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How to play EN GARDE

EN GARDE is a strategic fencing game for two players, based on an original concept
by renowned game designer REINER KNIZIA. You'll need quick wits to outmaneuver and
outbluff your opponent. First to score five touches wins the game!

** EQUIPMENT **

The first time you play, you'll need to pick up a HUD and a WEAPON. Click anywhere on
the scoreboard and click Get Set Up in the blue dialog. Find the HUD and the EPEE
in your inventory, right-click and Wear each of them.

To begin the game, right-click on one side of the board and select En Garde! Your
opponent will do the same on the opposite end.


** BASIC MOVEMENT **

The playing area is 23 spaces across. The game is played with a deck of 25 cards --
five each of the numbers 1 through 5. Your HUD shows you your hand of 5 cards.

The object of the game is to score touches by maneuvering to a position where you
can attack your opponent, and they can't defend or counter-attack. Each touch
scores a point, and five points wins the game.

Players take turns playing cards. On your turn, click a card in your HUD, then click
ADVANCE or RETREAT. The card will hilight green when you click it. For example,
if you clicked a 2 and then Advance, you would move forward 2 spaces. You cannot
advance past your opponent, or retreat off the edge of the board.


** BASIC ATTACKS **

To attack, you must play a card that matches the distance to your opponent. That
distance is indicated by the orange markers on the sides of the board. (The markers
move out of the way when there's less than 3 spaces separating you). For example,
if you were 4 spaces away, you could attack with a 4 card. When you click the 4, your
HUD changes from Advance to Attack, to indicate you're making an attack. Click Attack
to try and score a touch.

If your opponent also has a matching card, they will use that to Parry, and the attack
will fail. Parries for basic attacks happen automatically. If someone attacks you, for
example, with a 4, and you also have a 4 in your hand, you will Parry and block the attack.
This uses up the 4 -- it will dim in your hand, and you have only 4 cards to choose
from for your next move. After that, however, you draw back up to 5 cards.


** POWER ATTACKS **

You can play a set of cards for a power attack. To do a power attack, you must have
a set of 2 or 3 identical cards. For example, if you are 3 spaces away form your opponent,
and you have two 3's in your hand, click on both of them, then Attack. Both cards will
hilite green, and you will do a DOUBLE STRENGTH ATTACK. A double-strength attack can
only be parried if your opponent also has two of the appropriate card.

If you have three of a kind, and are at the right distance, you can use all three for
a TRIPLE STRENGTH attack. Triple-strength attacks are unblockable, and will always
score a touch.


** END OF ROUND **

The number of cards left in the deck is shown on the TIME display on the scoreboard.
If no player scores a touch before the deck runs out, the round is over.

Both players have a chance to make a LAST-SECOND ATTACK. If you have ended the round
at a distance where you can attack, you will do so. For example, if you end the round
2 spaces apart, and you have a 2 in your hand, you will automatically do a last-second
attack. Last-second attacks are automatic; you don't have to click anything in your HUD.

If both players have possible last-second attack cards, then whoever has more wins.
If they have equal cards, or nobody can make an attack, then whoever has advanced
further down the board wins the point.


** RUNNING ATTACKS **

You can combine two cards in your hand to make a running attack known as an
ADVANCE-LUNGE. To do an Advance-Lunge, click two cards that add up to the distance
to your opponent. Your HUD will change to indicate you are doing an Advance-Lunge,
and one card will be hilited red. Click Advance-Lunge to execute the attack.

Example: You are 8 spaces from your opponent. You click 5, then 3, then Advance-
Lunge. You will Advance 5 spaces, then Lunge attack from 3.

An Advance-Lunge is a weaker attack, because it can be parried like a normal attack,
and also it can be dodged by retreating. If you are attacked with an Advance-Lunge,
your HUD options will change to PARRY or RETREAT. If you have the proper card,
you can click it and then Parry to parry it like a normal attack. You can
also use any card to retreat (if you have room), thus dodging the attack. A retreat,
however, uses your turn, so it will be the attacker's turn again.

If time runs out on an Advance-Lunge, the defender gets one last move. If he
parries, the round ends normally. If he retreats, then there are no last-second
attacks, and the point is awarded based on position.


** LADDER RANKING **

Every game you play is recorded, and you are ranked against everyone else in the
world. The scoreboard shows the current top-scoring players. For every game
you play, your points are added to your ranking score. Additionally, if you beat
someone who is ranked above you, then YOU GET THEIR SCORE. So if you beat
the top-ranked player, you will take their place in the #1 slot.

Ready...? En Garde!

PROCYON GAMES presents EN GARDE
DESIGNED and SCRIPTED by RIFKIN HABSBURG
Based on the original game by REINER KNIZIA
Animation by DrOFFSET CORTES