How to Play DinoBattle
A strategic board game where captures are based on pressure, not just position.
Quick Start
Goal: Capture the enemy Brachiosaurus to win!
Blue moves first, then players alternate turns.
Key mechanic: You can only capture a piece if your at that location is greater than your opponent's.
Board Setup
6 columns × 8 rows. Each player starts with:
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
A
B
C
D
E
F
A
B
C
D
E
F
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Red: Rows 7-8 (top)
Blue: Rows 1-2 (bottom)
The Pieces
| Piece | Dinosaur | Value | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| King (K) | T-Rex | 8 | 1-2 squares, all directions. Can capture freely. |
| Queen (Q) | Brachiosaurus | 1 | Only 1 square! Protect her - lose her, lose the game! |
| Lance 1 (L1) | Velociraptor | 5 | 1-2 squares, all directions. |
| Lance 2 (L2) | Pteranodon | 5 | Can fly over pieces! Applies pressure from 2 squares away. |
| Soldier (S) | Compsognathus | 1 | Forward only! 1-2 squares (including diagonal-forward). Promotes to Velociraptor. |
The Pressure System (Core Mechanic)
at a location = Sum of values of all your pieces that can reach it.
To capture an enemy piece:
- You must be (1 square away)
- Your pressure must be enemy pressure
Example:
Blue Compsognathus (value 1) wants to capture Red Compsognathus (value 1)
❌ Fails: 1 is not greater than 1
Add Blue Velociraptor (value 5) adjacent to target:
✓ Success: 1 + 5 = 6 > 1
Pteranodon Special Ability
The Pteranodon applies pressure from , making it excellent for support!
Movement Rules
- • Most pieces move in any of 8 directions
- • Ground pieces over other pieces
- • can fly over all pieces
- • moves only 1 square (not 2!)
- • move forward only (including diagonal-forward)
Promotion
When a Compsognathus reaches the opponent's back row, it .
- • Blue Compsognathus promote at row 8
- • Red Compsognathus promote at row 1
Winning & Drawing
Victory
Capture the enemy Brachiosaurus
Draw
- • Stalemate (no legal moves)
- • 200 moves without winner
- • Same position 3 times
- • Mutual agreement
Common Mistakes
❌Moving Brachiosaurus 2 squares → Brachiosaurus only moves 1
❌Moving Compsognathus sideways/backward → Forward only!
❌Thinking equal pressure allows capture → Must be greater
❌Capturing from 2 squares away → Must be adjacent
❌Jumping with ground pieces → Only Pteranodon flies
Strategy Tips
💡Keep pieces close together for mutual support
💡Push Compsognathus toward promotion
💡Never leave your Brachiosaurus unprotected
💡Control the center for better support range
💡Use Pteranodons for ranged pressure support
💡A lone piece is weak; grouped pieces are strong