Canes Bellum is the name of the game in this variant centred around - the latin tag is a translation of 'dogs of war' from: "Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war"... Those dogs are loose on Germany, 1648 - the Thirty Years' War has just finished and six noble families and the church are left, vying fir power, in a chequerboard pattern of inter-mingled centres of two types...
www.vdiplomacy.com/board.php?
gameID=28001Besides the complexities of the layout, the variant has two principal mechanics that reflect the nature of warfare of these times; Knights, who have an additional, leap-frogging move option that reflects the capabilities of the mercenary cavalries of the time; and Fortresses, which are immune to the Knights, creating hinge points within the map. A fascinating variant that requires tactical nous as well as strategic insight. As one of these 7 powers, you must strive to unite the holy Roman Empire under your banner. It is time indeed to unleash the dogs of war.