Kichikuou Rance:Game mechanics

Before this section is completed, you can also check out /Raw for an old IRC chat log covering this topic.

Overview
This is a turn-based game. Each turn is one week in game time. The player make take several actions in one turn, with the ultimate goal of conquering the continent.

The actions avaiilable each week are:
 * 1 "City Event"
 * 1 Harlem action
 * 1 "Troop Management" action
 * 1 talk to a general
 * 1 visit to the merchant
 * 1 "build" action (if none is taking place)
 * 1 "expedition"
 * Unlimited number of city battles, until you take over one city.
 * Equip generals


 * (to be completed)

Battle Mode
At the beginning of battle, the player selects up to 4 generals. The first two troops are in the frontline, while the 3rd and 4th troops are backline. Backline troops can only use (and conversely hit by) arrows, magic, or special attacks. The general status screen shows whether each general's troops are frontline, backline, or are adapt at both.

When a frontline troop is defeated, the troops under it moves up. Because ranged troops tend to have weaker defenses, a common player strategy is to defeat one of the two melee groups first, so the ranged group 3 moves up to the frontline, then the player can easily pound on the weak ranged group.

Each battle consist of 5 round. If after 5 rounds neither side is eliminated, the defending side is considered the victor. During each round, when it's your general's time to make a move, the general's name will be in yellow. Select the enemy to have the active general's troops do the default attack. If you right click on the general, more options are available. The options are typically: Normal Attack (if the default attack is magical or ranged), Defend, Auto-Attack, Auto-Defend, and Retreat.

Generals may have special attacks. To use their special attacks, right click on the general when its his/her turn, select wait, and then at the next round when you right click on the general again the special attack option will be available.

If a general is set to auto-attack or auto-defend, the general will automically attack/defend for the next several rounds. To cancel the auto-mode, you have to wait until another active general's turn, then right-click on the auto general to pick the option that cancels automode. If all of your generals are on auto, there is no way to cancel it.

Generals who die are gone for good. So it's best to have them retreat when it's looking dangerous.