Pugnae Potentia

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Pugnae Potentia is a analog board-game. The players’ goal in Pugnae Potentia is to use tools described in cards and the environment displayedupon the game board to build strategies and eliminate other players’ characters in a highly competitiveenvironment. Success depends upon caution more than anything,and so the ultimate focus is survival.

Transcript of Pugnae Potentia

  • DESIGNDOCUMENTforPUGNAEPOTENTIA Page1

    SolarBears

    JasonBowden,ZacharyHerman,JonathanJuarez,CongShu,&AnthonyWray

    DESIGNDOCUMENTforPUGNAEPOTENTIA

    March23,2014

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    TableofContents

    DesignHistory...................................................................................................................................................................................3Version0.50..................................................................................................................................................................................3Version0.75..................................................................................................................................................................................3Version1.00..................................................................................................................................................................................3Version2.00..................................................................................................................................................................................4GameOverview.................................................................................................................................................................................5Wheredoesthegametakeplace?........................................................................................................................................5Whatisthestory?.......................................................................................................................................................................5Whatisthemainfocus?...........................................................................................................................................................5Howmanycharacters/units/piecesdoestheplayercontrol?................................................................................5GameTheory.................................................................................................................................................................................6FeatureSet..........................................................................................................................................................................................7GeneralFeatures.........................................................................................................................................................................7GameComponents......................................................................................................................................................................7Rules&Mechanics...........................................................................................................................................................................9GameSetup....................................................................................................................................................................................9TurnSequence&Play...............................................................................................................................................................9Flowcharts...................................................................................................................................................................................13DetailedRulesforSpecificPieces......................................................................................................................................14EndGameConditions..............................................................................................................................................................18RulesQuestions.........................................................................................................................................................................19References.........................................................................................................................................................................................20

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    DesignHistory

    Withoutrecordinghistory,wearedoomedtorepeatit.Ourversionhistoryoffersusdesignersandyouplayersahistoryofthegamesmilestonesandaperspectiveonwherethegameisgoing.Webelievethatagameworksmuchlikeahumanbeingandmustalwaysbepreparedtoadaptandimprove.Version0.50Version0.50wasPugnaePontetiasoriginalconceptdocument.Thisversionwasawrittenbrainstormofthebasicstory,gamemechanics,gameplayelementsandaesthetics.Italsoincludedadiagramoftheplayableareaofthegameboardthatisstillinuse.Noearlierversionsweredocumented.Version0.75Version0.75representsthekeypointsdiscussedintheConceptWorksheetwithalittlemoredetailandmadesomechangesacrosstheboard,especiallyintheMechanicsandGameplaysections.ItmadetheframeworkforPugnaePotentiasfirstGameDesignDocument.Itwasaroughblueprintforafewdays. 1. ClarifiedDamageagainstaplayermustoutnumbertheirPowerforthemtobeeliminated.2. ElaboratedthediscardingofanActionCardafteritisplayed,andtheplacingofPowerequaltosaiddamageinadesignatedzoneuntilthatplayeriseliminated.3. ProvidedamoreconcreteexampleofGameplay,fillingingapswithexplanations.4. 1DodecahedronDie(d20)wasaddedtotheGameComponentsfordefensiverolls.5. Characterpersonalitieswereaddedtoinordertoreflecteachcharactersmood.6. AroughdraftVisioflowchartwascompletedtodisplayGameplaydirection.7. UsinganActionCardwasdefinedasachoicetobalancetherandomnessofDrawCard.8. 3AttributeCardconceptswerecreatedforthegamedeck.9. GeneralFeaturesweredefinedandeditedtoflowmoresmoothly.Version1.00Version1.00implementsaestheticart,playableActionCards,andOffensiveandDefensivecardareasontheboard.AdeveloperQ&Aandarefineddraftofthegameplayflowchartswerecreatedandadded.ThisVersionwasallaboutcompletingaplayablegamedesignforAlphatestingandmakingitfun. 10. Characterconceptartwasaddedforallfivegamepieces.11. TheentireteamgatheredtocreateentertainingActionCards.12. Gameplaydescriptions,rulesandresponserollswereaddedtotheActionCarddescriptions.13. DecidedhowmanyofeachActionCardwouldbeincludedintheinitialgamedeck.14. GameMechanicswereupdatedtoconsiderexceptionstotherulesmadebythenewplayableActionCards.15. AreasfortheDefensiveCards,OffensiveCards,PowerCounters,DrawPileandDeadPilewereoutlinedintheGameMechanicsand/ordrawontoanexpansionofthegameboard.16. Printablerefinedflowchartdraftwascompletedtosetahigherqualitystandard.17. AttributeswererenamedtoArtifactsanda4thArtifactwasimplemented.18. GameCardconceptartwasaddedtothedocumenttobringthedesignclosertoreality.19. Q&Aimplementedfromquestionsandanswersexchangedbythedevelopers

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    Version2.00Version2.00implementssignificantchangestoshiftthegamefromdeveloperAlphatestingtoplayerBetatesting.ImportantsectionssuchasGeneralFeaturesandDetailedRulesforSpecificPieceswentthrougheditingoverhaulstoclarifygameplay,whilemoresuperficialeditsandimplementationsweremadetopreparetheGDDforatransferfromwalloftexttoplayableboardgame. 20. TerminologyforTilesandSpaceswasalteredtopreventplayerconfusion.21. Thedebufftoplayermovementwheninanopposingplayerselementwasbetterexplained.22. Themapdiagramwasalteredtoincludedetailedinformationsuchascoloredcodedelementkey,OffensiveAreas,andDefensiveAreas.23. TheEtherealLancecardsObstaclePierceeffectwaslimitedto1forgamerebalance.24. DefenseCardruleswereupdatedtoreflectone-at-timeanddiscarduponusetopreventplayersfromabusingthemandbecomingprettymuchinvincibleagainstattacks.25. Artforallplayablecardscompletedforusabilityandaesthetics.26. Madeacardtemplate.27. PrototypeDocumentcardsresizedforeaseofprintabilitywithoutoccupyingmanypages.28. PrototypeDocumentcardtexttruncatedforeaseofreadingwithoutoverflowingcards.29. UpdatedGeneralFeaturestomatchgameplayandmechanics.30. VisualrepresentationofhowPowerCountersaretransferredtoanattackingplayer.31. VisualrepresentationofhowaplayercanaddPowerCounterstotheirlifethatareobtainedfromdoingdamagetootherplayers.32. ExplainedhowTrap/PotentialTrapCardsworkandwhathappensifanyplayer-eventheplayerwholaidthecarddown-picksthatcardup.33. AllAttackCardswerechangedtoonlyhaveasetrangeofattack.34. RemovedComebackKidandreplaceditwiththeDisarmTrapcard.35. Overhauledcommonterminologytoensureconsistency.

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    GameOverview

    Wheredoesthegametakeplace?Ferivuisaverydifferentworld.Thisplanetboastsonlyoneknowncontinent,whichissurroundedbyimpassablewaterssimplyknownasTheRagingSea.AnextremeNorthPoleandtwoweakerSouthPoleshighlighttheoddfactthattheNorthernHemispherecontainstheequatorandbothtropics,keepingittemperatethroughouttheyear.MassivestormsconstantlysiegetheEastcoastfromtheEast-Northeast,poweringtheStormyCitywithlightningstrikes.BeyondthisgreatcitytotheWestliestheDeadlyDesert,afierylandscapethattrapsheat,isdeprivedofrainfall,andispopulatedbydragonsandaharshsocietyofmatriarchs.EvenfurtherfromthissandylandistheCrawlingJungle,alandthatgivesforeignersasmanynightmaresasdreamsofwonderatnaturesbeauty.Southofthisjungleistheinlandsea,calledtheShadyOceanforthesuspiciousmerchantsandgreedypiratesthattakeadvantageoftheoneseathatissafeenoughtosailon,monstersaside.ThelandstotheSoutharesimplyreferredtoastheFrostbiteMountains.Inthislandofshortwarmseasonsandshortdays,everycreatureandeveryhumaninapatriarchalsocietyispatientandsturdy.Whatisthestory?TheArchmage-taskedwithharnessingallfivemagicalElementstoprotecttheworld-hasgrownoldandwillsoonretire.EachregionhasselectedtheirbestandbrightestmagiciantocompeteinPugnaePotentia,aduelthattakesplaceonceeverygeneration.EachcompetingmagicianmustgaincontroloftheotherElementsbesidestheirownthroughritualcombat.ThewholeknownworldofFerviuisthestageforthisgrandcontest,withanyweaponsthatcanbefound,spellsthatcanbelearned,Obstaclesthathadbehiddenbehind,trapsthatcanbesetandtheArchmagesownArtifactsasthetoolswithwhichtoattemptvictory.Intheend,onlyonemagicianwillremainstanding.AsthenewArchmage,theywillbetheworldschampionanddefenderuntiltheneedforasuccessorcallsforanothercontest.Whatisthemainfocus?TheplayersgoalinPugnaePotentiaistousetoolsdescribedincardsandtheenvironmentdisplayeduponthegameboardtobuildstrategiesandeliminateotherplayerscharactersinahighlycompetitiveenvironment.Successdependsuponcautionmorethananything,andsotheultimatefocusissurvival.Howmanycharacters/units/piecesdoestheplayercontrol?Duringthegame,eachplayerwillcontrolasinglecharacterthattheywillkeepduringthewholeplay-through.Thecharacterwillbeselectedfromthefollowingfive:AchuchitheGreenbreaksboulderswithvinesandgrowshisownhomeeverynight.Hisstrongattunementandloyaltytonatureenhanceshisinstincts,butheisamongtheleastsocialofmagiciansasaresultofthistrait.(EarthElement)

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    HenriettatheRedisafierybarbarianmagewhoeatsscrambleddragoneggsforbreakfast.Sheismorebenevolentandcaringthanmostothermatriarchs,buthasalegendarytemper.(FireElement)GromtheSilvercallsdownlightningfromtheheavenstopowerthecityandstrikehisfoes.Heisintelligentandalwaysstrivingtogainnewknowledgeandpower.(LightningElement)FinnkeltheWhitecanfreezeawholelakeinminutesandiceskateonitlikeachamp.Magicislessofaweapontohim,andmoreofanartform.Heisarespectedgentlemaninhishomeland.(IceElement)CharlottetheBlueisaswashbucklingpiratewhocansnapsailorsmastslikeatwiginastorm.Sheisknownforbeingatroubledmagician,butismorecleverandresourcefulthanmost.(WaterElement)

    GameTheory

    SymmetrySymmetrically,everyplayerisgiventhesameoptionsinplayerchoice,rules,power,andthesameamountofareaforsetup.Althougheverycharacteroffersanasymmetricallyshapedsection,eachelementalpartofthemapbringsbalancetothegamesonosinglesectiondominatestheentiregame;bringingadditionalsymmetrytothegameboard.Adifferenceofavailablecardscreatesadditionalasymmetry.PlayStylePugnaePotentiaisanon-cooperativegame.Playerscombateachotheruntilonlyoneremains.InformalcooperativeplayissometimesencouragedassomeplayerscanbecomemorepowerfulthanothersdependingonArtifactCardsand/orhowmanyelementstheycontrol.SummationPugnaePotentiaiscomprisedmainlyasanon-zero-sumgameduetotheexistenceofvariouscardstheplayerscanacquireoverthecourseofagame.Playersdrawonecardatthebeginningofeveryturnsopowerisabletobeobtainedwithoutlossfromanotherplayer.PugnaePotentiaalsohasaspectsofazero-sumgamebasedonhowPower(hitpoints)istransferred.

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    FeatureSet

    GeneralFeatures

    CharacterAdvancement PlayerscanbuildtheircharactersstrengthbyattainingArtifactCardsanddestroyingotherplayersfortheirPowerCountersandElements.

    ActiveFreeForAllGameplay Thegameisdesignedtoencouragecombatinafreeforallscenarios.Playersgetstrongerbyhurtingorkillingotherplayersinsteadofsittingbackandtryingtobethelastplayeralive.

    Conquering PlayerswillgettheopportunitytogainotherplayersElementbydealingthefinalblow.

    Puzzles Playerswillhavetonavigatearoundobstaclestoadjusttovaryingattackranges. Playershavetofigureouthowandwhentoadvantageouslyusethecardsintheirhand.

    Multiplayer Gamerulesadjusttocreateabalancedgameplayexperiencefor2to5players.

    Variety Everygameisdifferent

    Theobstacleswillbesetupdifferently. Thecardsthatplayersdrawwillbedifferent.

    Strategy PlayershavecertainadvantageswhiletheyareintheregionassociatedwiththeElementstheycontrol. Whenoneplayerdefeatsanotherplayertheywillnotonlygainsomeoftheirpower,butwillalsogaintheirElement(s),allowingtheplayertointeractdifferently. PlayerscandropexcesscardsambiguouslywhileinsidetheirownElement.

    GameComponents

    50cards 4ArtifactCards 46ActionCards

    12AttackCards 12DefenseCards 12SpellCards 10TrapCards

    30ObstacleTiles 5Miniatures;eachassignedtoauniqueElement 50PowerCounters GuideBook DodecahedronDie(d20) 1GameBoard

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    Rules&Mechanics

    GameSetupThegameboardislaidoutonaflatsurfacewiththeplayableareafacingup.AlltheActionCardsareshuffledandplacedfacedownontheDrawPileonthegameboard.Allotherpiecesareplacedinpilesaccordingtotheirspecifics. 2-5playersgatherandselecttheircharacterMiniatures. Eachgamepiececorrespondstoanelementalaffinity. PlayersaregivenanamountofPowerCountersequaltotheirstartingPower.

    ThenumberofplayersdetermineseachplayersstartingPower. With5players,thestartingPowerpercharacteris10 With4players,thestartingPowerpercharacteris12 With3players,thestartingPowerpercharacteris16 With2players,thestartingPowerpercharacteris25 Thetotalnumberofpowercounterscannotequalgreaterthan50

    Playersthrowtheirgamepiecesontothegameboardatthesametime.Theplayerwiththeircharacternearesttheblackdotinthemiddleofthecenterspaceoftheboardhasthefirstturnandchoosestheturnorder. Playersthentaketurnsplacingtheircharacteronanyspacethatmatchestheirpredeterminedelement. EachplayertakesturnsplacingoneObstacleTileontheboarduntilall30areplaced.

    CreatingDeadEndswiththeObstacleTilesisforbidden. DeadEndsmeaningifaplayerbarricadesthemselvesinasectionoftheboard. Alsocompletelysectioningoffanentireelementfromanotherelement.

    TurnSequence&Play

    Pre-MovementPhase: Drawonecardfromthedeck.

    Aplayercannothavemorethan3cardsintheirhandatatime.Ifatanypointaplayerhasmorethan3cards,theyhavetodropanyextracardsontheircurrentspaceoranyemptyadjacentspace. I.E.ifaplayerdrawsacardandthatcardincreasestheirhandtoabove3theplayercanlaydownacardthatdonotwantatthattimependingtheyareintheirElement.Howeverlaterontheycantravelbackovertheircardtheylaiddownandpickitbackupandlaydownadifferentcardintheirhandifnowover3currentlyinhand. IfthecardaplayerlaysdownintheirElementisaTrapCardandlateronifnooneelsehassprungthatTrapbytraversingoverit,theplayerwholaiditdownmaychoosetotraverseoveritandplaceitinadifferentspacethatwithin1adjacentspaceoftheircharacterandwithintheircontrollingElement(s).

    AplayercandropanycardsfacedownontheircurrentspaceoranyemptyadjacentspaceatthestartoftheirturnonlyintheircontrollingElement(s). Cardscannotbedroppedonaspacewithanothercard,anenemy,oranObstacleTile.

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    IfaplayerdropsacardonanElementthattheydonotcontrol,thecardisautomaticallyplacedintheDeadPile. IftheDrawPileisempty,shuffletheDeadPilebackintotheDrawPile.

    TheDeadPileiseverycardthathasbeenused.NoonemaydrawfromituntilitisreshuffledbackintotheDrawPile. IftheDeadPileandDeckPilearebothempty,playersskipthedraw.Thisensuresthatplayershavetopickupcardsfromthegameboardifthegamereachesastalemateandexposethemselvestopotentialtraps. PlayersmaychoosetouseaSpellorAttackCard.

    Playersmayonlyuse1SpellorAttackCardperturn.MovementPhase:

    Playersmustmovetoadjacentspaces. Playershavethreespacesofmovementiftherearefiveplayers.Foreveryplayerlessthanfive,eachplayerwillgain+1tomovement. PlayersareabletomovefromElementtoElement.MovingtoanotherplayersElementcouldcausereducedmovementspeedunlessyouhaveacounterelement. ObstacleTilesaretilesthatplayerscannotmovethroughorlandon. Anytimeaplayermovesthroughacardthathasbeendroppedinaspace,theyhavetoreadit.TrapCardsareactivatedastheyaremovedthroughandothercardsmaybepickedup.TheowneroftheTrapCardiswhoevercurrentlycontrolstheElementthattheTrapwason. Playerscannotmoveontoaspacethatisoccupiedbyanotherplayer.

    Post-MovementPhase: PlayersmaychoosetouseaSpellorAttackCardbeforeoraftertheymovetheircharacter,butnotboth.

    Again,playersmayonlyuse1SpellorAttackCardperturn. Endplayersturn.

    HowAttacksWork: TherangeofSpellsistwospacesiftherearefiveplayers.Foreveryplayerlessthanfive,Spellrangeisincreasedby1unlessanActionCardstatesotherwise.Spellswillbemoreimportantasthegameprogressesandplayersareeliminated.

    AttackCardshaveasetrangeofattackthatremainsthesame. SpellCardsrangeofdamage:

    Fiveplayers,SpellCardrange3. Fourplayers,SpellCardrange4. Threeplayers,SpellCardrange5. Twoplayers,SpellCardrange6.

    AttacksorSpellsmustbeperformedinastraightlineacrossadjacentspaces. UnlessanActionCardstatesotherwise.

    ObstacleTilesaretilesthatplayerscannotattackthroughorbendattacksaround. UnlessanActionCardstatesotherwise.

    AlldamagedonetoanopponentistakenawayfromtheopponentsPowerCounters.Theplayerwhoinitiatedthedamagereceivesthesepowercounters,butcannotusethemaslifeuntiltheopponentiskilled.ShowninFigures1-3.

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    WhenaplayerplaysanArtifactCardorDefenseCard,itisplayedintheirdesignatedDefensivearea,butwithoutthesamelimitationsofaDefenseCard. WhenaplayerisdamagedbyanAttackCard,SpellCardorTrapCard,thecardthatdamagedthemisdisplayedfaceuptotheotherplayer(s).Theattackerthenstatestheirintent.ex.IamgoingtoattackBobbywithmyEnchantedBlade!

    DesignatedDefensiveandOffensiveAreas:Oneverysideofthepentagonalboard,thereisprintedthecharacternameoftheownerofthatsidesurroundedbyanelementalmotiftotheleft,followedbytheothercharactersinthegamelistedtotheright. TheownersmotifontheirsideoftheboardistheirdesignatedDefensiveareaforplayingArtifactCardsandDefenseCards. TheplainprintingstotherightofacharactersownedsideoftheboardaredesignatedOffensiveAreas.

    Onceplayersareabletodeterminehowmuchdamageisdealttotheplayer,thecardisthenmovedtotheDeadPileandtheamountofpowercountersthataredoneindamagearethentransferredfromtheplayerwhoreceivedthedamagetothecorrespondingOffensiveAreaofthecharacterwhoinflictedsaiddamage. OnceaplayersPowerfallsto1pointbelowZERO,theirPowerCountersaredistributedtootherplayersaccordingtotheamountineachcorrespondingOffensiveArea.

    TheplayerwhodealtthefinishingblowtothefallencharactergainsanyArtifactCardsandanyPowerCountersfromotherattackingplayersnotyetinthegame. ThePlayerthatthedealtthemostoveralldamageandisstillstandinggainsthefallenplayersElement.Ifthereisatie,theElementgoestotheplayerwhostrucksooner.

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    Flowcharts

    GameSetup:

    MainPhase:

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    CombatPhase:

    DetailedRulesforSpecificPieces

    GameMiniatures:WhenaplayerisdefeatedandtheirElementiscaptured,theircharacterisforfeitedtothevictorasproofofowningtheirElement. ObstacleTiles:Thereisnomovingthem,attackingthroughoraroundthemormovingrightthroughthemunlessanActionCardindicatesotherwise. ElementalPowersandCounters:

    ElementalPowersareactivewhenanycharacterisstandingonaspacewithintheirownelement.ElementalPowerscauseanyotherplayerswhoentertheirElementtoautomaticallyandimmediatelylose1spaceofMovementforthenextturn;onlyiftheowneroftheElementiswithinthatElement.ThiseffectgoesawaywhentheElementownerleavesthatElement. CrawlingJungle StormyCity DeadlyDesert FrostbiteMountain ShadyOcean

    IfaplayerhasacounteroftheElementalPowerthentheyarenotaffectedbytheElementalPower. CrawlingJunglesCounter=StormyCityorDeadlyDesert StormyCitysCounter=CrawlingJungleorFrostbiteMountain DeadlyDesertsCounter=FrostbiteMountainorShadyOcean FrostbiteMountainsCounter=DeadlyDesertorShadyOcean ShadyOceansCounter=CrawlingJungleorStormycity Example:IfaplayerhasStormyCityorDeadlyDesertthentheyresistCrawling

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    JunglesElementalPoweranddonotlosemovementperturn. ArtifactCards(TheoreticallyarearticlesofclothingthecurrentArchmagehasthathasgivenuptoallowanewArchmagetorule)

    WhenaplayerobtainsanArtifactCard,heorsherevealsthecardandplacesitfaceupinfrontofhim.Thiscardnolongercountsaspartofhis3cardhandlimit,butratherasemi-permanentpower-up. IfsomeonewhohasanArtifactisdestroyedtheirArtifactCardswillbeobtainedbytheplayerwholandedthekillingblow. ArtifactCardsgivetheplayeracertainspecialability.

    ArchmagesCloakofInvisibility:ThespellportionofanySpellCardmisses(Onlythedamageapplies). ArchmagesShieldofPower:Resists1damagefromallsources.Damagecannotbereducedbelow1. ArchmagesBootsofSpeed:Theplayerhasa+3rollofanydiceonthed20(fortheresistances). ArchmagesEvilStaff:AddsdamagetoanyActionCard(thatdealsdamage)dealtdirectlytoaplayeraftertheplayerhastriedtocountertheattack.(regardless,theplayerattackedwillbedealtdamage)

    Ifd20rollis1-11add+1damage. Ifd20rollis12-18add+2damage. Ifd20rollis19or20add+3damage.

    SpellCards NotonlydoSpellCardscausedamagebuttheyalsohavethechancetoparalyzeorstuntheopponent. OffensiveSpellCardshavearesistancerollandthedefendingplayermustrollad20. Spellresistrollsaremodifiedbytheelementsofthedefendingplayer. ForeachElementweakagainstthespell,therequiredresistrollincreasesby2. ForeachElementstrongagainstthespell,therequiredresistrolldecreasesby2.

    Fireball:Deal2damage.Igniteenemyplayer.(Atthestartofeveryturn,rolld20toresist;anyrollgreaterthan10cancelstheignite.Ignitedplayerstake1damageatthestartofeveryturnuntiltheeffectisresisted.).(1exists) Rolld20toresist;anyrollgreaterthan16resiststhisspell FireElementSpell

    TombofIce:Deal3damage.Enemycannotmovenextturn(butcanstilldropcardsandattack).(1exists) Rolld20toresist;anyrollgreaterthan14resiststhisspell

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    IceElementSpell RingofDeath:Everyplayerinthegameisstunned(stunnedplayerscannotmoveorattack)andforfeitsoneturnexcepttheplayerwhoplayedit.Thisisaglobalspell.(1exists) RestorePower:Replenishany2PowerCountersgivenuptootherplayers.Thisisaglobalspell.(Theplayerwhocastedthisspellcanchoose2powercountersheorshehasgivenuptootherplayersandrestorethem).(1exists) ShockingBolt:Deals2pointsofdamagetoasingleplayer,andalsostunstheplayerforoneturn(stunnedplayerscannotmoveorattack).(1exists)

    Rolld20toresist;anyrollgreaterthan14resiststhisspell LightningElementSpell

    CrownofThorns:Deals2damagetotargetplayer,iftargetplayerisinthejungleregiontheplayerwillbestunned(stunnedplayerscannotmoveorattack)foroneturn.(1exists) Rolld20toresist;anyrollgreaterthan16resiststhisspell. EarthElementSpell

    MysticalMaelstrom:Deals2damagetoanycharacterwithinthesameelement.IfcontrolledbyaplayerthatisincontroloftheShadyOceanElement,sameeffectandeveryplayerwithinthatelementarewashedbacktooriginalElementincludingtheplayerwhoplaysthecard(playerspickaspacetobewashedupon.)(1exists) Rolld20toresist;anyrollgreaterthan16resiststhisspell. WaterElementSpell

    MagicMissile:Launchaplayerwithinattackrangeinastraightlinethroughanyobstaclesortraps(playerabsorbstraps)totheedgeofthemap.(2exist) PirateLore:Allowstheplayertotradeupto2cardsintheirhandwithaplayerthatiswithinattackingrangeandthensailofftotheShadyOceanElementandavoidalltraps,pickaspace.(Playersplacetheirhandsfacedownandtheplayerwhodealsthedamagegivesupto2cardsawaytotheotherplayerandtakescard(s)oftheirchoosinguptothesameamountgiven.(1Exists)

    Playerthatwasstolenfromhasupto5turnstocatchthepirateinattackingrangeandreturnthefavor. Telekinesis:Movesanobstaclewithinattackrangeupto3spaces.Iftheobstacleismovedontopoforthroughanotherplayer,heorshetakes2damage.(2Exist)

    Ifanobstaclelandsontopofaplayer,theymustmove1spaceimmediatelytogetoutfromundertheobstacle. Ifanobstaclelandsontopofatrap,itisdiscarded.Ifanobstaclelandsontopofanobstacle,itstaysthereandthestackresistsfutureTelekinesisattempts.

    AttackCards Attackcardsdodamageandhavedifferentrangesordifferenteffectsbasedonrange.

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    Attackcardsgenerallycannotberesisted. BlastWand:Deal3damage.Range:2(2exist) ElvenLongbow:Deal2damage.Range:3(2exist) DwarvenCrossbow:Deal1damagetoeveryplayerwithin2adjacentspaces.(3exist) EnchantedBlade:Deal2damage.Ifplayerusingthisattackisinoneoftheirownelements,attackdamageisincreasedto4.Range:1(3exist) L.A.D.(LightningArcDevice):Deal1damage;ignoresstraightlineruleandmaycurvearoundObstacletiles.Range:4(1exists) EtherealLance:Deal2damage.Canpierce1ObstacleTiletoreachdesiredopponent.Range:4(1exists)

    TrapCards TrapCardsareactivatedwhenaplayerlandsonthemorpassesthroughthem.

    PowerPlate:Take1damage;theplayerwhosetthistrapchoosesa3-spaceadditionalmovementforyourcharacterandyourturnends.(2exist) Rolld20toresist;anyevenrollreducesdamagetoZERO Anyoddrollabove1resistsMovementeffect Anyrolldivisibleby5resistsEndTurneffect Rolling1causes1additionaldamage

    SnareTrap:Take2damageandlose2movementsnextturn.(2exist) Rolld20toresist;anyrollgreaterthan10reducesdamageto1 Rolling20reducesdamagetoZERO Anyrollthatisdivisibleby3reducesmovementlossto1

    DisarmingTrap:Take2damageanddiscard1cardintotheDeadPile(2exist) Rolld20toresist;anyrollgreaterthan10reducesdamageto1 Anyrollthatisdivisibleby4preventsDiscardeffect

    PowerSiphon:Take2damage.ThePowerCounter(s)immediatelycountaspartofthetrapsettersPowerCounters(2exist) Rolld20toresist;anyrollgreaterthan12reducesdamageto1

    IronMaiden:Take1damageatstartofeveryturnuntilescapingfromthistrap(2exist) Rolld20attheendofeveryturn;anyrolldivisibleby3escapes

    DefenseCards DefenseCardscanbeactivatedwhenaplayertakesdamage.Thedefendingplayercanchooseif/whenheorshewantstousethesecards. OnlyoneDefenseCardcanbeplayedintheDefensiveAreaatonce.

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    ADefenseCardmustbeplayedintothedefendingplayersDefensiveAreaduringtheirownturninordertobeappliedinresponsetoanAttackCardorSpellCard. OnlyoneDefenseCardmaybeappliedtoanAttackCardorSpellCardatonce. OnceaDefenseCardisusedtoblockdamage,theplayermustplacetheDefenseCardintheDeadPile.

    DisarmTrap:Countertheeffectofanytrapthatisactivatedanddiscardit(2exist) MagicShield:Anydamagetakenisreducedby3(2exist)

    Attackermayrolld20totrytoworkthroughMagicShield Rollinganynumber10-14reducesShieldto2 Rollinganynumber15+reducesShieldto1 Rollinganynumberbelow6reflectstheattackontotheattacker

    AMagicShieldcannotreflectareflectionorcounteracounter ReflectionCloak:Forevery2pointsofdamageinflictedontheplayer,1pointofdamageisinflictedonthecaster(2exist).Damageresultingincharacterdeathvoidsuseofthiscard. DragonsBreath:AnyActionCardthatdoes1or2pointsofdamageisresistedandmetwiththefuryoftheDragonsBreathandtheattackingplayerissurroundedbyawalloffireforoneturnunabletomove.AllowingtheotherplayertoretreattoanyElementalsquarethattheycontrol(Only2exists) StolenIdentity:IfaplayerattacksyouwithanAttackCardyouareabletoresistthedamageandplacetheircharacteranywhereontheboardthatisunoccupied.(2exist)

    Victimhastorolld20,ifrollis1-10playerskeepcurrentElements.Ifrollis11-20playerstradeElements. SpellThief:IfaplayerattacksyouwithaSpell,playthiscardinresponsetoavoiddamageandeffectsand...StealtheSpellCard.(1exists) LateBloomer:TradeunspentPowerCounterswithanattackingplayerunlesstheirattackkillsyou.(1Exists)

    VictimofLateBloomerrollsd20toresist;divisibleof5escapesEndGameConditions

    PlayersloseiftheirPowerislessthan0. Thelastplayerleftinthegamewins.

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    RulesQuestions

    HowcomeafteraplayerplacesanObstacleTile,theycannotbemoveitagainuntiltheygettheTelekinesisspell? Itforcestheplayer(s)inthegametoadapttothepredeterminedstrategyfromtheObstacleTilesplaced.Toomuchchangecanbreakthatmechanic. IfweallowaplayertomoveObstacleTileswithoutanysortofrequiredSpellCard,thenthegamebeginstobecomeformedverymuchtowardsthatplayerspointofview.

    Whywouldplayerschoosetoformtemporaryalliancesinacompetitivefreeforall? SomeplayersmaygaintheincentivetowanttotakeoutastrongerplayerontheboardthathascontrolofmoreElements/ArtifactCardsbyformingtemporaryalliances. Someplayersmaywanttospeeduporslowdowntheprocessofthegameandbyformingthesetemporaryalliancestheycanchangethepaceofthegame. Someplayersmightjustprefertostartthegameinamorecooperativeorteam-basedenvironmentbeforehavingtobetrayeveryonetowinaspartoftheirstrategy.

    WhydotheSpellsandAttacksvarysowidely,and Wedontbelievetheplayershouldhavejustonegivenstrategythroughouttheentirecourseofthegame.Onceplayersbecomepredictable,thegamegetsboring.

    Whymayweonlycarrythreecards? Iftheplayerhastoomanycardsattheirdisposal,theyhavethepotentialtoadapttotoomanysituationsatonceandbecometoopowerful. Threefeelslikeabalancednumberinagamethatisquicklypacedandurgesplayerstonotjusttrapandattack,butalsodefendandretreat.

    HowdoPowerCountersworkinthisgame? Bobstartsthegamewith10PowerCounters. Jennydoes8damagetoBob. Bobrollsfordamagesavesandreducesthedamageto6. Bobplacesthecard(s)JennydealttodamageBobintheDeadPile. Bobplaces6PowerCountersnexttothenameofJennyscharacteronhissideofthepentagonalboard. Daviddoes5damagetoBob. Bobrollsfordamagesavesandreducesthedamageto4. BobisstillinplaybecauseDamagedoesnotoutnumberhisplayablePower. Bobplaces4PowerCountersnexttothenameofDavidscharacteronhissideofthepentagonalboard. Bobstumblesintoatrapandtakes1moredamage,andhischaracterisdead. Davidreceives4PowerCounters. BobsArtifactcardsgotoDavid(becauseofthekillingblow). Jennyreceives6PowerCounters. JennyreceivesBobselementalaffinity(becauseofmostdamagedealt).

    WhydotheSpellCardshavearesistanceeffect? ThereasonwhyweaddedsomeresistancechancetocertainSpellsarebecausewewantSpellstohavesomeriskcomparedtoattackcards.SpellCardsaregenerallystronger,buthaveachanceoffailure.

    Whendoesthegameend? Playerskeepmovingandattackinguntilonlyoneplayerremains. LastplayerremainingbecomestheArchmage.

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    References

    - Bowden, J. [Artist]. (2014). Pugnae potentia game board 2.01 and Pugnae potentia map center example diagram [Digital Art]. - Bowden, J. [Artist]. (2014). Magic Missile [Drawing]. - Bowden, J., Herman, Z., Juarez, J., Shu, C., & Wray, A. [Designers]. (2014). Pugnae Potentia [Board Game]. Solar Bears.- Bowden, M. [Artist]. (2014). Solar Bears [Logo].- Juarez, J. [Artist]. (2014). Achuchi the Green, Henrietta the Red, Grom the Silver, Finnkel the White, Charlotte the Blue, Archmages Shield of Power, Fireball, Iron Maiden, and Magic Shield [Drawing].- Cong, S., Bowden J. [Designers]. (2014). Game setup, Player movement, Player combat, and Endgame check [Flowchart].