Ploy is an abstract strategy board game for two or four players.
_cover.jpg) | |
| Players | 2 or 4 |
|---|---|
| Chance | None |
| Skills | Tactics, Strategy, Observation |
It was invented by Frank Thibault and commercially released by 3M Company in 1970, as part of the 3M bookshelf game series. The game set includes a board and 48 pieces of various colors and markings along with instructions and a plastic tray to sort the pieces.[1] The game is marketed as a "space-age strategy game". 3M no longer produces the game, but Ploy has been adapted for play on Vassal, Zillions of Games or via a ploy program.
Game mechanics
editThe following game mechanics are identical for all variations of play.[1]
Object of the game is to capture the opponent's Commander, or all of his other pieces.
It is played with a set of 15 pieces (2-handed) or 9 pieces (4-handed and partnership games) per player. The different classes of pieces have horizontal, vertical and/or diagonal "movement direction indicators" embossed on them, and movements are limited by class. A piece that has one line (Shield) may move one space on the grid, in the indicated direction; a piece with two lines (Probe) may move up to two spaces, in one of the two directions; a piece with three lines (Lance) may move up to three spaces in one direction; the Commander may move one space in one of four directions. Pieces may change direction of movement by "rotating". Only the Shield may move and rotate on a single turn; the other classes may either move or rotate on a single turn.
The game board is square with nine vertices on a side. Vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines connect the vertices. Players place pieces on their side ( 2 player) or corner( 4 player) with Shields in front, then Probes, then Lances, with a Commander in the center.
The game has two player, 4 player, and 4 player partnership variations.
Green plays first, then play alternates according to variation.
Players may move their pieces along straight lines, from vertex to vertex.
If a vertex is occupied by a piece of another color, the player may capture it.
This game uses displacement capture. When a capture is made, the captured piece is removed from the board and the vacated square is occupied by the captor, halting the captor's movement.[1]
Ways to play
editPloy can be played online via the Vassal Engine.[2] Also you can play against three different computer AI's, Jean-Louis Cazaux's for Zillions of Games,[3] M. Winther's for Zillions,[4] or Thomas Tensi's Ploy program.[5]
Further reading
editDavid Pritchard's book Popular Indoor Games (1977, Coles) has a description of the rules and strategy of Ploy.
Games and Puzzles # 22 has a description, strategy tips, and brief playthrough.[6]
Reviews
edit- Games and Puzzles[7]
- Games & Puzzles #22[6]
- The Playboy Winner's Guide to Board Games[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "How to Play Ploy". Ploy: Strategic Game of Maneuver and Capture (1970). [Ploy instruction manual]
- ^ "Module:Ploy - Vassal".
- ^ "Chess Variant Pages -- What was new from June - August 1999?".
- ^ "Ploy - a strategical war game with convertible pieces".
- ^ "Ploy in Ada for Microsoft Windows".
- ^ a b "Games and Puzzles 1974-02: Iss 22". A H C Publications. February 1974.
- ^ "Games and Puzzles 1974-01: Iss 21". A H C Publications. January 1974.
- ^ "The Playboy winner's guide to board games". 1979.