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@ Bob Greenwade[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]
Bob Greenwade wrote on Tue, Oct 10, 2023 02:05 PM UTC:

85. Clown. We already have the Fool, the Jester, the Joker, and various others, so why not a Clown?

The Clown's basic move is four spaces in any direction; however, it cannot capture with this move. The Clown also can imitate the move of any piece, whether friendly or enemy, in a space adjacent to its starting spot. It can capture in this manner, but doing so is an act of self-sacrifice. (mQ4xK+)

(The + in the above refers to the kamikaze nature of the xK, which I don't know how to code in XBetza.)

The Clown also has a special ability all its own, which comes in two parts: first, it's a bifold piece, meaning that two can fit into one space. A capture made against two Clowns in one space captures both if it's a regular displacing capture; rifle, locust, withdrawing, and similar captures only capture one.

Second, if the player also has a piece like a Carrier (a special piece that transports other pieces), the player can fit as many Clowns on it as he has. However, sitting on a Carrier, the "move borrowing" is suppressed. When they get to their destination, all Clowns unload in the same turn, using only their innate (non-capturing) move; if spaces run out before Clowns, the remaining Clowns stay on board the Carrier