Ether Wars is a worker placement and area control game in which you control one of the four species that battle for the control of the Ether. Each species has its unique abilities and traits, which makes for a very strategically oriented game.

Appart from the mechanics, each species has its own background and lore. In essence, they have come to planet Etheria to play a battle royal that will grant one of them the control of the most powerful power source in the universe: the Ether.

Today we’ll talk about the Ripper and the Vai, leaving the Dracon and the Human for another update. Enjoy!

Ether Wars is funding now on Kickstarter. Check out the campaign and back it!

The Ripper

The children gathered ‘round the old man to hear his tale. Fire crackling in the dark. “And how did it start? You were there when it happened, weren’t you?”, asked a boy. The old man took a moment, and began, “I was there. There was no thunderous applause or cacophony of battle. No, there was but a whimper. For we knew what we had done.”

The Ripper are microscopic organisms bent on the assimilation of technology.

A formidable foe

Not much is known about the Ripper, their way of life, or their origins. Some say that they were found in the universe within asteroids, freed by human mining ships. What is at least known is their power over technology, as shown through their conflict with humans. The Ripper have a way of assimilating technology to their cause, allowing them to obtain complete and utter control, while disarming their enemies. The Ripper are not technological in nature, but tiny microorganisms that appear as a yellow liquid. Of all things, it is apparent that they are frighteningly intelligent. What could their motives be for entering the Ether Wars? Is it simply a desire for greater power?

Resource is power

For all their robotic might, the Ripper are named as such because they excel at harvesting and extracting resources in an extremely efficient manner. Their heri skill reflects this aptitude for extraction and maintenance. The Ripper may use it to receive four Protein.

The battle for Etheria is split up into several days. As each day passes, the Ripper may choose one of their four faction abilities to deploy. Thei unique capabilities allow them to manipulate the resources of the planet to their advantage.

• Precision – Once during the Resolution phase, you may pay 1 Charge to flip your Hero or Mercenary dice upside down OR power up your Units in an Area with your Hero.
• Efficiency – During the Resolution phase, your Units are powered up in all your Extraction rolls. Additionally, you may pay 1 Charge to receive 3 Protein.
• Super Drone – During the Resolution phase, your Hero extracts resources even if it is defeated in combat. Additionally, your Drone adds its roll to your extraction roll in addition to its ability.
•   Commercial Network – During the Resolution phase, you may Purchase in the Market without any of your dice present unless there is a Hero in it, and do so at extraction cost instead of market cost.

The Vai

“And what would you have me do? Let our people die? The Frigid Cycle is suffocating our planet. On Etheria, there is hope yet.” “You condemn your people to a cycle of violence.” “Violence,” the Vai pondered, words weighing heavily on her heart, “Perhaps violence is a necessary cycle in order to survive.”

The Vai are an oceanic species known for their ingenuity.

The Cycle of Survival

The Vai originate from Ogo, a liquid planet. They live underwater, near the core of the planet, and obtain resources from their two orbiting moons. An entirely peaceful species, the Vai live within the concept of cycles. As they develop through different ages, they are placed in a certain cycle of duty that determines their place and stature in society, until finally they return to their planet, and their genetic material is dissolved into the water to serve as a breeding ground. However, as all things, the planet Ogo itself is coming to its own final cycle. As the planet’s core becomes colder and the water freezes over, life for the Vai will become impossible. Thus, the Vai have turned to the Ether Wars in hopes of obtaining an energy source to save their planet.

Versatility is Survivability

The Vai are a peaceful and resourceful people. Their hero skill reflects their versatility and adaptability in their struggle to survive. The Vai can use it to receive one resource of their choice.

While the Vai are not combat specialists, they excel in other ways by trickery or careful planning.

These are the special abilities they can choose each passing day:

• Versatility – During the Reinforcements phase, instead of your usual reinforcements, receive 2 resources of the same type and 2 Protein OR 1 Cristal, 1 Coltan and 1 Plasma OR 4 Protein and one Favour card.
• Mental Control – At any time, you may discard one Favour card from your hand and pay 1 Charge to cancel a card played by another player.
• Clairvoyance – At any time, you may pay 1 Charge to draw 2 Favour cards and discard one.
• Vai Power – During the current Round, if you have successfully played or discarded any Favour cards, all your Units are powered up.

That’s all for today, we hope you enjoyed it!

In the coming days, we’ll take a closer look at the Dracon and the Human factions and why they joined the Ether Wars.

Ether Wars is funding now on Kickstarter. Check out the campaign and back it!