Skeleton to E4, Viking To C5 – There Are No Book Moves In ‘Dead Man’s Chess’
Dead Man’s Chess is a new spin on an old classic. Instead of knights and bishops, expect time travelers and ancient horrors!
Everyone knows Chess. It’s been around in one form or another for over a millennium. But for all its sophistication and class, it’s basically solved at this point. Computers got us beat. So, why not mix it up with a little bit of something new?
Dead Man’s Chess, by Spyglass Games, is a competitive tactical combat game that uses Chess as its foundation. However, it’s got tons of new mechanics and features, making it as much like Chess as Settlers of Catan is like Yahtzee. If this all sounds interesting to you, be sure to check out their Kickstarter campaign page.
A Whole New Way To Play Chess
Dead Man’s Chess has unique factions for each player. Each faction has a unique faction ability, as well as cards to perform special attacks.
At the start of each player’s turn, they will have the option to use their faction ability, or attempt a Boost or Epic Act. Each faction ability is wholly unique, as are the Boosts and Epic Acts. A boost will provide a buff to one of your units. This could grant them additional movement, or a different way of attacking.
Finally, the Epic Acts are powerful one-time abilities that can be performed at any point, so they can easily turn the tide. Pirate pun intended.
Cthulhu Takes Medusa
Unlike in standard Chess, in Dead Man’s Chess, capturing a piece isn’t as simple as moving into the opposing piece’s space. Here, pieces fight it out!
Each unit has an Attack and Defense stat. When a unit attacks another, they both roll 2 dice and add the result to their appropriate stat. However, if the defending unit’s total is higher, they turn the attack around and the attacking unit is captured! So be careful trying to capture the Count with a lowly Pirate.
Dead Man’s Chess is a fun modernization of Chess. Thanks to the turn limit keeping games quick, and unique factions making each game different, Dead Man’s Chess is a game you’ll find yourself playing again and again.
The Kickstarter is live – reserve your copy of Dead Man’s Chess today!
