Gameplay FAQ

What if there's something wrong with my starting continent?
What if I start right next to an enemy?
How do I form an alliance?
Does my ally automatically receive map updates from me?
What if I break my alliance and back-stab my ally?
Can I form non-aggression pacts (NAP) in no-alliance games?
How do I load a transport?
How do I repair damaged units?
How does fuel work?
When are my units visible to the enemy?
How does submarine stealth work?
Do cities have sight range?
If I have several units stacked in a city, what is the order in which they will defend an attack?

Q: What if there's something wrong with my starting continent?
A: Most of the time, each player will start on an island with two inland cities and two port cities. However, because each map is randomly generated and starting locations are randomly assigned, you may occasionally start in a more or less desirable location. Random starting conditions are part of the game, and we encourage you to do your best to win despite your circumstances. Highly skilled players have been known to win with one city starting islands, and early leads can be overshadowed by rapid expansion. (It's possible, though rare, to start on an island with no port cities at all. If this occurs, your best option is to simply join a new game.)

Q: What if I start right next to an enemy?
A: Starting location are random, but the game will try to space players roughly the same distance apart. Nevertheless, due to the random nature of the maps, it is possible to start extremely close to an enemy. In those situations, you may want to consider an alliance or a preemptive invasion.

Q: How do I form an alliance?
A: If you are playing in a room that allows alliances, the "send message" screen will include an option to send an alliance proposal to another player. When the recipient of your proposal reads his messages, he'll have the option to accept your alliance offer. A player cannot be allied with more than one other player at a time.

Q: Does my ally automatically receive map updates from me?
A: No. You must actively choose to send your ally your world map and you must remember to send map updates as you explore more terrain.

Q: What if I break my alliance and back-stab my ally?
A: That's up to you. There is no rule against breaking alliances, but just be aware that your actions might create some hard feelings and your reputation is likely to follow you.

Q: Can I form non-aggression pacts (NAP) in no-alliance games?
A: Again, that's up to you. If you trust your enemy, go right ahead. Just keep in mind that there can only be one winner in a no-alliance game.

Q: How do I load a transport?
A: There are two ways. One way is to pull a transport up along a coastline and move tanks directly onto it. The other way is to move your tanks and your transport into a city. When the transport leaves the city, the tanks will automatically go with it. If you load a transport from a city, your tanks will depart well rested and retain their full complement of moves until their next move cycle occurs. Despite this added benefit to loading tanks in this manner, there is an added risk too. Ships are extremely vulnerable in port, and if your transport is destroyed, all your awaiting tanks will be sunk along with it.

Q: How do I repair damaged units?
A: For each move cycle a unit spends in a city, it will regain two lost hit points. Allied cities can repair your units too.

Q: How does fuel work?
A: Air units are limited by a fuel level separate from their available moves. Each sector of movement consumes one fuel. If an air unit continues flying after it has run out of fuel, it will crash and be destroyed. Each time an air unit passes through a friendly city, its fuel will be immediately restored to 100%.

Q: When are my units visible to the enemy?
A: If an enemy unit falls within the sight range of either your unit or the enemy's, the units will be revealed to both players. In other words, you can discover the enemy or it can discover you. Once a unit has been discovered, it will remain visible for 24 hours. Submarines are an exception. They have a special stealth characteristic that makes them harder to spot and track.

Q: How does submarine stealth work?
A: Normally, if you brush past an enemy or initiate an attack, your unit will be revealed. With submarines, that's not the case. Your submarine can slide right past an enemy without appearing on the enemy's map. Additionally, once a submarine is spotted, it will only remain in view for four hours -- not 24 hours as with other units.

Q: Do cities have sight range?
A: No. Cities themselves have no sight, but the units inside them do. An enemy tank could roll right up to the gates of an empty city and you wouldn't see it. But, if you had at least one unit in the city, then you would be aware of its surroundings.

Q: If I have several units stacked in a city, what is the order in which they will defend an attack?
A: The order of defense is essentially arbitrary. Technically, stacked units will defend in the order created, but there's nothing you can really do to control it.

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