Hi!
I'm pondering a variation of Stratego which involves replacing some of those useless 9's with some of the following pieces. Note that this will require that a d10 (0-9) be added to the set.
SUICIDE BOMBER (B)
When any enemy unit first enters his cell or vice versa, both units are destroyed.
ARTILLERIST (A)
Loses to any enemy unit entering his square.
Can take one of two actions on his turn in addition to move. Note that he is not identified when this action takes place.
1. Target a single enemy unit within line of sight.
2. Destroy any targeted unit if it is still within line of sight. Cannot destroy Bombs or Flags.
ALTERNATE RULE FOR ARTILLERIST
3. Fire on an enemy unit within line of sight. Roll a d10. If the number exceeds the Manhattan distance between him and the opponent, the enemy unit is destroyed. Cannot destroy Bombs or the Flag.
MORTAR (M)
Squares with mortars are identified at the beginning of the game by placing a marker on the square. Have no effect unless a unit is sitting in that square. Taking the mortar involves destroying the unit in the square. Note that either team can use a mortar, including the opponent's.
Mortars cannot move. They are like Artillerists except that they can target any enemy unit regardless of line of sight.
Possible rules:
1. Target a single enemy unit.
2. Destroy a targeted unit if he has not moved since he was targeted. Can destroy Bombs.
ALTERNATE RULE
3. Fire upon any enemy unit. Roll a d10 and subtract 1 for every unit in between the mortar and the unit under fire. If the number exceeds the Manhattan distance between the mortar and the opponent, the enemy unit is destroyed. Can destroy Bombs.
--------
ALTERNATE ENGAGEMENT RULE
1. If two like numbers meet, both are destroyed.
2. If two unlike numbers meet, subtract the lower number (stronger unit) from the higher number (weaker unit). Roll a d8. If the number is lower than the difference the stronger unit wins. Otherwise, the weaker unit wins. Artillerists and Suicide Bombers count as 10.
3. Spy/1 rules do not change.
I haven't test-played it. What do you think?
Stratego with a hex board with 6 on each side would actually be pretty interesting. It could still be played with the traditional 40 pieces. You may want to put a couple of rows in the middle between the two armies so there won't be just one row between the two forces.