pieces


4, 6, 8, 10 and 20 sided dice
are the pieces in STARHEX 
and this is the starting set and configuration
there's also 12 sided dice, but not at first



the KING, a standard 20 sided die
may move one hex in any direction
just like a KING in Chess or Checkers
if his path is blocked by another piece
they may duel by rolling (remembering scores)
until the opponent is either defeated, or moves
or he must choose another direction to move in

the KING is the most powerful of pieces
having a maximum FULL HEALTH value of 20
twice that of the QUEEN, a 10 sided die
which is the only asymetrical piece
the rest are all platonic solids



the QUEEN is also like her chess counterpart
she may move any distance in any single direction
any number HEX, regardless of her current face value
her only obstacle is another piece in her path

this LAND QUEEN has met an AIR JACK
she may choose to go around
but it might be just as quick 
to duel her opponent
and be done with it

the KINGS and QUEENS are ROYALTY
but most of the dice on the board, by far
will be 8 sided ACES and 6 sided JACKS



ACES and JACKS are the footsoldiers
much of the strategy is in their maneuvering

ACES move on connecting hex - up to face value 
thus, if an ACE'S face value is at its full 8 points
he may move up to 8 hexes in all, avoiding SUNS 
but they may land on SUNS and be SAFE from attack
though they may attack another piece from that HEX

an ACE lands on a SUN, the move is done
same with SPACE, though they are not SAFE there
and an entire move to get out

JACKS are equally stopped by SPACE
where they are SAFE, but may not ATTACK
also using up an entire move just to get out

6 sided JACKS may move up to showing face value 
in any one direction - but may not land on SUNS 
though they may pass through them freely



4 sided JOKERS and 12 sided DEUCES 
are considered the wildcards

JOKERS may TELEPORT
or JUMP, as all or part of their move
with a maximum move of 4, they still get around
a JUMP may occur within a CONSTELLATION
or between any hex of like designation
from one Sigma STAR to another
or from one Beta STAR to another

DEUCES move in VECTORS
but they may change direction in mid move
as many times as they like - up to face value
and are not impeded by SUNS or a single SPACE hex 
but are stopped by a second - tho they easily get out
and may also STARHOP 
as any part of their move 
to any neighboring star

with a maximum move of 12
they have a linear range of up to 4 SYSTEMS
but may also STARHOP correspondingly
like JOKERS, as any part of their move

BLACK HOLES instantly TELEPORT
any piece to the corresponding NEBULA
but DEUCES may choose 
which NEBULA to reappear in
and continue on STARHOPPING
or not, as she likes 



...so, to review...
KING - one hex, any direction
QUEEN - infinite hex, any direction
each, regardless of current face value 

ACES move on connecting hex - up to face value
may not pass through SUNS, but may land on them
JACKS move in a straight line only - up to face value
may only pass through SUNS, may not land on them
together, ACES and JACKS occupy SYSTEMS, 
and defend CONSTELLATIONS

...for the wildcard pieces...
DEUCES move in VECTORS
and may also STARHOP

JOKERS - face value, any direction
and may also TELEPORT 

DEUCES have a wider range
but JOKERS are more versatile




this is the set 
you start with

1 KING
1 QUEEN
2 ACES
2 JACKS
1 JOKER
ultimately, a total of 
21 pieces are possible

1 KING
2 QUEENS
3 DEUCES
4 JOKERS
5 ACES
6 JACKS 

you will need to
achieve and maintain 
this FULL POPULATION 
in order to win the game
or proceed to the next level of play
but that's another story altogether