Frequently Asked Questions
So it’s Like Chess?
Proudly we take influence from the multi-millennia old game of Chess. The set up is on a chessboard and both players have equivalent pieces. Placement of Characters determine avenues of attack and supporting a Character with another greatly improves your survival. Games can last as little as 10 minutes, with tactical movement and strong offense, or as long as an hour or two, with strategic positioning and lasting patience. Cathedr’l: Fantasy Role Playing Chess maintains the intensity of Chess, however it combines it with the immersion of a role playing game by allowing you to attack, defend, cast spells, use a ranged attack, and outsmart your opponent with the many weapons, skills, and spells of your characters.
What is Cathedr’l?
Cathedr’l is the fantasy world that the characters in the game are based off of. Every character and class has an extensive background that resides within the centuries of lore that Cathedr’l’s timeline spans.
What is FRPC?
FRPC stands for Fantasy Role Playing Chess. FRPC is the gaming aspect of Cathedr’l while the name of the world itself is Cathedr’l. As we talk about lore, we use the term Cathedr’l. When we speak of rules, gameplay, or strategies, we will refer to it as FRPC.
When was it created?
In 1990, the very first drafts of the game were created by Edward Stinson Jr. in highschool. However, after enlisting into the United States Marines, he was unable to continue work on the game and had to put it on the backburner. Fast forward 2 decades, and Edward Stinson III found the initial drafts of the game. Character names, how they attacked, where they were placed, and how to beat the game. Together alongside family friends, thousands of demo games were played to get the kinks out and fill in the loopholes in the rules. The game has been cultivated over a combined 6 decades of Fantasy worlds, Role-playing stories, and Board game love.
How difficult is it to learn?
The game is able to be learned within an hour. The game is built to be a strategic playing field for those who love RPGs and table top games. Though it is complex, like chess, once you learn what a character can do, their stats do not change. After knowing the abilities of each character, it comes down to the level of strategy you implement with them.
How is it similar/different from chess?
Like chess, it utilizes the strategy of well-placed pieces and overlapping fields of coverage. If a Warrior is supported by a Ranger and a Cleric, they automatically stand a better chance of defending against an attacking character.
How long do games usually last?
When you are first learning the game, the games can take roughly an hour as you want to understand the many different strategies that are possible with each character. When you are a more experienced player, the games can last between 30 and 45 minutes. When you are well versed in the rules and can play by memory, the games are fast paced and intense, and will last between 15 and 30 minutes.
What and how many miniatures do I need to play?
You can use whatever miniatures you’d like. Reaper miniatures are excellent miniatures to represent the characters of the game. Though, you are able to use whatever miniatures or pieces you’d like as long as both players understand what each piece represents. There are players who have used sticky notes with the name of the character and a directional arrow to show the characters facing. There are players who have used a touch of paint and common chess pieces to represent the characters.
Can I use any chessboard?
Any 8×8 grid that could be used to play a chess game can be used to play Cathedr’l.
How much does it cost to play?
The book itself costs roughly $20 US. The book itself comes with character card cut outs in the back that you may use in order to play the game anywhere. After purchasing a chessboard and the minimum of one 20-sided dice or the recommended six 20-sided dice, In order to fully experience the game, the cost could be as low as $30 depending on how intricate of a Chessboard you wish to get. After buying the book, dice, and chessboard, you will never need to purchase anything again as the replayability of the game is infinite thanks to the many possibilities provided by 10 unique classes and the roll of a die.
How difficult is setup?
Set up is as easy as it is to put 24 miniatures on a chess board. After that is accomplished, get six 20-sided dice for attacking and defending, and you are able to play the game. Depending on your skill level, you may need the book on the side for quick reference when in situations you are unsure of.
Where can I Play?
Check out our social media channels and our upcoming Tournament section on the website to stay informed on what shops we will be visiting to demo the game and share strategy with new Lords fo Cathedr’l!
How do I win?
Defeat the King AND the Queen in order to defeat your opponent. If you take their King, the Characters of Command go into exile and are taken off of the board. If you take the Queen, her Characters of Conviction go into exile.
General Game Questions
Why are there empty squares?
They represent the courtyards of your castle. These courtyards encircle the Tower of Force and the Monastery of Faith. The Tower of Force is a place of mystic powers not understood by most citizens. Thus, the Sorcerer remains secluded in their Tower as they hone their magical prowess. The Monastery of Faith is a sanctuary for all mortals, thus no one person may claim the courtyards surrounding the Monastery to represent the purity of its intent.
Why is Paladin immune to force magic?
The Paladin is a follower of Legynd, the Prophet of Light. Light, being an immensely powerful element and the very essence of lightning, the Paladin is encased in a force field of light that repels the force magic of the Sorcerer. From a balancing perspective, it allows the Paladin to act either as an offensive powerhouse, or as a character whose offense is also his defense. He nullifies spells that would normally target him or cause damage to him. This allows him to march towards the enemy lines as a high priority target for the enemy; thanks to the amount of damage he can and probably will cause.
Why are casters unable to cast while in tower?
While in the tower, the Sorcerer is away from the battlefield and protected by a secluded tower. Those wishing to attack the Sorcerer must make their way deep into your kingdom and reach the Tower of Force in order to fight the powerful and protected magic user. With spells of only destructive nature, the Sorcerer spells can do more damage than any other character in the game if played properly.
While in the Monastery, the Cleric acts as a beacon of health and rejuvenation with the ability to heal from the safety of the Monastery. The Cleric is a powerful support character and this is very apparent when he stays behind the main attacking force and alters the battle with his unique and powerful spells.
Both of these powerful characters must literally be UNLEASHED unto the battlefield. Once they move, the other player MUST take into consideration what their opponent plans to do with their magic users.
If a character kills another character, do they then occupy the square of their defeated opponent?
No, when a character kills another character, the model is removed from the board and your character remains where they were. This can open up avenues of movement for your other characters as well as remove obstacles for line of sight.
