Fortress tile is a game that is easy to set up, but very fun and complex to play. If you have 8 friends, a large open field to play with, and two flags, you're good to go. The goal here is to steal the enemy's hidden flag and bring it back to your base -- however, if an enemy touches you, you'll be imprisoned. The first team to steal the opposing team's flag is the winner.
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Method 1 of 3: Get Ready to Play
Step 1. Master the basics of the castle tile so you can start playing right away
In this game, two teams will hide an object (which we refer to as a "flag") in their respective territories. Usually, this area is created by dividing a game area in half - using traffic cones, trees, or other markers. Your team will try to steal the opponent's flag and bring it back to its own territory before the opposing team does the same. To defend the flag, you can touch any opponent that comes into your territory and send him/her to a "jail". This imprisoned opponent cannot be free, unless he is touched by a teammate. The first team to get the opposing team's flag and bring it into their territory wins. If the game progresses quickly, both teams can switch sides, hide their flags again, and play again.
- Both teams must be balanced and consist of 5 or more people.
- You need a large area to play in, otherwise you'll have a hard time exploring your opponent's territory untouched.
Step 2. Find a large open area
You need a lot of space to run and hide the flag. You can also search for places with lots of obstacles and obstacles, so you can hide while looking for your opponent's flag and make the game more fun. Try to choose an area with a large obstacle in the middle so that none of the guards can see into the opponent's area. Here are some examples of appropriate regions:
- A house with a large front and back yard (or two sides of the same size).
- Paintball playing field.
- Extensive forests, especially those with streams in the middle.
- You can also play a modified version of the castle tile on a level ground. To do this, just place the fort tiles as far out of your opponent's reach as possible. Divide the plain into two parts and start playing. This style of play emphasizes running speed, evasive agility, and touch (rather than hiding strategies).
Step 3. Find an even number of people to start playing
You can play with any number of people, but we recommend at least 10 or 12. This way, you have two teams with an even number of people: 5 or 6. If possible, try to differentiate between the two teams, for example by wearing shirts, hats or different colored bandanas.
You can still play with an odd number of players. Have the remaining players hide the flags for both teams so no one knows their location. Then, this player can become the "referee" of the game, which determines whether someone has actually been touched or not. You can also involve the player in a team and then give "better territory" to the team with fewer members (for example, a backyard with more hiding places), so the game is more balanced
Step 4. Select two similar objects to serve as flags
These two objects should be similar in size and shape. If you play at night, choose brightly colored objects. Here are some good options:
- Bandana.
- Old T-shirt.
- Balls and frisbees (you can make rules for these two items: should they be passed after they are found, or should they be carried straight away)
- Traffic cone.
- Old toys.
Step 5. Mark all boundaries on the playing field
First, determine the center line to divide the territory between teams. Usually, the easiest way to do this is to use natural lines - such as the edge of a house or two large trees. Then decide how far (both behind the boundary and beyond) you will play. These restrictions prevent a team from hiding its flag too far from the center line of the field.
- While natural lines (trees, shrubs, roads, etc.) may be easy to see, old T-shirts, traffic cones, and small markers like toys can make it easier if your field doesn't have natural dividing lines.
- You don't have to mark the back and sides of the court. As long as everyone knows that they can't hide the flag beyond the boundaries, the game can run smoothly.
Step 6. Hide the team flag in secret
Once the limit is set, each team will determine 1-2 players as "seek and seek". They would run in secret to hide the flag. The rest of the team will congregate invisibly (in the house or garage, at the center line, etc.) and make sure the opposing team doesn't peek at where the flag is hiding. There are some rules for hiding flags, but you can modify or skip them if you want the game to be more fun:
- The flag must be visible from one angle (not hidden under an object or tucked into a mailbox).
- Flags should not be tied or pinned -- they should be easy to reach when someone is running.
- The flag should not be buried or placed so high that it is difficult to reach.
Step 7. Select the "prison" region for each team
The prison is where the player waits if he is touched by his opponent. If your teammate is hit by your opponent's touch, you can run to free him (by touching him again). The prison is usually determined to be right in the center of each team's territory, and the distance from each team's prison to the center line of the field must be the same.
Step 8. Discuss all the "special" rules before you start the game
Fortress tile is a simple game -- all you have to do is try and steal the opposing team's flag and then bring it back to your territory. If you get hit by an opponent's touch, you will be imprisoned. Teammates can free you by touching you again. However, there are a few small rules to talk about before you start playing. There's no "right" way to play here, so you can choose the rules you like best:
- Should the touch be done with one hand, or two?
- When a player is released from prison, does he have to run back to his base before being touched again by an opposing player, or is he allowed to walk freely without being touched?
- Can a player get all his teammates out of prison, or can he only save one person?
- If you hold the opponent's flag and it is touched, should the flag be returned to the opposing team's side?
- Can you move the flag position?
- How much distance is allowed between the player and his own flag? (e.g. he may not guard the flag so it is impossible to retrieve the flag)
Method 2 of 3: Strategic Play
Step 1. Divide the roles in your team into “guard” and “attacker”
The best way to play as a team is to define certain roles. This way, you know there are a number of people who will guard your flag, no matter what. It might be better to have an extra guard in place instead of an assailant - choose someone who will focus on trying to get his partner out of jail.
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Guard:
The task is to patrol the center line and the entire territory of your base. He should also be prepared to touch anyone who crosses territory or tries to find your flag. He will often call other team members when he catches an enemy member hiding or sneaking around. He will also try to prevent his release from prison.
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Attacker:
the attacker will try to hide or get past the guard's barriers in search of the flag. Attackers will often be imprisoned while searching for the opponent's flag, so other attackers must take turns freeing their partners so that not all of them are imprisoned at the same time. After the attacker finds the flag, he will notify his teammates and then together try to capture the flag.
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Scouts/Spies (optional):
If your team is large, choose a few players who can run fast and switch between attacking and defending roles (depending on the team's needs). These players will usually free their friends who are in prison, help find the opponent's flag near the border, block when the guards on their team are outnumbered, or sneak into the opponent's territory when the attacker distracts the guard.
Step 2. Plan the attack mode
The fun part of the game is the strategy. Will you play defensively, imprisoning your opponent's attackers and then going to war when there are fewer of them? Or do you want to try sneaking into your opponent's base by hiding and spending as much time as possible stealing their flag? Discuss strategies with your team to achieve the best results. Here are some examples of tactics you can choose from:
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The Mad Rush:
this tactic is desperate, or used if you already know the position of the opponent's flag. This tactic sends all team members together, in the hope that one of them can steal and bring the opponent's flag to his own team's headquarters.
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The Decoy:
this tactic is risky but the payoff can be very good. Here, you will send some of the fastest players on your team to one side of the field. The goal is to get the guard's attention away from the opposing team - without getting touched by them. When the guard is busy, other players from your team will secretly infiltrate the opponent's territory in search of the flag.
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Blockers:
if you already have the flag or know its location, get together with 3-4 teammates. Run together towards the flag. Make sure the fastest runner is in the middle of your group, while the other players are about 1.2 to 1.5 m away from him. These other players are referred to as "blockers". However, you know, when a player is touched, he still has to stop playing and go to jail. He cannot continue to block an opposing player after he has been touched.
Step 3. Hide the flags smartly
There's a lot to consider when hiding a flag, and the "best location" for this may not be the position you originally thought it would be. Try to consider the places you might look first if you were on the opposing team. Designate different locations of these places, but don't get too close to the prison.
- The further away your flag is the more territory you have to keep untouched - this will benefit the guards on your team. As such, sometimes playing in smaller areas can be advantageous but risky, as the opposing team may not be looking in closer hiding places (because they think you're hiding their flag all the way).
- If your flag must be visible, make sure it can only be seen from behind, so the opposing team will have to run across your territory just to be sure.
- Placing the flag near a window might cause a prisoner to see it while he is waiting, so try to keep the flag away from the prison.
Step 4. Switch sides of the playing court after each round
So that one of the teams doesn't feel like they've got a "bad side," you'll need to switch sides after each round. If the game is fast, play until one team wins by 2 points (3-1, 5-3, etc.). This ensures the winning team succeeds fairly on both sides of the playing field.
Method 3 of 3: Other Variations
Step 1. You can specify that the touched player must stop in his position (instead of going to jail)
If you are touched, stop moving and stay where you are until a partner frees you. Once you're free, you can play right away and play again, as if nothing had happened.
Step 2. Play with a frisbee or ball that you can pass to a teammate
This method often makes the game much faster and more offensive. If you get an opponent's flag (in the form of a ball), you can throw it to a teammate. Through these passes, your team must try to remove the opponent's flag and bring it to your base. The touch rules still apply, and you can also add additional rules, for example: if a flag is dropped (due to an inaccurate pass or catch), it must be returned to its original position.
This variation is perfect for open field play, as flags are usually difficult to hide on a field like this
Step 3. Hide multiple flags per team
This is a good way to extend the game, or make it more fun for larger groups (say 20+ people) in a larger area as well. Give 3-5 flags to each team. The game will not end until all flags are found by one of the teams.
You can also assign points to each flag, based on the difficulty of finding and bringing it back to base. Set a time limit for one round of play, and the team that manages to collect the most points when the time limit ends wins
Step 4. Try playing castle tile at night
Use a flashlight or a small spotlight and play the castle tile in its more challenging version! To avoid dangerous collisions, set up a rule that ensures you can only run with your flashlight on. However, turning off your flashlight and sneaking around is a fun way to find flags, or set up traps for an unprepared opponent's attacker.
Step 5. Touch your opponent by throwing a water balloon or "flour bomb" instead of your hand
For a safer and easier play of the castle tile, cut a few pieces of fabric into strips 7.5-10 cm long. Tie one end and fill with flour for easy throwing. Tie the top ends and make sure each player is wearing dark clothes. After that, instead of touching your opponent with your hands, you have to throw them with flour bombs, so there's evidence on the clothes he's wearing.
You can also use balloons or water guns, especially when the game is going on for a long time
Step 6. Set up a neutral zone
In this region, no one can be caught. The neutral zone prevents ambiguous situations, for example when two players touch each other near or right on the court line. To do this, draw a line from the center of the court, 2.5-4.5 m apart. If you are in this area, you cannot be caught and sent to prison.
Tips
- Make sure you mark the boundaries very clearly to prevent confusion.
- Always make sure you know the location of your flag. Don't move without talking to a teammate first.
- If you're playing at night, wear dark clothes so you're not easily seen.
- Consider setting a neutral territory to rest and discuss strategy.
- Create your own obstacles to make the game more difficult and fun!
Warning
- Try to find a play area that isn't near roads or car traffic (especially if you're playing at night).
- Be careful not to trip over/hit something while playing at night.
