This game is based on the United States electoral college. Each territory is worth one "electoral vote." In states with a single territory, you get +1 bonus for holding the state. In states with several territories, you must hold them all to get the bonus.
SWING STATE DEFENSE: The swing states (marked with a black star) are impossible to defend. Attackers from out of state roll 7-sided dice, and defenders roll 5-sided dice. Attacks within state are not affected by this rule.
SWING STATE COMBOS: Players receive additional bonuses for holding groups of swing states, as described on the map.
COASTLINE ATTACK: This rule helps the board balance properly, especially in the Northeast. Players may attack for a distance of three territories along any coast or shoreline, including the Great Lakes. In the Great Lakes, ships pass through the narrow strait connecting Lake Michigan to the other lakes. There are two exceptions to the coastline attack: Anchorage (Alaska) is connected only to Seattle (Washington), and Honolulu (Hawaii) is connected only to Los Angeles (California).
This game was originally created at Warfish in 2008. Big thanks to Ozyman for helping move it over here. (Do I really have to call it "The Old Site"?)