Abstract:
A method and an apparatus by which rules and record keeping in games employing miniature figures as game pieces are incorporated onto the base of the miniature figures themselves. Counters or wheels keep track of a character&#39;s characteristics and how they change as a game progresses. Values can be customized for each character by providing differently numbered wheels for the bases. Also, a method for providing collectable game pieces with varied features by providing them to the consumer concealed in packaging.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/958,201, filed Oct. 5, 2001, now pending, which is the U.S. National Phase of PCT/US01/01369, filed Jan. 16, 2001, now pending, which claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/182,002, filed Feb. 11, 2000, and Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/224,314, filed Aug. 10, 2000. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A degree of realism can be added to games, especially war and fantasy games, through the use of miniature figures to represent characters in the games. Each participant in the game manipulates characters, each represented by a miniature figure and each being endowed with certain characteristics, e.g., strength and range of movement, that enter into the resolution of a given event, such as a battle or other interface between characters. As the complexity of each character and each scenario grows, and as the number of characters increases, the complexity of the game increases.  
         [0003]     Traditionally, miniature figures are made of metal and sold individually or in sets. Typically, the packaging of the figures is at least partially transparent allowing the consumer to view the shape and identity of each figure prior to purchasing. Alternatively, when the packaging is not transparent, the contents of the package are clearly identified. Therefore, because purchasers are allowed to choose a specific figure for their collection, the potential market for trading these figures is minimized.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The invention relates to games involving the use of miniatures to represent characters in the games, and to apparatus for use in such games.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The more complicated prior art games require voluminous rules of play manuals. These manuals include massive amounts of rules and statistics for all of the figures in the game. The number of included statistics makes it difficult for a player to find a specific figure&#39;s statistics. In addition, a player is limited to figures included in their specific manual. Further, the rules often entail detailed record keeping by the players, which are often recorded on miscellaneous slips of paper that can become misplaced or disorganized.  
         [0006]     One challenge of miniature games for a broad audience has always been the size and complication of the rules and the need for record keeping for each figure within the game. In addition, due to the nature of the packaging, the manufacturer of the figures has little control over the collectibility of the figures.  
         [0007]     The solution to these problems is to: (i) take both the statistics pertaining to a specific character and the recording of game effects upon that character and incorporate them within each figure; and (ii) modify the packaging to conceal the randomly inserted figures to encourage the collectability of the figures.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, the invention described herein provides a method and an apparatus by which rules and record keeping are incorporated onto the game piece base of the miniature figures themselves with a self-contained record-keeping device. Therefore, a player can use the purchased figures immediately in a game, as opposed to first finding the correct statistics book for that specific character. This device includes counter-wheels having numbers, colors, or other indicia that reflect the nature and values of a character&#39;s characteristics and how they change as a game progresses. Values can be customized for each character by providing differently-numbered wheels for the game piece bases.  
         [0009]     According to the present invention, the game pieces are preferably molded in plastic, pre-painted, and randomly inserted into opaque packages. The packaging is designed to conceal the identity of the figure from the purchaser. These game pieces are produced in different quantities. As a result, some are designed to be rare and very collectible. The players buy packages of game pieces to try to collect the army that the player wants to amass and play with. Typically, the rareness of a game piece corresponds to the value of that game piece. In other words, a rarer game piece is more effective in the game. This method of packaging, selling, and collecting game piece miniatures has the advantage of being unique. The game playing, manufacturing, packaging, selling, and collecting may be performed using game piece bases with or without an attached figure.  
         [0010]     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is an exploded schematic representation of a game piece base embodying the invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the game piece base illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a plan bottom view of a base disk of the game piece base illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a plan top view of a selector disk of the game piece base illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section view taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section view taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of alternate embodiment of the game piece base illustrated in  FIG. 1 , including a representational figure.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a sample of combat data for a selection of human characters to be represented by such game piece bases as illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a method of packaging a game piece base such as that illustrated in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a sample of a special abilities card to be used in conjunction with a game piece base such as that illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
       [0021]     Before one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     Miniature figures are often used in games, especially war and fantasy games, to represent characters in the games. These characters, for example, can be a Roman legionnaire, a Civil War Union soldier, a magician, or a mythical beast, depending on the game. Games can be played to re-enact historical battles, such as the Spartan defense of Thermopylae against the invading Persian army under King Xerxes, or to create a fantastical battle such as one pitting elves and humans against trolls and orcs. Each participant in the game commands an army of characters, each represented by a miniature figure. Each character is endowed with certain strengths and weaknesses, all of which enter into the resolution of a given battle. To add interest to the battle, other factors such as magic and terrain can also be included.  
         [0023]     As the complexity of each character and each scenario grows, and as the number of characters increases, the complexity of the game increases. The challenge of miniature games for players is the extensive and complicated nature of the rules and the need for record keeping for each figure within the game. In this description, the terms warrior and game piece are used interchangeably to describe the invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a game piece base  10  designed to ease the complexity of such games. Each game piece base  10  is a self-contained record-keeping device that includes a base disk  20 , a label  25 , and a selector disk  30 .  
         [0025]     The selector disk  30  includes an upper surface  34 , a post  38  mounted in the center of the selector disk  30 , and a plurality of fingers  42  mounted at the periphery of the selector disk  30 . The plurality of fingers  42  includes six short fingers  46  alternating with six long fingers  50 . In alternate embodiments, any other suitable number or sizing of fingers may be used. One of the short fingers  46  includes a button  54  formed therewith and rising vertically from the upper surface  34 .  
         [0026]     The label  25  including an aperture  58  is attached to the upper surface  34  of the selector disk  30  such that the aperture  58  aligns with the post  38 . A series of numbers in twelve columns of three appears on the label (not shown). Each column is spaced at approximately thirty-degree intervals around the label. In alternate embodiments, any other suitable arrangement of numbers can be used.  
         [0027]     The base disk  20  includes an L-shaped stat slot or aperture  62  that allows one column of numbers and additional data from the label  25  to be seen at a given position of the base disk  20  relative to the selector disk  30 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the base disk  20  also includes a bottom surface  66 , and a plurality of indentations  70  in the periphery of the bottom surface  66 . The number of indentations should match the number of fingers  42  on the selector disk  30 . The base disk  20  also includes an upper surface  74 .  
         [0028]     When assembled, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the label  25  is applied to the upper surface  34  of the selector disk  30 , and the base disk  20  fits within and is captured by the fingers  42  of the selector disk  30 . The center of the bottom surface  66  of the base disk  20  is supported by the post  38 . This arrangement allows the selector disk  30  to be rotated relative to the base disk  20 . The button  54  interacts with the indentations  70  such that the button  54  resides partially within an indentation  70  when that indentation  70  is aligned with the button  54 . The fingers are sufficiently flexible to allow the button  54  to snap into and out of an indentation  70  as the selector disk  20  is rotated relative to the base disk  20 . Such an arrangement ensures that the base disk  20  will only occupy a given number of discrete indexed positions relative to the selector disk  30 , where the given number of discrete positions is equal to the number of indentations  70 , and where each discrete position allows a player to look through the slot  62  to see whatever numbers, symbols, or colors may appear on the label  25  at that location. In other words, the two disks  20 ,  30  are typically aligned such that a column of numbers appears in the slot  62 . The fingers  42  provide a gripping surface such that a player can manually rotate the selector disk  30  relative to the base disk  20 .  
         [0029]     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a figure  80  may be attached to the upper surface  74  of the base disk  20  to form a game piece or warrior  90 . The figure  80  may be any representational figure representing a character in a game.  
         [0030]     In other embodiments (not shown), the described game piece base  10  may be any record-keeping device, such as mechanical and electronic counters that are suitable for recording and conveying information. Specifically, the game piece base  10  allows for the variation of indicia during the course of play. In still other embodiments, the figure  80  may be any suitable type of figure, including humans, animals, and mythical, mechanical, or fantastical creatures. The game piece base  10  may be made available in conjunction with or separately from the figure  80  to allow for interchangeability between figures  80  and bases, or to allow one to acquire a base to match a figure  80  one already has.  
         [0031]     As is described in more detail below, the design of the game piece base  10  means that each game piece base  10  carries with it a complex two dimensional table that reflects a character&#39;s performance statistics at up to twelve stages of damage, where each discrete location of the base disk  20  with respect to the selector disk  30  represents a stage of damage. In alternate embodiments, other numbers of discrete locations can indicate other stages of damage. Examples of such tables are shown in  FIG. 8  for a selection of human characters. Thus, the game piece base  10  provides both the table and the current performance of the character, eliminating voluminous rulebooks and record keeping.  
         [0032]     The game pieces  90  are preferably molded in plastic, pre-painted, and randomly inserted into opaque packages  94  that are preferably glued closed or shrink wrapped to prevent opening. The package  94  is designed to conceal the identity of the warrior  90  from the purchaser. These game pieces  90  are produced in different quantities. As a result, some are designed to be rare and very collectible. The players buy packages  94  to try to collect the game pieces  90  that the player wants to amass and play with. Typically, the rareness of a game piece  90  corresponds to the value of that game piece  90 . In other words, a rarer game piece  90  is more effective in the game. This method of packaging, selling, and collecting game piece miniatures has the advantage of being unique.  
         [0033]     These packages  94  can either include a single warrior  90 , as shown in  FIG. 9  with a plastic insert  98 , or multiple warriors  90 . Preferably, the figures  80  are supplied in sets of five (booster packs) or ten (starter sets) because it improves the purchaser&#39;s chances of getting a desired  figure 80 . When the multiple figures  80  are sold in a single package, retailers are more likely to carrying the product line because consumers are more likely to buy in volume. Retailers also appreciate that the concealing packages use minimal shelf space and only require a single stock keeping unit (“SKU”) as opposed to the one hundred and sixty SKU&#39;s (i.e., one for each character) that would be necessary if the warriors were sold in individual non-concealing packages.  
         [0034]     The booster pack includes five figures  80  and five stickers to place on the bottom of each figure  80  on which the owner can write their name. The starter set includes ten figures  80 , a rulebook, a comic book to explain the fiction of the game world, a pair of dice, a flexible ruler for measuring distances, and 10 identifying stickers. The purpose for each of these items will be discussed in more detail below.  
         [0035]     Alternatively, the packages can be configured to reveal the identity of the warrior  90  to allow the purchaser to select specific characters for their collection. But to facilitate trading of such figures  80 , the individual characteristics printed on the label  25  can be concealed by the packaging and varied between identical characters. These different printed labels  25  can be produced in varied quantities. As a result, some can be designed to be rare and very collectible. For example, identical characters can have different indicia printed on the label  25  making one figure  80  faster, stronger, and less susceptible to injury than another according to the rules of the game. Therefore, the more valuable warriors  90  of this embodiment would be those with more favorable numerical characteristics. The purchaser would then have the opportunity to more easily acquire the different warriors  90  and still be encouraged to trade for those warriors  90  that possess superior numerical characteristics.  
         [0036]     Although the invention described herein may be used for a wide variety of games, a game called MAGE KNIGHT REBELLION will be used as an example to illustrate the invention. In MAGE KNIGHT REBELLION, a player takes on the role of a powerful warlord, king, baron, or high wizard who sends his warriors  90  out to do battle with opposing armies. MAGE KNIGHT REBELLION is a game of tabletop combat using collectible MAGE KNIGHT REBELLION figures  80 . Each figure  80  is called a warrior  90 , and is a member of one of eight different factions: Atlantis Guild, Elemental League, Necropolis Sect, Black Powder Rebels, Knights Immortal, Orc Raiders, Draconum, or Mage Spawn. A player builds an army from his or her collection of warriors  90 . A game may be played using game piece bases  10  with or without an attached  figure 80 .  
         [0037]     A warrior  90  is composed of two main pieces, the figure  80  and the game piece base  10 . The game piece base  10  shows sets of numbers that tell a player how good a warrior  90  is at doing certain things. Each time a warrior  90  takes a point of damage during a game, the player clicks the selector disk  30  clockwise to the next set of numbers. Each point of damage taken by a warrior  90  changes the warrior&#39;s game piece base numbers, reducing the warrior&#39;s effectiveness. Each time a warrior  90  takes a click of healing during the game, the player clicks the selector disk  20  counter-clockwise to the previous set of numbers. When three skulls show up on the game piece base, the warrior  90  has been eliminated and is removed from the battlefield.  
         [0038]     Each warrior&#39;s game piece base  10  contains important information. This information includes the warrior&#39;s: a) name, b) point value (1-50), c) rank (weak, standard, tough), d) front arc (white), e) rear arc (gray), f) collector&#39;s number (1-160), g) faction symbol, and h) combat values. Each warrior&#39;s base also has a stat slot (to see numbers on the label  25 ). If a warrior  90  does not have a rank, then it is a unique  figure 80 . Each warrior  90  has five combat values, four that change during the game and one that stays the same. The four values that change are speed, attack, defense, and damage. These four values are on the game piece base  10 , and can be seen through the warrior&#39;s stat slot  62 . The fifth value, range, never changes and is printed on the base  10 .  
         [0039]     Game Items:  
         [0040]     In addition to a player&#39;s MAGE KNIGHT REBELLION warriors  90  and a rules sheet, a player needs the following items to play a MAGE KNIGHT REBELLION game: a) an eighteen inch flexible ruler and b) two six-sided dice. Additionally, a two-foot-long piece of string and a few pennies (used as tokens during the game) may be used as will be further discussed below. Optionally, a player may also collect simple terrain items.  
         [0041]     Blank stickers are provided with each pack of MAGE KNIGHT REBELLION warriors  90  for ownership identification. A player writes their initials on the stickers and places them on the bottom of each of that player&#39;s warriors  90 . This helps a player to sort out which warriors  90  are that player&#39;s at the end of each battle.  
         [0042]     Building A Player&#39;s Army: All of the players must agree to a build total of each player&#39;s army. The build total is the total of a player&#39;s point values and is always in multiples of 100 points. Each MAGE KNIGHT REBELLION warrior  90  has a point value printed on its game piece base  10 . Once a player knows how many points that player has to build an army, that player chooses which of that player&#39;s warriors  90  will participate in the game. A player&#39;s army may contain two or more of the same  figure 80 , unless that figure  80  is unique. However, the same unique figure  80  can appear in opposing armies. The total of the player&#39;s warriors&#39; point values cannot exceed the build total value.  
         [0043]     Beginning the Game:  
         [0044]     MAGE KNIGHT REBELLION can be played on a flat tabletop. The players designate a square area to play that is at least three feet long on each side. A game can be played with any number of people, but the game is best when there are two, three, or four different armies. Each player selects one edge of the battlefield to be the player&#39;s, and then the game piece bases  10  of each warrior  90  are manipulated such that a green square is showing through the stat slot  62 . Each player places up to two terrain items in a pile off to the side of the battlefield. The purpose of the terrain will be described in greater detail below. Next, each player rolls two six-sided dice where the highest roll determines the first player. The first player places a terrain item from the pile onto the battlefield in a desired location. This continues in clockwise order until all of the terrain items are positioned on the battlefield. Each player then places a warriors  90  on the battlefield within three inches of the player&#39;s edge and at least 8 inches away from any other edge of the battlefield, starting with the first player and rotating clockwise until all of the players are positioned.  
         [0045]     Turns and Actions:  
         [0046]     In MAGE KNIGHT REBELLION, players alternate moving their warriors  90  and attacking opposing figures  80  to win the battle. At the beginning of a players turn, the player has a certain number of actions. This number is set for the entire game and is dependent upon the build total of the armies. A player gets one action for every one hundred points of that person&#39;s build total. For example, if the build total is 200 points, the player receives 2 actions per turn. During each players turn, that player decides which warriors  90  to give actions, however, the same warrior  90  may not be given two actions in the same turn. Actions include moving one warrior  90 , performing ranged combat with one warrior  90 , performing close combat with one warrior  90 , or passing. Once a player has completed their allotted actions, it becomes the next player&#39;s turn, and the next player gets the same number of actions. Play proceeds with each player taking a turn.  
         [0047]     If a player gives an action (other than pass) to the same warrior  90  on two consecutive turns, that warrior  90  takes one point of damage after completing its subsequent action. This damage represents the fatigue caused by taking actions on two consecutive turns. A player may not give any warrior  90  an action (other than pass) on three consecutive turns. If a player has trouble remembering which warrior  90  that player has given an action to on a previous turn, that player can mark that warrior  90  with a token, such as a penny, to remind that player.  
         [0048]     Game Concepts:  
         [0049]     Distances measured for set-up, movement, or ranged combat, are always measured from the center of the game piece base  10 . Two or more warriors  90  are in base contact when the bases of each are touching. Friendly figures  80  are warriors  90  that are controlled by the same player or allied teammates, and cannot target other friendly figures  80 . Opposing figures  80  are any warriors  90  that are controlled by an opponent. Status of friendly and opposing figures  80  are set at the beginning of the game and cannot change by treaties or agreements.  
         [0050]     Special Abilities:  
         [0051]     There are special colored blocks on each warrior&#39;s game piece base  10 . These colors represent special abilities that warrior  90  has while they are displayed. There are four areas in which a player can find colored blocks representing the warrior&#39;s special abilities. These four areas are: 1) behind the move value, 2) behind the attack value, 3) behind the defense value, and 4) behind the damage value through the stat slot  62  on the warrior&#39;s game piece base  10 . Descriptions of these special abilities appear on the MAGE KNIGHT REBELLION Special Abilities Card, an example of which is shown in  FIG. 10 . If a special ability is described as optional, the owning player decides if the ability is, or is not, used for the turn.  
         [0052]     Movement:  
         [0053]     A warrior&#39;s speed value is shown on its game piece base  10 . This is the maximum number of inches the warrior  90  may move when given a move action. When a player moves a warrior  90 , the player physically moves the warrior  90  across the battlefield along the exact movement path. This distance can be measured by the flexible ruler. The game piece bases  10  of other warriors  90  block movement, so a player&#39;s warrior  90  may not touch or cross the game piece base  10  of any other warriors  90  during its move. When a player finishes moving a warrior  90 , the figure  80  may be faced in any direction. The direction that the  FIG. 80  is facing is important because the warrior  90  may only attack (ranged combat and close combat) out of its front arc and it is at a disadvantage when attacked in close combat through its rear arc.  
         [0054]     If a player gives a move action to a warrior  90  that is in contact with the game piece base  10  of an opposing warrior  90 , the player must break away from the contact. To break away, the player must roll a six-sided die. If the player rolls a 1, 2 or 3, the warrior  90  fails to break away and may not move this turn, although the warrior  90  may be rotated if desired. If the player rolls a 4, 5, or 6, the player warrior  90  has successfully broken away and may move normally.  
         [0055]     If a player&#39;s warrior&#39;s movement takes it into base contact with one or more opposing figures  80 , those opposing figures  80  immediately have the option to spin in place to bring any portion of their front arcs into contact with the moving warrior  90 .  
         [0056]     Ranged Combat:  
         [0057]     Ranged combat attacks represent everything from bows and gunfire, to magical spells and mind attacks. Each warrior  90  has a range value printed on its game piece base  10 . If this value is greater than zero and the warrior  90  is not in contact with the game piece base  10  of an opposing warrior  90 , then a player may give that warrior  90  a ranged combat action. This number represents the maximum number of inches that the warriors  90  ranged attack can reach. The number of arrow symbols shown with the warrior&#39;s range value is the maximum number of different targets the warrior  90  may attack with each ranged combat action. Certain special abilities allow ranged combat to be resolved against an increased number of targets.  
         [0058]     When a player gives a ranged combat action to one of the player&#39;s warriors  90 , the player marks the warrior&#39;s range in inches on a string with a pen or marker (or just holds it with a player&#39;s fingers). The player places the end of the string at the center of the figure&#39;s game piece base  10  and extends the string to the center of the target&#39;s game piece base  10 . The path of the string is called the line of fire. If a player is firing at more than one target, the player must draw a line of fire to each of them.  
         [0059]     The line of fire must pass through the attacking warrior&#39;s front arc, and each target must be within the range a player has marked on the string. The line of fire is blocked if it crosses any warrior&#39;s game piece base  10  (friend or foe) other than a target. If the line of fire is blocked, a player may not attack the target warrior  90 . A player may check to see if a line of fire is blocked at any time. The attacking player rolls two six-sided dice and adds their values to the warrior&#39;s attack value. If the result is equal to or greater than the target&#39;s defense value, as shown on its game piece base  10 , then the target is hit and damaged. When a player&#39;s warrior  90  hits a target with an attack, the target must take a number of clicks of damage equal to the attacker&#39;s damage value.  
         [0060]     When a warrior  90  is attacking more than one target with a ranged combat attack, which is allowed when the warrior&#39;s range value is shown with more than one arrow, a player only rolls the dice once. The total of the dice plus the warrior&#39;s attack value is compared to every target&#39;s defensive value. Some targets with low defensive values may be damaged by the attack, while others with high defensive values may not be. Whenever a ranged combat action is used to attack more than one single target, the damage value of the attack, if successful, is always one, despite the warrior&#39;s normal damage value.  
         [0061]     Close Combat:  
         [0062]     Close combat represents hand-to-hand and melee weapon attacks. If a player gives the close combat action to a warrior  90 , the front arc of the warrior&#39;s game piece base  10  must be touching the target&#39;s game piece base  10 . The attacking player rolls two six-sided dice and adds their values to the warrior&#39;s attack value. If the result is equal to or greater than the target&#39;s defense value as shown on its game piece base  10 , then the target is hit and damaged. The player adds one to the dice roll if the warrior  90  is in contact with the rear arc of the target warrior&#39;s game piece base  10 .  
         [0063]     Damage:  
         [0064]     When a warrior  90  hits a target with a ranged or close combat attack, the warrior  90  inflicts damage in the amount of the warrior&#39;s damage value. This is the number of clicks of damage the warrior  90  has delivered to the target. The opposing player must click the target&#39;s game piece base  10  clockwise that number of clicks. The damage inflicted reduces the target&#39;s abilities, and may even eliminate the target from the game.  
         [0065]     Rolling a “2” or a “12”:  
         [0066]     Whenever a warrior  90  is making a ranged or close combat attack and rolls a “2,” the warrior  90  automatically misses the target. This is called a critical miss, and-the warrior  90  must take one click of damage representing a self-inflicted wound caused by the miss. If a player rolls a “12,” the warrior  90  has automatically hit the target and does one extra click of damage. Alternatively, if a player is trying to heal a warrior  90  and rolls a “12,” then the healing is automatically successful and delivers one extra click of healing.  
         [0067]     Healing:  
         [0068]     By using special abilities such as magic healing, regeneration, and vampirism, a player may repair clicks on a figure&#39;s base  10 . When repairing, click the selector disk  30  counter-clockwise, but never past the figure&#39;s starting position.  
         [0069]     Capturing:  
         [0070]     A player has the option in close combat of capturing a target instead of damaging the target. A player must declare a capture attempt before rolling the close combat dice. The defense value of the target warrior  90  is increased by two if a player is attempting to capture it. If a player hits the target, the player doesn&#39;t damage the target, but the target is captured and a player&#39;s opponent may no longer give the target an action.  
         [0071]     Each warrior  90  may only have one captured figure  80  under that warrior&#39;s control. The capture is shown by keeping the captured figure&#39;s game piece base  10  in contact with the controlling warrior&#39;s game piece base  10  at all times. No warrior  90 , friend or foe, may target a captured figure  80  for any purpose. The captured figure  80  always moves with the captured figure&#39;s controlling warrior  90  using the lowest of the two figures&#39; movement values. The controlling warrior  90  may only be assigned a move action or a pass action; it may not initiate any further combat. The controlling warrior  90  may not be the target of an opponent&#39;s capture attempt. If a warrior  90  with a captured target is eliminated, the captured target may immediately begin operating normally.  
         [0072]     Formations:  
         [0073]     An action that a player gives to one of the player&#39;s warriors  90  can affect other warriors  90  in a player&#39;s army of the same race by using formations. Note that a player can never be forced to use a formation if the player does not want to. A formation may never contain figures  80  from different factions, although a player may use different figures  80  from the same faction in a formation. Mage spawn figures  80  may never use formations.  
         [0074]     Movement Formation:  
         [0075]     If three to five of a player&#39;s warriors  90  are grouped so that each one&#39;s game piece base  10  is touching the game piece base  10  of another, then the player can call this group a movement formation. When a player gives a move action to just one of these warriors  90 , all of the warriors  90  in the movement formation may move at the same time and as part of that same action. At the end of the move, each warrior&#39;s game piece base  10  must still be touching the game piece base  10  of another warrior  90  in the formation. Therefore, the speed value of the slowest warrior  90  in the movement formation will restrict how far a player&#39;s warriors  90  will move. Movement formations are good because one move action allows a player to move several warriors  90  instead of just one. If any figure  80  in a movement formation fails to break away, that figure  80  may not move individually other than rotating to a new direction.  
         [0076]     Ranged Combat Formations:  
         [0077]     If three to five of a player&#39;s warriors  90  have their game piece bases  10  touching, a player may declare a ranged combat formation. When a player gives a ranged combat action to just one of these warriors  90 , all of the warriors  90  in the ranged combat formation contribute to the attack. The target figure  80  must be within the range value of each of a player&#39;s warriors  90 , and no line of fire may be blocked. The warrior  90  that a player gives the ranged combat action to is called the primary firer. To resolve the attack, a player uses the primary firer&#39;s attack value and damage value. Each additional warrior  90  in the ranged combat formation adds one to the attack dice roll. There is no damage bonus. Ranged combat formations are good because they allow a player to hit and at least do some damage to target warriors  90  with very high defensive values. Even if only one warrior  90  in the formation is given the ranged combat action, all warriors  90  are considered to have performed an action.  
         [0078]     Close Combat Formations:  
         [0079]     If two or three of a player&#39;s warriors  90  have their game piece bases  10  touching each other and a game piece base  10  of a single opposing warrior  90 , a player may declare a close combat formation against that opposing warrior  90 . When the player gives a close combat action to just one of a player&#39;s warriors  90 , all of the warriors  90  in the close combat formation contribute to the attack. The warrior  90  that the player gives the close combat action to is called the primary attacker. To resolve the attack, the player uses the primary attacker&#39;s attack value and damage value. Each additional figure  80  in the close combat formation adds one to the combat dice roll. There is no damage bonus. Close combat formations are good because they help overcome the difficulty in capturing an opponent&#39;s warrior  90  or damaging a warrior  90  with a high defensive value. Similar to ranged combat formations, if one warrior  90  in the formation is given the close combat action, all warriors  90  are considered to have performed an action.  
         [0080]     If a “2” is rolled during a close combat or ranged combat formation, only the primary attacker rotates his base clockwise one click.  
         [0081]     Tabletop Terrain:  
         [0082]     Players are not required to use terrain when fighting a MAGE KNIGHT REBELLION battle, but adding terrain to the tabletop will make the game more challenging and interesting. There are four types of terrain in MAGE KNIGHT REBELLION: a) clear, b) hindering, c) blocking, and d) elevated. An empty tabletop is considered to be clear terrain.  
         [0083]     Hindering Terrain:  
         [0084]     Examples of hindering terrain are brush, low walls, and debris. A player can represent these with construction paper, pieces of felt, fabric, or scale models. Hindering terrain should lie flat on the table so that the terrain does not interfere with the placement of a player&#39;s warriors&#39; game piece bases  10 . If a line of fire passes through any amount of hindering terrain or any number of hindering terrain features, one is added to the target&#39;s defensive value, this is called a hindering terrain modifier. Close combat attacks are not affected by hindering terrain. A player&#39;s warriors  90  can move into and through hindering terrain, but there are restrictions. If a player&#39;s warrior  90  begins a move with any part of the warrior&#39;s game piece base  10  touching clear terrain, the warrior&#39;s movement must end immediately when the warrior&#39;s game piece base  10  crosses completely into a hindering terrain feature. If a player&#39;s warrior  90  begins a move with any part of the warrior&#39;s game piece base  10  touching hindering terrain, the warrior&#39;s speed value is cut in half for the turn.  
         [0085]     A firer in hindering terrain is not penalized by the modifier if its front arc lies entirely outside of the hindering terrain boundary and the line of fire does not pass into or through any other hindering terrain features. This represents use of the hindering terrain as protection while firing from the edge of the hindering terrain.  
         [0086]     Blocking Terrain:  
         [0087]     Examples of blocking terrain are large trees, high walls, and buildings. A player can represent them with common items such as salt shakers, cups, and stacks of books, or the player can use scale models. Blocking terrain blocks movement, so a warrior  90  may not move through it. Also, blocking terrain blocks any line of fire crossing it.  
         [0088]     Elevated Terrain:  
         [0089]     All elevated terrain is assumed to represent the same level of height above the battlefield. Elevated terrain features include hills and low plateaus. Elevated terrain may include areas of hindering and/or blocking terrain, but is otherwise assumed to contain clear terrain. Players can represent elevated terrain with stacks of books and magazines, or use scale models. All figures  80  must stop as soon as they move up into elevated terrain, or down out of elevated terrain (as if they were entering a hindering terrain feature). When measuring a player&#39;s move, don&#39;t measure any vertical distance traveled, just the horizontal portion of the warrior&#39;s  90  move along the tabletop or elevated terrain feature.  
         [0090]     Elevated terrain features block lines of fire unless the firer or target or both are on the elevated terrain. If both the firer and target are on elevated terrain, nothing affects the line of fire except elevated hindering and blocking terrain features and other elevated figure  80  bases. If the firer or target is on elevated terrain, but the other is not, the line of fire is blocked if it crosses a different elevated terrain feature. Intervening blocking terrain features also block the line of fire, whether elevated or not. Intervening elevated figure  80  bases will also block these lines of fire, but those off of elevated terrain can be ignored. Hindering terrain modifies the attack only if either the firer or target is in hindering terrain, otherwise it too can be ignored.  
         [0091]     Special Terrain:  
         [0092]     Shallow water features like streams, fords, and ponds are treated as hindering terrain for movement, but have no effect on ranged combat actions. Deep water features like rivers and lakes are treated as blocking terrain for movement, but have no effect on ranged combat actions.  
         [0093]     Low walls are special types of hindering terrain. Movement stops when a player&#39;s warrior  90  reaches the far side of a low wall, and speed is never halved on subsequent turns when that player&#39;s warrior  90  moves away from a low wall. Ranged combat attacks use the hindering terrain modifier for crossing the low wall, except if the firer is in base contact with the low wall. Close combat attacks are allowed between adjacent figures  80  on opposite sides of a low wall as if they were in base contact.  
         [0094]     Abrupt elevated terrain such as raised parapets, flat rooftops, and plateaus flanked by cliffs are treated like normal elevated terrain except that close combat attacks are not allowed. Formations are also not allowed to be broken between levels of an abrupt elevated terrain. Figures  80  may only move onto or off of such terrain if they have special abilities or a ladder or stairway exists.  
         [0095]     Height Advantage:  
         [0096]     When a firer that is not on elevated terrain makes a ranged combat attack against an elevated target, the target&#39;s defense value is increased by one. This is the height advantage modifier. When using a ranged combat formation, only the primary attacker&#39;s line of fire is subject to the height advantage modifier and the hindering terrain modifier.  
         [0097]     Close combat between figures  80  at different elevations is allowed if the bases  10  would be in contact if not for the height difference. If the target of a close combat attack is elevated while the attacking warrior  90  is not, the target gets the height advantage modifier.  
         [0098]     Ending the Game:  
         [0099]     The game ends when any of the following occur: a) Only one player remains with a warrior  90  on the battlefield; b) A predetermined time limit for the game expires; or c) All remaining players agree to end the game. A player may also decide to withdraw during their turn. If a player decides to withdraw, the player removes all of the player&#39;s remaining warriors  90  from the game.  
         [0100]     The winner of the game is determined by the player with the highest number of victory points. Victory points are accumulated by eliminating opposing warriors  90 , maintaining captured warriors  90 , and by one&#39;s own surviving warriors  90 . The points awarded for eliminating an opposing warrior  90  is the point value of that warrior  90 . The points awarded for holding a warrior  90  captive at the end of the game is twice the point value of the captured warrior  90 . The points accumulated for each surviving warrior  90  is equal to that warrior&#39;s point value. After the game, all players retrieve their eliminated and captured figures  80 .  
         [0101]     Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.