This is simply a quick
round-up of the mercenary cards we've created so far for the game Mercenaries,
our Open Design project. We have close to a third of the mercenary cards that
we need to get the game to its first playtest. Thanks so much to everyone who
has already participated, and I look forward to seeing this project continue to
progress. Look over the cards listed below, and feel free to leave any ideas
you have for mercenaries in the comments to this post.
Because this is kind of a
quick article that didn't take a lot of work to put together, I'll be breaking
my usual Monday and Thursday posting schedule to bring you three new articles
this week. Check back on Wednesday for a new Design Review, and look for
another Building Character post on Friday.
[Name] (Each card should have a unique name.)
[Descriptive Text] (This is simply to add some flavor. It should
generally consist of an adjective and a noun.)
Tags: [specific tags that apply to this card] (Tags,
or keywords, are an idea that gets used in a lot of collectable card games, and
I think it could work well for this game. Tags are just single words or short
phrases that have no mechanical effect in themselves, but they can be referred
to by rules on other cards. It is basically a way to create loose categories
for cards and assign an individual card to one or more of those categories.)
Combat Power: [value from 0-5] (Only use 0 if the card has a very
good ability, and only use 5 if the card has a very poor ability.)
Hiring: [describe how this card should be auctioned] (Use
mostly open auctions.)
[Ability Name]: [describe the card’s ability]
[Qoute] (This is just to add more flavor.)
Existing Mercenary Cards
Alec Ingles
Resourceful Tactician
Tags: Admin, Falcon Force, Rookie
Combat Power: 1
Hiring: Open Auction
Tactical Redeployment: You can return any mercenary card to your hand and
play a different one in its place.
“It’s all about who you
know and where you put them.”
Aya Thaos
Angel of Mercy
Angel of Mercy
Tags: Aerial, Cyborg, Medic
Combat Power: 0
Hiring: Sealed Auction
Emergency Aid: Cancel the next effect from an opponent’s card that would turn one of your mercenary cards face down.
“Hang in there. I won’t let you slip off just yet.”
Combat Power: 0
Hiring: Sealed Auction
Emergency Aid: Cancel the next effect from an opponent’s card that would turn one of your mercenary cards face down.
“Hang in there. I won’t let you slip off just yet.”
“Black Scorpion”
Cyborg Assassin
Tags: Cyborg, Stealth
Combat Power: 0
Hiring: Sealed Auction
Assassination: Turn 1 mercenary card in play face down.
“Show me which obstacle
you need removed.”
Caleb Fox
Precision Sniper
Tags: Artillery, Crimson Brigade,
Stealth
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Open Auction
Long Distance Sniping: Choose a card at random from an opponent’s
hand. That player cannot play that card this conquering phase.
“I can pick ‘em off before they’re even an issue.”
Dustan Isles
Rugged Scout
Tags: Recon, Stealth
Combat Power: 3
Hiring: Open Auction
Scout Ahead: Search the territory deck for a card of your choice. Shuffle the territory deck and place that card on top of the deck.
“I've scouted the path. We're all clear to advance.”
Rugged Scout
Tags: Recon, Stealth
Combat Power: 3
Hiring: Open Auction
Scout Ahead: Search the territory deck for a card of your choice. Shuffle the territory deck and place that card on top of the deck.
“I've scouted the path. We're all clear to advance.”
Gabriel Jones
Ruthless Conqueror
Tags: Captain, Crimson Brigade
Combat Power: 3
Hiring: Open Auction (50 Credit Reserve)
Scorched Earth Tactics: At the end of the Conquering Phase, if you did not win the territory, you can discard this mercenary to discard the territory.
“If we can’t have it, no one will.”
Ruthless Conqueror
Tags: Captain, Crimson Brigade
Combat Power: 3
Hiring: Open Auction (50 Credit Reserve)
Scorched Earth Tactics: At the end of the Conquering Phase, if you did not win the territory, you can discard this mercenary to discard the territory.
“If we can’t have it, no one will.”
Hayao Takagi
Mechanical Progeny
Tags: Newtype, Rookie
Combat Power: 1
Hiring: Open Auction
Fine Tuned Machines: Turn Hayao Takagi face down to give a Mech mercenary in your army +3 Combat Power.
“I think I can get another two clicks out of this with just the right adjustment.”
Mechanical Progeny
Tags: Newtype, Rookie
Combat Power: 1
Hiring: Open Auction
Fine Tuned Machines: Turn Hayao Takagi face down to give a Mech mercenary in your army +3 Combat Power.
“I think I can get another two clicks out of this with just the right adjustment.”
“Hornets’ Nest”
Anti-air Walker
Anti-air Walker
Tags: Artillery, Mech
Combat Power: 3
Hiring: Open Auction (20 Credit Reserve)
Ground-to-Air Missiles: Aerial cards played by other players have -1 Combat Power.
“Any low-flying aircraft are going to get stung.”
Combat Power: 3
Hiring: Open Auction (20 Credit Reserve)
Ground-to-Air Missiles: Aerial cards played by other players have -1 Combat Power.
“Any low-flying aircraft are going to get stung.”
“Hummingbird”
Aerial Transport
Tags: Aerial, Mech
Combat Power: 0
Hiring: Open Auction (20 Credit Reserve)
Troop Drop-off: Immediately play 1 or 2 non-Mech mercenaries from your hand.
“Have a nice flight. Don't forget to pull the cord.”
Aerial Transport
Tags: Aerial, Mech
Combat Power: 0
Hiring: Open Auction (20 Credit Reserve)
Troop Drop-off: Immediately play 1 or 2 non-Mech mercenaries from your hand.
“Have a nice flight. Don't forget to pull the cord.”
James Tucker
Noble Commander
Tags: Captain, Falcon Force, Veteran
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Open Auction
Falcon Leader: Other Falcon Force mercenaries in your army
have +2 Combat Power.
“Stick together and
follow my lead.”
John “Grizzly” Hancock
Bitter Veteran
Tags: Mech, Veteran
Combat Power: 3
Hiring: Once Around Auction (starting with the player with
the most Veteran cards in their hand and going down)
Battlefield Experience: Turn 2 Rookie mercenary cards in play face
down.
“Newbs never saw it
coming.”
Kara Loft
Fortune Huntress
Fortune Huntress
Tags: Cyborg
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Sealed Auction
Spoils of War: If you win this Conquering Phase, you gain 5 Credits.
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Sealed Auction
Spoils of War: If you win this Conquering Phase, you gain 5 Credits.
“It’s not about right and wrong, it’s about what makes me
rich.”
Kayla Dumas
Cunning Sniper
Tags: Artillery, Falcon Force, Stealth
Combat Power: 0
Hiring: Open Auction
Find the Weakest Link: Kayla gains a bonus to Combat Power equal to the
highest number of mercenary cards in an opponent’s army.
“The more enemies on
the battlefield, the easier to choose a target.”
Miranda TaurusCybernetic Escapee
Tags: Cyborg, Newtype
Combat Power: 4
Hiring: Sealed
Ability: When a Daedalus League mercenary enters play, you can turn this card facedown to nullify that card’s ability.
"Only guns I need are the ones I was born with."
Olivia Steel
Unscrupulous Researcher
Tags: Admin, Daedalus League
Combat Power: 1
Hiring: Open Auction
Unwilling Test Subject: During the Hiring Phase, you can play any number of mercenaries in your hand facedown. Your bids are considered to be +5 credits higher per card played in this way when bidding on Cyborg and Newtype mercenaries.
“This would be easier for you if you would cooperate.”
Combat Power: 1
Hiring: Open Auction
Unwilling Test Subject: During the Hiring Phase, you can play any number of mercenaries in your hand facedown. Your bids are considered to be +5 credits higher per card played in this way when bidding on Cyborg and Newtype mercenaries.
“This would be easier for you if you would cooperate.”
Rhoda Shaw
Heavy-hitting Sharp-shooter
Tags: Anti-Mech, Artillery
Combat Power: 3
Hiring: Open Auction (20 Credits Reserve)
Expensive Paper Weights: Turn 1 mech mercenary with a Combat Power from 3-5 face down.
"That armor they wear is just like their egos, then I bring them back down to reality."
Heavy-hitting Sharp-shooter
Tags: Anti-Mech, Artillery
Combat Power: 3
Hiring: Open Auction (20 Credits Reserve)
Expensive Paper Weights: Turn 1 mech mercenary with a Combat Power from 3-5 face down.
"That armor they wear is just like their egos, then I bring them back down to reality."
Sasha King
Judicious Recruiter
Tags: Admin, Captain
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Once Around, starting with acting player and going clockwise (10 Credit Reserve)
Recruiting Agent: Look at the top 5 cards of the mercenary deck. Return each of those cards to the top or bottom of the deck in any order.
“We may be mercenaries, but we don't hire just anybody. Let's see who makes the cut.”
Judicious Recruiter
Tags: Admin, Captain
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Once Around, starting with acting player and going clockwise (10 Credit Reserve)
Recruiting Agent: Look at the top 5 cards of the mercenary deck. Return each of those cards to the top or bottom of the deck in any order.
“We may be mercenaries, but we don't hire just anybody. Let's see who makes the cut.”
Sergei Baranova
Acquisitions Expert
Tags: Admin
Combat Power: 1
Hiring: Set Price (10 Credits), starting with player with the least credits and going up.
Cash Out: Turn any number of your mercenary cards facedown. Gain 1 credit per card you turn.
“I see a quicker path to riches.”
Acquisitions Expert
Tags: Admin
Combat Power: 1
Hiring: Set Price (10 Credits), starting with player with the least credits and going up.
Cash Out: Turn any number of your mercenary cards facedown. Gain 1 credit per card you turn.
“I see a quicker path to riches.”
Simeon Daly
Sly Recruiter
Tag: Admin, Crimson Brigade
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Open Auction
Crimson Brigade Wants You!: You may spend 50 credits to pick one card at random from an opponent’s hand and add it to your own.
"Loyalty is often awarded to those with the fullest coffers."
Sly Recruiter
Tag: Admin, Crimson Brigade
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Open Auction
Crimson Brigade Wants You!: You may spend 50 credits to pick one card at random from an opponent’s hand and add it to your own.
"Loyalty is often awarded to those with the fullest coffers."
“Sledgehammer”
Brute Force
Tags: Mech, Crimson Brigade
Combat Power: 4
Hiring: Open Auction (30 Credit Reserve)
Devastating Blow: At the end of the Conquering Phase, choose 1
mercenary from an opponent’s army. Your opponent cannot play that card during
the next Conquering Phase.
“That’ll hurt in the
morning.”
Theodore "Doc" Hooper
Battlefield Surgeon
Tags: Falcon Force, Medic
Combat Power: 1
Hiring: Open Auction
Back Up and Fighting: Turn one of your face down mercenary cards face up.
“I'll have you back in the fray in no time. Just bite on this.”
Battlefield Surgeon
Tags: Falcon Force, Medic
Combat Power: 1
Hiring: Open Auction
Back Up and Fighting: Turn one of your face down mercenary cards face up.
“I'll have you back in the fray in no time. Just bite on this.”
Tietam Aryl
Troubled Prodigy
Tags: Newtype
Troubled Prodigy
Tags: Newtype
Combat Power: 0
Hiring: Sealed Auction
Hiring: Sealed Auction
It's Always the Quiet Ones: If Tietam is the
only face up mercenary card in a your army, he receives a bonus to his Combat
Power equal to the number of face-down mercenary cards in your army.
Toby Drake
Eager Apprentice
Tags: Rookie
Combat Power: 1
Hiring: Open Auction
Quick Learner: Toby gains a bonus to Combat Power equal to
the number of Veteran cards in your army.
“I’ll follow your lead,
Sir.”
Ulysses Terra
Old Fashioned Bigot
Old Fashioned Bigot
Tags: Crimson Brigade, Veteran
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Open Auction (10 Credit Reserve)
Bitter Disgust: Newtype mercenaries have -1 Combat Power.
"[Spits] There’s too many of ‘dem freaks nowadays."
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Open Auction (10 Credit Reserve)
Bitter Disgust: Newtype mercenaries have -1 Combat Power.
"[Spits] There’s too many of ‘dem freaks nowadays."
Val Thaos
Chooser of the Slain
Tags: Aerial, Cyborg, Recon
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Sealed Auction
Eye in the Sky: Artillery mercenaries in your army have +2 Combat Power.
“I can see everything from up here, and all I see is death.”
Chooser of the Slain
Tags: Aerial, Cyborg, Recon
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Sealed Auction
Eye in the Sky: Artillery mercenaries in your army have +2 Combat Power.
“I can see everything from up here, and all I see is death.”
West Brooke Ebaka
Disenchanted Citizen
Tags: Stealth
Combat Power: 1
Hiring: Sealed Auction
Precision Bombing: Choose any territory card on the table. No one gains any benefit from that territory's special effect until the next conquering phase.
"Power to the people!"
Disenchanted Citizen
Tags: Stealth
Combat Power: 1
Hiring: Sealed Auction
Precision Bombing: Choose any territory card on the table. No one gains any benefit from that territory's special effect until the next conquering phase.
"Power to the people!"
I’ll look forward to
reading your submissions. We’ll need a total of 60 mercenary cards, but extras
won’t hurt, so post as many as you would like!
I just realized I'd come up with an idea for a mechanic and a recruitment officer and there's already two similar ones. >_<
ReplyDeleteWell, please go ahead and post your ideas. Rules-wise, there is probably more than one way to represent a concept, and having more than one of a particular type of character shouldn't be a problem.
DeleteOkay, actually I think I did have different ideas for the effects they might each have. For the recruitment officer I was thinking of when you play him you may pick one card at random from an opponents hand and add it to your own. I wasn't sure if that was a good ability or not, but it was a thought. If you think it might be a good idea, I can put the full card details I'd worked up for him.
DeleteAnd the mechanic was less developed, the only thing I'd really thought of was the ability. At first it was what you'd suggested but an alternative would be perhaps he/she can allow you to flip over any one face down mecha/ship/transport card in a player's army.
I like both abilities. For the recruitment officer, that ability might need some additional cost to make it balanced. Perhaps you would need to discard a card of your own, or pay some moderate cost in credits (hmm... this could be a bribe type of thing).
DeleteOkay here's a few I've already run by you, but I thought I'd post them in the card format and just kinda leave blank whatever I haven't decided on.
ReplyDeleteSimeon Daly
Sly Recruiter
Tag: Admin, ?
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Open
Falcon Force(or whatever lol) Wants You!: You may pick one card at random from an opponents hand and add it to your own. Discard _____ resource/credits.
"Loyalty is often awarded to those with the fullest coffers."
West Brooke Ebaka
Disenchanted Citizen
Tags: (Hmmm this is a tough one, could put rookie maybe since I don't imagine him being a trained soldier, but I also picture possibly a degree of stealth, and knowledge of explosives? Not sure how to categorize that)
Combat Power:
Hiring: Sealed Auction
_________________: (not sure what to call it yet, or whether its even possible to do something that would diminish a territory's value or not I figure that could be worked on later)
"Power to the people!"
Also let me add, I wasn't sure what to put for combat power for Ebaka...He's not a trained soldier so he's not in and of himself particularly strong or dangerous, but when he applies his skills to a situation I imagine it can have quite devastating effects.
DeleteI like both of these ideas. West could have a Combat Power of 0 or 1, since his Ability is likely to be quite strong. I can see it working a number of ways. One idea is that when he comes into play you could choose any territory card on the table. No one gains any benefit from that territory's special effect until the next conquering phase.
DeleteOooh I like that idea! ^_^
DeleteAlso I think it might be useful especially if we want to have tags that interact, to maybe create a list of tags that we intend to have in use and maybe a brief description of what they'd cover?
ReplyDeleteThis is a good idea. I'll work on this.
DeleteCaleb Fox
ReplyDeletePrecision Sniper
Tags: Artillery, Crimson Brigade
Combat Power: 2
Hiring: Open Auction
Long Distance Sniping: Choose a card at random from an opponent’s hand. That player cannot play that card this conquering phase.
“I can pick ‘em off before they’re even an issue.”
Here is another merc, the sister of Val Thaos:
ReplyDeleteAya Thaos
Angel of Mercy
Tags: Aerial, Cyborg, Medic
Combat Power: 0
Hiring: Sealed Auction
Emergency Aid: Cancel the next effect from an opponent’s card that would turn one of your mercenary cards face down.
“Hang in there. I won’t let you slip off just yet.”
I haven't forgotten about this seriously!
ReplyDeleteHere's some I've thought up:
Miranda Taurus
Cybernetic Escapee
Tags:Cyborg,Newtype
Combat Power:4
Hiring:Sealed
Ability: Don't know how to express it concisely...the idea I had is that IF we make a third group that's involved in the Newtypes, that she'd escaped from them and now she's a mercenary but she would perhaps have a bonus against anyone associated with them. But since that's not been really ironed out, I'm not sure exactly how to do her ability.
"Only guns I need are the ones I was born with."
And working on more. ^_^
Cool idea!
DeleteI updated the entries in the article to add the new mercenaries posted in the comments here and in the comments on another article. We're up to 26 mercenaries now! Thanks again for everyone's help so far.
ReplyDelete