Game Setup

Creating a Room

Rooms are game lobbies where players gather before starting a match.

From the Main Lobby

1. Click the Create Room button on the main screen
2. The room creation interface opens
3. Configure your game settings
4. Create the room and wait for players

Room Settings

Room Name

• Give your room a descriptive name
• Examples: “Beginner Welcome”, “Expert Players Only”, “Team Game”
• Good names help players know what to expect
• Maximum 50 characters

Map Selection

Choose the battlefield:

• Default Maps: Pre-built balanced maps
• Your Maps: Custom maps you’ve created
• Community Maps: Maps shared by other players

Choosing a Map:

• Small maps for quick games
• Large maps for epic battles
• Balanced maps for competitive play
• Experimental maps for fun variations

Game Type

Select the game mode:

• Public: Anyone can join
• Private: Requires room code to join
• Friends Only: Only invited players can join

Player Count

The maximum number of players is determined by the selected map:

• 2 players: Classic head-to-head battle
• 3-8 players: Free-for-all multiplayer

Maps define their player count through spawn points and building ownership. When you select a map, the room automatically adjusts to support the correct number of players.

Tip

Check the map preview to see how many players it supports before creating a room!

AI Opponent

Check “Add AI opponent” to automatically add a bot player:

• Perfect for solo practice
• AI gets a random fantasy name each game
• See AI Opponent Guide for details

Advanced Settings

Fog of War

Enable or disable fog of war:

Fog of War ON:

• Can only see units in your vision range
• Adds intelligence gathering element
• More strategic and tense
• Rewards careful scouting

Fog of War OFF:

• See all units on the map
• Pure tactical gameplay
• Easier for beginners
• Focus on positioning and tactics

:::tip Recommendation New players should start with Fog of War OFF to learn the basics, then enable it for more challenge. :::

Turn Timer (Future Feature)

Set time limits for turns:

• No Limit: Take as long as needed
• 24 Hours: One turn per day (async play)
• 1 Hour: Faster-paced games
• 5 Minutes: Real-time strategy feel

Victory Conditions

Currently, all games use Elimination Victory:

• Win Condition: Be the last player with units on the battlefield
• Elimination: A player is eliminated when all their units are destroyed OR they surrender
• Draw: If all players lose their units simultaneously (rare), the game ends in a draw

:::note Future Victory Conditions Coming soon: Base Control (hold all bases), Points Victory (reach score threshold), and custom victory conditions. :::

Joining a Room

There are several ways to join existing rooms:

Browse Public Rooms

From the main lobby:

1. View the Available Rooms list
2. See room details (name, players, map, status)
3. Click Join on any open public room
4. Enter the room lobby

Room Information:

• Room Name: What the host called it
• Players: Current players (e.g., “1/2” means 1 of 2 spots filled)
• Map: Which battlefield will be used
• Status: Waiting, In Progress, or Finished

Join Private Room

If someone shared a private room code:

1. Click Join Private Room on main lobby
2. Enter the room code (e.g., “ABC123”)
3. Click Join
4. Enter the room lobby if code is valid

Sharing Room Codes:

• Host sees the room code after creating a private room
• Share code via chat, email, or message
• Code remains valid until room is deleted or game starts

Accept Invitation

When directly invited:

1. Receive notification of invitation
2. Click the notification or invitation link
3. Automatically join the room
4. No code needed

Room Lobby

Once in a room, you’ll see the lobby interface:

Lobby Information

Players List:

• Shows all players in the room
• Indicates who is ready
• Shows player colors/factions
• Host is marked with a special indicator

Map Preview:

• Visual preview of the battlefield
• Shows terrain layout
• Indicates base locations
• Helps with strategy planning

Game Settings Summary:

• Displays all current game settings
• Shows player count
• Lists enabled/disabled features
• Preview of victory conditions

Ready Status

Before the game can start:

1. Review the map and settings
2. Click Ready button when prepared
3. Wait for other players to ready up
4. Host can start when all players are ready

Unready:

• Click Ready again to toggle off
• Useful if you need more time
• Blocks game from starting

Chat (Future Feature)

Pre-game chat lobby:

• Coordinate with teammates
• Discuss strategy
• Agree on house rules
• Friendly banter

Leaving a Room

Changed your mind?

1. Click Leave Room button
2. Return to main lobby
3. Spot opens for another player
4. No penalty for leaving before game starts

Caution

Once a game starts, leaving counts as a forfeit!

Starting the Match

As the Host

When all players are ready:

1. Verify everyone has readied up
2. Double-check game settings
3. Click Start Game button
4. Match begins immediately
5. Room changes to “In Progress” status

Host Responsibilities:

• Manage game settings
• Kick disruptive players (if needed)
• Decide when to start
• Can adjust settings until start

As a Player

When the host starts:

1. Game loads automatically
2. Battlefield appears
3. Starting positions are assigned
4. Turn order is determined
5. First player takes their turn

Game Flow

Turn Order

Games proceed in turns:

1. Player 1 Turn: Takes all actions, then ends turn
2. Player 2 Turn: Takes all actions, then ends turn
3. Repeat: Continue until victory condition met

Who Goes First:

• Randomly determined at game start
• First player advantage is minimal
• Balanced map design accounts for turn order

During Your Turn

You can:

• Move units
• Attack enemies
• Capture buildings (automatic when infantry is present)
• Produce new units at your buildings (costs gold)
• View the battlefield
• Check unit stats
• Plan future moves

Turn Limits:

• No limit on number of actions per turn
• Each unit can act once per turn
• Take as long as needed (unless turn timer enabled)

Economy & Production

At the start of each turn, you receive gold from buildings you own:

• Base: 100 gold
• HQ: 200 gold
• City: 50 gold
• Factory: 150 gold

Use gold to produce new units:

• Infantry: 150 gold
• Artillery: 275 gold
• Vehicle: 400 gold

Click on a building you own to produce units (if it can produce).

Ending Your Turn

When finished:

1. Review your moves
2. Confirm all units have acted
3. Click End Turn button
4. Opponent is notified
5. Wait for their turn to complete

Can’t Undo:

• Once turn is ended, moves are final
• Double-check before clicking End Turn
• No take-backs in competitive play

Mid-Game Options

Game Menu

Access during gameplay:

• Settings: Adjust sound, graphics
• Concede: Forfeit the match
• Save & Exit: Leave and resume later (future)
• Report Issue: Flag problems

Surrendering

If you want to resign:

1. Open game menu
2. Click Surrender
3. Confirm your decision
4. You are eliminated from the game
5. Rankings will show “Surrendered turn X”

When to Surrender:

• You’re clearly losing
• You made a critical mistake
• You need to leave urgently
• Save time instead of playing out lost game

:::tip Sportsmanship Surrendering when clearly beaten shows respect for your opponent’s time. Your surrender will be recorded in the final rankings. :::

After the Game

Victory Screen

When someone wins:

• Victory/Defeat/Draw message displays in-game
• Final rankings appear on screen
• Game statistics shown
• Final board state visible
• Automatic redirect to room lobby

Player Rankings

After each game, detailed rankings are displayed showing:

Ranking Display:

• Position: #1, #2, #3, etc.
• Player Info: Name/color of each player
• Reason: How/when they were eliminated
• Color Coding:
  • 🥇 Gold for 1st place
  • 🥈 Silver for 2nd place
  • 🥉 Bronze for 3rd place
  • White for 4th place and beyond

Ranking Factors:

1. Active players (with units remaining) rank higher than eliminated players
2. Players eliminated later rank higher than those eliminated earlier
3. Turn number of elimination determines placement

Example Reasons:

• “Last survivor” (winner)
• “Eliminated turn 12” (defeated in combat)
• “Surrendered turn 8” (voluntary forfeit)
• “2 units remaining” (for active players in multi-player)

:::tip Your Placement Your ranking entry is highlighted so you can easily see your placement and performance. :::

Game Statistics

View post-game stats:

• Total turns played
• Units lost/destroyed
• Final rankings and elimination order
• Damage dealt/taken

Next Steps

After a match:

1. Rematch: Play again with same settings
2. New Game: Create or join different room
3. View Replays: Watch the game again (future)
4. Check Rankings: See updated stats (future)

Tips for Good Games

As a Host

1. Clear Names: Use descriptive room names
2. Appropriate Settings: Match settings to player skill
3. Be Patient: Give players time to ready
4. Good Maps: Choose balanced, tested maps
5. Fair Rules: Don’t change settings to favor yourself

As a Player

1. Ready Promptly: Don’t make others wait unnecessarily
2. Review Settings: Check rules before readying
3. Ask Questions: Use chat if confused
4. Be Respectful: Treat others courteously
5. Finish Games: Don’t abandon without conceding

For Better Matches

1. Balanced Maps: Fair maps make better games
2. Even Skill: Play against similarly skilled opponents
3. Clear Expectations: Agree on playstyle beforehand
4. Fog of War: Adds depth for experienced players
5. Appropriate Time: Play when you have time to finish

Troubleshooting

Can’t Create Room

• Check backend connection status
• Verify you’re logged in
• Try refreshing the page
• Check for error messages

Room Code Not Working

• Verify code is correct (case-sensitive)
• Check if room still exists
• Ensure room isn’t full
• Confirm room hasn’t started yet

Stuck in Lobby

• Try leaving and rejoining
• Check if host is present
• Verify all players have readied
• Look for error messages

Game Won’t Start

• Confirm all players are ready
• Check if you’re the host
• Verify minimum player count met
• Look for connection issues

Quick Start Checklist

Ready to play? Follow these steps:

• Create account or log in
• Click “Create Room” or browse rooms
• If creating: Set room name and settings
• If joining: Find room or enter code
• Review map and settings in lobby
• Click “Ready” when prepared
• Wait for other players
• Host clicks “Start Game”
• Take your first turn!

Next Steps

• Review Units Guide to understand your army
• Study Terrain Guide for battlefield knowledge
• Try Map Editor to create custom maps
• Read Getting Started for gameplay basics

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Gather your forces and prove your tactical supremacy!