Player's Guide for CONQUEST Version 1.5 2 October, 1991 by David Burns OVERVIEW Conquest has much in common with other 'Conquer the World' games. Up to 8 players can play, any or all of whom can be computer controlled. The goal is to defeat all of the opposing armies, and occupy every territory on the Map. The game objective can be different depending on selections made in the game set-up menu. Conquest is different from other games in this genre because of its point & click user interface and the strength of the rule-based algorithm used by the computer opponents. Winning a game of Conquest requires good placement of armies, the ability to outnumber your opponent armies in critical battles, and luck. Each player's turn is divided into 3 phases: Placement, Attack, and Free move. The Placement phase consists of selecting a territory owned by you and putting some or all of your new armies for that turn on it. The number of new armies is determined by the number of territories owned by the player and the number of bonus armies received from the occupation of whole continents. This phase continues until all of armies have been placed. During the Attack phase, you can attack a bordering territory owned by another player as long as you have 2 or more armies on your territory (NOTE: If you are using the Even Chances attack scoring, then your armies must be greater than or equal to your opponent's). If you defeat all of the armies on the Defending territory, you can then move some of your armies on to your new territory (NOTE: Each territory must have at least one army at the end of your move). To end this phase, select the 'EXIT' box. After the Attack phase, a player is allowed to move armies from a territory to an adjacent territory, provided he owns both of them. The purpose of this Freemove is to reinforce your current position until your next turn. Conquest has a variety of options. Options set in the game set-up menu are discussed in the 'Opening Menu' HELP selection and options that are selectable during the game are discussed in the 'Options' HELP selection. Using the Opening Menu The current game set-up is the options as they are listed in the Opening Menu (the menu screen which you start the game from). In the upper left hand side of the screen are six buttons: Start Game - starts a new game of Conquest Resume Game - brings up a directory of saved games. Point and click on the name of the game you wish to start, and it will load and start automatically. Select Map - brings up a directory of maps to play Conquest with. Only registered users can use a map other than the default maps ('Conquest.map' or 'Conqmap.map'). Point and click on the name of the map you want to use. Options Menu - brings up a menu of options that control how a game of Conquest is played. These options are discussed in the 'Options Menu' section. Help - brings up a menu of help topics. Highlight the topic of the desired help subject. Exit - quits Conquest, and returns you to DOS In the middle of the screen is the title of the current map. If you press the Start Game button, this map will be used. Below the Map title is a grid containing player information. If a name is shown, then that player will play in the next game. To get more players, or edit the characteristics of a player, just click on one of the buttons labled 'Player 1' through 'Player 8.' This will bring up a separate menu for the player selected. The popup menus can be controlled by either the mouse or the arrow keys and the Enter or Return key. The Escape key functions the same as clicking on the Exit box. Each game requires at least 3 players, so if you have less than 3, the game will prompt you to add additional players. It is O.K. to have the first, third, and last players in a game for example. Player Options In the upper left hand corner of the player screen are three buttons. If the 'Status' button has the word 'ON' next to it, this player will play in the next game. To change this status, click on the button next to it. The 'Exit' button brings you back to the opening menu, and saves the current player setup. 'Help' displays a help screen relavent to the player options menu. The 'Name' and 'Color' buttons will change these player attributes. Conquest can support any combination of computer and human opponents. There are two type of players: Human - the role you will play. The game does not require one of these, but it makes it more interesting. Computer - an independent (meaning they do not gang up on you, unless you want them to) computer-controlled oppoent. Strategy determines how the computer opponents attack. -- Standard plays the opponent as in previous versions of Conquest (recommended setting) -- Blitzkrieg encourages the computer player to go around strongholds, and attack at the weakest points -- Maginot Line encourages the player to attack the enemy at his strongest points (to wear them down), and to concentrate his efforts on defending his continents Philosophy sets the basic principle the computer opponent will use. Computer Aggressive - This type of player attacks more frequently than the other types, so as a result, it has fewer armies to defend its position. Computer Defensive - This player collects armies, and does not attack as often as the other computer opponents. Computer Balanced - This player is a mixture of the preceding two types. It is not necessarily better than they are, but it plays a more consistent game. Computer Random - This type of player takes on the characteristics of one of the other computer opponent types. It changes these characteristics each turn. I recommend using a combination of opponents in each game. Conquest gets more challenging when you increase the number of computer opponents, because it decreases the probability of the human opponent(s) starting with a good position, and it increases the probability that someone else (or something else) will be luckier than you. The 'Favors Attacking' setting determines who the computer opponent is most likely to attack if all other conditions are equal. In other words, if a player can attack two different territories owned by two different players, and the advantage gained from conquering each territory is the same, the computer player will 'prefer' attacking the one corresponding to the selection here. The recommended setting (for longer games) is 'Strong Players.' Intellegence goes from one to ten, and it determines how a computer player plays. 'Dumb' players (Intellegence less than three) can still win (Mike Tyson does not need a Ph.D. to take your head off), but they do not make as much of a challenge as the smart players. I think the most challenging setting is: one human, 3 or more smart computer opponents (favoring attacking the strongest player) on a large map (more than 75 territories). If the attack scoring is set to 'Weighted by number of armies,' the weak computer players will do better because they tend to put all of their armies in one or two territories. If you are having too much trouble beating the computer opponents, set the 'Favors Attacking' selection to 'Computer Opponents' so they will give you more breathing room. Also, set the intelligence level above 7 so they do a better job of beating up each other. Player names can be changed, and it is important to change them to give a more accurate description of their playing ability. For example, you could name an aggressive computer opponent "Ghengis" or "Napolean," and name a defensive computer opponent "Wimp." Options Menu In the upper left hand corner are three buttons. 'Help' displays a relevent help screen. 'Save Set up' save the current game and player settings to disk. 'Exit' takes you back to the opening menu. Game Objectives The default game objective is to conquer all of the territories on the map. However, after a player has beaten most of the other opponents, and occupied most of the map, or has the most armies, the outcome of the game is set. Therefore, Conquest has a variety of methods available to determine the winner. There are ten objectives in three categories: First player to occupy a set % of the Map. Player with most armies after # rounds. Player with most territories after # rounds. The objective can not be changed after the game starts. Attack Scoring This is used to determine how the computer will toss the dice to determine which territory will lose armies in attack. Even Chances - even odds for the attacker and defender. To attack, an attacker must have the same or more armies than the defender. Weighted by # of Armies - odds for each battle favor the player with the most armies on his territory (but independent of armies he owns elsewhere). Wildly Random - unpredictable. Cyclic (Short) - Your luck goes up and down, similar to a biorhythm cycle. The cycle is 12 attacks long, and the probability of winning an attack is based on where you are in your cycle, and where your opponent is in his cycle (i.e., if you are both at a low point, then you have equal chances, but if you are low, and he is high, then you are likely to lose that attack). The cycles are not visible, so this mode appears on the surface to be just like any other attack scoring method. Cyclic (Long) - same as above, except the cycle is 20 attacks long. Simulated Dice Toss - The attacker rolls up to 3 dice, and the defender rolls up to 2 dice (six sided). The defender wins all ties. Automated, so you don't see the dice. Each player rolls the maximum number of dice possible. The number of dice rolled is: Attacker Armies Dice Defender Armies Dice 2 1 1 1 3 2 2 2 4+ 3 3+ 2 The Attacker's and Defender's dice are compared, and if a Defender's die is greater than or equal to the Attacker's die, the Attacker loses one army. If the Attacker's die is higher, the Defender loses one. Upto two armies can be lost in each attack, depending on the number of dice tossed. Unknown - randomly chooses one of the above during each player's turn. Territory selection This option determines the method used for picking each player's territories: Random - Territories are automatically picked for each player on a random basis. Partioned - Similar to the first method, however territories are clustered for each player, so the starting position is better. Manual - All territories and number of armies are determined by the Human players. Player's choice - Each player (including the computer opponent players) selects their territories at the start of the game. The number of starting armies is random. This is a new feature for version 1.3, and as a result, it doesn't give the computer opponents the 'best' possible opening position. I recommend against using this option as your only method of playing solo against the computer opponents, until it matures. Bonus armies for each opponent eliminated This option awards players that eliminate other opponents from the game with new armies. This armies are available immediately, and can be placed anywhere. Fixed at 5 - The number of new armies is always 5. Fixed at 10 - The number of new armies is always 10. Escalating - The number of new armies starts at 5, and grows by 5 with each opponent eliminated. None - No armies. Hide non-adjacent opponent's territories If this is 'ON,' then all of the territories not next to a human will be covered. This gives a 'Stratego' like feel to the game, since you will not be able to determine how good your opponent's position is. This option does not prevent the computer opponents from determining how good their positions are (or yours for that matter), but it does add a little realism. It is often difficult to get reliable intelligence information on areas behind the battle lines. If all of the human players are eliminated from the game, the territory owners and the number of armies they have will be shown. Free move This option determines when (and if) a player can redistribute his armies at the end of his turn. A player's freemove can be dependent on if he conquered a territory during his turn. Maximum # of starting armies This setting determines how many armies will be placed on each territory at the start of the game. Game Phases There are three phases to each turn in the game: Placement At the start of each turn, a player is given new armies to place on any of his territories. To place the armies, just point to the territory, and click the LEFT mouse button. Then select the number of armies to place on that state. The computer will not let you select a territory that does not belong to you. The number of new armies is derived from the total number of territories owned by you divided by three, plus additional armies for each continent you own (the armies gained by owning a continent is displayed by selecting 'Show Values'). At least two new armies will be awarded each turn. Attack To attack, just click on your territory (the Attacker), and then on the territory you wish to attack (the Defender). If you can attack it, the attack will automatically take place. If one of your territories does not border any of your opponents, or the attacker does not border the defender, you will not be able to select it. Attacks can only occur between bordering territories. Territories that border each other are sometimes indicated by a white line representing a sea lane. To exit this mode, select 'Exit.' Freemove At the end of each turn, a player may move armies from one territory to another, provided he owns both of them, and they border each other. This allows each player to reinforce his position. After the freemove, at least one army must remain on each territory. Only one freemove is allowed per turn. To make a freemove, just select the territory to move the armies from (the Donor), and then select the territory you wish to move to (the Receiver). You will then be prompted for the number of armies to move. If only one army can be moved, the move will be automatic. If you wish to abort the freemove after you are prompted for the number of armies, select zero. In Game Options After the game starts, additional options may be selected by pointing and clicking on the box marked 'Options' or by pressing the 'Escape' key when the Options box is visible (Note: if you press the 'Escape' key during a computer player's move, there may be a slight delay before the menu is displayed). Statistics - Shows the current standings of all players. This is useful for determining which players you should watch out for. Settings - Shows the current game settings. The settings can't be changed during the game (because the computer opponents use them to determine their strategies). HELP! - Displays the help menu. Show/Hide Values - Shows or hides the new army continent values awarded to the owner of the entire continent. Speed - Changes the game's playing speed from 0 (very slow) to 10 (very fast). Sound - Toggles the sound on and off. Mouse - Changes the mouse's tracking sensitivity from LOW to HIGH. New Game - Abandons the current game, and returns you to the Game Setup Menu. Save Game - Saves the current game under a name you select (with the extension '.sav' automatically added). This does not end the current game. Quit Game - Exits Conquest. Hints 1. Most placement and attack decisions are a trade off between conquering a continent (to obtain the new armies awarded for owning that continent), and defending your position. 2. The algorithm for the computer opponents balances a desire to occupy entire continents with a paranoia of attacks from other players (be they human or computer). If a computer opponent feels that another player is getting too strong, he will shift his focus slightly to weaken the adversary. 3. To decide which continent is best for placing armies in (and attacking in), consider how many territories you own in it, and how difficult it is to obtain and defend. Usually the higher value continents are more difficult to get and keep. 4. Try to place your armies in an area that the other opponents are not trying to conquer. Sometimes it is possible to win by collecting armies and letting your opponents weaken each other. 5. Try not to attack each turn to the point you can not attack anymore. This keeps enemies from taking your territories too easily. 6. Sometimes you may need to sacrifice part of your forces to keep your opponent(s) from controlling a complete continent. Consider placing a few armies on one or two remote territories even if you do not want to acquire that continent in the near future. This makes the other opponents work harder to improve their positions. 7. Check the Statistics from the Options menu to gauge how your opponents are doing. If one opponent is getting too strong, try to concentrate your attacks on him. Even though he may help you in the short run by weakening the other opponents, sooner or later he will come after you. 8. Use a variety of computer opponents, including the 'Aggressive' type. The computer opponents do not recognize if the defender is human (unless you set 'Favors Attacking' to human), instead they try to concentrate their attacks on territories they want to occupy and opponents they perceive are 'threatening' their position. 9. If you use the 'Weighted by # of Armies' attack scoring option, then attack any time you have more armies than an opponent, even if you don't want that territory. This allows you to reduce your opponents armies when the odds favor you. 10. Use more than one type of Territory placement to make a map more interesting. 11. If you want to reset the game to its original configuration, just delete the file 'CONQUEST.DFT' from your disk. This file is created by the game when you save the current game setup. 12. Menus can also be controlled by the cursor and 'Enter' keys if desired. 13. If you are playing with the higher intellegence computer opponents, be sure you can defend a continent before you conquer all of it (or other players may try to take it from you). Registration Information You will need to register this game with the author before you can use maps other than the default map ('Conqmap') provided with the game. There are 3 different ways to register Conquest: $8 - will get you a password, enabling you to use any map created for Conquest. If you register at this level, you will receive a postcard with the password (it is assumed you have a working copy of Conquest). $14 - will get you a password and a disk containing 25 new maps for Conquest. The disk also includes the latest version of Conquest. $20 - will get you all of the above plus a Map Editor that will allow you to create your own maps for Conquest. To register, send $8, $14, or $20 (add $.75") for 3.5 inch disk if you select the $14 or $20) Check or Money Order in U.S. currency to: David Burns P.O. Box 693 Bedford, MA 01730 If you do not live in North America, please add $1.00 to cover the extra shipping cost. I'm in the military, so I move from time to time. The above address will remain valid until DEC 92. By JUL 92, I will have released another version with an updated address. All registered users will be notified of the new address. Free distribution of this program is allowed- provided the program is not modified. The password for registered users may not be distributed by anyone other than the author! Your comments are welcome.