In this 2-4 player team game, players control Epic Heroes whom their King has called upon to lead armies and win the centuries-old war.

After setting up the play area and forming two teams, each side selects two heroes and then takes turns controlling their units. Chess pieces are referred to as ‘units’ because they symbolize the armies on the battlefield. Each player, in turn, moves their hero, then leads a unit and uses any desired abilities. 

Heroes first move up to their Movement value and then they must attempt to Lead a Unit (execute a chess move) by rolling the die, the result of which can be affected by various abilities. The unit may be Led to an unoccupied square or to a square that is occupied by an enemy unit. In the latter case, that Lead is referred to as “initiating a Battle”. If the Lead is successful, the unit remains in the square it was Led to. If it leads to a battle, then the enemy unit in that square is Destroyed (“capturing” a piece, in chess terms).

A hero’s turn is segmented into Phases and each hero has a unique set of abilities that they may use during their turn. Each ability can be used only once per turn and has a predefined phase in which it can be used. To use an ability, the hero (you), pays the cost in Destiny and then follows the rule set in that ability. Abilities ingeniously ‘break’ traditional chess rules, offering a unique gaming experience. These abilities allow manipulation of units by creating, modifying, or destroying them, and by making Leads either more or less challenging. They can control and alter the battlefield (chess board), affect other heroes, and even wound them to weaken them or knock them unconscious for a turn.

Gameplay continues in turn order from hero to hero until one side either checkmates the enemy or captures the enemy king by destroying him in battle. A checkmate occurs as in traditional chess, but destroying the king in battle is challenging because the king is, fortunately, immune to all abilities. 

Enjoy!