═══ 1. About Assault I : The Beginning ═══

Assault I: The Beginning is the first in a line of wargame/strategy simulations 
from Land-J Technologies.  It is a low-complexity struggle between two equally 
matched forces to capture key areas of the opponents homeland. 


═══ 2. Game Objectives ═══

The object of the game is to be the first play to capture two of the five hexes 
deepest in the opponents territory.  Capturing a hex is defined as actually 
having a playing piece on a hex location. 

If both players are down to one unit in play, the game is considered a draw. 


═══ 3. Connecting To Another Player ═══

There is currently only one method of connecting to another player and that is 
through a TCPIP link. 


═══ 3.1. TCPIP Connections ═══

Before starting a game, the players should decide who will be the server and 
who will be the client.  The server is the only person able to begin a new 
game. 

The player selected to be the 'server' connection selects this menu item from 
the menubar.  A message stating that the server has been opened will appear in 
the message box. 

The player selected to be the 'client' connection selects this menu item from 
the menubar.  A dialog box will come up asking the player for the host name of 
the server.  The player should enter the full hostname of the server player 
(ie. my.computer.edu) 

The message box will inform the players when the connection has been 
established.  At this point both players may chat using the chat box, and the 
server player may initiate a new game via the menubar item. 


═══ 4. The Map ═══

The gaming map consists of a 10x10 arrangement of hexes, the partial hexes do 
NOT count as hex locations and no unit may be placed in one nor move into one. 

Each player sees the map with his army starting in the lower portion and the 
enemy in the upper portion of the map. 


═══ 5. Game Setup ═══

Once the communications link is established, a message will appear in the 
message box indicating to begin placing your units.  Both players may then 
begin to place their units. You may only place units in the 2 hexes in each 
column closest to the bottom of the screen.  The message box informs you which 
piece you are currently placing.  To place a piece, simply left mouse click on 
the hex you wish to put the piece. 

The composition of your army consist of: 

     1 - 5 Star General 
     1 - 4 Star General 
     1 - 3 Star General 
     1 - 2 Star General 
     1 - 1 Star General 
     2 - Tanks 
     2 - 4 Stripe Infantry 
     2 - 3 Stripe Infantry 
     2 - 2 Stripe Infantry 
     2 - 1 Stripe Infantry 
     2 - Scouts 
     3 - Snipers 

 Once both players pieces have been placed, the game will begin, with one 
 player being randomly selected to start.  The right side of the playing screen 
 informs you whose turn it currently is, and a sound will alert you when it is 
 your turn. 


═══ 6. The Playing Pieces ═══

The following is a list of the playing pieces and any special abilities that 
they possess. 

Generals:  The strongest pieces on the board.  No other special abilties.  They 
are represented by a piece with 1 to 5 stars on it indicating the level of the 
general. 

Tanks:    Tanks have the ability to move 2 hexes per turn, but are not 
permitted to move through another playing unit (friendly or enemy).  The are 
represented by pieces with a small tank depicted. 

Infantry:  Infantry compose the core of your units, they are medium strength 
units, and have no special abilities.  The are represented by a piece with a 
crouched soldier holding a rifle, with 1 to 4 red stripes underneath, 
indicating the level of the infantry. 

Scouts:   Scouts have the ability to detect enemy units at a range of 2 hexes, 
and also have the ability to determine the type of enemy units that are within 
a 1 hex range.  They are represented by a pair of glasses. 

Snipers:   Snipers are both strong and weak, snipers have the ability to kill 
any enemy unit piece it attacks, or that attacks it, but always is eliminated 
itself at the end of combat.  They are represented by a piece with a bulls-eye 
on it. 


═══ 7. Movement ═══

Each player may move one piece per turn.  Except for the tank each piece move 
only move 1 hex.  If a piece moves onto a hex that is occupied by an enemy 
unit, combat takes place. 


═══ 8. Combat ═══

Whenever a unit moves into a hex containing an enemy unit, combat takes place. 
Combat will always result in 1 or both units being eliminated. 

Of the two pieces in combat, the piece with the lower strength rating will be 
eliminated.  The relative ratings of the pieces are shown on the right hand 
side of the board, with Generals at the top and Snipers at the bottom.  A 
General with more stars is more powerful than a general with less.  In a 
similiar fashion, an infantry with more stripes is more powerful than an 
infantry with less. 

If two units of the same strength are involved in combat both will be 
eliminated.  Any time a sniper is involved in combat, both the attacking and 
defending unit will be eliminated. 


═══ 9. Sighting Units ═══

You are not able to see enemy units unless they are in sighting range.  Each 
piece (except the scout) has a sighting range of 1 hex.  Any enemy units in 
this 1 hex range will become visible to you, although you will not be able to 
determine its type without attacking. 

The scout possesses the special ability to spot enemy units that are two hexes 
away, and also to is able to determine the exact type of enemy units that are 1 
hex away. 


═══ 10. Registering The Program ═══

During the public beta test of the program registration will be unavailable. 
Once the first non-beta release comes out, it will contain full information on 
how to register this program.