How to Play Drug Wars

Getting Started

When you start the game, you'll need to:

  1. Enter your character name
  2. Select an avatar from the four available options
  3. Click "START GAME" to begin your journey
  4. Read your character's backstory which provides context for your adventure

You'll begin with $1,000 cash and no inventory in Manhattan.

Core Gameplay

The main gameplay loop involves:

  1. Buying products - Purchase items at low prices using the "BUY" buttons
  2. Traveling - Move between NYC boroughs using the "TRAVEL" button in the footer
  3. Selling products - Sell at higher prices in new locations using the "SELL" buttons
  4. Managing time - Advance time with "NEXT MONTH" when you want new price fluctuations

TIP: Prices vary significantly between locations. Manhattan generally has higher prices, while The Bronx tends to have lower prices.

Market Dynamics

Product prices are influenced by several factors:

  • Location - Each borough has its own price modifiers
  • Random events - Events can cause dramatic price changes (e.g., "DEA BUST REDUCES SUPPLY")
  • Time progression - Prices change each time you advance to the next month

TIP: Pay attention to news of supply disruptions, which can create profitable selling opportunities.

Police Encounters

While traveling, you may encounter police. You'll have three options:

  • Fight - Engage in dice-based combat where your roll is compared to the police officer's roll
  • Run - Attempt to escape with a chance of success or failure
  • Surrender - Go peacefully, which results in jail time and loss of inventory

TIP: Weapons can improve your chances in combat by adding extra dice to your rolls.

Weapons System

You can purchase weapons to aid in combat:

  • Knife - Adds 1d4+2 to your combat roll
  • Pistol - Adds 1d6+6 to your combat roll (requires ammo)
  • Shotgun - Adds 2d8+4 to your combat roll (requires ammo)
  • Assault Rifle - Adds 3d10+8 to your combat roll (requires ammo)

Firearms require ammunition, which is consumed during combat.

Health and Survival

Your health can be damaged during police encounters or certain random events. If your health reaches zero, the game ends.

TIP: Sometimes it's better to surrender to police if your health is low, rather than risking combat.

Winning Strategy

To succeed in Drug Wars:

  1. Buy products where they're cheapest (often The Bronx or Queens)
  2. Sell in locations with higher prices (typically Manhattan or Staten Island)
  3. Invest in weapons early to improve your chances during police encounters
  4. Monitor price fluctuations and take advantage of supply disruptions
  5. Balance risk vs. reward when deciding whether to carry large inventory
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