Simple Life or Death # of Players: 2+ Minutes: variable to play style Pieces: One stash of a different color per player Extra Equipment: Large Grid 1 set standard playing cards per every two players (round up) 1 set of dice (one 4-sided, one 6-sided, one 8-sided, one 10-sided, one 12-sided, one 20-sided) Grid requirements: I personally just drew out a very large grid on a piece of butcher paper, which ended up being 17 by 42 squares. It would be very easy to replace this with several chessboards. Two wide by five or six long (for a grand total of 10-12 chessboards). Any grid system will function, that was just the layout I used for the first several times we played. As long as there is plenty of spaces for movement. The minimal size must be at least 16 by 16. One could layout the chess broads in any shapes they feel fit. Even role-playing maps could work well for this game. Setup: Start with an empty board. Remove jokers from the playing card deck(s). Shuffle the cards and deal out ten cards for each player. All players roll one 6-sided die. The one with the highest roll goes first, and then play continues either clockwise or counter-clockwise, as players agree. Does Size Matter? The only thing effected by the size of the piece in question, is the number sided die use for movement. Play: Placement and Movement- Pieces can be placed anywhere on the board, including on top of other pieces; be they the player's own pieces, or another players' pieces. Each turn the player must place at least one piece on the board, until all pieces are on the board. They player can either move one piece, or sacrifice moving a piece to place another piece on the board. Each turn the player must move one piece, unless they sacrifice the move the place an extra piece on the board. Only one piece may be moved per the player~Rs turn. If a player wishes to move a piece, they must declare which piece will move in what direction, before rolling the die. Pieces may move in a straight or diagonal line. No turning or zigzagging is allowed. Small pieces use either the 4-sided or the 6-sided die to move. Medium pieces use either the 8-sided or the 10-sided die to move. Large pieces use either the 12-sided or the 20-sided die to move. The entire count of the die must be moved, unless you encounter another piece in the direct line of movement. Pieces whose movement takes them off the board are removed from play, and are out of the game. When a piece encounters another players pieces in their direct line of movement, that piece must stop on the same square as the other players piece. That piece is placed on top of the other player~Rs piece, and the movement of its~R turn is finished. When a piece encounters the same players pieces in their direct line of movement, that piece may stop on the same square as the piece; or they may jump over the piece, and finish the count of the die roll. If that piece is placed on top of the other piece, and the movement of its~R turn is finished. When there are stacked pieces, the bottom piece may move as normal; while doing such the bottom piece carries the other pieces with it. Pieces that are on top may jump off during their own move, if they so desire. When more then two pieces are stack, both of the above rules apply. As an example, there are four pieces stacked (red, orange, yellow, and green). Red moves, and as the piece on bottom moves all other pieces with its movement. Orange chooses not to move that piece. Yellow moves, and jumps off of red and yellow; however green will be carried along with yellow~Rs movement. Attacking: Cards- The playing cards are used for attacking and defending. Black cards are used for attacking, and red cards are used for defense. Two is the lowest card, while ace is the highest card; with all others falling in the normal order. When attack, each player places their cards face down. When both cards are down, the players then turn those cards over. The card with the greatest value wins. In cases of ties, the defender is assumed to have won. If the attack wins, the defending piece is removed from play, by the attacker, and placed in their trophy pile. If the defender wins, the defending piece is left in play. When and Where- When any opposing players~R pieces are in an adjacent (straight or diagonal) or same square, they may be attacked. One attack per each piece, per opposing target is allowed. As an example, there are four pieces stacked (red, orange, yellow, and green), in adjacent squares there are two more pieces (red and yellow). On red player~Rs turn each piece is allow one attack on orange, two attacks on yellow, and one attack on green. On orange player~Rs turn that piece is allow two attacks on red, two attacks on yellow, and one attack on green. On yellow player~Rs turn each piece is allow two attacks on red, one attack on orange, and one attack on green. On green player~Rs turn that piece is allow two attacks on red, one attack on orange, and two attacks on yellow. Players must declare which piece they are attacking before they place cards down. Replacement of Cards- After cards are used they are place in a discard pile. Each player then draws one replacement card. If the replacement deck is depleted, then the discard deck is shuffled and placed in the replacement deck place. Winning and Losing- If the game is played out completely, the winning is the player that has at least one piece left on the board, when all other pieces have been removed. If they game is not played out completely and the game is closed earlier, then the winner is the player that has captured the most number of the opponents' pieces.