So freaken awesome

need info on how to slay, the instructions don't tell us how. any info please post.
Thanks

wow sombody that Loves this game. Its hard to find anybody to even play.

I beleive slay just mean that he shoots his bow. Up to three pegs away. He can shoot over your own men...but the first enemy in line is slayed. Also i think he can only shoot then move his alotted movement, not move then shoot. one shot per turn.

The Archer can shoot or move (but not both) up to 3 spaces horizontally, vertically or diagonally but cannot shoot over mountains or castles. It removes the first enemy unit in the line of fire but does not move into its space.

Its been 30 years since Ive played the game. One of the best board games Ive ever played. But finding some one to play against is a chore.

Dennis is right about the movement my bad. The best thing about this game is that you can add more games to it. i Own 5 of them so the game board is larger and each side has way more men. also you can use the extra castles as lookout towers for your archers. No tower on the section with the castle. Best game ever made.

I am currently building an on-line version of this game with a slick AJAX interface that lets play from a standard web browser with your friends. The game will be e-mail turned based, so you'll be notified via e-mail when its your turn. Similar to how warfish.net does their Risk-Clone)

I am working on it in my spare time so I can't give a hard date to when it will be available, but I am hoping to have a playable version available in 6 months.

I would like to get a feel for general interest in the game and collect some feed back on my thoughts about additional add-on features I could throw in to help buy me pizza and beer. My thoughts were I would offer a "Classic" version of the game for free. And for a small yearly fee (under $20), you could gain access to additional playing boards, rule modifications, and join in tournaments, etc.

Feel free to write me if you have any input!

brad@maliaplace.com

My wife found this game among her recently deceased father's possessions and she wanted me to find a complete listing of the rules for it. Does anyone have any idea where a complete listing of the rules can be found online?

My brother and I played this game years ago... I'll have to ask him if he still has it and I can get access to the rules.

You can find a copy of the rules at http://www.1stingames.com/rules/feudal/index.pdf

I found this game at goodwill a few years ago, and never got around to playing it until recently. I've never seen a game quite like this and I find it very entertaining! Does anyone know where I might be able to find more of these games, so that I may expand my playing field?

Do they sell it anymore. I have seen the game on shopgoodwill.com for sale in an auction, but no where else. If anyone is interested it goes off auction today.

A online game would be killer! and the slow tempo of emailing turn by turn once or so a day would be nice. Give some time to really think out turns. I'd play! GOOD WORK!
Makes chess look like checkers.

Thnak you, Dennis

*Thank

Best game I have ever played. I was just looking on line for someone to play with. I hope Brad gets it going. Has anyone out there had the joy of 6 players with 6 armies - wow.

I found this game at Deseret Industries a few months back. Havent gotten around to playing it yet but the rules make it sound very interesting.

I have a game of feudal and twixt in this series, if you want them give me an offer. email address is sanorea@bold.net.au I am from Australia

My first memories of playing board games was Jumpin, Twixt and Feudal. Although I don't think my brothers and I ever played Feudal the right way. We just set up and started attacking each others pieces.

I got Feudal and a couple others in the late 60's.
I've been playing games my whole life and Feudal has to be the most perfect board game I have ever seen.
I was just looking at the box. and yes, I do have the simple instructions.
chambers@chartermi.net

I am glad to see a few folks are looking forward to an on-line version. As an update, progress is going slow, but it is still moving. It's hard to come home from a day of coding and write more code, but I am very excited about how well it is turning out so far. I will post some screen shots soon and hope to have the free "classic" version ready for beta testing in the coming months.

dude that is a lie, ur a bumlicker

i wanna get feudal, are there any other versions/addons?

I played this years ago and still think it is the best board game ever. I lost my game in a flooded basement years ago and would love to find a replacement. Any leads?
socialhist1775 @yahoo.com

i would really like to see a computerised version of this, can someone send me the url or a copy to download?
james.rennie7@btinternet.com

been playing Feudal since purchased 40 odd years ago. best game ever. can't find anyone to play anymore. all are too lazy and only want to play computer type games. selling my game for $20, as well as $15 for TWIXT. both are full sets, boxes are slightly worn. chicago area. quatro_cook_1@hotmail.com

My boyfriend bought this game in europe more than 10 years ago i think and when he opened it there were no instructions on how to play the game..could some one email me the instructions so we can make use of the game
thanks charget3@uncc.edu

Hi My husband and I do estates and came across this game unopened and in immaculate condition if anyone is interested make us an offer..

tnasalinas@yahoo.com

In order to play by the offical rules of all pieces of the same color must be moved by the player, I conclude that you need to have a duplicate game of feudal. Basically, the other game would be used to keep track of what pieces that were moved by the player of the same color.

I just had my whole set painted. Each army is a different color. Awesome. Want to see pictures?

where can a person download the game rules or instuctions for Fuedal ? I have the original game in the original box with everything except playing instructions. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

roberthanse@hotmail.com

I bought my Fuedal game when I was in the USAF and it went arround the world with me. 35 years later I still play my sons when they come to town. All have their own, picked up from yard sales/thrift stores. Though mine is in the worst shape: a blue duke three pikemen and a squier have deserted and those who remain have lost their pikes, axes and lances. I'd like to know where to buy replacement parts. whuntleye@hotmail.com

I have one for sale, like new with instructions 2 set are open other 4 are in bag never opened. I'm asking $ 30.00 plus shipping.

raulzamora1@aol.com

Still my most favorite game. Even over Wii.

cvanbrus - yes

Brad - I'm interested. The only downside to the game is changing your mind and trying to remember where everone originated from. Having the game keep track is essentail!
Ever thought of experience levels? Possibly color coding tiles which can be reached by other opponents. As you progress you can loose or turn them off to rely on your own skills.

Robert, et.al.
For those who have not played. What makes this game awsome is the ability to move all your men once per move. You can flank, flood, or take a line, like the line running next to his Castle. Similarly, defending can resemble walls, ambush (you can try if you want), and develop other techniques like shoot & take (2 for 1 exchange), revolver (hold a line), and even distractions. Except for the Archer, other pieces move as chess men making it easy to learn if your familiar with chess. Basically you have 2 bishops, 4 rooks, 1 knight, 1 king, and 1 archer constitute footmen, and 4 queens who are horsemen. Footmen can only move half the regular 4 piece square board (12 spaces) and can use the forest (shaded squares). Horsemen (queens) can move the entire length of the board (24 spaces) but can not enter or cross forests. Two ways to win. One is to capture all the opponents royalty (king and 2 of the horsemen). The other is to enter their Castle.

The Castle covers 2 squares consisting of a Castle with 3 walls and open to the Castle green. The Castle green is open on 3 sides for easier access. To enter the Castle, you MUST stop on the Castle green. Even if your just crossing over. Because of this castles are often placed to block passage ways from which your archer can fight behind. Placing an archer in your castle would prevent anyone from entering as you would shoot them as the stopped on the green. In such a case, the opponent would either have to capture your royalty or move his archer 3 spaces shooting directly into the castle and sacrifice another man placing him in front of his archer so you would have to shoot the first man in line during your turn, and he could then shoot your archer on his subsequent turn.

One added comment on movement. Bishops which move diagnally can also move horizontally 1 square as their move. The same is true for rooks which can move 1 square horizontally. Good to have when defending your castles and unlike chess, you are now able to move a bishop from the white squares to black :-)

rook - Seargent - hatchet - diag 12 spaces (or 1 horiz)
bishop - Pikeman - spear - horiz 12 spaces (or 1 diag)
knight - Squire - sword - horz 2 and 1 diag (or 2 diag and one horiz)
xxxxx - Archer - shoot OR move 3 spaces horz OR diag
king - King - sword - 2 spaces horiz OR diag
queen - Prince - horse lance - 24 spaces diag OR horiz
queen - Duke - horse hatchet - 24 spaces diag OR horiz
queen - Knights - horse sword - 24 spaces diag OR horiz

Castles may be placed over mountains as the only way to cross a mountain. Once a castle is placed. It is pemanent for the game. See prior post by Dennis for official rules.

My ending list was backwards. Best use the official rules.
4 rooks are "Pikemen" with spears
2 bishops are "Seargents" hith hatchets

corrections:

The link provided by Dennis are not the official rules. A great feature of the game is you can use up to 3 armies or define your own army size. The decision of using force or tatics change throughout the game. If well protected, I move around making my opponent adjust while I watch for a weakness.

The Squire moves exactly like a chess knight 1 horiz & 1 diag - or - 1 diag & 1 horiz. (wrong above). Given this, a squire is the only piece that can not move into the castle from the castle green. Again, all pieces must stop on the green.

Horsemen can get somewhere fast, while the king, squire, and archer are the slowest to get across the board. Castles next to forests allow added protection from horsemen. It's common to set an archer in the forest who can shoot anyone who lands on the castle green. Using this tatict, I've traded horsemen (queens) for opponents footmen, if he has no footmen, I can protect my castle (and king inside) with 1 archer in a forest and use the rest of my men to attack his castle. Having the king inside the castle also prevents loosing all my royalty.

What pieces are valuable may change. i.e. I've even sacrificed (put them at the head of the line) my slow men (king, squire) up front. Leaves me quicker and nimbler given I captured his faster men in the exchange.

Every game is different. And the varity is mostly limited by our imagination. Try a chess clock for another change.

For two experienced & equal players I find a game can range from 1hr up. 2hr is not uncomment and 3hr is not unheard of. Time between moves depends upon the number of men and patience. I've had problems develop which have taken me 20min to decide what to do. Usually 2-10min per move.

Another technique I use. Finish the fights I start, meaning take the 1st and last man in the exchange ending with one man up on my opponent. (2 for 1, 4 for 3). Fighting is not just for attacking castles, most of my fights are for the avenues allowing easy movement between the two castles (attack & defend). Own the aveneues and watch the lines to your castle! You opponent could look spead out or defending his castle and find 5 men at your door step in the next move.

In essence, your a general. The field changes and so must your taticts. Overwhelm, or stratigic? The game, like chess hinges on a balance of power. Moves can be considered training exercises where you propose threatening positions. A cold war until the balance shifts. If you can gaurd agains 1 chess man, can you guard against 13 or more?

If you like strategy (or power) you will love this game. Get it. If you found one, Play It! Challange those who play chess.

p.s. no-one can jump or shoot over a castle wall. Only one way in and out which is via the castler green. The official rules say the archer can not enter the castle. I've always allowed it for more varity. The rules say an archer can shoot 'across' the green (including diagonal). Good feature if you place you castle between mountains creating a wall to defend behind.

Starting the game is done by coin to decide who goes first. The person who goes first usuall trys to own as many lanes in his setup for attacking, the other opponent sets up defensively behind mountains defending all lanes to his castle. Hideing because a screen blocks your view. If I must defend a line in the open, I may set my slow squire up front and other pieces hiding behind him. My archer is often set to shoot anyone who takes my squire. With men behind the squire I can "shoot and take" meaning I can shoot your first man in line clearing the way for one of my men to take the second man. Taking an archer usualy requires sacrifice. Sometimes, you have to do it.

If allowing an archer into castles, the archer can not shoot diagnally into or out of the castle. The archer can shoot across the lawn directly into the castle and kill the king. The game is not won until you enter the castle or capture all the royalty. The Prince and Duke (horsemen) are not that easy to trap, but without the king they're not as bold, and actually timid if their the only royalty left. Keep track, don't let him bluff you when he won't do it.

I hope I have raised enough interest in you to give it a try. As others hint at looking for someone to play with, the game will hook you. I would love to see a renaissance.

@Steve - Thanks for taking up the slack while I was locked out of my own site. (Don't ask.) Nice summary of everything.

I. Love. This. Game.

My Grandparents on my mother's side bought it for my mother back when she was a child. Later after I became interested in chess in my youth, my father and mother would play this game with me, sometimes three or four games a night.

When I went off to college, they gave this to me to take with and my college friends loved it! Now I play this with my girlfriend all the time. Surprisingly, after all these years, moves between cities, and games between people none of the pieces are missing and all are in good shape.

Anyway, I saw this site and thought I would be a nice guy so I went ahead and scanned my copy of Feudal for you!

I scanned the back of the box, the 'binding' side of the box, the inside of the dividing screen, and the entire rule book.

Feel free to use the scans here or where ever and remember to share this game with your children!

http://s102.photobucket.com/albums/m93/Bschott007/Feudal/

@samoyer: I want to point out that as you can see in the link here...
http://s102.photobucket.com/albums/m93/Bschott007/Feudal/?action=view&current=Page2.jpg

In order to play by the offical rules: "During his turn, each player may move any or all of his men; at least one man must be moved per turn."

You do not have to move all of your men per turn.

Ive been playing Feudal for years, a couple of years ago I found a game store that sells them and I bought a new one. I would be stoked to play this game on-line or even against the computer. Someone needs to make this happen!

My brother and I played many times in the 80's. I found a set a few years ago.

The difference in his set and mine is his boards were free from each other and had no painted mountain corners. My four boards are 'connected' and have the four corners painted as mountains.

I kind of liked the four boards unconnected as give gave us many more variations.

At least one piece has to move on your turn and you can move them all if you like. In this game, sometimes you'd move forward and attack, and then change tactics and run away. I found both were necessary maneuvers throughout the game.

The rules states the Archer and the Squire cannot start nor enter the castle. That is good regarding the archer because the archer 'fires' into a square to remove a piece. A piece entering the 'green', which is the space right outside the castle, has to stop movement per the rules. An Archer, being inside the castle, would just shoot the target in the green, making it virtually impossible to take an archer out. The only legal way to beat the archer in the castle is to have your own archer fire across the green into the castle.

With this tactic, the archer inside the castle, all you'd have to do is kill the enemy archer and they can't take the castle (unless you have no pieces left). That would leave your entire army to attack the enemy castle without having to defend your own.

My brother and I played three armies against each other. With being able to set the four boards anyway we wanted, he found an absolutely incredible defense position for his castle that was virtually unbeatable. I found that out the hard way and I tried several times.

My instructions are from 1969

King moves 1 or 2 spaces horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Mounted Men (duke, prince, knights) move any number of spaces H,V,D. Remember, mounted men cannot move onto or across rough terrain.
Sergeants move 12 spaces D or 1 H or V.
Pikemen move 12 spaces H or V or 1 D.
Squire moves 1 space either H or V followed by 1 D. The diagram on the movement shows the squires D move as being a forward motion. That is 1 space H or V followed by a D move that is maintaining forward motion.
Archer moves up to 3 spaces H ,V, or D.

All pieces (except archer) land on an opponent to capture/remove them. The Archer fires up to 3 spaces away H, V, or D. The Archer can only hit the target first in line. e.i. three targets in a row, hits first target. The Archer can fire through friendly or unoccupied spaces.

The Squire can move over an occupied space (like a chess' knight). It is the only piece that can do so.

To win, place your piece inside the enemy castle or capture/remove the three royalty (king, duke (with the axe) and Prince (with lance).

Movement onto the green ends that piece's movement (except the squire which doesn't actually enter the space) (the green is the space outside the castle).

The game comes with 6 armies. Two opponents or two groups of opponents use one castle, one set of royalty and as many armies as desired.

The four boards can be divided for four players to play, each playing an entire army (complete with castle and royalty).

Army: 1 of each royalty: King, Prince, and Duke. 2 Knights (mounted men), 2 sergeants, 1 squire, 1 archer, and 4 pikemen. 1 Castle walled on three sides with a green connected to the open walled part of the castle.

The castle can be placed anywhere on the board. The green overrides whatever terrain it covers on the board. i.e. if the green covers rough terrain, the green is dominant as terrain (open to all pieces to occupy, including mounted men).

Unlike chess, in Feudal, your pieces can move backwards, too. An often forgotten tactic with beginners. Imagine chess with the option to retreat. It changes the tactics of the game. In Feudal, you must consider defense and offense. A major point of the game is to take pieces, without return equal losses.

Also, the mounted men have unlimited movement H, D, or V. That's important to remember when you need to immediately retreat to protect your own castle. The 12 spaces for pikemen and sergeants is the length one square board. Don't let your infantry become trapped behind mountains in the enemy's land.

Remember the archer's ability to shoot over allies. The archer can remove the first target, allowing the ally to then move through the vacated spot!

The squire is good when you need to get passed opponents and allies.

Rough terrain is great for footmen for defense.

Remember, the three royalty can be defeated to win the game. Sometimes, just leave the castle alone and hunt the royalty. I've beaten more opponents this way. Then, they hide their precious little kings in their castle - leaving them with one less piece on their board. It sometimes is a good tactic, sometimes not.

Make entry to the castle difficult - the least number of entry ways. Properly places castles can limit this down to two usually. If you make the entry way diagonal, then you make it hard for pikemen to move easily into the castle and vice-versa with H,V entries. Consider the pieces that can beat you over others and hunt them down.

If you have boards you can set up anyway you want and you want to hear of the three army castle setup that is virtually impossible to beat, let me know...

Any one know if this game is now considered to be public domain or would I be required to get "rights" to produce a commercial product... (like a computer version, etc. etc...)

Thanks!

David, I think Hasbro owns the rights to all the old Avalon Hill games. They are a tough nut to crack.

No offense, but I hated this game. I am a decent chess player, and I enjoy a good game of Risk and other such tactic games, but this game was just too mixed to enjoy. After some study, it was easy to remember a pieces moves, but the amount of squares one could travel, and the amount of moves possible in a single turn were daunting.
One mistake is often a quick end, as you can lose all your pieces in one offensive action. Defense is often a losing strategy, no matter how good you may usually be at it. A quick charging force seems to win no matter what.
I played three games in one night, and watched a forth, and found it an unappealing game that I would not consider again for me or my friends.

If you can rearrange the four boards, the variations help. If you can't, you can become used the boards design.

Feudal allows for a lot of variation and hardly a boring game.
Chess, on the otherhand, is played by two types of players:

Like me, who move pieces about on the board and make ridiculous moves at times. This usually results in some odd games.

The second type of player memorizes the first 10+ moves and will play the same moves every time they play. Each time they play, its the same moves. Chess is mechanical because you must move and countermove the same way all the time. The only time pros who play find an interest is when they've run out of the robotic moves they've been doing for years.

As for quick charging forces? I quick charging force can be defeated if the defense is well built.

The difference between chess and feudal? Feudal, you can back up your pieces. Change from offense to defense and back to offense. Allow backing up in Chess and the whole game becomes different. Until they do that, Chess is nothing but two beginners having fun making stupid moves, or two pros making programmed moves for the first half hour to hour of the game. That's boring.

Just played a long game w/my wife last evening (yes, not the most exciting New Year's Eve!)
I've had this game since I was kid back in 1971. I liked it much better than chess.\
My "nerdy" friends and I used to play it a lot during my teens. We'd usually start with all three armies on a side and just leave out the Vassals' castles! :) Gets crowded!
We did the rearrainged board quarters too for variation (and to try to eliminate terrain memorization - though we were still pretty good at remembering the Avenues of Approach, mountains, etc.)

I played this with my older brother in the 70's. Man, a long time ago. I loved it, especially looking at the pieces. I would love an online version of it.

My brother had this game and boy did we have somebattles. Then he found a glitch in the terrain where you could set your castle inside some mountains...put an archer guy in castle and something else(can't remember) and there was no way to get in.You'd get shot by the archer before you could get there with any pieces.

You could have your whole army and all he needed was a couple of archers and theking and he was inpenatrable.

We really liked it. It was fun...and the little detailed pieces were cool. Those were the days.

sounds cool i just got it today and wonderd how to play i saw the little men and loved them and im going to play with my brother today and im just 8 and hes 14 ps happy valintines

I have been looking/hoping for an on-line version of Feudal. I love the game. Can't find anyone to play with.

Best game ever

I have had my game for close to 35 years now. 3M version is a little differnt in packagig and the pieces are colored a little differenntly from Avalon Hill, I believe. Finding someone to play is getting easier as I have introduced the game to a number of younger kids who want to play.
Best board game ever invented, I wish I had the other original book shelf games from 3M.
David

Played the game 30 Years Ago. We use to use half the board for 2 players, or play the board vertically, or use more the one army.

Had made a giant board out of peg board, painted it , mountians with foot paths etc.. made this even better. Give way more options. Pretty easy to replicate and DIY.

I've owned the game for at least 25 years and I think i'm going to replicate the board in exotic hardwoods and have all the pieces cast in 2 colors of pewter.

Best strategic game ever made in my humble opinion. Maybe when my sons get older they will play with me.

I loved this game when I was a kid !!!

We were bored with chess and checkers and this was the only other game in the camper other than cards.

I am gonna buy one again real soon !!

* puts it on his list *

My parents let me play with this game when i was very young, needless to say i lost many of the pieces, as I became older I became more interested in chess and other games of the sort. Now that i have inherited the game, i need a replacement, found another set on ebay, I now have a complete set and now its just hard to find someone who gets as much pleasure from playing it as i do.

I need information where I might purchase additional game pieces for this game? I've always loved playing Feudal. My sons who are 25 now grew up playing and want to expand the battle!
My e-mail address is aven1@comcast.net if anyone has info or a game or two they want to sell.

I remember buying this game when it first came out. My brother and I played it a lot. It's great fun. I wish they still sold it, I'd buy another set immediately.

Have not recently,But have hundreds of times.Awsome game.It is like chess and Risk rolled into one.No one game is the same.Strickly strategy,No cards or dice rolls.I have even put two sets together to make one mega board.

Due to being laid off for almost a year,I have to sell some of my 'toys';I have a Feudal game complete.All pieces are there with instructions,divider,boxes,and are in VGC. Outside of box has some smoke damage. Anyone interested in buying the game can reach me at johntackett51@yahoo.com .

Had problems with my Email address,had to make a new one. It is now johntackett30@yahoo.com. Also have a couple of original Revell plastic airplane model kits;a B-17 Memphis Belle and a Corsair F4U-4 for sale. Anyone interested can reach me at my Email address.

Hi All !!! RE: Feudal - I just opened the game and started reading
the instructions and laying the game out... It seems that
all the pieces and instructions are here. My mother bought me the set as a gift a few years ago. I finally decided to
start puttering around with it...

Thanks All for the instructions clarification. It seems
like there are alot of strategies that can be applied !

Later !!

Hi im jordan and im wondering , is there any god online sites as this game isent popular with people i know. So if anyone could tell me any good sites i would be verry greatfull...


Thanks Jordan

Anyone up for putting together a Feudal Convention Weekend with the winner crowned King for 1 Year (with perks)?

Great post! Just remembered the name of this game I used to play often in the early 80's, google search and here I am! The internets great which is why I'd like to know what happened to Brad's online version he started back in 07'? (see the first dozon or so posts here).
Nothing but awesome memories of this game as I also had 4 sets we would combine into hugh boards and armies! All lost to theft over the years but i see some on ebay for sale I may buy. I also love the above idea on Feudal Con 09'! I live in Monterey CA. so anyone near with a set, i say, lets play!

this game is the best!!!!!! im playing it right now!!!!

I picked this game up my senior year in high school and have been playing it since. I'd like to gt a hold of some original pieces still on the tree, to make rare metal investment casting. I had a jeweler buddy of mine make a board out of silver and malachite, and i want pieces to match.

I'm 47, bought this game in 1973 and just loved it. But after playing a lot of games it became apparent to me what the problem with this game was. No matter what you do, the games always come down to a couple pieces left. Your whole army would be slaughtered by the time you took the castle. I think you have to make your own alternate rules for this game to be more entertaining. like maybe adding dice for attacks or giving attacking pieces a chance to escape after taking a piece so that the game doesnt always come down to each others last few pieces. That's the only problem I have with the game, the fact one player cant just totally wipe out the other like what is possible in chess, and if you think about it...the real thing.

I have the game in the original box (1976) good condition available. If anyone is interested in it email me offer at mfoster@libertylawnservicellc.com

One of the best board games I ever played.
My friends and I, we are all great fans and hardcore players in our winter nights...

I have been playing this game for years. Very hard to find anyone to play with. Is there anyone out there?? New York/ Long Island?

Connecticut yes good hippie game. How do you play on line.

When will the online version be released?