BATTLEFIELD BASICS
Here are a few basic features of the Art of Tactic that you should understand before you begin your first battle:
• Simultaneous Play: During each game phase, all players act simultaneously. You give orders to your troops at the same time, and then resolve your orders simultaneously. For ease of play, some actions may be done in turns—such as rolling dice when units are engaged in combat—but the results of those actions occur simultaneously.
• Units and Unit Cards: Your army is made up of a number of units. Each unit is an independent group of warriors that you control. Every unit has a matching Unit Card, where all of the unit’s abilities and available orders are listed. You cannot give an order to a unit if that order is not on the matching Unit Card! For example, a unit of Samurai swordsmen does not show the “Fire Ranged Weapons” order: You cannot order this unit to fi re arrows at an enemy unit because they have no bows!
• 20-Sided Dice: This game uses special 20-sided dice, which may be diff erent from other dice you are familiar with. These dice are used just like traditional 6-sided dice: roll the dice and read the number that lands on top to determine the result of your roll.
• Art of Tactic is based on realistic battle field encounters. While it is impossible to consider every detail of a battle in a board game, you must keep
in mind the same rules of engagement that real commanders must remember. This valuable tactical advice will help you lead your army to victory:
- Try to foresee the actions of your opponent.
- Bluff : try to mislead your opponent.
- Use reconnaissance to uncover your enemy’s plans.
- Use the terrain to your advantage.
- Focus your eff orts against your main targets and objectives.
- Spare your troops: don’t expose them to enemy attack needlessly.
• Samurai Battles is an expandable game system. This starter set has everything you need to create many battles, but it’s only the starting point. New sets of units can be purchased separately to expand your army with new and diff erent types of units. Each set includes the Unit Card you need for the game. You can learn about new sets and game expansions on our website: www.samurai-battles.com.
• This game includes a few scenarios for you to play.
You can create your own scenarios too, or you can download them from our website.
• These rules assume that you are playing with two players. Each player commands one of the two armies. If more than two are playing, the units of one or both armies are divided among the players, in any manner they agree on. Regardless of the number of players in each army, they always fi ght as a team.
• Four levels of play: To help you learn the Art of Tactic, these rules are divided into four parts. The Basic Rules explain how units move and fi ght. The Intermediate Rules add unit Morale and Honor. The Advanced Rules expand the eff ects of terrain. Finally, the Expert Rules add Fatigue. You can play Samurai Battles at any level of diffi culty, or work your way up as you sharpen your skills!
PREPARATION FOR PLAY
Before you begin your fi rst game, you will need to carefully separate the pieces from the frames and assemble the units.
When you are ready, choose a scenario to play. Each scenario has a map of the battleground. Set up the game board using the terrain tiles as shown on the
map and place the units on the board.
The scenario you have chosen will explain the length of the game, and how you can earn Glory Points. The player who scores the most Glory Points wins the battle.