After last week’s novella of an update, this week’s is going to be much shorter, so we can head straight back to work.

E-Mails

As you may have expected, last week’s update saw us get a large influx of new e-mails and PMs. We are working through them as fast as we can, and thank you for your patience.

Print Production

• Classic Mode Rulebook: Laid out, in final editing.
• Arcade Mode Rulebook: Laid out, in editing.
• Explorer’s Handbook: Done!
• Hero Cards: Done!
• Classic Monster Cards: Laid out, in final editing.
• Arcade Monster Cards: Laid out, in final editing
• Explore Deck: In layout.
• Arcade Command Deck: Laid out, getting art!
• Packaging: In layout.
• Dungeon Tiles: Core Box and Dungeons of Crystalia are done. Von Drakk is just starting layout.
• Quickstart Rules: awaiting layout
• Coloring Book: awaiting layout
• Tile Effect Cards: Done!
• Core Treasure Deck: Done!
• Loot Deck: Done!
• Upgrade and Expansion Treasure: Laid out, in final editing.

Lot of stuff, but we’re motoring through it at a pretty decent pace.

Now, lets do a few card previews

Caaaaaards!

Monsters have gotten a lot of love lately, so we thought it was time for some more Hero previews. We have a nice little mix of new and old, specializing in slayers of the undead.

First up we have our dear Zombie Survivor Marie-Claude, available as part of the Stilt Town Zombie Warband blacksmith item.

As one would expect from a zombie survivor, Marie-Claude is one tough Hero. With a rugged ARM of 2 red and the ability Tough, which allows her to heal one wound every time she is activated.

Marie is no slouch when it comes to combat either. A STR of 3 blue is a good, stout standard. Plus, she has a couple of brutal unique offensive actions.

Rolling Pin is a sweep area effect, hitting every square adjacent to one side of her base. Sweep 1 would hit 3 squares, but this is Sweep 2 so it goes two squares out and hits a total of six squares. Bam!

Where Rolling Pin is all about controlling hordes, Frying Pan is about taking down big, tough monsters by granting her +1 red STR and inflicting the status effect Bane, which forces you to discard the highest result on a defense roll.

Last but not least, Marie can hold two of her Hearty Grog potions, which both heals one wound, and causes Remedy, which removes all of your status effects. Nice!

The Sister of Light comes in the Von Drakk Manor level box, you will also be receiving her card as part of the Upgrade Deck. You veterans will note that the Sister of Light has had quite the makeover.

She starts off with a nice sturdy STR of 2 red. When facing the undead menace (or demons and nether monsters) her Holy ability allows her to reroll one of her dice when making an offense roll. Those red dice roll potions, but thanks to her Healer ability, she can choose to have them be hearts instead, healing Heroes in need.

Speaking of healing, Purification is one of the best healing unique actions in the game. For a bargain basement price of 1 action point this ability will Heal one wound from every friendly model in a 2 square cross pattern. Thats 8 squares of coverage per action point. Wow!

Her ARM is a solid, if not exceptional 3 blue and provides a nice base to build on with loot. Of note is her WILL of 2 red. She doesn’t have any combat abilities that use WILL, such as Magic Attack, but it is useful for using WILL based basic actions, such as Bandage, and fending of support actions that often target WILL, such as Compel.

Judgement is an offensive action that costs two action points, and hits in a cross pattern 4 squares on each side of her, covering an incredible 16 total squares! To add insult to injury, it also inflicts the status effect, Hex, which forces monsters to discard their highest dice on offense rolls.

Like Marie-Claude, the Sister of Light can carry two potions. Elixir of Light is definitely meant to be shared. It removes all status effects, thanks to Remedy. It also gives the drinker Holy. Finally, it bumps the WILL by +1 blue dice; fantastic for all the reasons the Sister’s high WILL is useful, and deadly when given to a magic user. We love a Holy Fae Alchemist, or Holy Ember Mage!

Last, but certainly not least, we have the Royal Paladin. You will receive his card in the Upgrade Deck. The Royal Paladin is quite possibly the most well rounded Hero in all of Crystalia, and has been a favorite of Dungeon Explorers for years.

The update to Forgotten King has treated the Royal Paladin well, with a stout STR of 2 red, which is paired with Holy just like the Sister of Light.

When it’s time to really deliver the Goddess’s vengeance Smite is the answer. Costing 2 action points, Smite increases the paladin’s STR by +1 red dice and also inflicts the status effects Knockdown and Fire! Even better, the red dice are needed to roll potions and the Royal Paladin has one of the finest potions in the land—

Elixir is a powerhouse potion that keeps the party up and running well into the depths of the dungeon. As an emergency potion it can be used during the Consul Turn, making this a beefy survival tool.

Speaking of survival, the paladin’s ARM of 2 blue and 1 red, is exceptional allowing him to wade into combat. Should he need a boost, the Iron Halo support action increases his, and every other Hero’s, ARM that is within 3 squares.

Well, that is a mighty trio of undead slaying Heroes.

Until next week, may you always roll stars and —

Sparkleburst!