Mission Cards establish the foundational mechanical framework for every Match. These components provide the technical context for the engagement, defining the geometry of the Play Area, the coordinates of Objective Tokens, and the criteria for establishing victory. A Mission Card mandates strict spatial requirements for Unit deployment and Scoring Mechanic triggers.
1. Mission Selection Sequence
The Mission Selection Sequence is a mandatory requirement resolved during pre-game Setup. This sequence is governed by Army Building constraints and the resolution of the Bidding Protocol to determine Scenario authority.
- Every player must maintain a Mission Deck consisting of exactly three unique Mission Cards.
- A Mission Deck must contain exactly one Mission Card from each category: Aggressive, Defensive, and Maneuver.
- The Bidding Protocol is resolved by comparing the total numerical point cost of each Army List. The player who assigned the lowest point total wins the Bid.
- The winner of the Bid must assign themselves the Red Player or Blue Player designation.
- The Blue Player must reveal the contents of their Mission Deck to the opponent.
- The Red Player evaluates the Blue Player's Mission Deck and selects a single Mission Card to serve as the active Scenario for the Match.
2. Anatomy of a Mission Card
A Mission Card is organized into technical modules that dictate the flow of resolution. These modules define the physical state of the table and the logic triggers required for scoring.
- Header Data identifies the Mission Card by unique identifier and category classification.
- The Setup Protocol provides grid coordinates for the placement of Objective Tokens and establishes the boundaries of Deployment Zones.
- Scoring Mechanics specify the procedural timing and requirements for the acquisition of Victory Tokens.
- Victory Conditions define the end-state requirements for the engagement, based on Round counts or Victory Token thresholds.
- Special Rules establish mission-specific mechanical overrides that may alter the Tactical Point Pool, apply situational Keywords, or modify Unit Stats.
3. Mission Categories
Mission Cards are categorized into three distinct classifications based on their strategic objective and Play Area geometry. These categories mandate specific tactical interactions between Units.
- The Aggressive category emphasizes direct conflict by positioning Objective Tokens along the centerline of the Play Area to facilitate Base Contact.
- The Defensive category prioritizes position fortification and rewards forces for occupying specific tactical zones.
- The Maneuver category emphasizes Unit speed and repositioning, typically requiring forces to reach table edges or bypass enemy formations.
4. Objective and Deployment Protocol
Following the selection of a Mission Card, players must finalize the Play Area. This step transitions the Match environment to a Locked state.
- Objective Tokens must be positioned according to the coordinates provided in the Map Diagram.
- Unless a Mission Card provides a technical override, Objective Tokens utilize a 3-Inch Radius for Contesting calculations.
- A Unit is categorized as Contesting an Objective Token if any portion of a Unit Base resides within 3 inches of the token center.
- Control of an Objective Token is awarded to the player possessing the highest quantity of individual Units currently Contesting that token.
- Upon the completion of Objective Token placement, the Match environment is categorized as Locked and players initiate the Deployment Phase as dictated by the instructions on the active Mission Card.