Vanguard Exiles, the next game by Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield, will launch into early access on Steam on March 11.
The digital board game comes from Australian game developer The Tea Division, and it’s designed in association with Garfield. The title is an innovative auto battler with a redefined take on the genre. The devs say to prepare yourself for a competitive strategy gameplay experience unlike any other, offering new scenarios in each round ensuring no two turns are ever alike.
Dubbed “a board game that can’t be a board game,” Vanguard Exiles is a tabletop strategy game where the board constantly rearranges itself with each round, with players given one of countless squad combinations to control.
Set in a fantasy post-World War I diesel punk era where magic and technology fuse, your goal is simple: conquer enough territory to end the round in victory, where your strategy and decisions on the battlefield will be all that stands between you and a glorious victory…or a crushing defeat.
Vanguard Exiles goes into early access on Steam on March 11.
In Vanguard Exiles, each unit has its own identity, with its own distinctive look and a unique array of traits and abilities. To further this, each Squad has its own makeup, consisting of different combinations of units and actions. Combat happens automatically, but as mentioned earlier, this is no typical auto-battler. Strategy is key, and you’ll have to play smart, making tough tactical decisions to ensure your victory.
Vanguard Exiles offers an immense rule set of complex mechanics, all happening under the hood, aiming to teach players the nuances of gameplay rather than intimidate them. After each round, you’re even able to see what your chances of victory were. Did you play smart and get unlucky? Or play poorly but nab victory purely by chance? Every game teaches you something new, offering unprecedented room to hone your strategy against other players, who are likely refining their own personal playstyles.
The demo is currently available on Steam, offering a single-player mode to get you facing off against an AI opponent and familiarize yourself with the various units and actions available. But for those wanting the definitive gameplay experience, PvP comes to Vanguard Exiles in Early Access, launching March 11, not only giving players the option to battle it out online, but also with the addition of new Units and Actions available only in the early access build.
“Vanguard Exiles combines tabletop design with digital design into a unique and eclectic gameplay experience,” said Garfield, game designer of Vanguard Exiles, in a statement. “The variety offered by the game is exciting, and skillful play introduces all sorts of unexpected novelty. My favorite thing in game design is having an interesting space to explore – like with Magic: the Gathering and Keyforge. Like those games, Vanguard Exiles is deeply interesting, and I am delighted to share it with a broader audience.”
Vanguard Exiles was designed by Richard Garfield and built by The Tea Division.
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