Two differences between Break Away and traditional hnefatafl are clear. The most obvious one is the number of attacking pieces: 12 rather than 16, which means the game does not have the 'normal' n +1 vs 2n number of pieces. Secondly, whereas the attacking and defending pieces move like the normal hnefatafl pieces (i.e. like the rook in chess), the king can only move one square horizontally or vertically. To make up for this restricted movement, the king can escape via any edge square rather than only in the corners.
The game does include an extra four white pieces, to allow the attackers the use of 16 pieces. This 'Master Break Away' option restores the n +1 vs 2n formula, and makes the game more similar to Tablut (except for the limited movement of the king).
