"KNIGHTSHADE"- A Heaven/Hell game where your soul is trapped in between

OK. So here are the newly updated game board and hit location cards: http://www.flickr.com/photos/92456596@N03/

So the game board is split into "levels" and if the game is every completely finished and maybe possibly published, then these will actually be raised steps. Dark to lighter shades as it goes up (6 levels).

So the gameplay (PLEASE let me know what you think):

The game setup is merely setting up the board and the decks. Players each roll a D6 to determine what board "level" their NPC opponent will start. For a normal game, players always start on the bottom level by the weapons racks (little black triangles). Opponents have 2 (maybe 3) sets of "difficulty" levels which is determined by the level of the player, using the opponent level that is closest to your own. You then draw/choose your scenario card; following any special directions which will usually only be starting points, figure placement, and status/turn effects. The possibilities are near endless though.

1. Special Event Card- draw and play (active for 1 player and NPC turn) and follow any directions/actions it says, if any.
2. Movement Phase
- AP is determined by stats (agility and endurance)
- The board is split into rings, with the rings being split into four "quadrants", each movement space is 1 AP
- It is important to consider where you are at before the attack phase!
3. Attack Phase
- Any figure that is on higher ground, has an attacking advantage. Buffs: +1 Attack, +1 Endurance, +1 Critical (defending advantage: +1 Defense, +1 Endurance). Attacking from behind grants +2 Attack, +2 Critical.
- Move figures to attack position
- Attack! Choose your attack and spend the designated AP to do so. Use any special attacks that require use before roll.
4. Draw translucent hit location card according to attack level, and play on top of enemy's image/silhouette.
5. Count possible hits, add Strength stat minus NPC Defense, make sure it is in between the MIN/MAX possible hits.
6. Roll 1 Red and 1 Yellow dice for each hit. (1-10, usually about 2-6)
7. Use an special abilities required after attack roll.
8. Match up areas. ( If the hit location card has a "slash" symbol in the "head" of the silhouette, and you roll a "slash" with the red dice, and a "head" with yellow, then that area is wounded)... attacker allocates what hits land where, if multiples or odd numbers. (1 attack type, and 2 body parts that match silhouette for example)
9. If total wounds is 1-2, then you stay on your space. If 2-4, then you get knocked back two spaces and lose 2 AP next turn. If 5+, then you are knocked back to the wall (bottom level) and lose half of you AP for your next turn.
10. Rebound phase, any end of turn special abilities/cards played, and movement if able. "1 turn" effects fizzle last.

Defend phase:
1. Opponent movement (set number of movement spaces per NPC, always towards you, and always to higher ground if possible
2. Follow any special rules listed on the Special Event AI card for the opponent. (usually at least 1) and movement, almost always wherever you are at.
3. Opponent attacks within desirable range. Draw one Opponent AI attack card, play it and follow any special rules. Apply
4. Draw Hit Location card (according to level of opponent). Match up areas with your image/silhouette. Count possible hits, and subtract opponents Offense skill from you Defense. These are the places where the opponent will strike (how many dice to roll).
5. Use any special defense abilities that require use before the roll.
6. Roll 1 blue and 1 yellow dice for each strike.
7. Use any special defense abilities that require use after the roll
8. Match up areas that were successfully defended from dice, take wounds everywhere that was not defended.
9. If total wounds is 1-2, then you stay on your space. If 2-4, then you get knocked back two spaces and lose 2 AP next turn. If 5+, then you are knocked back to the wall (bottom level) and lose half of you AP for your next turn.
10. Rebound phase, any end of turn special abilities/cards played, and movement if able. "1 turn" effects fizzle last.

Players are able to have either 2 weapons or a weapon and a shield. If 2 weapons are equipped, then you play 2 translucent hit location cards on top of the silhouette. Any doubled up (stacked) strikes only count as 1.
If a player has a weapon and shield equipped then, they get to roll the extra number of defense dice that is indicated on the Shield's card, added just before the roll. (only having one item equipped in the weapons slots ensures death...fyi)

A player can move around The Arena at will. Most NPC enemies will have an ability to "leap" at you, being able to reach you anywhere during their movement phase. So you cannot "hide" from them.

A player can go to the weapon/shield rack and draw one card per turn at a cost of all AP. The player will be unable to move toward the opponent for his attack phase, or attack. The player will also be facing toward the weapon rack with his back against the enemy for it's next attack. This is a bigger part of the gambling mechanic in the game.

2 human player's may also attack each other, or join together in a fight.
- Fighting together- must follow special rules, and enemy attacks both players each turn
- Fighting each other- Follow the human attack and defense steps listed above, negating the NPC turns.

The Horde and The Angels will create status effects and sort of battle back and forth (a scale) for control of The Knights' souls. every turn. Creating status effects, and AoE to battle around. I am not quite sure yet as to how critical of a role this will play, but it will be evident and affect decisions in the game. Those decisions, in turn, effect the next round of battles, So make good, moral choices!

The Caverns under The Arena is where you go between battles. After a battle, you are awarded gold; how much depends on the choices you made as well by There will be a set number of merchants and random encounters. there will be one card that you draw at the beginning of this phase that will tell you what is happening and who you are available to "interact" with at the time. You will be able to purchase weapons, bet on matches, battle thieves/pickpockets, and solve simple side quests. "If you accomplish A, B, and C, in your next battle, then you get Z for free." Side Quest, missions of sorts. You carry these cards with you in battle until accomplished.

The Caverns are meant to be a nice throw back to The Arena. The Caverns are the flip side to The Arena. A place where you can spend almost as much time as in the battle, or as little as you want... The more Side Quests accomplished here, will grant you more rewards, which will make success beating the whole game a little easier. (which can take quite a bit, battles lasting about 30min and as long as an hour depending on Scenario you want to play and number of players. There will be at least 12 different levels to complete, it will take at least 24 hours of playing to fully "beat" the game, quicker with more people. 1 player can play this game and have a blast, 2+ players adds trickery to the mix and PvP angel VS demon battles.

I am not sure what I want to do if a players dies, I think if you are trying for the entire campaign, then The Knight would lose all of their gear, being reshuffled into the deck. Drawing 4 new gear cards to replace them.

PHEW... I think that is it for now, I am burnt out.
I would really love to know what you all think though, thanks for any feedback too! And let me know what you think about the game board as well. I have made about 8 versions now and I really like the one I have now. A king of the hill battle of sorts. :D