How to Play Nostr Wars

🌍 What is Nostr Wars?

Nostr Wars is a massively multiplayer strategy game where you battle for control of territories on a 3D globe. The game runs on Bitcoin block time - every ~10 minutes when a new block is mined, your territories grow and the global economy shifts.

Your goal: Control as many territories as possible by the end of the game to win!

🚀 Getting Started

1 Get a Nostr Wallet

To play Nostr Wars, you need a browser extension or app that manages your Nostr identity. This acts as your digital key that proves you're you, without needing accounts or passwords.

2 Connect Your Wallet

On the game page, click "Log In" in the sidebar and select your Nostr wallet type. Your wallet will ask you to approve the connection. Once connected, you'll see your player info in the sidebar.

3 Claim Your First Territory

Click "Claim Territory" to get started. For free games, your wallet will ask you to sign a claim event. For paid games, you'll pay via Lightning Network. Once confirmed, you're assigned a random unclaimed territory with 1,000 population and 100 military, and the globe will center on your new territory.

📋 Step-by-Step How-Tos

How to Claim a Territory

How to Set Your Military Tax Rate

How to Attack

How to Move Military

⏰ How the Game Clock Works

Nostr Wars runs on Bitcoin blocks, mined approximately every 10 minutes. Each new block triggers:

• All territories grow in population and military
• The economic cycle changes based on block hash
• Your action limits (attacks & movements) reset

The Three Economic Cycles

Every block, the game enters one of three states based on the Bitcoin block hash:

🧈 Understanding Military Tax (Butter vs Guns)

Every player sets a military tax rate that determines how growth is split between civilian population and military spending. Think of it as deciding how much of your economy goes to defense:

How Growth Works

Each block, every territory grows by a percentage of its current population. That growth is then split according to your military tax allocation.

Tax Strategies

• 25% Military Tax: Long-term growth focus - compound your population for exponential gains
• 50% Military Tax: Balanced approach - grow steadily while staying combat-ready
• 75% Military Tax: Conquest focus - build military fast for aggressive expansion

⚔️ Combat & Conquest

Attacking is how you expand your empire. Combat resolves instantly when you publish your attack.

Combat Rules

• You can only attack adjacent territories (neighbors sharing an edge)
• You must commit at least 1 military unit
• All committed military leaves your territory, win or lose
• Maximum 10 attacks per Bitcoin block

The Dice System (Risk-Style)

Combat uses dice with a defender advantage:

Dice are compared highest to highest. Lower roll loses 1 military. Combat continues until one side is eliminated.

Combat Outcomes

• You win: Territory captured! Your surviving forces occupy it and the population transfers to you. Watch the victory effect!
• You lose: Attack fails. Your committed military is lost, defender keeps territory.

Population Transfer

When you capture a territory, the civilian population transfers to your control with some collateral damage based on combat intensity. Larger attacks cause more civilian casualties:

• Damage formula: min(50%, military_committed ÷ population × 10%)
• Example: 500 military vs 1,000 population → 50% damage → 500 population transferred
• Minimum population after transfer is always 100

Unclaimed Territories

Territories with no owner have 50 military defending. They're much easier targets than player-owned territories - great for early expansion!

🚚 Moving Military

Reposition your forces between territories you own to prepare for attacks or shore up defenses.

Movement Rules

• Source and destination must be adjacent (neighbors)
• You must own both territories
• Transfers are instant and lose no military
• Maximum 10 movements per Bitcoin block

Strategic Uses

• Reinforce borders: Move troops to territories facing enemies
• Prepare attacks: Concentrate forces before launching an offensive
• Redistribute growth: Move military from safe interior territories to the front

🏆 Regional Bonuses

Control complete regions to supercharge your growth!

The globe uses a geohash coordinate system. If you control all 32 territories sharing the same first character (a "region"), you earn a +10% growth bonus on all your territories!

• Bonus stacks with base growth rate (e.g., 3% boom + 10% bonus = 13% growth)
• Lost immediately if you lose even one territory in the region
• Control multiple regions for multiple bonuses

🎯 Winning the Game

Nostr Wars runs for a set number of Bitcoin blocks (shown in the sidebar). When the final block is reached, the player controlling the most territories wins!

💡 Strategy Tips for New Players

Starting Out

• Claim early: More unclaimed territories are available at game start
• Scout neighbors: Rotate the globe to check if you're near enemies or have room to expand
• Start with higher military tax (60-70%): Capture weak unclaimed territories quickly

Mid Game

• Target unclaimed land first: Only 50 military to defeat vs hundreds/thousands for player territories
• Build clusters: Control adjacent territories to work toward regional bonuses
• Outnumber defenders: Remember you need 2-3x their military to win reliably

Late Game

• Protect your regions: Don't let enemies break your regional bonuses
• Use all your actions: Maximize your 10 attacks and 10 movements each block
• Lower tax if safe: Compound population growth when you have a strong position

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nostr?

Nostr is a decentralized protocol for social media and identity. Instead of creating accounts on each website, you have one identity that works everywhere. Learn more at nostr.how

Do I need Bitcoin to play?

Only if there's an entry fee (paid via Lightning Network). Many games are free to play - you just need a Nostr wallet to sign your game actions. The game runs on Bitcoin block time for its clock.

What if I lose my Nostr key?

Your Nostr key is your game identity. If you lose it, you lose access to your territories permanently. Always back up your private key in a safe place!

Can I play on mobile?

Yes! The game is mobile-responsive. You can use NIP-46 remote signing with apps like Amber (Android) or native Nostr apps. Desktop with a browser extension offers the best experience.

How long does a game last?

Each game runs for a set number of Bitcoin blocks. Check the sidebar to see the current game's timeline. Typical games run 10,000+ blocks (about 69 days).

Can I have multiple territories?

Yes! You can claim additional territories by paying the entry fee again (if there is one). You can also capture territories through combat.

Why can't I attack a territory?

You can only attack adjacent territories (sharing an edge). Make sure your source territory has military, and you haven't exceeded 10 attacks this block.