Variations on a Classic: Dots and Squares

Step 4 Variations: Powerups

Also, powerups can be added to the board, drawn before the game, to add another interesting element to it. Bonuses are most easily drawn with dotted lines, and their value in the center of the square. Again, any value can be chosen, and the powerups can be placed anywhere, but keep in mind that with powerups that are worth too much, the game can end up to be more of a game of luck, rather than strategy. The "+" symbols drawn in the diagram are a different kind of powerup. They can have a standard bonus value, like normal powerups (you decide what this value would be) but more interestingly, if a player is able to connect 2 or more of these together, his final score will be multiplied. I have found that the following system works best (if the "+" are spaced out enough throughout the board): 2 "+" connected = no multiplication bonus, 3 +" connected = x 2, 4 "+" connected = x 4, 5 "+" connected = x 8, and so on...
Here are some other ideas for powerups:
"Arrows"- If two arrow powerups on the same row are occupied by a player, than the entire row becomes his territory.
"Mines"- If forced to captured, these subtract points from your final score, or destroy adjacent squares, making them not count into final score.