****RULEBOOK (PV1.2)****

Download the Hoplomachus Rulebook (Public Version 1.2)

And post about it here!! (our new forum page!)

****GAMEPLAY VIDEOS****

While quite informal at this point, both Adam and I felt it was worth posting a few gameplay videos. More will be following shortly. Please keep an eye out on our Hoplo Tutorials Page for more! 

****PACKAGING UPDATE****

Check out the packaging discussion - click the "Updates" tab at the top!

****PLEDGE UPDATE****

ATTENTION: If adding the BRAWLER or PELTAST addons to your current pledge, just add the $ amount - don't select BRAWLER or PELTAST - BE SURE your ORIGINAL pledge level is still selected. 

ALSO: NEW PLEDGE LEVEL ADDED: CTG PREMIUM PLAY TESTER!!! 

****GAME DETAILS****

Hoplomachus: The Lost Cities

Hoplomachus is a Gladiatorial Combat board game set during the Roman Empire. This game uses an incredible set of game mechanics that, when put together, make an extremely fun and unique turn-based strategy game. Chips are drawn out of a bag to be used directly on the game board. These units (chips) are controlled by you as you compete for control of the arena. The basics of this game can be learned quickly, but it will take much more than that to master it. Hoplomachus challenges you to plan, risk, and adapt each turn. We want players to pick their own Champion and develop their own play style that best suits them. 

Hoplomachus can be played solo, co-op, head-to-head, or even as an interesting 4 player game (3 players and 1 controlling beasts). Soon, we will be introducing our first expansion: a 4th city, which will allow for full 4-player games. We promise the 2 player game alone is worth it! Each game takes about 45-60 minutes.

The Roman Empire is flourishing. News of the famous arena games are reaching every corner of the globe. But this renown may be having some undesired effects, as it has attracted the attention of some unusual parties. Legendary cities from the far reaches of the earth, each thought to have been lost forever, are sending emissaries to Rome. These are not ordinary cities. Each represent an advanced civilization, with tactics and warrior types unknown to Rome or its surrounding lands. How these cities and cultures exist remains a mystery… one the Empire intends to uncover. To posture and study the threat level of these potential adversaries, the Roman Empire reacts quickly. Each of the emissaries have been sent home with a directive in hand, a challenge that will take place in the arena.  The directive reads: “Gather your elite, your best Champion and all of his gladiators, set your strategists to work and join us. Battle in the arena and prove to the world you are worth its notice.” 

Three cities have responded…

Choose a Lost City to represent, deploy gladiators, use tactics, control the arena, win the crowd, win the game. You control the gladiators and your champion in combat, you choose when to play your tactics, and you choose the way to victory. 

Each player has a few separate phases to play their turns out. In a single turn a player will...

Draw Chips

All gladiator and tactic chips are kept in a small bag to be drawn throughout the game. You will always have access to just 5 chips to serve as your options for each turn.

Deploy Gladiators, Play Tactics

Your gladiators are the core of the game. These are the units that do the fighting in the arena for you. Each type of gladiator has a different role in battle.  Some gladiators are good at taking hits, other are amazing offensive units, while some have the ability to attack from a distance. Some gladiators carry unique skills mastered only by that city. You can also play tactics. Tactics may be used on your own units OR on your opponent. If playing a tactic on an opponent, it must be within your unit's tactical range, In many cases, a well-played tactic can spell disaster for your opponent.

Move Gladiators

All of your gladiators will now have a chance to move into a good position. Depending on your play style, you may choose to rush a CF stone, tie up their open deployment areas, build up a defense, assault their inactive Champion, or move way back and take low risk, low accuracy pop shots from a distance, the options are endless. 

Attack

After your gladiators have moved into position, your attack phase begins. Who, what order, and how you attack can make a big difference. Once you have completed your attack phase, it is your opponent's turn.

The turn cycle will continue until a champion has fallen.

Coming soon!!**Watch a the creators discuss a more in depth turn by turn gameplay and strategy behind this!** 

Coming soon!!  **Watch a Complete Game of Hoplomachus in about 3 minutes!**

1v1 (head-to-head)

Players will be able to challenge one another in a heads up game.  Two teams; One winner.  There are a few matchup combinations that can occur here as we have provided three playable Cities.  You could even each choose to face off the same City if you have two copies of the game!

1vB (Solo)

We also have an exciting option of solo play.  Beasts (B stands for Beast) will have their chance at besting you.  They have the advantage of strength, and you have the advantage of strategy.  We have incorporated a unique and exciting way of allowing 'the board' control these beasts, so that you can focus on winning for yourself.

2vB & 3vB (Co-op)

There is yet another way to play, Co-op versus the Beasts.  What better way to fight than with allies at your side?  The beasts are a bit tougher in this mode, and you have to work together seamlessly to best them.

4vB, 1v1v1v1, 2v2

Coming soon is an expansion that will enable the game to go up to 4-players!  There is much more new content to come out soon, including an all new 4th Lost City to represent.  Please feel free to visit our forums or website for more information on this.

BANDIT LEVEL ($10+)

At this level you receive our Kickstarter Flip Chip: This is a heads/tails chip is used to get the game underway. This chip will only be produced for KS backers (limited print) and each will carry the signatures of the game creators.
 

BRAWLER ADDON (add $20 to current pledge)

UPGRADE your pledge by adding $20 to your pledge level ($60 or higher) and receive this: Kickstarter Exclusive Arena Mat (this UPGRADE is the ONLY way to get this arena mat as it does not come with the original game and WONT be offered after our project is funded). 

This game mat offers new objectives and new arena challenges (current graphics and arena still undergoing some testing and therefore could change slightly before final product is sent to production). 

There is a new way to earn victory on this map and an added benefit/threat to all opponents. The task is to get a stripped down archer from your end of the battlefield to the other side. But before you can move him, you need to get the crowd involved. As you gain favor, your archer gains the ability to move...and more. Eventually, if protected, it becomes as strong an asset as your champion! Losing your archer does not lose the game but it's a lot like losing your queen in chess. It might be hard to recover. With center pillars blocking movement, you will need to rely on your city's specific abilities and tactics to work your way past the beasts and engage your opponent. Plenty of new challenges await you in the FaMel Ruins! 

YOU WILL ALSO RECEIVE ONE EXTRA FLIP CHIP.

Level 0 and 1

Level 2 and 3

Level 4

Beast cages

PELTAST ADDON (add $45 to current pledge)

This is the first level (besides the Early Bird levels) where you are able to get a full copy of Hoplomachus: The Lost Cites. This level also comes with the Kickstarter Flip Chip. 

HOPLO FIGHTER ($120+) 

This level comes with 1 copy of Hoplomachus: The Lost Cities, our Kickstarter Flip Chip, and the PELTAST ADDON - Personalized (Kickstarter only) Holding Cell Side Mat.

HOPLO ELITE ($180+) 

This level comes with 1 copy of Hoplomachus: The Lost Cities, our Kickstarter Flip Chip, the BRAWLER ADDON - Kickstarter Exclusive Arena Mat, the PELTAST ADDON (x2)!! - Personalized (Kickstarter only) Holding Cell Side Mats, and a KickStarter Exclusive Dye Sublimated "Tournament Day" Sport Shirt: full front and back printing with specific personalization options for YOU and signed by the creators.

STRATEGIST ($250+) 

STRATEGIST - ALL HOPLO FIGHTER rewards PLUS a copy of EVERY additional game Chip Theory Games produces through Kickstarter (currently play testing our next 3 games) INCLUDING our first Hoplo expansion featuring a 4th City and more 4-player modes! - when they are released. (expansion est date is Q1 of 2013) ***Shipping for subsequent games will be handled separately once each game is ready to ship. 

Games in development (sneak peak)

I was set to give you all a sneak peak of what is in development at Chip Theory Games but after further discussion, we feel we would like to take a bit more careful approach. Therefore, if you are interested in the STRATEGIST pledge level and would like more information, please e-mail me at josh@chiptheorygames.com for a few details on what's coming. As mentioned above, 3 more titles are at different stages, all waiting to see just how well Hoplomachus fares. We also have a sweet Hoplo expansion that is being fine tuned. Can't wait to say more...but Adam's holding my tongue for now. ;) Stho yuall juth hafth thu waith! 

WAR CHARIOT ($325+) 

Refer to actual pledge for description. 

BEASTMASTER ($550+) 

Refer to actual pledge for description. Photos of the BOSS BEASTS will be released shortly!

PRISON KEY KEEPER ($650+) 

Refer to actual pledge for description. Photos of the BOSS CRIMINALS will be released shortly! 

CTG PREMIUM PLAY TESTER ($655+)

Details at: www.hoplomachus.com/pages/kickstarter

CHAMPION ($1550+) 

Refer to actual pledge for description. 

KEYS TO THE CITY ($2550+) 

Refer to actual pledge for description. 

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We both want to thank you from our hearts for all of your support. Whether you bought our game, backed our project, or simply spread the word about our game, we appreciate it. 

We at Chip Theory Games are extremely humbled by the experience of creating this game, and being a part of KickStarter. We hope that Hoplomachus is the first of many games that we produce. A special thanks to our team of playtesters, the countless others that filled that role as well, and all of you who bounced ideas with us time and time again. We wouldn't be where we are right now without you!

Last, but not least, we promise to kick forward (www.kickingitforward.org) 5% of our funding right back into other awesome KS projects. We can't wait to see what new games and mechanics come from others within the Kickstarter community. 

Please check out our links below for more information!!!

www.hoplomachus.com

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/124839/hoplomachus-the-lost-cities

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hoplomachus/212963478743398

Shipping Reminder!!!

All shipping for backers of this project is free within the United States. For other locations, see below:

• US Shipping - No charge! (estimated rate is $11.50 though USPS)
• Canada / Mexico add $25 (estimated rate is $36 though USPS) 
• Non-North America add $40 (estimated rate is $51 through USPS)