Core Rules: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "== What is Wargame Chess? == Wargame Chess is a turn and activation-based tabletop wargame that uses a chess set, but also incorporates other gaming devices like dice and cards. The core rules to the game are a simple framework to support a plethora of faction options. Understanding faction differences and interactions accounts for most of the game’s nuance. Wargame Chess is not a variation of traditional chess - though it uses the same pieces and borrows some concept..."
 
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Under their name, each piece will have a quantity allowance - listing how many of them you can have in a team. Here are a few examples of what you may see in faction entries and what they mean:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Quantity limit example
!Meaning
|-
|(0-2)
|You may have 0, 1, or 2 of this piece in your team list.
|-
|(2-8)
|You must take at least 2 of this piece, and may take no more than 8.
|-
|(1)
|You must have exactly 1 of this piece in your list - no more, no less.
|-
|(0)
|You cannot include this piece in your starting team list. However, some rules may add this piece to your team throughout the course of a game.
|}
Some rules may add pieces to your team throughout the game, and in some situations can cause you to have more than 14 points worth of pieces on the board! However, you can never have a piece added to the board if doing so would bring a piece type's total quantity beyond its listed quantity range maximum (eg. if your faction allows you to bring 0-2 knights, your team could never have 3 or more), or the number of pieces that come with a standard chess set (eg. a standard set comes with 8 pawn pieces, therefore your team can never have more than 8 pawns).
== Multiple options for one piece type ==
Some factions may list many options for a piece type (eg. They could have two different entries for a Rook). In such cases '''you may only run 1 of those options in your team list'''.
The exception to this are '''Joker''' options; as each Joker uses a unique model on the board, if a faction lists multiple Joker options, a player may include any/all of them in one list.
There are some situations where players using certain factions are allowed to Summon pieces to their team that may not have been in their starting list. <u>These different options cannot be on the board simultaneously</u>.<blockquote>''As an example, say a player was using "Knight option A" from their faction, and had the opportunity to Summon "Knight option B", they could not do so while option A is on the board. However, once all pieces of "Knight option A" are slain or removed from the board, and there is 1 Knight piece in the Summon zone, they could now Summon "Knight option B". Be sure to effectively communicate any changes during the game like this to your opponent. Going further with this example, if the player summoned "Knight option B" while the other Knight piece was removed from the board or slain, and a rule gave an opportunity for the piece to come back to the board, it cannot come back to the board:''
* ''As "Knight option A"''
* ''If "Knight option B" has a quantity restriction of (0-1) or (1)''
</blockquote>

Revision as of 02:34, 18 November 2024

What is Wargame Chess?

Wargame Chess is a turn and activation-based tabletop wargame that uses a chess set, but also incorporates other gaming devices like dice and cards. The core rules to the game are a simple framework to support a plethora of faction options. Understanding faction differences and interactions accounts for most of the game’s nuance.

Wargame Chess is not a variation of traditional chess - though it uses the same pieces and borrows some concepts from it, it is a wholly different game.

What do I need to play?

Two players will generally need the following items to play Wargame Chess:

  • A chess set (a board and a full set of pieces).
  • 2 or more small items that fit within a board square to represent Joker pieces.
  • Deck of playing cards (henceforth referred to as the Minor Arcana deck).
  • All 22 Major Arcana cards from a tarot deck.
  • Various dice to be used between both players:
  • 6 items to represent Trees on the board.
  • Items to represent Blessing and Curse tokens.
    • we recommend different coloured poker chips, as these sit under most chess pieces very well
  • Two distinct types of small dice to represent Advantage and Disadvantage tokens, place these next to pieces to keep track of such token quantities.
    • We recommend the dice used for Advantage tokens match the colour of your Blessing tokens, and the dice used for Disadvantage tokens match the colour of your Curse tokens.

Not necessary, but suggested:

  • Themed pieces for your favourite faction
    • If these are not chess pieces, make sure your opponent knows what they represent before your game starts!
  • Notepad
    • Use this to record information of a game which is not accommodated by the Activation Tracker.

To start a standard game

The next thing each player must do, after assembling the items mentioned on the previous page, is choose different factions. Each faction has different rules, strengths, handle certain situations better than others, or have tools at their disposal others wouldn't. You can find all factions here.

Most factions are not designed to pick up and play without pondering synergies and tactics. Your game will be far more enjoyable if you take the time to thoroughly read through your options and strategize.

Factions have varying degrees of rules and interactions you will need to be mindful of at key times. If you are unsure of how a rule is supposed to work, read through all the footnotes at the bottom of their page for clarification. If you are still left unsure as to how something functions, discuss and agree to a solution with your opponent.

To assess factions at a glance, they are assigned a star rating. Here is what they mean:

Star Rating Explanation
These factions are fairly straightforward. New players and seasoned players alike should be able to understand their nuances quickly.
★★ Two-star factions require a bit more effort to learn. New players may need a few games to get comfortable with them. Experienced players should be able to understand them within a game or two.
★★★ Three-star factions may be difficult to pilot for newer players. Experienced players may need to play a few games with them to find their groove.

Building a team

Once both players have chosen a faction to play as, they will need to build a team list using options from that faction’s page. You can use the Activation Tracker or a notepad to organise your team, note rules that happen at certain times, and track other game information.

A team consists of exactly 14 points worth of Pieces and Upgrades.

Below we will explain how faction rules, piece choices, their quantities, and upgrades fit into your team list.

Faction Rules and Upgrades

Faction rules always apply their effects to that particular faction.

Upgrades are like Faction rules, except they have a point cost in parentheses after their name, and only apply their effects to that particular faction if you account for their cost in your team list. Be sure your opponent knows which Upgrades you have taken in a match.

Piece costs and quantities

The following point costs are the same across every faction in the game.

Piece type Point cost
Pawns 1
Kings, Bishops, Knights, Rooks, and Jokers 2
Queens 3

Under their name, each piece will have a quantity allowance - listing how many of them you can have in a team. Here are a few examples of what you may see in faction entries and what they mean:

Quantity limit example Meaning
(0-2) You may have 0, 1, or 2 of this piece in your team list.
(2-8) You must take at least 2 of this piece, and may take no more than 8.
(1) You must have exactly 1 of this piece in your list - no more, no less.
(0) You cannot include this piece in your starting team list. However, some rules may add this piece to your team throughout the course of a game.

Some rules may add pieces to your team throughout the game, and in some situations can cause you to have more than 14 points worth of pieces on the board! However, you can never have a piece added to the board if doing so would bring a piece type's total quantity beyond its listed quantity range maximum (eg. if your faction allows you to bring 0-2 knights, your team could never have 3 or more), or the number of pieces that come with a standard chess set (eg. a standard set comes with 8 pawn pieces, therefore your team can never have more than 8 pawns).

Multiple options for one piece type

Some factions may list many options for a piece type (eg. They could have two different entries for a Rook). In such cases you may only run 1 of those options in your team list.

The exception to this are Joker options; as each Joker uses a unique model on the board, if a faction lists multiple Joker options, a player may include any/all of them in one list.

There are some situations where players using certain factions are allowed to Summon pieces to their team that may not have been in their starting list. These different options cannot be on the board simultaneously.

As an example, say a player was using "Knight option A" from their faction, and had the opportunity to Summon "Knight option B", they could not do so while option A is on the board. However, once all pieces of "Knight option A" are slain or removed from the board, and there is 1 Knight piece in the Summon zone, they could now Summon "Knight option B". Be sure to effectively communicate any changes during the game like this to your opponent. Going further with this example, if the player summoned "Knight option B" while the other Knight piece was removed from the board or slain, and a rule gave an opportunity for the piece to come back to the board, it cannot come back to the board:

  • As "Knight option A"
  • If "Knight option B" has a quantity restriction of (0-1) or (1)