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TinyGenerals Help

Getting Started

1. Accounts & Login

Section titled “1. Accounts & Login”

TinyGenerals is designed to let you play immediately:

  • Guest Access (Default): When you visit the site, a guest account is automatically created for you. You can play immediately, but your progress is tied to your current browser session.
  • Registered Account: Registering allows you to play from any device, track persistent stats, and save your custom maps permanently.

2. The Main Lobby

Section titled “2. The Main Lobby”

The lobby is your command center. Here’s what you can do:

  • Game Status: Check if the server is online (green text).
  • Available Rooms: Join public games waiting for players.
  • Quick Actions:
    • Create Room: Host a new game.
    • Enter Code: Join a private room using a code from a friend.
    • Map Editor: Design custom battlefields.
    • My Maps: Manage your saved maps.

3. Starting Your First Game

Section titled “3. Starting Your First Game”

Creating a Game

Section titled “Creating a Game”
  1. Click Create Room.
  2. Enter a room name.
  3. Select a map (Try a small map for your first game).
  4. Optional: Check “Add AI opponent” for solo practice.
  5. Wait for another player to join (or play against the AI!).
  6. Click Start Game when everyone is ready.

:::tip Solo Practice No friends online? Check “Add AI opponent” to play immediately against a bot with a fun fantasy name like “Lord Tyrion the Cunning”! :::

Joining a Game

Section titled “Joining a Game”
  • Public: Look for a room with “Waiting” status in the Available Rooms list and click Join.
  • Private: If a friend sent you a code, click Enter Code, type it in, and join.

4. Gameplay Basics

Section titled “4. Gameplay Basics”

Once the game starts, you’ll see the hex grid battlefield.

  1. Select: Click a unit to see where it can move (green hexes).
  2. Move OR Attack: Each unit can only do ONE action per turn:
    • Move: Click a green hex to move there. Terrain affects movement range.
    • Attack: Click an adjacent enemy to attack. Most units cannot attack after moving, but Artillery cannot move after attacking (must set up first).
    • Heal: Don’t move or attack to heal +1 HP per turn.
  3. Capture: Move infantry onto enemy buildings to capture them (takes 2 turns). Only Infantry can capture buildings.
  4. Produce: Click your buildings to produce new units (costs gold). Production buildings include Bases, HQs, Factories, Airfields, and Seaports.
  5. End Turn: When you’re done, click End Turn in the top-right corner.

:::tip Combat Warning When you attack, the enemy counter-attacks! Weak units attacking strong defenders can get killed. Check health before engaging. :::

Economy

Section titled “Economy”
  • You start with 100 gold
  • Buildings you own generate income each turn:
    • Base: 100 gold per turn
    • HQ: 200 gold per turn
    • Factory: 150 gold per turn
    • City: 50 gold per turn
    • Airfield/Seaport: 100 gold per turn
    • Depot: 125 gold per turn
    • Outpost: 75 gold per turn
  • Spend gold to produce units:
    • Infantry: 150 gold (can capture buildings, all-terrain movement)
    • Artillery: 275 gold (ranged attack 2-4 hexes, cannot move and shoot)
    • Vehicle: 400 gold (fast, powerful, terrain-limited)

Controls

Section titled “Controls”

Mouse & Keyboard:

  • Left Click: Select unit, Move (click highlighted hex), Attack (click enemy).
  • Left Click (on unit): Deselect current unit.
  • ESC: Deselect unit.
  • Q / Tab: Cycle through your units.
  • Mouse Wheel: Zoom map in/out.
  • Middle Click: Pan the camera.
  • Space + Drag: Pan the camera (useful for touchpads).

Unit Types Overview

Section titled “Unit Types Overview”

TinyGenerals features three main unit types, each with distinct roles:

  • Infantry (150g): Versatile foot soldiers that can traverse all terrain types and capture buildings. Essential for expansion and holding difficult ground.
  • Artillery (275g): Long-range support units that attack from 2-4 hexes away. Devastating against infantry but vulnerable to vehicles. Cannot move and attack in the same turn.
  • Vehicle (400g): Fast, powerful armored units that excel on roads and open terrain. Cannot enter mountains or water, and cannot capture buildings.

Next Steps

Section titled “Next Steps”