Game Guide

Rank Cards

1 → 9 Higher numbers are stronger · Bombs, mines and flags use special rules

• 9

  Field Marshal×1

  The strongest piece, but it is removed along with any Bomb it runs into.

• 8

  General×1

  Second only to the Field Marshal. Among regular pieces, only the Field Marshal beats it.

• 7

  Major General×2

  A strong attacker. It loses to the Field Marshal and the General.

• 6

  Brigadier×2

  A solid mid-rank commander. Anything ranked 7 or higher beats it.

• 5

  Colonel×2

  Right in the middle. Reliable for clearing out ranks 4 and below.

• 4

  Major×2

  Beats ranks 3 and below, loses to ranks 5 and above.

• 3

  Captain×3

  You get three. Handy for probing hidden pieces.

• 2

  Lieutenant×3

  Among regular pieces it beats only the Engineer. Good for stopping an enemy Engineer.

• 1

  Engineer×3

  The weakest piece, yet the only one that can turn corners on the railway and clear a Landmine.

• B

  Bomb×2

  Removes itself and whatever it runs into. It cannot start in the row nearest the front.

• L

  Landmine×3

  Cannot move. Any attacker other than the Engineer is removed along with it. It goes only in the two rows nearest your headquarters.

• F

  Flag×1

  Lose the Flag and you lose the game. It sits in one of your two headquarters and never moves.

Rules Quiz

Pick an answer, then open the solution.

1. Which action wins right away, even while the enemy Field Marshal is still alive?

   1. Capture the enemy Flag
   2. Move all your pieces into camps
   3. Capture only the enemy Field Marshal
   Show answer

   Answer: Capture the enemy Flag

   Capturing the Flag wins, even if the enemy Field Marshal is still standing.

2. What happens if your Lieutenant (2) attacks the Major General (7)?

   1. The Lieutenant wins by attacking first
   2. Both are removed
   3. Only the Lieutenant is removed
   Show answer

   Answer: Only the Lieutenant is removed

   Only the attacking Lieutenant is removed, and the Major General stays. If you know the ranks, you can avoid bad fights.

3. If your piece enters a headquarters without a Flag, can it come out next turn?

   1. It can come out only by railway
   2. It can't come out
   3. It can come out anytime
   Show answer

   Answer: It can't come out

   A piece that enters either side's headquarters can't move again. Be careful before entering a headquarters with no Flag.

4. Can your Field Marshal (9) attack a Lieutenant (2) inside a camp?

   1. Yes, because it's a Field Marshal
   2. No, it can't attack
   3. Only a Bomb can
   Show answer

   Answer: No, it can't attack

   Not even a Field Marshal or a Bomb can attack an enemy inside a camp. Wait for it to come out, or find another way.

5. Where can't you place a piece before the game starts?

   1. A regular post on your side
   2. A camp on your side
   3. A railway spot on your side
   Show answer

   Answer: A camp on your side

   Camps stay empty during setup. Once the game starts, pieces can move into them.

6. An enemy piece turned a corner during a single railway move. Can you tell for sure which piece it is?

   1. Engineer (1)
   2. Field Marshal (9)
   3. Bomb
   Show answer

   Answer: Engineer (1)

   Only the Engineer can turn a corner on a railway in a single move.

7. An enemy piece moved one space along an ordinary road. Which kinds can you rule out for sure?

   1. Engineer and Bomb
   2. Field Marshal and General
   3. Landmine and Flag
   Show answer

   Answer: Landmine and Flag

   The Landmine and the Flag can't move. But a one-space move alone won't tell you the exact rank.

8. Your Brigadier (6) attacked and was removed, but the enemy piece survived. That piece had just moved. What do you know for sure?

   1. It must be the Field Marshal (9)
   2. It's a ranked piece of 7 or higher
   3. It must be a Bomb
   Show answer

   Answer: It's a ranked piece of 7 or higher

   The enemy is a ranked piece: 7, 8 or 9. Don't assume it's the Field Marshal. Keep the whole range in mind.

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