#+title: Bitter Duel

This is a really simple tactics game for the [[https://itch.io/jam/spring-lisp-game-jam-2026][2026 Spring Lisp Game Jam]].

It is made in Chicken Scheme, using my own game framework [[https://git.cyan.sh/BirDt/imugi][Imugi]].

* Build

First install Chicken 5, then install Imugi using the instructions in its repo. You will also need to ~chicken-install csm~ for easier building.

Once both of those dependencies are installed, run:
#+begin_src shell
  mkdir build && cd build
  csm -program bitter-duel ..
  ./bitter-duel
#+end_src

* Design & Gameplay

In Bitter Duel, you control a single character on a 5 by 5 grid. There is a single opponent facing off against you.

Each character has a stance and hand position, and can move, attack, or assume a stance on their turn.
Each character has 3 health.

** Stances
Stances are initial striking positions, and provide some intrinsic bonus offense and defense on the turn that the stance is assumed.

After attacking or moving, your stance is broken until you next assume it.

There are 4 stances:
- High (Up-Left/Up-Right)
  - The High stance has a higher defense (70) against High and (60) Stab attacks, but low defense against Low attacks (30).
  - The High stance adds additional offense to your High attacks (80).
- Low (Down-Left/Down-Right)
  - The Low stance has higher defense (70) against Low and (60) Stab attacks, but low defense against High attacks (30).
  - The low stance adds additional offense to your Low attacks (70).
- Side (Mid-Left/Mid-Right)
  - The Side stance has higher defense (70) against swing attacks, but low defense (30) against High and Low attacks.
  - The Side stance adds additional offense to your Swing attacks (70)
    
** Hand Position
Your hand position adds defense against attacks coming from that direction (60) and dictates what next attacks you can perform.

The hand positions are:
- Up-left:
  - Defense against top and right attacks.
- Up-right
  - Defense against top and left attacks.
- Mid-right
  - Defense against mid and left attacks.
- Mid-left
  - Defense against mid and right attacks.
- Down-left
  - Defense against bottom and right attacks.
- Down-right
  - Defense against bottom and left attacks.

** Attacks
Each of the hand positions is also a type of attack. You may perform an attack from the 3 positions near the hand position.
For example, Up-Left can attack from Up-Left, Up-Right, or Mid-Left.
After an attack, your hand position changes to the opposite of the attack. So Up-Left becomes Down-Right.

** Attacking and Turns
Both players lock in their actions, then the turn is resolved like so:
1. Handle any stance changes
2. Handle any movement.
3. Resolve attacks.

To resolve an attack, get the offense of the attack and defense for that attack from the defender.
Subtract Defense from Offense, divide by 10, and add 5. Call this the "target number".
Roll a number between 1 and 10. If the roll is lower than the target number, the attack goes through and the defender takes a hit.
Characters always attack and defend from the hand position they start in at the beginning of the turn.

* Credits
- https://sethbb.itch.io/32rogues