Advanced Rules

Types of Units Countries Starting Units Attacking Resources Research Weather Barbarians Terrain Nuclear Weapons

Types of Units

There are four types of units:

Land Units
Air Units
Strategic Units
Scientists

Land units are regular troops that fight on the land. Swords, phalanxes, rifles, pistols, tanks, artillery, anti-air units, and anti-tank units are land units.

Air units are planes. Fighters, bombers, stealth fighters, and stealth bombers are air units.

Strategic units are nuclear missiles and SDI defense systems. Nuclear missiles can be used to "nuke" enemy countries. SDI defense systems are used to defend against nuclear missiles.

Scientists are a special type of land unit that is used to research new technology. Scientists cannot attack other units.

Each unit has a cost and a "tech level" associated with it. The cost is the number of resources required to purchase the unit. The "tech level" is the minimum tech level required to purchase it.

Units also have combat factors associated with them:

Attack vs. Land Units
Attack vs. Air Units
Defend against Land Units
Defend against Air Units
Armor Factor
Deployment Factor

Each combat factor is a number between 0 and 10; higher numbers are better. When the unit is attacking other units, the "Attack vs. Land" and "Attack vs. Air" factors are used to perform the attack. When the unit is being attacked, the "Defend vs. Land" and "Defend vs. Air" factors are used to perform the counter-attack. If a unit gets hit by an attack, it's "Armor Factor" is used to determine if it can avoid being killed. A unit's "Deployment Factor" represents the probability that the unit will be selected as the target of an attack. If there are mixed types of units in a country, the units with higher deployment factors are more likely to be selected as targets.

Most units can only move to an adjacent country. However, tanks and planes can move a distance of two countries.

The following table describes the characteristics of each unit:

Unit Characteristics
Name	Tech	Cost	Att. vs. Land	Att. vs. Air	Def. vs. Land	Def. vs. Air	Move	Armor	Deployment Factor
Land Units
Scientist	1	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	1
Chariot	1	2	2	0	1	1	1	2	10
Phalanx	1	2	1	0	2	1	1	2	7
Rifle	2	3	5	1	3	2	1	4	10
Pistol	2	3	3	1	5	2	1	4	7
Light Tank	3	4	6	2	5	2	2	5	10
Anti-Tank	3	2	2	1	4	2	1	3	7
Artillery	3	3	7	3	3	2	1	4	3
Anti-Air	3	3	2	5	1	7	1	4	3
Advanced Anti-Air	4	3	3	6	2	8	1	5	3
Heavy Tank	4	4	7	3	6	2	2	7	10
Air Units
Bomber	4	4	7	1	6	2	2	7	5
Fighter	4	3	1	5	2	4	2	6	10
Stealth Bomber	5	4	8	2	7	2	2	8	5
Stealth Fighter	5	4	4	7	4	6	2	8	10
Strategic Units
Nuke	5	15	9	9	0	0	1	5	1
SDI	5	8	0	0	0	1	1	5	1

Starting Units

When a new game starts, each player starts with one or more countries (in standard games each player starts with one country). In each of these countries, the player has a certain quantity and type of units. The quantity of units is calculated using the following formula:

Qty. of Units = (24 - R) X M
	Value of R	Value of M
Standard Games	Number of resources in the country	1
Custom Games	Number of resources the country would have if it had a "Medium" level of resources	Based on the "Starting Units" parameter: Low - 0.6 Medium - 1.0 High - 1.5

In standard games, players start with chariots. In custom games, the type of units that the players start with is based on the "Starting Tech Level parameter:

Starting Units - Custom Games
Starting Tech Level	Unit Type
1	Chariots
2	Rifles
3	Light Tanks
4	Heavy Tanks
5	Heavy Tanks

Resources

At the start of your turn, you receive new resources based on the number of resources you have in your countries. The number of resources you receive is prorated based on the last time you played. If you last played 24 hours ago, you will receive exactly the number of resources that you have in your countries. If you last played 28 hours ago, the number of resources you will receive is multiplied by 117% (28 / 24). If you last played 23 hours ago, you will receive only 96% (23 / 24) of your resources. You can receive a maximum of 5 days' worth of resources (500%).

Weather

There are three types of weather: Clear, snow, and rain. Rain and snow reduce the attacker's attack factor. When the defending country has rain, the attacker's factor is multiplied by 0.80. When the defending country has snow, the attacker's factor is multiplied by 0.67:

Weather Multipliers
Weather	Multiplier
Clear	1.00
Rain	0.80
Snow	0.67

For example, A rifle normally attacks land units with a strength of 5. If the rifle is attacking a land unit in a country where it is snowing, it's attack strength becomes 3.35. Similarly, a bomber attacking a land unit in a country where it is raining would have it's attack strength reduced from 7 to 5.6.

The forecast of future weather for a particular country can be obtained by double-clicking on the country. The accuracy of the forecast is based on your "Tech Level":

Forecast Accuracy
Tech Level	Forecast Accuracy
1	75%
2	80%
3	85%
4	90%
5	95%

The season changes every 100 hours. The season in the southern hemisphere is the opposite of the season in the northern hemisphere.

Each country is located in a "Weather Zone." The weather in each country changes every 20 hours and is based on the weather zone and the current season in the northern hemisphere. The following table shows the various weather zones and seasons, and the probabilities of experiencing different types of weather:

Weather Table
Zone	Spring			Summer			Fall			Winter
	Clear	Rain	Snow	Clear	Rain	Snow	Clear	Rain	Snow	Clear	Rain	Snow
Arctic	30%	10%	60%	40%	20%	40%	30%	10%	60%	10%	10%	80%
Northern Temperate	40%	35%	25%	65%	35%	0%	40%	35%	25%	20%	20%	60%
Northern Mediterranean	55%	40%	5%	70%	30%	0%	55%	40%	5%	50%	25%	25%
Tropical	60%	40%	0%	80%	20%	0%	60%	40%	0%	25%	75%	0%
Southern Mediterranean	55%	40%	5%	50%	25%	25%	55%	40%	5%	70%	30%	0%
Southern Temperate	40%	35%	25%	20%	20%	60%	40%	35%	25%	65%	35%	0%
Desert	95%	5%	0%	95%	5%	0%	95%	5%	0%	95%	5%	0%

Terrain

Each country has terrain (e.g. hills, plains, etc.), and the terrain never changes. Terrain adversely affects the attacker if both the attacker and defender are land units. The following table shows the terrain multipliers:

Terrain Multipliers
Terrain	Multiplier
Plains	1.00
Hills	0.80
Forest	0.67
Jungle	0.67
Mountains	0.50

A heavy tank attacking a land unit in the forest would have its attack score reduced from 7 to 4.69 because of the terrain. The same tank would have an attack score of 3 (unchanged) when attacking a plane.

Terrain and weather adjustments are cumulative. For example, a rifle attacking a land unit in a country with snow and a hilly terrain would have an attack score of 2.68 (5 * 0.67 * 0.8 = 2.68).

Countries

The following table shows information about the 59 countries. In standard games all countries have a "Medium" quantity of resources.

Countries
Name	Terrain	Weather Zone	Resources
			Low	Medium	High
North America - 12 Countries			24	40	63
Alaska	Mountains	Arctic	1	2	3
B.C.	Mountains	Northern Temperate	3	5	8
East U.S.	Forest	Northern Temperate	5	8	12
Greenland	Plains	Arctic	1	1	2
Mexico	Hills	Tropical	2	3	5
N.W. Terr.	Plains	Arctic	1	1	2
N.W. U.S.	Mountains	Northern Temperate	2	4	6
Ontario	Forest	Northern Temperate	2	4	6
Quebec	Forest	Northern Temperate	2	4	6
S.W. U.S.	Mountains	Northern Mediterranean	2	4	6
Sask.	Plains	Arctic	2	3	5
Yukon	Mountains	Arctic	1	1	2
South America - 7 Countries			15	24	38
Amazon	Jungle	Tropical	1	2	3
Bolivia	Hills	Tropical	2	3	5
Brazil	Jungle	Tropical	4	6	9
Chile	Hills	Southern Temperate	2	3	5
Colombia	Mountains	Tropical	2	3	5
Peru	Hills	Tropical	2	4	6
Uruguay	Plains	Southern Mediterranean	2	3	5
Europe - 11 Countries			26	44	69
Austria	Hills	Northern Temperate	2	4	6
England	Hills	Northern Temperate	2	4	6
France	Forest	Northern Temperate	3	5	8
Germany	Plains	Northern Temperate	5	8	12
Greece	Hills	Northern Mediterranean	2	3	5
Italy	Mountains	Northern Mediterranean	2	3	5
Poland	Plains	Northern Temperate	2	4	6
Romania	Hills	Northern Temperate	2	3	5
Spain	Mountains	Northern Mediterranean	2	3	5
Ukraine	Forest	Arctic	2	4	6
Yugoslavia	Hills	Northern Mediterranean	2	3	5
Africa - 11 Countries			25	39	63
Algeria	Plains	Desert	2	3	5
Angola	Forest	Tropical	2	3	5
Egypt	Plains	Desert	2	3	5
Madagascar	Hills	Tropical	1	2	3
Mali	Plains	Tropical	2	3	5
Nigeria	Jungle	Tropical	2	3	5
S. Africa	Hills	Southern Mediterranean	3	5	8
S. Arabia	Plains	Desert	5	8	12
Somalia	Plains	Tropical	2	3	5
Tanzania	Forest	Tropical	2	3	5
Zaire	Jungle	Tropical	2	3	5
Asia - 12 Countries			27	43	67
C. Russia	Forest	Arctic	2	3	5
E. Russia	Hills	Arctic	2	3	5
East China	Hills	Northern Mediterranean	5	8	12
India	Hills	Tropical	4	6	9
Iran	Hills	Northern Mediterranean	3	5	8
Japan	Mountains	Northern Temperate	1	2	3
Kazakhstan	Plains	Northern Temperate	1	2	3
Mongolia	Hills	Northern Temperate	1	2	3
Pakistan	Hills	Northern Mediterranean	2	3	5
Thailand	Jungle	Tropical	1	2	3
W. Russia	Forest	Arctic	4	6	9
West China	Mountains	Northern Mediterranean	1	1	2
Australia - 6 Countries			12	20	31
Borneo	Jungle	Tropical	2	4	6
N.E. Aust.	Hills	Southern Mediterranean	2	3	5
N.W. Aust.	Plains	Desert	1	2	3
New Guinea	Jungle	Tropical	2	3	5
S.E. Aust.	Hills	Southern Temperate	4	6	9
S.W. Aust.	Plains	Desert	1	2	3

Attacking

This section describes the algorithm that is used to determine the casualties when an attack is performed. Attacks involving nuclear weapons are described in the nuclear weapons section.

Each of the attacker's units gets one attack. It is first determined what type of unit will be attacked: "Land" or "Air." If there is only one type of enemy unit defending (e.g. only land units), then that type of unit will be attacked. If the attacking unit is only capable of attacking one type of unit (e.g. chariots can only attack land units), then that type of unit will be attacked. If there is a mix of enemy unit types, and the attacking unit is capable of attacking both types of units, then a complex algorithm is used to determine what type of unit will be attacked. The type of unit attacked is based on the ratio of enemy land units to air units, and on the capabilities of the attacking unit.

The attacking unit's attack strength multiplied by 10 represents the probability that it will score a "hit." For example, an artillery unit has an "Attack vs. Land" score of 7 and an "Attack vs. Air" score of 3, so it has a 70% chance of scoring a "hit" against a land unit, or a 30% chance of scoring a "hit" against an air unit.

The attacking unit's attack strength is adjusted for terrain and weather. Terrain adjustments only apply when both the attacker and defender are land units.

If an attacking unit scores a "hit", then a defending unit is selected to "take the hit." If the hit was scored against a land unit, then a defending land unit (or strategic unit) is selected. This selection is random, but is based on the "Deployment Factors" of the defending land units that are present. Units with higher deployment factors are more likely to be selected. If the hit was scored against an air unit, then a random air unit is selected to take the hit (based on deployment factors).

The selected defending unit must defend against the hit. The probability of defending against the hit is the unit's armor factor multiplied by 10. For example, a unit with an armor factor of 3 has a 30% chance of absorbing the hit. If the defending unit cannot absorb the hit, then it is destroyed.

After all the attacker's units have attacked, then the defending units can counterattack. Even defending units that have been destroyed in the attack can counterattack. The counterattack is resolved in the same way as the attack, except that the counterattacking units are not penalized for terrain or weather. Units performing counterattacks use their "Defend vs. Land" and "Defend vs. Air" factors to counterattack.

Research

A player's "Tech Level" represents the technology available to him or her. Tech levels range from 1 to 5. In standard games, all players start with a tech level of 1. In custom games, players may start at any tech level. Scientists are used to perform research to increase a player's tech level.

At the beginning of your turn, research is performed. Each scientist you own has a 50% chance of developing an "advance." The number of advances you receive is prorated based on the last time you played. For example, if you last played 24 hours ago, you would receive 100% of the advances that your scientists discovered. If you last played 36 hours ago, you would receive 150% of the advances that your scientists discovered. A certain number of advances are required to achieve the next tech level:

Tech Levels
Current Tech Level	Advances Required
1	15
2	30
3	60
4	120

If you do not achieve the next tech level when you start your turn, your advances are saved. You can never lose your advances, nor can your tech level ever decrease.

All players will always be given a certain minimum tech level, based on the player with the highest tech level. No player will be more than 2 tech levels behind the highest tech level achieved. For example, if a player achieves tech level 4, then all players with a tech level of 1 are automatically advanced to tech level 2.

Barbarians

At the start of the game, all countries that are not owned by players contain barbarians. Each barbarian owned country contains 3 to 6 units. In standard games, these units are phalanxes. In custom games, the types of units that barbarians have depend on the starting tech level:

Barbarian Units
Tech Level	Type of Units
1	Phalanxes
2	Pistols
3	Light Tanks
4	Heavy Tanks
5	Heavy Tanks

Countries that are restored after they have been nuked also contain barbarians.

Barbarians may attack periodically throughout the day. They are more likely to attack weaker countries than stronger ones.

A single barbarian owned country will never attack more than once in any given 24-hour period. Barbarians will never attack in the first 24 hours of a game.

Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear missiles are used to destroy all enemy units in a country. SDI defense systems are used to protect against nuclear missiles. A tech level of 5 is required to purchase nuclear missiles or SDI defense systems.

For the attacker, the use of nuclear missiles is optional. If the attacking country has nuclear missiles, you can use the "Nukes" slider to indicate how many missiles should be launched. When a nuclear missile is launched, it is always lost, regardless of the outcome of the attack.

If a defending country has nuclear missiles, they may be launched at the attacking country, even if the attacker does not use nuclear weapons. The defending country will launch all its nuclear missiles if it estimates that it will lose the battle if it does not launch them. This estimation of the battle outcome is not always accurate.

Each SDI system has a 60% chance of stopping each nuclear missile. Each nuclear missile that gets past all the SDI systems has a 90% chance of nuking the country. Multiple SDI systems work well together and greatly reduce the chance that a nuclear missile will get through. The following table shows the probability of a country getting nuked with different combinations of nukes and SDI's.

Nuke Probabilities
	Number of Nukes
Number of SDI's	1	2	3	4	5
0	90.0%	99.0%	99.9%	100.0%	100.0%
1	36.0%	59.0%	73.8%	83.2%	89.3%
2	14.4%	26.7%	37.3%	46.3%	54.0%
3	5.8%	11.2%	16.3%	21.1%	25.7%
4	2.3%	4.6%	6.8%	8.9%	11.0%

If the defending country is nuked, the attacking country does not have to use (and risk losing) its conventional forces. However, if the attacking country is nuked, the defending country does use its conventional forces and may take losses. It is, of course, possible for both countries to get nuked.

The nuclear battle is resolved before the conventional attack is performed. If the defending country is nuked, then there is no conventional attack and the attacker does not risk losing any conventional units. However, if the attacking country is nuked and the defending country is not nuked, then there is a conventional attack.

After a country is nuked, it stays radioactive for a period of 6 to 10 days. Units that are in a radioactive country risk being destroyed by radiation poisoning. The more recently the country was nuked, the more damaging the radiation is. Units with high armor factors are less likely to be destroyed from radiation poisoning.

When a country is nuked, its factory is automatically destroyed. While a country is radioactive it produces no resources. No reinforcements can be placed in a radioactive country. No factories can be built in radioactive countries.

A player may nuke an enemy country that does not contain any units. A player may also nuke an enemy country that is already radioactive. Players may not nuke their own countries.

After a country is nuked there may be a chance of nuclear winter. If at least 6 countries are radioactive, there is a 10% chance of nuclear winter. If at least 7 countries are radioactive, there is a 15% chance. The probability increases by 5% for each radioactive country, to a maximum of 50%.

If nuclear winter occurs, then the game is over and all players lose.