"Welcome to the realm of Dragon War, my world. I am the great Snarky, the Crunchy Dragon and you are now my apprentice. Before your travels I shall bestow upon you all the strategies and tactics you will need for your journey through this war torn land. All adventures have a beginning, begin yours..."

"This is how you set up the game..."

START UP

2 or more players may participate in a Dragon War game. First the players must choose a character card the corresponding character tile and a death counter tile (skull).

Example of Character Card (Front & Back)

The next step is to shuffle the game cards (40) and then place them into 4 rows of 10 (or as space permits). The cards should then be placed game side up (each card has three squares at the bottom). Line up all the squares so that it forms a row of squares. This forms the game board. The start card should be put at the beginning and the finish card should be placed at the end. A stack of the small Fate Cards should be put face down near the game board. Each player puts their character tile on the start card and rolls the die to determine who goes first, highest roll wins.

DEATH COUNTERS

Each player has a character card that has a grid of numbers ranging from 25 to 0 on the back. Place the skull tile on the number 25 (this indicates how many life points the character has). Throughout the game many cards or battles will add or subtract life points from the character (never going above 25). The skull tile helps keep track of the remaining life points. For example: if a character has 25 life points and loses 3 in a battle. The player moves the skull tile from 25 to the 22 square. When a player reaches 0 he is out of the game.

GAME PLAY

The object of the game is to get your character to the finish card and roll a sum of 13 or higher with three rolls of the die. To achieve this all players begin the game at the start card. At the beginning of each player's turn they roll the die and move their character tile that many squares on the game board. The player must instantly follow the directions of the square. If a square adds or subtracts life points it must be marked on the death counter (see DEATH COUNTER section) before the player continues.

SQUARES & THEIR EFFECTS

A player landing on a square called "SAFE HAVEN" is protected from any form of harm while they occupy that square.

A player landing on a square called "PICK A CARD" draws a card from the Fate Card deck (see FATE CARDS).

A player landing on a square called "BATTLE" is forced to choose an opponent to engage in combat, this also happens when a character lands on a square occupied by another character (see BATTLE section).

One of the great features of the game is the ever changing layout from game to game, but this also allows a player to get caught in a loop (rarely). For example: a player may land on a square that sends them back 3 spaces. Then that square may send you forward three spaces. In such a case, the player follows the first square and ignores the effect of the second square.

Once a character reaches the FINISH CARD he gets to roll the die three times to get a sum of 13 or higher to win the game. If the rolls do not add up to 13 or more the player must wait and try again during his next turn.

BATTLE

A battle consists of two characters fighting by each rolling the die. Whoever gets the higher roll wins (if it is a tie each player rolls again). The winner of the battle rolls again to determine how many life points are subtracted from the losers death counter. When characters land on the same square they must battle each other, however, when a character lands on a "Battle" square he can choose which player to battle.

FATE CARDS

Fate cards are broken down into four groups. The Life and Death cards must be played instantly and then placed back into the bottom of the deck. These cards either add or subtract life points that affect the player's death counters. Treasure and Weapon cards may be held until the player decides to use them (it must be during the players turn or a battle their invovled in). These cards consist of items that will help characters along their journeys.

UNIQUE FEATURES

- With the game cards being shuffled and then placed down as the game board this ensures that you can never have the same game twice. This unique pattern feature has earned a patent with the United States Government (pending).

- The rows that are suggested to be 4 rows of 10 can easily be changed to accomodate available space. It can also accomodate time. If players wish to have a shorter game, they just need to leave some game cards out. The start and finish cards are the only ones that need to stay in play. RAK also suggests placing your cards into the plastic sport card holders to form your game boards. This will keep the cards from sliding and getting bent.

- Optional Rule: If a player dies they may go to the start card with 15 Life and continue playing. (Your group can decide the number of times this can be done)

RAK SUPPLEMENTAL CHARACTERS (one in each deck)

Chakan, Executioner, Thundermace, Demoness, and Stephen Darklord are a supporting cast from the RAK line of comics.

CONGRATULATIONS!

"Your reward for completing your apprenticeship are the following strategies and tips that will enhance your Dragon War experience.

1. Before starting the game, check the position of some of the more powerful game cards. The positioning of the REAPER, ENCHANTRESS, and GOLD DRAGON may effect your use of Fate Cards, or how aggressive you play while near them, etc.

2. Remember to play this game in the spirit it was intended: a loud, rough and rowdy game with no holds barred. So don't take it too seriously and have a great time.

3. Many people buy the inexpensive expansions which are each designed to bring a unique game play to the table. My personal favorite is a game that contains the following: Basic game, Pre-game Character Enhancement Charts, Movement Fate Cards, and a few choice Kinetic Kardz. Other favorite sets are the Haunted House, Elemental Furies and the new Artifacts of Avalon.

4. With so many variables don't be afraid to experiment with your own optional rules. If a dispute arises group consensus will decide (remember it's just a game). To find out how other people add to the game check out the "House Rules" section of this site.

5. Don't forget you can alter the length of the game by adding and subtracting game cards in the deck. This can vary from a 20 card lunchtime game to an all nighter with many of the expansions added in.

6. The Dragon War will continue to expand it's dynamics through an open-ended system of expansions and supplements. Players are more than welcome to help add depth through their own tips and designs.

7. To maximize your playing experience check back to this site for new expansions, updates and upcoming news.

In closing I hope you take this experience and wage war upon your enemies...

DRAGON WAR!