ContraPloy Starting Lineups

Balanced

This is a conservative, wide coverage lineup. The front has a mix of colors and ranges from nine to six. The middle is a little weaker, but is strong in White to defend the two white zones in front of the end zone. The back is strong with Black and the Blue "equals".

Yellow and 9's front lineup

The idea with this line up is to dominate the middle of the board with Yellows and Nines. The White "nine" dominates the top, the Yellow "nine" dominates the middle, and the Green "nine" dominates the bottom. The Black pieces and the Blue "equals" defend the end zone. Weaker Green and White pieces can plug wholes in the middle of the board.

Strong Middle lineup

This lineup has a weak front. Ideally your opponent will use up strong pieces in the center and you can charge in and clean up later. (Kind of like calvary behind infantry.) The Green "nine", White "nine", and Yellow "eight" dominate the bottom of the board. The Yellow "nine", Blue "equals", Green "eight", and White "eight" dominate the top. The end zone is defended with Black pieces, but not much other strength.

Aggressive Gamble

This lineup is strong on top, weak on bottom. You can march accross the top and try to escort the Black into the opponents endzone. The bottom has eights in the front to defend and sevens in the end zone. The top has an even weaker end zone. The idea is to go for the quick kill (or die trying).

ContraPloy Attack Strategies

Pounce

Move into a weak zone and be ready to attack into the strong zone. The advantages are: 1. You can make a strong attack into two zones The disadvantages are: 1. If you win the attack, the value of the opponents piece will not be exposed 2. If you win the attack, you will most likely be in the front of the zone, allowing other hostile pieces to move past your piece

Trap

Move to a strong zone then sit and wait. The advantages are: 1. The opponent will likely attack and lose, and in doing so reveal their piece value 2. If the opponent attacks and loses, you have not moved out of the strong zone so your piece is still a threat 3. If the opponent attacts and loses, and if your piece is strong in the next zone (like a yellow piece), you may be able to attack immediately and win another piece The disadvantages are: 1. You can only gaurd a single zone 2. Your opponent may not attack or may move in the front of the zone which would force you to give up your position or allow the piece to pass (*see Passive Aggressive below)

Bait

"Bluff" by moving next to an exposed strong piece. Your opponent will probably assume you are trying to protect a weaker piece and may be tempted to attack. The advantages are: 1. The opponent will likely attack and lose, and in doing so reveal their piece value 2. If the opponent attacks and loses, you have not moved out of the strong zone so your piece is still a threat 3. If the opponent attacts and loses, and if your piece is strong in the next zone (like a yellow piece), you may be able to attack immediately and win another piece The disadvantages are: 1. Your opponent may not attack 2. By moving forward in the zone you allow other hostile pieces to move past your piece

Bait (variation)

"Bluff" by moving a junk piece next to an exposed strong piece. Your opponent will probably assume you are trying to protect a valuable piece that is weak in that zone and may be tempted to attack. The advantages are: 1. The opponent will likely attack, and in doing so reveal their piece value 2. If the opponent attacks and wins, you can likely capture their piece (hopefully of greater value) with your remaining strong piece The disadvantages are: 1. You sacrifice a piece if your opponent attacks 2. Your opponent may not attack 3. By moving into forward in the zone you allow other hostile pieces to move past your piece

Passive Aggressive

Move into the back area of an occupied strong zone. The advantages are: 1. The opponent must either attack and give up good position or allow you to pass 2. The opponent will not know the value of your piece if they attack and win 3. If the opponent attacks and loses, your piece is in good position to defend the zone The disadvantages are: 1. The opponent may not atack 2. By moving into forward in the zone you allow other hostile pieces to move past your piece