Aldarra Roadmap and next steps! We are funded! Thank you all so much
almost 2 years ago – Fri, Apr 29, 2022 at 06:21:23 PM

Thank you all so very very much!

To everyone who has backed us and is excited to get their copy of Aldarra - Thank you so very much from myself and the whole team! 

It means a lot that even in this very difficult world we find ourselves in, that there are still enough people who believe in the vision we have for our projects! We know you will all love Aldarra and we can't wait to share it with you!

What's Next?

Next I will outline the general guideline for how things will progress over the next couple of months!

1. Waiting for funds to clear

The first step is waiting for Kickstarter to charge cards of backers and send us the funds. During this time, we will start working on the new 2 player mode and continue finishing the art for the cards!

Time: about 2 weeks

2. Open Pledge Manager (Backerkit)

Some time in the next week or two we will open the pledge manager where you will be able to up your pledges, addon additional items and verify your details (You will NOT be charged shipping at this time - Shipping will be charged a separate time - closer to the ship date so we can get the best price possible)

Time: At least 3 months but likely closer to 5 or 6 (likely will be open up until we ship)

3. Finish 2 Player Mode + Finishing art and modify miniatures as necessary

Over the next few months, we will be developing and implementing the 2 player mode as well as finishing the card art for the expansion and refining it for the base game. We will also modify the miniatures slightly in order to make sure they are acceptable by the manufacturer. Each mini will be inspected thoroughly to see if they require modifications.

We will be keeping you all up to date with aaall of this fun stuff through updates during the process. I would like to do 2 or 3 updates per month, but only if we have stuff to share. Expect at the very least 1 update per month!

Time: 2~5 months depending on development of 2 player mode. 

3b. Sharing more gameplay and videos

We will be doing more gameplay videos and possibly some more AMAs if you are all interested. I would also love to do a bit of a developer deep dive discussion between myself and the others on the team to give you all a bit more of a "behind the curtain" look!)

Time: Sometime in the next month or two!

4. Factory Sampling

Once we have all of our ducks in a row for the art, minis and 2 player mode, we will be getting the factory to provide us our PPCs (preproduction copy) so we can verify the quality of the product. We will be sharing a toooon of pics and videos on this!

Time: 1-3 weeks, This depends on a few things, but hopefully it won't take too long!

5. Lock orders and charge cards for additional addons

Once we are happy with the PPCs and we are confident that we have everything we need to provide you all with the best products possible, we will start locking orders and charging cards on Backerkit. We haven't quite worked out when we will charge VAT and duties yet, but it may be during this period or it may be during shipping. I will keep you all updated on this as we know more from our shipping and fulfillment partners.

Time: about a month (sometimes people have issues with their cards or they don't respond to the surveys we send and it takes awhile to sort out)

6. Manufacturing and closing pledge manager

As soon as we are happy with the PPCs and we have the orders locked and charged, we will start manufacturing and close the pledge manager! This may be a lengthy process as we will have hundreds of thousands of miniatures to manufacture, but we will make sure to keep you all updated through this process.

Time: Unknown. I am hoping this will be quick, but it's possible it may take 4 or 5 months. Fingers crossed it won't be quite this long! Depends on how many copies we end up ordering

7. Charge Shipping 

As soon as manufacturing is nearing completion, this is when we will start charging shipping through Backerkit and getting the best numbers possible. We are hoping VERY much that the cost of shipping will actually decrease from the estimates during the campaign as the world wakes up from its covid slumber. 

Please Note: Shipping will NOT be charged at the start of the pledge manager - it will be charged in 2 stages

Time: Unknown. It's kind of hard to guess what the world of shipping will be like at the time of shipping, I hope to keep you all updated with this as much as possible

Summary

Hopefully that is a clear enough laid out plan for now! It's subject to change of course as the world shifts and sways around us, but this is the plan! If you ever have any questions, you know you can ask any questions here or message us on Discord (see the links below)

Once again, thank you all so much! We are a small company, so whenever we gain this much support for a product we really believe in, it truly means the world to us! We will now get hard at work to deliver to you the best game we can! You will not be disappointed!

If you want to stay connected with myself and the community, I recommend you join our communities on Facebook and Discord!

I've been up for almost 30 hours so I will need some rest! haha I'll be back with another update as soon as we have some new components, art, or videos to share with you all. Likely next week some time :)

Benny and the AM team

2 Player Mode + Savage Skies Highlight + Box Sleeves + New Freebie STLs!
about 2 years ago – Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 11:21:38 PM

Happy 48 Hour Countdown Everyone!

2 Player Mode Unlocked

By popular demand, we are doing a 2 player mode! Check out below for more detail on what this will entail, timelines and overall thoughts on adding it into the game!

Savage Skies Highlights

Additionally, this update will go into the highlights of our 2 expansion factions - Sky Tamers and the Cuthari Hivemind. We have a couple of painted miniatures for you to feast your eyes on too to show you just what kind of details the little buggers are packing!

Kickstarter Exclusive Box Sleeves

As a nice little extra "thank you" to the backers, we are going to be adding limited edition box sleeves for the base game and Savage Skies Expansion. This will be provided to all copies of the base and expansion boxes (with or without minis!).

New Freebie STLs

As the last little surprise for this update, we have 2 new STL freebies for those of you interested in them! the frigates from both of the expansion factions - Sky Tamers and Cuthari Hivemind.

2 Player Mode Unlocked!

As mentioned, by popular demand we've decided to re-add in two player. It's always been a possibility to play with two, but we felt focusing on larger player counts led to the best table talk and social experience. Turns out we were wrong that people wouldn't really miss the lack of two player rules. Since we heard you loud and clear that you want two players, we've been looking at ways to make two even more interesting and balanced. The two main areas of focus are a more variable starting state and ways to prevent a runaway leader.

Will it extend delivery times?

No! It will not. Our delivery estimates stay the same. We still have art to finish for both the base game and expansion and during this time we will develop, implement and fully test the re-introduction of the 2 player mode that we decided to remove partway through the development process. This is just purely added value and usability to the game for the masses!

What's likely going in the 2 player mode?

Starting the game with neutral units and other minor elements to spice up the board we're creating a more dynamic balancing act between where to go and how to do it in the early game. One of the things lost with less players is the social aspect of balancing what territory to push up against early. With more on the board, we can recreate this vibe with a lot of choices that aren't as obvious as they would be.

The other issue with two player has been that with the way resources and building work, it's easy for the rich to get richer and start to really dominate. In a multiplayer game you can team up to take down someone that's pulling ahead, but with only two you don't have the option of an alliance like that. So we're focusing on balancing the catch up mechanics to still let the leader feel great for their success, but not letting them get too wildly ahead. It's a tough balancing act, and we really don't want to drop a "Mario Kart blue shell" on it all! This may also include the inclusion of additional components to make the new mode work as well as possible. We will come to that bridge, and keep all of the backers informed when we come to it!

Summary

So to sum it up, we've long had two player as a reasonable mechanical option, but didn't think it was as enjoyable for our taste (we really really like the social "game above the table" style of play) so we decided to cut it and focus on 3+. You can play the game right now as is with two players and it works just fine, but since you all really want it, we're going to focus on adjustments to give all of you duo players as good an experience even if it's got a little different vibe. 

 Savage Skies Highlights 

 And now onto the final faction highlight! We are going to highlight all of the stuff you'lll get extra in the Savage Skies Expansion box! We wanted to save all of this for the last update before the big push to give you all something really juicy to look at! All of our flying beasties!

Event Cards

Event cards add a whole new variable to the game! Each round, a new event card will be drawn that will apply to the entire table. It will either be a full round effect or an immediate one. You could see effects ranging from resources like crystals and coins being effected, to board wide combat effects and even unit recruitment effects.The addition of these cards will really test the planning and reactionary abilities of each player.

Faction Highlight: Cuthari Hivemind

Faction History

Commonly viewed as the most feared race throughout the world, the Cuthari are not originally from Sordane, instead coming from beyond the barrier that both protects and isolates Sordane from the rest of creation. First appearing aboard the deadly living vessel named by its victims as the “Reaper,” the Cuthari are the only known creature capable of traversing the danger of the void and resisting its corrupting essence to enter Sordane.

Aside from coming from beyond the barrier, next to nothing is known about the Cuthari and where they came from. However, using their unique and powerful technology the Cuthari swiftly became one of the most powerful nations in Sordane.

When they first arrived, the Cuthari were originally viewed as a deadly breed of pirate, leaving widespread death and destruction in their path as they searched for resources and food. Their unique living ships and technology proved to make them a formidable foe for Sordane’s nations. Slowly but surely more Cuthari came from beyond the barrier bolstering their already powerful ranks.

To limit the damage, an accord was struck with the main powers of the world at the time known as the CST (Cuthari Sordane Treaty), which opened trade routes between the Cuthari and Sordane’s nations. Since the treaty was formed, the Cuthari have found begrudging acceptance in Sordane, as most nations seek access to their technology and drugs. However, the treaty is a fragile measure viewed with disdain by many, now as the war for Aldarra rages it is unknown if it will be broken.

Aesthetics of Cuthari Hivemind

The Cuthari Hivemind have an armada of horrifying ships that are able to shake the resolve of even the most seasoned sailors. Their ships are built from a fusion of sordalite technology and living flesh, covered in writhing tentacles, waiting to grab their next prey. Though it's not necessary, the Cuthari have adopted the common practice of adorning their fleet with an emblem, choosing a sordalite crystal surrounded by tentacles.

Purpose in Aldarra

Cuthari Hivemind have one main purpose - sordalite crystals. They seek it at all time and use it to power their factories for making drugs of their own secretions for the markets of Sordane. Of course, finding new treasures to enhance their standing in the political scope of the world, of which they are still often seen as pariahs, would do well to bolster their status.

Game Mechanics

What do the Cuthari Hivemind Excel at?
      The Cuthari Hivemind are in touch with the soul of Sordane in an unnatural, yet deep, way. They have a connection with the sordalite crystal that the planet produces. Due to this deep connection, they feel an incessant need to horde, steal and find as much sordalite as possible. The Cuthari are one of the most adept races at seeking out veins of sordalite. Once found, they employ these powerful resources into focused weaponry than gives them tactical ranged weapon advantages over their opponents. 

Faction Power - Crystal Collection

The Cuthari having a deep understanding and connection with the sordalite they seek means they are able to actually carry it with them as their fleets move. This gives them greater action economy and allows them to not have to spread out as much to mine crystals during the mining step of the management phase. 

Faction Power - Sacrificial Units

The second power of the cuthari is the fact that their ships are living weapons. Use your quick moving ships to move into position, explode, deal damage and cripple specific vital units or positions that your opponents may be trying to hold onto. It's a power that requires some serious tactful thinking to use appropriately but it can be very devastating to have ensurable damage in your pocket when you need it.

Starting Discovery - Sordalite Artillery

A very powerful ability that allows you to control the board state at the end of the expansion phase. Blow your enemies of important tiles or resources that you know they need or make a deal to do it for another player! It's one of the powers in Aldarra that lets you consistently politic with your opponents to make deals and use their fleets for your own gains. 

 Faction Highlight: Sky Tamers

Faction History

Sordane is full of people driven by wanderlust and a sense of adventure, who seek to make a name for themselves earning fame and fortune. While some go on to become famous adventurers and heroes of their age, most seek employment among the countless monster hunting guilds situated throughout Sordane. These guilds travel the world hunting dangerous beasts, though few have ever achieved the level of renown and skill as the Sky Tamers have. Originally starting as a small guild with a handful of members, the Sky Tamers have now become one of the largest guilds in Sordane, amassing enough wealth and power to rival a small nation.

The Sky Tamers are one of the oldest active guilds in Sordane today, being formed more than a millennia ago. The skills developed by the guild over the years has provided them with the ability to tame not only terrestrial creatures as beasts of burden and hunting companions, but also the gargantuan beasts that stalk the skies. As such, in the major sky ports of the world, one can find sky beasts outfitted with howdahs and artillery being used as the Sky Tamers deadly ships.

Now the Sky Tamers have set their sights on Aldarra, seeking to claim the abundance of wealth in hopes of growing even more powerful.

Aesthetics of the Sky Tamers

Aside from the Cuthari, the Sky tamers are unlike any other faction currently warring for control of Aldarra. Their ships being living beasts are used to hunt and aid in the capture of larger creatures, either to bolster their own numbers, or to complete a client’s request. While the largest of these gargantuan beasts may not be able to keep up with the speed of the smaller ones, or a typical airship, few boast the raw power, agility, and mobility that they possess.

Purpose in Aldarra

The Sky Tamers have come to Aldarra to seek their own power. They have heard the tales of powerful artefacts being found and plentiful sordalite of old. Typically being mercenaries for hire, they are now here on their of their own accord to seek wealth and riches.

Game Mechanics

What do the Sky Tamers Excel at?
The Sky Tamers are a faction that focus on mobility and taking the initiative. They are a very aggressive and functionally wild faction. They roam the skies finding new beasts to tame into their ranks. They have the ability to move around the map with ease and when in the hands of a skilled player, you can set up some great "big brain" plays that your opponents won't see coming!

Faction Power - Initiative Preference

A strong but underestimated power is the ability to get the chance to choose which order you want to go in the Set Turn Order step of the Preperation Phase when you are tied in VP with an opponent instead of going by whomever was first in the turn order the last round. This can be very powerful as turn positioning is an important skill. In different phases and situations you may want to go in a completely different order from one phase to another. This gives you the ability to do so more often!

Faction Power - Forest Movement

One of the more powerful abilities in the game is having all Forest tiles count as adjacent to one another for purposes of movement. This really allows you to do some fantastic logistics when you get the hang over action economy and movement of your units. Even your stronghold counts as a Forest tile for these purposes making the threat range of your newly built fleets a serious variable to consider for your opponents!

Starting Discovery - Scrying Orb

Scrying orb is a fantastic starting Discovery as the early game is heavily focused around exploring tiles. There are some really fantastic effects that can be used from Explore cards to get massive early game benefits to propel yourself to a good early game position. As each player is limited to how many times they can technically explore (based on their Order Tokens), having the option to redraw an Explore card that may have no use for you, is fantastic! 

New Freebie STLs

We have 2 new freebie STLs for you to try out! The frigates from both the Sky Tamers and the Cuthari Hivemind! Click the link below to check them out!

Kickstarter Exclusive Box Sleeves

As a final surprise for our backers, we will be giving *every* backer that has an Aldarra Base Game and/or Savage Skies Expansion box a premium box sleeve  that will cover your box and protect it even further when you’re storing it away! 

These beautifully inverted and darkened designs will be highlighted by a much larger logo with gold embossing! Only the best of fanciness for our backers! 

That's it for now, everyone! Likely one of our last updates before the end of the Kickstarter! Please share the campaign and tell your friends! We would love to get all the support we can for Aldarra before the Kickstarter ends!

Have you seen our section Gameplay Video?? Check it out here :)

Benny and the AM team

New Gamplay + Discovering Aldarra Adventure Highlight!
about 2 years ago – Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 02:53:06 PM

Hey there Aldarrans! Hope you're all having a fantastic weekend. We are ramping up to the last few days of the Kickstarter and then the big finish. Which is when the real work begins!

On today's update, we are releasing a new Gameplay Video of Aldarra and a more in-depth look at what you'll get with the Discovering Aldarra PDF adventure bundle (free digital perk for All-In backers and can be added on for other pledge levels!)

Gample Video 2

We have a new gameplay video for you this week. Much like our first gameplay video, it shows me and 3 mates playing the base game factions. The difference from this gameplay video and the first one is that we have the updated prototype miniatures in this one! It shows them at their rescaled size with more usability! They fit the tiles perfectly now so not only was the relaunch successful for saving cost, but usability of the pieces themselves as well! As you can see, they are still plenty large enough for great detail as well =)

(featuring my dog Sammy who likes to partake when we play board games)

Discovering Aldarra Highlight

Discovering Aldarra is the accompanying D&D 5e adventure we have created to go hand in hand with the storyline of Aldarra if you're interested in the story side of things! This is part of the free digital rewards you get with your Aldarra All-In pledge. We figured it would be only appropriate to provide our all-in backers with as much digital content as possible for Aldarra. So we decided to give you all the STLs and Discovering Aldarra completely for FREE if you pledge All-In

This mission takes place 10 years before Aldarra in the timeline. It is a high-flying journey in the skies of Sordane. A mercenary's dream job - protecting transport cargo ships on easy routes. But will it be as easy as they thought? Find out in Discovering Aldarra.

You'll get a ton of character miniatures, new creatures we have created for Sordane (but can be used in any fantasy 5e setting!) and giant airships that are synonymous with Sordane and Aldarra! Two of the larger STL ships are full 32mm scale versions of the Arrodan Syndicate Algor Cruiser and Cin'darian Empire Roshan Cruiser! You can literally print and play inside them!

What's included:

• 20(ish) page PDF adventure for levels 3-4 by Dillon at Critical Crafting
• Dozens of STLs. Which includes new creatures, tons of dynamic character miniatures, and full size airships!
• 3 Maps by Czeandpeku and The Mad Cartographer 
• Ship maps to go along with all of our STL ships

 Please check out our partners
   They have made some truly awesome content for us to package together for the backers

   That's all for this update, everyone! We are nearly at the end of the Kickstarter so tell your friends ;)

   Thanks again everyone for your support on making Aldarra funded. We can't wait to get it into the backers hands and share more details with you all along the whole process!

   Benny and the AM team
 

Faction Highlight - Mining Corp Coalition
about 2 years ago – Sat, Apr 23, 2022 at 04:34:24 AM

Faction Highlight - Mining Corp Coalition

Second faction highlight time! We will get all 6 in before the end of the Kickstarter! Expect #3 and #4 by mid next week!

Faction History

Corporations and powerful businesses have always held massive influence in Sordane. Money and sordalite makes the world go round after all. Commonly, when large caches of sordalite or other precious minerals are found, multiple coporations will band together and pool resources and man power to efficiently mine it. 

These mega coalitions have been happening for centuries. They are an almost essential tool that the larger corporations use to maintain power. They often take advantage of smaller businesses or mining ventures by offering them temporary membership in one of these coalitions only to use them for the worst jobs or, in the case of fighting, as cannon fodder. Leaving the smaller groups typically worse off than the larger ones. It's just good business.

Formed of private investors, capable craftsmen, and savvy business owners the Mining Corp Coalition is a force to be reckoned with. The coalition brings to bear the best equipment money can buy from all the entities that its comprised of. Quickly able to harvest sordalite from the most hostile environments. With so much sordalite uncovered in Aldarra, the coalition has brought all of its resources and influence into the fight, rushing to claim the lost empire’s riches for its many benefactors.

Typically these powerful corporations don't stick together for too long. Only while it serves the greater purpose of each individual entity. Binding together in solidarity to achieve one overarching goal and then dispersing again until the time for reunification becomes in everyones best interest again.

Aesthetics of the Mining Corp Coalition

The Mining Corp. Coalition is made up of many different organizations. Most often, they are mining focused corporations digging for gold, sordalite, iron, or other precious metals. As such, they are often fitted and classed as very sturdy vessels that require low maintainance, but aren't usually looking to win any beauty contests. Durability and efficiency are their keys to success.

Purpose in Aldarra

The MCC (Mining Corp. Coalition). Is no different from other profit-driven organizations. They are in Aldarra to exploit the land and claim the lost technology and resources for their own gains. They have called upon every member's full arsenal and equipment to be sent to Aldarra in order to stake, and protect, their claim over whatever it is they find.

Game Mechanics

What do the Mining Corp Coalition Excel at?
The MCC are very strong at positioning for resource production. They have a strong faction ability that allows them to attain the resources they lack and play the board in a unique style compared to the other factions. They can focus on one resource type and trade for the other instead of trying to balance. Additionally, their early game bonus of free outposts in the build step is very powerful in propelling them into an early game lead.

Faction Power - Trading Resources

A very powerful ability of the MCC is to freely trade resources between sordalite crystals and coins. At any point, as the MCC you can trade your coins in for sordalite crystals and your crystals for coins. This is very powerful when you need that one sordalite crystal for something crucial, but may have been fought off of one or two spots the turn before. In the right hands, this ability will keep you fueled up with the right resources all game long 

Faction Power - Free Outposts

One of the more powerful early game abilities is the power to place free outposts on a tile anywhere you have a free engineer. This could easily mean that by round 2 you already have 3 free outposts (12 coins worth of resources) just for playing your ships into good spots on round 1. These free outposts give you increased mobility and flexibility with the ships in the following turns, needed to spend less bodies sticking around occupying tiles when they should be out fighting! 

Starting Discovery - Defensive Fortifications

Defensive Fortifications is an ability that will be a passive boon to your overall play. As it is mainly defensive, using this Discovery in the early game along with your free outposts allows you to set up a defensive perimeter by easily dropping these free buildings and backing them up with a few more hard hitting units like Destroyers. Making the firepower able to hide behind your building before they can be destroyed. Nothing sweeter than ruining your opponents good day with a successful defense!

New Gameplay Coming Soon!

We have a new gameplay video for you all coming soon as well! Just putting the finishing editing touches on it now and will put it out in an update when we can! I'll be playing as the Mining Corp Coalition this time to try and stake my claim of riches in Aldarra.

Developer AMA (Ask Me Anything) - Participate!

We are skipping AMA this week as we only got a few questions on Discord so if we don't get more by next week, we will try to do a more in-depth discuss between myself, Matt and some other members of the team on our experience in the development and process of making Aldarra!

If you do have questions you would like answered like the past AMA, please just follow the format below and we will answer them!

Question Format (Start with AMA then a dash and then your question):

AMA - What inspired the design of X faction and their playstyle in the game.

We will have our first expansion faction highlight on the weekend! 

Benny and the AM team

Aldarra Digital Rulebook Translation and Faction Highlight - Arrodan Syndicate
about 2 years ago – Thu, Apr 21, 2022 at 06:47:54 AM

Aldarra Translated Digitally! (Full localization in the works)

Hey everyone. Just a quick update on translations to let you all know that we will be translating Aldarra into at least 4 languages in digital form that will be provided for free to all backers. Please note, this is NOT full localization (yet). This will be a full digital translation of the rulebook into PDF form for the following languages. 

• German
• French
• Spanish
• Italian

What is full localization and what's the difference? The digital translations we offer will be a pure free digital translation of the rulebook, the localization will mean that we actually print the game in other languages (cards, dashboards, etc). This will only be achieved when we can work out a deal with localization partners to help us reach mininum order quantities for those languages. We are now working on getting all of these languages fully localized so please standby!

We really want to provide multiple language options for people that don't speak English and get into other markets around the world! We are working hard to make sure this happens :)

Faction Highlight - Arrodan Syndicate

Hey all! time for another faction highlight - this time it's the Arrodan Syndicate! An massive, world spanning secretive organization that holds sway over many in Sordane. Bringing their skillful ability to out maneuver their foes to the skies of Adlarra!

Faction History
The Arrodan Syndicate are a mysterious crime organization that has connections all throughout Sordane. Their origins are unknown, but they are rumoured to be even older than many nations that now exist. Their numbers and true power are kept hidden by their unknown leadership to ensure their influence is maintained throughout the world and so that their power grows from beyond the veil of secrecy.

It is rumoured that the Arrodan Syndicate controls several nations by having installed puppet governments who turn a blind eye, or even help, in the operations that the Syndicate carries out in their boarders. They have also been loosely tied to many different infamous pirate groups and it is believed that should the Syndicate ever need, they could call upon a host of pirate organizations that are even war with one another to fight for the Syndicate's cause. The Arrodan Syndicate's influence runs deep. Beyond the scope of illegal activity and organized crime, the Syndicate are also linked to many large legal corporations as well. Many of which are believed to be fronts for their operations.

Now, with the rediscovery of Aldarra, the Arrodan Syndicate has uncharacteristically come out of the shadows and mustered never before seen strength in numbers. Some believe there is an unknown connection between the Arrodan Syndicate and the land of Aldarra, but it is just speculation based on stories of old 

Aesthetics of the Arrodan Syndicate

Up until recently, the Arrodan Syndicate was not well known in terms of aesthetics. Their large Geshtar Class Dreadnoughts were the only well known ship type to be used almost exclusively by this organization, but they would never be seen docked in any major city around Sordane. Meaning they use them exclusively as mobile HQ fortresses for the Syndicate's leadership. 

They have no formal uniform. Their sailors and crew are often dressed as swashbucklers and veteran sailors. The more official ships, such as the Geshtar Dreadnoughts, will have crew adorned in dragon emblems and insignia.

Since Aldarra has been rediscovered, multiple ship classes adorned with dragon sumbols have been seen more frequently in the skies of Aldarra. The Arrodan Syndicate has finally been consolidating its hidden power into a full fighting force to claim Aldarra's riches. No one can explain this sudden change of doctrine from the Syndicate.

Purpose in Aldarra
The Arrodan Syndicate has always been a shadowy organization. As far as anyone knows, for hundreds of years. Suddenly though, and without explanation, the Syndicate has showed itself to be amassing untold numbers and power in the skies of Aldarra. The long assumed hidden strength of the Syndicate is becoming evident with the growing ships flying behind their banner. 

The purpose for coming to this land is likely the same as all others - to claim riches and power for themselves - but perhaps the Syndicate has different reasons for returning... 

Game Mechanics

What do the Arrodan Syndicate Excel at?
Within the game of Aldarra, the Arrodan Syndicate excels at maneuverability and subterfuge. Their fleets have the ability to capture enemy units and to move again after a battle is won allowing them to position themselves perfectly for big brain moves and strategies that require moves to be thought out ahead of time. They also have the ability to pick secret objectives that are more suitable for the ships and resources they have at hand. 

 

Faction Power - Selecting Secret Objectives
The Arrodan Syndicate have a very useful faction power that allows them to select 2 secret objective cards every time they draw from the secret objective deck. This allows the Syndicate player to mold their strategy more effectively to gain victory points based on their board position and unit count. A potentially very powerful ability when used by a player with a high-level of strategic planning.

Faction Power - Take Hostages!
When you destroy units in combat as the Arrodan Syndicate, you take them hostage until that player pays a randsom to you to get them back. This has two great effects. The first is that you reduce the potential unit pools your enemies can build from and it also provides you a secondary income to build more units when you force those players to pay you for getting back their units.

Starting Discovery - Improved Thrusters 

Improved Thrusters is a fantastic Discovery that gives you increased mobility with your units after a victory. You get extra action economy from properly selecting your battles when you move in an aggressive way. Being able to move units in this manner, and being in the right initiative position, will greatly increase your ability to make impactful planned moves that the other players may not see coming!

Have you checked out our last Ask Me Anything?

You can view the last update here

Thanks everyone! More updates coming this week! We will be highlighting some of the addons a bit more as well as do some further faction highlights!

Benny and the AM team