Hnefatafl (Oric)

Introduction 

Hnefatafl is an ancient board game that preceded Chess in Northern Europe. It was introduced by the Vikings and spread throughout Europe and beyond. Many variants of this game exist (some with different sized grids and different rules). Today’s rules have been reconstructed from historical fragments but there is much room for debate. Today (2013) international tournaments take place and these use what are known as “The Fetlar Rules”. There are also the “Copenhagen Rules”. See the links at the end of this document for more information. The rules used in Oric Hnefatafl are very similar to the Fetlar rules but with a couple of exceptions which we will come to later. 

Credits 

•  Game (code and graphics) by Neil Barnes 
•  Original Artwork by Darren Bennett 
•  Additional help (optimization, debugging and testing) by Dbug, Chema, James D, Xeron and Ibisum

System requirements 

This is a game for the Oric computer system equipped with a microdisc unit, but it comes bundled with a Windows emulator ready to use. 

Controls:

• Use 1/2/3/... when asked for a numerical choice
• Arrow keys are used to select a location on the board (alternatively A/Z and </> can be used)
• "Space", "Return", "Enter" or "X" can be used to select a piece on the
• "P" can be used to check the allowed positions for a specific piece
• "R" resets the current move (like if you decide to move another piece)

How to play

The game is relatively complex and has quite a few options which would not all fit in this description page.

The "Documentation" folder in the downloaded game contains a PDF document with complete instructions, including all the controls, explanations on the variants, complete with screenshots with annotations to explain things in detail.

The TLDR is:

• You first select if you want to play alone against the computer or against a friend.
  Note that when playing against the computer you always play as the defender (the King) and that the attackers always move first.
• Your second choice is the game difficulty (Saga, Thor or Odin), if you are a beginner it is highly recommended to start by the Saga mode
• Immediately after the game starts, starting by the attacker playing first:
  • Each player select a piece on the board and move it on one of the allowed positions (you can use "P" to double check that)
  • At the end of the move, if an opponent piece is now stuck between two of your pieces, it's automatically taken (but a piece can willingly go between two opponents without being taken)
  • Then it's the turn of the opponent
  • Until an ending condition is met:
    • The maximum number of turns has been reached (indicated by a change of color in the UI message
    • The King reached one of the castles (corner pieces)
    • The King is surrounded on all four sides by hostile pieces (or a castle)

Trophies

Both sides can win trophies during play regardless of if they win or lose. We’ve mentioned some trophies already. At the end of each game the trophy screen is displayed.

1. First Blood : First to make a kill.
2. Blood Eagle: Capture two pieces in one move
3. Berzerker: Capture three pieces in one move
4. Algiz: “Self Preservation”: Don’t lose a piece
5. Uruz: “Speed/Lightning” win with >5 turns left.
6. Raido: “A long Journey”, win on the last available turn.