RISK Domination V: Finished!

[Joe Republic]

 
Welcome to a new game of 'RISK Domination'!  Six generals will battle it out to defeat their opponents and conquer the entire United States; using strategy, smarts, brute strength, and a healthy dose of 'risk'.

The six generals who will be playing in this game are: The Mikado, Frodo, Xahar, Fezzyfestoon, MAS117 Sensei and Ernest.  The winner will be permitted to stay on and defend their championship title in the next game.

There are only a few main differences between this version of RISK and the traditional version, which will be detailed below.


The map

The biggest difference is clearly the map we'll be using.  Instead of 42 territories in the world, our map is based on the 50 states of the US.  This difference has forced a few more rules to change; e.g. the number of initial deployments, the number and layout of the regions, etc.

The red lines signify a border that either doesn't already exist between two states, or is ambiguous.  For clarification, no border exists between Utah and New Mexico and between Arizona and Colorado (the 'Four Corners'), and there is a border between Delaware and New Jersey.

Here is the map showing the layout and value of the regions (which will be explained later):






Starting the game

The states will be distributed randomly, and the method by which the battalions are deployed will be explained in one of the next few posts.

To begin with, all players will be given 25 battalions each to deploy among their states at the start of the game.  All battalions must be deployed, and each state must contain at least 1 battalion (at all times throughout the game).

So that each player will start with an equal number of states (eight), two states will be neutral, and will start with 3 battalions each.  That number will increase by 1 after every round.  For all intents and purposes, treat them as "up for grabs" for whoever conquers them first.


Taking a turn

As in the traditional game, each player's turn is divided up into three stages, which must be performed in order:

1. Reinforcements

Each player will receive a number of battalions equal to their number of states divided by three, rounded to the closest whole number.  A minimum of three battalions is granted even if that formula would equal less than three.  So, for example, if a player controls 11 states, they'll get 4 reinforcements (11/3 = 3.7).

For easy reference:

10 states or fewer = 3 reinforcements
11-13 states = 4 reinforcements
14-16 states = 5 reinforcements
17-19 states = 6 reinforcements
20-22 states = 7 reinforcements
And so on.

Players will also receive a bonus number of reinforcements if they control any of the regions as shown in the map above at this point of their turn.  The number of reinforcements they'll receive depends on which region(s) they control, and those numbers are given in the table in the map itself.

Players may also trade in any sets of cards at this point too.  Cards will be explained in more depth later.  This is the only stage of your turn in which you may trade in cards.


2. Attack

Since this is a message board based game, I've had to employ a slightly different method to ensure that attack phases are performed efficiently and as quickly as possible.  Those who played in or followed the original games I ran should be familiar with it already.

Basically, all you need to do in this stage is post how many battalions you're sending to attack a neighboring state, how many of them you're willing to risk losing before calling a retreat, and how many battalions you want to leave in that state if you conquer it.

On that last part, you'll need to leave a minimum of three battalions there; if you attacked with less than three battalions, then you'll just have to keep however many battalions you used there.  Unless you specify how many battalions you're putting in your conquered state, I'll assume you want the maximum there.  If you say that your attack order is to "do or die", then there will be no retreat and the maximum number of battalions will be left in the conquered state.

You may attack as many states as you want during this stage, or none at all if you wish.  But always remember to leave at least 1 battalion in each of your states at all times.

If you conquer at least one state during this stage, you'll receive one card.  You will not receive any more than one card per turn, unless you destroy an opponent; in which case you receive any cards they were holding as well.

The dice rolls are performed using an online random number generator, found here.  You'll just have to trust me that I'll do it fairly.


3. Tactical Move

Once you've finished your attack phase, you may perform a tactical move if you wish.  You can move as many battalions as you want from one of your states to one neighboring state (remembering to leave one battalion behind, of course).  You may only perform one tactical move each turn.


Cards

Cards work on exactly the same principle as in the traditional version.  In this version, each card contains a state seal (which represents one state on the map), and a figurine (either an infantryman, cavalry, or cannon).  There is one card for each state (i.e. 50) and two wildcards.

Once you've collected a 'set' of three cards, you may trade them in at your next turn for more reinforcements.  A set of cards can be: three infantrymen (worth four extra battalions); three cavalry (worth six extra battalions); three cannons (worth eight extra battalions); or one of each (worth ten extra battalions).

On trading in your cards, you'll receive an additional 2 battalions for each card that depicts the seal of a state that you control.  Those battalions will only be placed in that particular state.

The wildcards do not represent any state, and are simply a stand-in figurine in order to make a set of three cards.

Cards are dealt randomly, and the state seal on each one will not have any deliberate connection with states you conquered during that turn.

Your cards will be sent to you by PM, and it is your responsibility to keep them secret.  I'll be keeping a record of who has what card, for organization's sake.


Clarifications of rules

I've tried to make sure everything is clear here.  However, if you want me to clarify any of the above rules, I'll be happy to do so.

[Joe Republic]

 
First map

Here's the first map, displaying each player's randomly distributed states:





Note that Mississippi and New Hampshire have been randomly designated as neutral states for now.  They'll have 3 battalions each for the first round, and that will increase by 1 more after every round.

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The next step is for you all to decide how you want your initial 25 battalions to be deployed.  As you can see, I've already taken the liberty of placing 1 in each state for you, which leaves you with 17 to deploy wherever you please.

As a few of the players are not actually available for at least a few days, the system used to determine the troop deployments (and order of turns) has had to be changed to keep things fair.

The order of turns has been decided randomly, and is shown on the map.


Instructions

Please send me a PM with your deployment orders for your first 4 battalions.  I'll then post an updated map, and we'll repeat.

Do not post your deployments here.

[The Mikado]

Sigh...I'd kill for Fezzy's field position.

At least I go first. 

[Joe Republic]

Updated map:





Alright, and now the next 4 deployment instructions by PM, please.

[Joe Republic]

MAS117 has informed me that he simply doesn't have the time to continue playing, and has asked if he could be replaced.  As Sensei was the next person in the sign-up thread, I have invited him to take over, and he has accepted.

Here is the updated map:





Again, your next 4 deployments, please.

[Joe Republic]

One more time:





Now, your final five deployments, please.  Then we can begin.

[minionofmidas]

Hey! You ignored my deployments!

[The Mikado]

Hey! You ignored my deployments!

Who do you think is running NH and MS?

[Joe Republic]

 
And at last, we're ready to go!:







General Mikado, it is your turn.  You have 3 reinforcements.


+ [8 states ÷ 3 = 3 reinforcements]
+ [No regions controlled]
= 3 reinforcements

[The Mikado]

And at last, we're ready to go!:







General Mikado, it is your turn.  You have 3 reinforcements.


+ [8 states ÷ 3 = 3 reinforcements]
+ [No regions controlled]
= 3 reinforcements

Let's start with the obvious.  Two on Oregon, one on Arizona.  Have my forces on Oregon go CA-HI-AK-WA.  If in the course of the turn I lose more than three battalions, stop.

Thank you.

[Joe Republic]

Let's start with the obvious.  Two on Oregon, one on Arizona.  Have my forces on Oregon go CA-HI-AK-WA.  If in the course of the turn I lose more than three battalions, stop.

Thank you.

Reinforcements

Of the 3 available reinforcements, 2 have been deployed in Oregon, where there are now 12 in total; and 1 has been deployed in Arizona, where there are now 6 in total.


Attacks

Oregon invades California (Fezzyfestoon) with 11 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend California.

The Mikado [11] rolls 3 dice: 2 2 1
Fezzyfestoon [1] rolls 1 die: 3
The Mikado loses 1 battalion

The Mikado [10] rolls 3 dice: 6 3 2
Fezzyfestoon [1] rolls 1 die: 4
Fezzyfestoon loses 1 battalion

The Mikado conquers California and places 10 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in Oregon.

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California invades Hawaii (Xahar) with 9 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Hawaii.

The Mikado [9] rolls 3 dice: 6 4 2
Xahar [1] rolls 1 die: 4
Xahar loses 1 battalion

The Mikado conquers Hawaii and places 9 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in California.

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Hawaii invades Alaska (Frodo) with 8 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Alaska.

The Mikado [8] rolls 3 dice: 6 4 3
Frodo [1] rolls 1 die: 1
Frodo loses 1 battalion

The Mikado conquers Alaska and places 8 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in Hawaii.

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Alaska invades Washington (Fezzyfestoon) with 7 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Washington.

The Mikado [7] rolls 3 dice: 3 1 1
Fezzyfestoon [1] rolls 1 die: 2
Fezzyfestoon loses 1 battalion

The Mikado conquers Washington and places 7 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in Alaska.

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* General Mikado has taken control of the Pacific region *

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Awaiting further instructions

Temporary map

[The Mikado]

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* General Mikado has taken control of the Pacific region *

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How relieving to hear you say that.  Things are going even better than planned.  Let me push my luck a little bit further.  WA-ID.  If I lose more than two battalions, await orders.  If I take it, move all to Idaho and end turn.

And a message to the subjects of the recently liberated Pacific Region: the Black Army will soon rescue all your brethren throughout the United States and crush the rebels who have inflicted such damage to our great nation.  They shall not go unpunished.  As a more humane Mikado, I swear that, "My object all sublime I shall achieve in time, to let the punishment fit the crime, the punishment fit the crime, and make each prisoner pent unwillingly represent a source of innocent merriment, of innocent merriment."

[Joe Republic]

WA-ID.  If I lose more than two battalions, await orders.  If I take it, move all to Idaho and end turn.

Attacks (cont.)

Washington invades Idaho (Ernest) with 6 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Idaho.

The Mikado [6] rolls 3 dice: 2 2 1
Ernest [1] rolls 1 die: 1
Ernest loses 1 battalion

The Mikado conquers Idaho and places 6 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in Washington.

[Joe Republic]

 
New map:







General Xahar, it is your turn.  You have 3 reinforcements.


+ [7 states ÷ 3 = 3 reinforcements]
+ [No regions controlled]
= 3 reinforcements

[Хahar 🤔]

2 in Maine, 1 in Wisconsin.

Attack NH from ME; attack MI from WI. Both Do or Die.

[Frodo]

2 in Maine, 1 in Wisconsin.

Attack ME from NH; attack MI from WI. Both Do or Die.

Why are you attacking your own armies? 

[Хahar 🤔]

2 in Maine, 1 in Wisconsin.

Attack ME from NH; attack MI from WI. Both Do or Die.

Why are you attacking your own armies? 

Whoops.

[Joe Republic]

2 in Maine, 1 in Wisconsin.

Attack NH from ME; attack MI from WI. Both Do or Die.

Reinforcements

Of the 3 available reinforcements, 2 have been deployed in Maine, where there are now 8 in total; and 1 has been deployed in Wisconsin, where there are now 8 in total.


Attacks

Maine invades New Hampshire (Neutral Army) with 7 battalions available to attack, while 3 battalions will defend New Hampshire.

Xahar [7] rolls 3 dice: 6 6 2
Neutral Army [3] rolls 2 dice: 6 2
Both armies lose 1 battalion each

Xahar [6] rolls 3 dice: 6 4 1
Neutral Army [2] rolls 2 dice: 2 1
Neutral Army loses 2 battalions

Xahar conquers New Hampshire and places 6 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in Maine.

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Wisconsin invades Michigan (Frodo) with 7 battalions available to attack, while 3 battalions will defend Michigan.

Xahar [7] rolls 3 dice: 2 2 1
Frodo [3] rolls 2 dice: 1 1
Frodo loses 2 battalions

Xahar [7] rolls 3 dice: 6 2 1
Frodo [1] rolls 1 die: 4
Frodo loses 1 battalion

Xahar conquers Michigan and places 7 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in Wisconsin.

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Awaiting further instructions

[Хahar 🤔]

From NH, VT-MA-RI-CT, do or die.

[Joe Republic]

From NH, VT-MA-RI-CT, do or die.

Attacks (cont.)

New Hampshire invades Vermont (Sensei) with 5 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Vermont.

Xahar [5] rolls 3 dice: 4 4 2
Sensei [1] rolls 1 die: 4
Xahar loses 1 battalion

Xahar [4] rolls 3 dice: 6 3 3
Sensei [1] rolls 1 die: 3
Sensei loses 1 battalion

Xahar conquers Vermont and places 4 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in New Hampshire.

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Vermont invades Massachusetts (Frodo) with 3 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Massachusetts.

Xahar [3] rolls 3 dice: 5 4 3
Frodo [1] rolls 1 die: 2
Frodo loses 1 battalion

Xahar conquers Massachusetts and places 3 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in Vermont.

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Massachusetts invades Rhode Island (Sensei) with 2 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Rhode Island.

Xahar [2] rolls 2 dice: 6 4
Sensei [1] rolls 1 die: 5
Sensei loses 1 battalion

Xahar conquers Rhode Island and places 2 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in Massachusetts.

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Rhode Island invades Connecticut (Sensei) with 1 battalion available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Connecticut.

Xahar [1] rolls 1 die: 6
Sensei [1] rolls 1 die: 3
Sensei loses 1 battalion

Xahar conquers Connecticut and places 1 battalion there, leaving 1 behind in Rhode Island.

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* General Xahar has taken control of the New England region *

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Awaiting further instructions

Temporary map

[Хahar 🤔]

From Michigan, Indiana-Ohio-Kentucky,

[Joe Republic]

From Michigan, Indiana-Ohio-Kentucky,

Attacks (cont.)

Michigan invades Indiana (Frodo) with 6 battalions available to attack, while 3 battalions will defend Indiana.

Xahar [6] rolls 3 dice: 3 3 2
Frodo [3] rolls 2 dice: 6 4
Xahar loses 2 battalions

Xahar [4] rolls 3 dice: 6 2 1
Frodo [3] rolls 2 dice: 6 1
Both armies lose 1 battalion each

Xahar [3] rolls 3 dice: 6 5 5
Frodo [2] rolls 2 dice: 3 1
Frodo loses 2 battalions

Xahar conquers Indiana and places 3 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in Michigan.

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Indiana invades Ohio (Sensei) with 2 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Ohio.

Xahar [2] rolls 2 dice: 1 1
Sensei [1] rolls 1 die: 2
Xahar loses 1 battalion

Xahar [1] rolls 1 die: 6
Sensei [1] rolls 1 die: 1
Sensei loses 1 battalion

Xahar conquers Ohio and places 1 battalion there, leaving 1 behind in Indiana.

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Awaiting further instructions

[Хahar 🤔]

End turn.

[Joe Republic]

 
New map:







General Fezzyfestoon, it is your turn.  You have 3 reinforcements.


+ [6 states ÷ 3 = 3 reinforcements]
+ [No regions controlled]
= 3 reinforcements

[Joe Republic]

3 in New Jersey.  Attack from New York to Connecticut to Rhode Island to Massachusetts to Maine to New Hampshire to Vermont all do or die.

Reinforcements

All 3 battalions have been deployed in New Jersey, where there are now 4 in total.


Attacks

New York invades Connecticut (Xahar) with 17 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Connecticut.

Fezzyfestoon [17] rolls 3 dice: 6 4 3
Xahar [1] rolls 1 die: 5
Xahar loses 1 battalion

Fezzyfestoon conquers Connecticut and places 17 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in New York.

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* General Xahar has lost control of the New England region *

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Connecticut invades Rhode Island (Xahar) with 16 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Rhode Island.

Fezzyfestoon [16] rolls 3 dice: 2 1 1
Xahar [1] rolls 1 die: 1
Xahar loses 1 battalion

Fezzyfestoon conquers Rhode Island and places 16 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in Connecticut.

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Rhode Island invades Massachusetts (Xahar) with 15 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Massachusetts.

Fezzyfestoon [15] rolls 3 dice: 6 4 1
Xahar [1] rolls 1 die: 3
Xahar loses 1 battalion

Fezzyfestoon conquers Massachusetts and places 15 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in Rhode Island.

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Massachusetts invades Maine (Xahar) with 14 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Maine.

Fezzyfestoon [15] rolls 3 dice: 5 5 4
Xahar [1] rolls 1 die: 2
Xahar loses 1 battalion

Fezzyfestoon conquers Maine and places 14 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in Massachusetts.

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Maine invades New Hampshire (Xahar) with 13 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend New Hampshire.

Fezzyfestoon [13] rolls 3 dice: 6 4 1
Xahar [1] rolls 1 die: 5
Xahar loses 1 battalion

Fezzyfestoon conquers New Hampshire and places 13 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in Maine.

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New Hampshire invades Vermont (Xahar) with 12 battalions available to attack, while 1 battalion will defend Vermont.

Fezzyfestoon [12] rolls 3 dice: 5 3 1
Xahar [1] rolls 1 die: 1
Xahar loses 1 battalion

Fezzyfestoon conquers Vermont and places 12 battalions there, leaving 1 behind in New Hampshire.

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* General Fezzyfestoon has taken control of the New England region *

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Awaiting further instructions

Temporary map