the power to decide what games live and die. Please
e-mail Wizards of the Coast to let them know how you feel and don't
forget to CC PGI Limited so we can stand behind you. Feel free to
contact PGI Limited with any comments you may have.

Sincerely,
Peter Gray
PGI Limited
HAVIC6@aol.com


A promo card called Vegan was scheduled for print before Havic was discontinued.
The card was supposed to be distributed by the InQuest magazine as a free insert, but its distribution was rejected due to the questionable legal status of the game. As a consequence, the card never saw print.

18 uncut sheets (10 X 10) of Havic the Bothering are known to exist, nine of them contain the 94 illustrations of every non-property cards as well as 6 extras cards that shows twice on the uncut sheet, located on row 10:

* Chill Pill: Row 1-1 and 10-3.
* Hangover: Row 2-5 and 10-10.
* Campus Police: Row 10-1 and 10-8.
* Trustafari: Row 10-2 and 10-9.
* Downtown Mentality: Row 10-4 and 10-6.
* Psych Experiment: Row 10-5 and 10-7.

The 2 property cards that are on another sheet are:
* Brewery.
* Convenience Store.

Havic was mentioned as an advertisement page 7 and as an article page 28 in InQuest #38. NEED HQ SCAN.


Page 7 and page 28 InQuest #38. September 1996.

From InQuest #38 page 28:

Parody game pokes fun at Magic
Is Wizards of the Coast Magic: The Gathering CCG fertile ground for comedy ? PGI Limited thinks so and hopes it will be laughing all the way to the bank with its Magic parody game Havic: The Bothering.
Havic pits players against each other in a bid to take over college. "Its 'Animal House' [the comedy film] meets Magic: The Gathering," said designer/ President PGI Peter Gray who started work on the game last year with co-designer Frank Martell.
"We designed Havic as a simple fun game without all the complexities and seriousness of Magic," Gray said. In fact, Havic has many of the same play elements as Magic.
Instead of the ping lands you "whack" Breweries and Convenience Stores for ressources like beer and cigarettes which in turn allow you to coerce (cast) minions (like the Fat Kid) into doing your bidding.
Most of the game cards have comical references such as Dead Soldier (bar-goer slang for that glass of alcohol that gets used as an ashtray. Shemale Barbarian, Searing Gas Pain, Frenzied Jock, etc...
What inspired this game ? "Beer deserves a fair amount of the credit," according to Gray, a recent college graduate with a degree in psychology. Along with the game, He's created T-shirt with the slogan: "Muck Fagic, play Havic."
The first edition of Havic, subtitled "Skool Daze," is scheduled to have 98 cards and go on sale in May. Starter deck will cost $9 and be packaged as commons and uncommons.
Initially there will be no boosters, though the planned expansion, Spring Break (due around Christmas) will have chase cards and only be sold in boosters. Isn't a game like this a lawsuit waiting to happen? PGI has taken steps to avoid that.
For example, the rules expressly forbid constructing a deck from a pooled set of cards (i.e., you only play with sealed decks) —heck, the instructions specifically tell you that pooling card is in violation of WotC's copyright.
Also parody and satire have special protection under the law.

Rick Moscatello



An advertisement was printed in InQuest #39. TO BE REVERIFIED.





InQuest #38 (June 1998) cover illustrated by Steve Stone and #39 (July 1998) cover illustrated by ? magazines.


Havic: The Bothering deck box front and back.
UPC-A: 6 57767 00102 5
EAN-13: 0 657767 001025
UPC: 657767001025
GTIN: 0657767001025
GTIN-14: 0 06 57767 00102 5
Country of registration: United States / Canada
MSRP: $8.99


Havic: The Bothering top of a shrink-wrapped box of 10 Decks Boxes
UPC-A: 6 57767 00101 8


Havic: The Bothering opened display of 10 Decks Boxes.


Havic: The Bothering Promo booster with 5 cards sealed.


ADVERTISEMENT


Havic: The Bothering advertisement page 7 of InQuest #38. September 1996.

ART


Jesus Freak Original Art by Sist-Airs.


Sports Fanatic Original Art by Sist-Airs.


Young Republicans Original Art by Sist-Airs.


FLYER


Havic: The Bothering full page flyer.


SHEETS


Havic the Bothering "non property" uncut sheet front and back (10 x 10).


EXTERNAL LINKS - ALL FIXED

Havic6.com (old website) - Wayback Machine

Inquest #39 - Wayback Machine

INTERNAL LINKS

Havic The Bothering (Ebay; Post in the forum


Cards 1998 - Havic: The Bothering Cards
SETNUMCARDNAMEARTISTSOURCEDATEINFO
001 AdmissionsSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
002 Bad JokeSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
003 Bad ReputationVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
004 BartenderSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
005 Beer BoltVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
006 Beer Goggles Version 1Ace LebrisHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
007 Beer Goggles Version 2Ace LebrisHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
008 Beer Muscle Version 1NortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
009 Beer Muscle Version 2NortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
010 Biology ClubSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
011 Bitchy SecretarySist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
012 BlackoutNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
013 Blind DateVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
014 Boy Scout LeaderNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
015 Brainless Cheerleader Version 1Sist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
016 Brainless Cheerleader Version 2Vinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
017 BreweryNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
018 Cafeteria Worker Version 1NortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
019 Cafeteria Worker Version 2Vinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
020 Campus PoliceSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
021 Chain SmokerVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
022 Check From HomeSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
023 Chess ClubSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
024 Chill PillNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
025 Chinese Fake OutNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
026 Cigarette AshSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
027 CoercionVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
028 Convenience StoreNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
029 Convenience Store AttendantNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
030 Custodial EngineerSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
031 Dead SoldierSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
032 Dean of StudentsSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
033 Death BreathNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
034 DetoxSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
035 Disappointed Swim BuddyNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
036 Dorm ToiletVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
037 Downtown MentalityNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
038 Elder FraternVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
039 EMTVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
040 Facial Hair ManiacVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
041 Fake IDVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
042 Farmer's DaughterNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
043 Fart of FuryNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
044 Fat KidVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
045 Fire AlarmSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
046 Fire BombGrayHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
047 Football TeamSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
048 Fraternity HouseNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
049 Gas MaskSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
050 HangoverSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
051 Harvey GrundlemeyerSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
052 Hypnotic PimpleNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
053 Ice QueenVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
054 Insane PledgeVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
055 Intrusive RoommateVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
056 Jail BaitVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
057 Jesus FreakSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
058 Local BumVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
059 Lunch LadySist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
060 Mortar BoardVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
061 Mrs. WilliamsVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
062 Murderous Teddy BearNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
063 NerdSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
064 No ShowVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
065 Nurse PractitionerVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
066 Peeping TomNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
067 Pledge MasterSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
068 Pledge TaskVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
069 PrincessVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
070 Psych ExperimentVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
071 RevengeSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
072 Ritalin GuyVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
073 Roger Lawrence Banks IIIVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
074 Shemale WarriorNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
075 Sketchy CharacterVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
076 Space CaseNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
077 Sports FanaticSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
078 StalkerSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
079 StatepirgVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
080 Stomach PumpNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
081 Student GovernmentVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
082 Student SocialistSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
083 Teaching AssistantVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
084 Term PaperVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
085 Theatre ChickVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
086 The Brooding Ex-BoyfriendSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1995-07YES 
087 The Brooding Ex-GirlfriendSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
088 Tough GuyVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
089 TrustafariSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
090 TutorVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
091 Ugly FriendVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
092 Uneven RatioVinyl VineshteinHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
093 Vengeful RASist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
094 White-TrashSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
095 Women's GroupNortonHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
096 Young RepublicansSist-AirsHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES 
 


Rules 1998 - Havic: The Bothering Cards
SETNUMCARDNAMEARTISTSOURCEDATEINFO
000 Havic: The Bothering Rule CardHavic: The Bothering deck1998-05YES