The fifth preview, titled “Fight the Horde,” introduces players to the new dynamics of battling against large numbers of Rainwalker conjurations. These conjurations, although individually weak, can attack in significant numbers, potentially overwhelming players who are not adequately prepared. The expansion also incorporates environmental effects like the Red Rains, which can unpredictably increase the number of Rainwalkers or activate powerful abilities that impact the game.

Additionally, the preview mentions new animal-like aberrations that have emerged, which are described as highly mobile and aggressive, posing further threats to players.

The sixth preview, “Death’s Door,” shifts focus slightly, presenting Rainwalkers not just as attackers but also as strategic resources. These conjurations can be sacrificed for powerful abilities, adding a layer of strategic depth to the gameplay. The preview hints at dramatic effects such as Rainwalkers bursting into flames or causing lightning strikes, enhancing the game’s complexity.

“The Siege of Lordswall” is scheduled for release in May. Plaid Hat Games encourages players to subscribe for updates through Team Covenant to receive the expansion as soon as it becomes available.

Key Features of the Expansion: Mono-Divine Magic Deck

The expansion features several spells intended to integrate precision and speed into gameplay, essential for both offensive and defensive strategies. The spells previewed include “Pride,” “Fork Lightning,” and “Intercession,” each offering different tactical advantages.

• Pride: This alteration spell provides buffs through divine magic, ensuring strategic plans unfold predictably. However, the spell also allows for counteraction with equal certainty from opponents.
• Fork Lightning: Designed to combat large groups of enemies, this spell offers effective damage distribution, particularly against the Rainwalker hordes besieging Lordswall castle.
• Intercession: This spell provides significant defensive benefits, enabling divine magic warriors to protect allies in critical situations.

Introduction of New Phoenixborn Characters

The expansion also introduces four new Phoenixborn, each with unique signature cards reflecting their individual combat styles and stories:

• Odette: Equipped with the “Armor of Valor” and the “Sword of Virtue,” Odette is prepared to confront enemy forces with enhanced protection.
• James: Opting for a retaliatory approach, James utilizes “Soulfire” to harness spirits for attacking foes with fire.
• Xander: With “Bravery,” Xander ensures his and his allies’ survival in combat by fostering mutual protection and loyalty.
• Dimona: Taking an active role in battle, Dimona uses “Take to the Skies and Divinity Mount” to attack from above, controlling the battlefield aerially.

Introduction to Divine Strategies

The initial preview, “The Siege of Lordswall Preview #1: For Glory!”, sets the scene with a narrative involving a mine collapse and the discovery of a mysterious crystal. This storyline leads into the gameplay focus of the expansion, which centers on defending the Lordswall castle and utilizing divine magic. The expansion introduces a mono-divine magic preconstructed deck, featuring new player cards designed to enhance gameplay with divine dice powers.

Highlighted cards from this preview include the “Glory Aspirant,” an ally card seeking to achieve great power, and the “Silver Paladin,” a significant force on the battlefield capable of altering game dynamics through divine dice powers. The “Radiant Light” spell is introduced as a means to bolster the defenses of units, indicating the expansion’s focus on strategic depth through divine magic.

New Allies and Tactics

Following up, the “The Siege of Lordswall Preview #2: Mount Up!” preview expands the game’s tactical options by introducing mounts and companion creatures. Players are introduced to the “Shining Stag Mount,” enhancing the theme of divine magic, and the “Ptera Herder” alongside “Ptera Hatchling,” which add a new layer of strategy with their unique abilities. Furthermore, the addition of the “Hand of Spear” and “Hand of Shield” cards provide players with options for quick strikes and defense, emphasizing the expansion’s aim to offer versatile strategic choices.

Plaid Hat Games has also announced their upcoming expansion, The Frostwild Scourge, which will feature an all-new Chimera opponent with two complete aspect decks, as well as an all-new, natural magic player deck, led by four returning Phoenixborn with brand new unique cards for them to use. The expansion will also include balance errata, which can be found in the latest Organized Play update article.

In addition, Plaid Hat Games has announced the upcoming AshCon4 tournament, which will run from April 24th to April 28th. Participants are required to play one game with each of their three opponents in their assigned pod over the week of the event on ashteki.com and report the results. The winner of each pod will receive a pack of deluxe translucent divine, sympathy, and time dice, while participants of the featured match will receive a pack of Blood Puppet alt arts.

Overall, these updates aim to keep the game as fun as it can be for all players and provide more avenues of interaction and counterplay. Players can download the latest FAQ and stay up-to-date with the latest releases and updates on the official Ashes Reborn website.

The new cards offer more tools to support the playstyle of ceremonial magic, including a new alteration spell, ready spell, and addition to the “Chant” arsenal. The Corpse of Viros is set to be a monumental new set, with more previews of the expansion to come.

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From the article:

Welcome back, Ashes players! Preview season continues for the first expansion in the Red Rains cycle: the Corpse of Viros! If you missed our announcement of this set, catch all the details of this monumental new set here.

 This expansion comes with a mono-ceremonial preconstructed deck of all-new player cards! Ceremonial magic places a heavy emphasis on wound tokens in play, let’s check out some new ways it does so.

Source

From the article:

Welcome back, Ashes players! Preview season is back for the first expansion in the Red Rains cycle: the Corpse of Viros! If you missed our announcement of this set, catch all the details of this monumental new set here.

 This expansion comes with a mono-ceremonial preconstructed deck of all-new player cards! As this is a ceremonial deck, it would be fitting to begin with the suite of ally cards in the set, as ceremonial magic relies heavily on the ally card type to operate. Let’s take a look.

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From the announcement:

You’ve heard the rumors, because we started them, and yes it’s true. Summoner Wars is BACK with a brand new edition! Second Edition that is! 

Summoner Wars Second Edition is a fully expandable, tactical dueling card game, featuring updated versions of beloved factions, along with exciting new factions ready to join the battle.

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