One Deck Dungeon: Relics of the Forge

Hey friends, apologies that the "first week in October" became "the end of October", it has been rough going both with the work and as the world continues to throw bad stuff my way. Unfortunately a lot more time spent interacting with hospitals, emergency vets, and apartment maintenance than doing the fun stuff. I would love to have a normal month! Birthday present for November, universe, please?

I didn't want to update until I had the document to share - and here it is: https://onedeckdungeon.com/RuleBook_2_0_Web.pdf



So - what happened? Three things. First - several files that I thought were complete and print-ready (final exports of the small + large cards from the three main sets) were not quite done, and unfortunately we had to re-do some work on the Relics cards because of a file reversion. That Relics work is re-done, along with the final exports of the rest of the cards.

Secondly, and this relates to the first a bit - Adobe's software issues, and in particular their insistence on jamming AI into their suite has been horrible for productivity. Everything runs slower, it keeps trying to turn things like AI-generated-alt-text back on, and the linked-file functionality (which is critical for the way we lay out our files with lots of icons and components) runs slower than ever. An example - the final update of the base-cards PDF meant that the 46 card images in the rulebook needed to be updated automatically by InDesign. It took *almost an hour*. This used to take a minute or two, tops. Bugs like this has been absolutely plaguing Rob and myself every time we try and do anything. Sometimes it's like working in molasses.

Finally, proofreading + copyediting was a more frustrating process than I had anticipated. Good eyes on the rulebook revealed a lot of little cracks, and every time I fixed a little thing, I found something else that needed a fix, and that cycle dragged on longer than it should have. In the end, it was worth it and many things got fixed. I think it's a solid rules document and it contains the rules for all the core games. As a bonus, since we wound up at 38 pages, we decided to print the Abyssal Depths rules in the rulebook to bring us to an even 40 (booklets must be a multiple of 4 because of the laws of physics).

That being said, it's not 100% locked-in yet, because of how the print queue and proofing process works. If you see something that's off (thanks to those who emailed!) let me know at [email protected].

Print Queue and Timeline

The next steps of production and their timeline are less up to me, and more on how things go with the factory. We're printing 4 boxes at once and a Vault box to hold them, which is on the more complicated side of things we've ever produced. Each of the components on their own is pretty simple, so hopefully we don't run into any significant snags during printing. I will share news when I have news to share.

Our aim is for a Q2 2027 release to retail, with backer copies going out first, during Q1. This is a goal/prediction, not a guarantee.

One thing some folks have asked for is samples of the plastic cards - as soon as we have a proof like that from the factory during the process we will share pictures/video!

Refunds / Complaints / Yell at Chris

I am very grateful for all the backers and pre-orderees that have stuck with us despite the absurd quantity of delays, and I respect the decisions of anyone who wants out. A full refund is always available if you're not OK with the timeline, with no conditions. I understand some folks are very frustrated, I've been focused on getting this document done and I'll try and go through the comments and respond where I can, after posting this.  If you would like to talk to me directly, I'm on our Discord server pretty much all the time ( https://asmadigames.com/discord/ ) as @AsmadiGames. 

Seriously - you're welcome to toss me a DM and I'll do my best to address your issues (or respond to whatever you want to talk about, good or bad). 

Greetings dungeoneers and associates! I'm here to update you on our progress. We're still not at print yet, but our list of remaining tasks is much shorter.

Completion Progress

An update on where each component is, followed by more information on individual components! 

Rulebooks

The remaining work is to finalize edits + some layout based on copyeditor feedback, I have submitted the rulebook to her today.

Latest Rulebook Export: https://www.onedeckdungeon.com/RuleBook_2_0_Sep192026.pdf

This has taken a lot more effort than I anticipated. I wanted it done a week or so after Gen Con, I've gone through a number of revisions and rearrangements, and I'm now happy with where it is. There have been some terminology updates.

Discard Immediately -> After Gather & Roll

A number of effects would instruct you to do things like "immediately discard all 3s rolled." This causes a bunch of timing shenanigans and we're adjusting all such abilities to instead trigger once at the conclusion of the Gather & Roll step. This is a slight nerf to these penalties, but should not dramatically affect gameplay.

Step 4: "Use Skills and Place Dice" -> "Take Actions"

This was a necessary change, especially with Relics, both for clarity and to make clear how the mandatory Flare action works. This does not impact how the game is played, simply makes the step clearer in what happens during it.

Discard -> Return (for dice)

All cards and effects and rules are now unified around the "return" keyword for dice that are returned to the supply. "Discard" caused confusion for many because they're not cards.

Potions Explanation and Keywords List

A much better Keywords list, as part of the Feats, Skills, and Potions section. Potions were also underexplained in the previous rules, we think this is much better. The full new Potions/Healing/Keywords spread is below.



Unified Setup Diagram

Previously, setup was discussed a bit more casually - we've moved to a more traditional ordered list of steps (especially with expansion steps, this is important).



Stored/Locked Dice indicators

This isn't just in the rulebook, but we've made storage slots explicit on hero cards when they can store dice. This has been a frequent point of confusion for new players across the ages.



Epic Mode - 3 or more players (yes, including odd player counts!)

Previously, you could play One Deck Dungeon with exactly 4 players by combining two sets. Now you can play with any number of players by adding boxes! Epic Mode is what we're calling it, and we're excited to share the rules.

In Epic Mode, you will use one box for every two players - 3-4P, 2 boxes, 5-6P, 3 boxes, 7-8P, 4 boxes, and so forth. The only limit is your imagination! And, well, your table. We think 6 will be enough for most folks, but if you want to make a 12 player convention event game happen...it's now possible!

Each encounter, heroes will split up into groups of two, and will face encounters separately + simultaneously. This is similar to the old 4P mode, but now the reference cards, potions, relics, and so forth are dealt with in a much cleaner fashion.

In an odd-hero count game, one will be an Elite Hero, and be on their 1P side. They'll face encounters alone, but using the heroic assist rule, one die can be passed between groups during each encounter, before rolling. This helps keep them as part of the party for strategy and planning.

Dungeon and Boss boxes must be filled by each group simultaneously, so you'll need to collaborate well in order to succeed!    

These rules will be printed inside the Trove, and will be available on OneDeckDungeon.com (along with a training video). You can read the full rules at https://www.onedeckdungeon.com/staging/epicmode.php or in the images below:

Relics Campaign Sheet

We're doing something slightly different with the Relics talents - all powerful Once per Game abilities. These allow you significant benefits, but you have to choose when to use them!



Alternate Dungeon Rules

We've got more Alternate Dungeons, there will be twelve 4-dot promo dungeons in the Trove. Each is both harder and more complex than its original version. For example, the alt-Lich:



Now, for each box you fill, you must first spend 3 mana (3 value worth of blue/black dice). You'll have to plan a bit differently!

The alt-Hydra:



As you deal with its heads, those boxes will *retain the dice* that fill them, leaving them filled for the next round! You won't have them to roll, but they'll still inflict damage to the boss.

Every alternate boss and dungeon has its own new quirks. To help you out against them, when facing a 4-dot dungeon you can choose *two* campaign sheet focuses to use during each 4-dot game.

Escape Mode Art

Escape Mode now looks a bit prettier than the quick version I made earlier this year. Get up those steps!

Box Shenanigans

As some of you may have heard, there've been a LOT of new compliance rules added (especially in Europe) for games, toys, and indeed any shipments. While they do have some benefits, the implementation's not great, and it disproportionately affects small businesses. We've spent way more time than we'd hoped figuring out precisely what we need to put on game and case packaging so that Dungeon is saleable around the world without incident.

Here's what the side of our box looks like now:

Yikes.

Don't eat the game, please!

Schedule

We'd hoped to be at print by now, you'd hoped we'd be at print by now, and we're still not quite done - there's been more work and challenges in places than we anticipated. I am sorry for that, and we're wrapping up as quickly as we can. As always, if you are unhappy with the delivery schedule, you can contact us for a full refund, no questions asked (except for how to process it) at [email protected]. I get it, it's been longer than it should've been - we do not begrudge anyone for being upset or wanting a refund. 

The unfortunate fallout of these delays is that it's unlikely we'll have these shipped out before end of year. We're going to try, but it's tight even if everything goes perfectly. And, given the state of the world, "perfectly" is a lofty goal with freight! 

Financially - money for the full print run and freight (including tariffs) is set aside and ready to send to the factory as soon as the print files are complete. 

Expect another update when copyediting + revision completes (first week in October). If you spot any errors, feel free to contact us directly at [email protected]

Greetings from literally The Forge, if the color of the sky the past day is any indication. It's gross outside (we're in the Northeast on the border of the smoke zone), but at least we get a cool fiery-red sunset? I tried to take a photo with my phone but it didn't do it justice. If you're in the nastier areas of the air quality zone, stay safe!

Let me update you on where things are at!

Completion Progress

I'm going to list a bit of a comprehensive components manifest and where they are at, completion-wise. We're closing in on print-ready, but we still need a bit more time to wrap things up. 

To be clear, the things that are not done yet are layout/graphic design tasks, not playtesting work. As per our last update, work on the core sets is basically done, just a bit more rulebook work that I need to iron out, and some box updates to reflect additional legal information for both EU/US requirements that've changed recently.

Most of the rest of the layout work is the bonus materials Trove. We're pushing through, although the world has been consistent in its goals to throw rocks in our path outside the realm of work that inevitably sucks time away from our ability to get stuff done. This last month has been unkind to the folks around us, to say the least.

We should be able to tackle what's left over the next few weeks (Gen Con is eating up a big chunk of time in the middle), at which point we will push the print button we have wanted to mash for the better part of this year. I apologize that I haven't been able to get things done as fast as I wanted to get things done, and that it's resulted in all of you getting games later than you would like. As always, if this timeline is not good enough, you are welcome to request a full refund at any time. We're excited about the product we'll be delivering, and we thank each and every one of you for waiting so long for it.

Thank You / We're Sorry Gift

We've worked with our digital partners, Handelabra Games, to give every single backer at every level that's purchased at least one item a Steam key for the base One Deck Dungeon Digital. I know a bunch of you already have it - feel free to pass the key along to a friend! We're also going to give a direct download of the new soundtrack for the Relics expansion.

Both of these will go through the BackerKit system as soon as we can (we are waiting for Steam to generate the 4000 keys to give you).  It should be in the next day or so. I haven't used the digital reward system on BackerKit before, but I expect it to go smooth. Fingers crossed! 

You should get a separate email from BackerKit with instructions on how to download / get the key. You will also see a free $0 game & soundtrack item in your pledge manager if you check your order. It won't affect anything for shipping.

Relics of the Forge - Digital Release

Handelabra has been working on Relics of the Forge over the past year, as we've been working on the physical version of the game. Relics of the Forge will be releasing on Steam, iOS, and Android tomorrow, July 17. Typically we get the physical version out first, but circumstances conspired to put it in the other order this time.

One slight benefit of this, is if we see any serious balance issues over the next couple weeks while we're at Gen Con, we still have time to make a quick change to the print files before they go to press.

Next Update

My goal is to put a final version of the rulebook along with the PnP up for folks to review before I leave for Gen Con. I'll post a short update with those ideally next Friday, or during next weekend depending on how things go. I'll also have some Promo Hero news to share. 

If you're attending Gen Con, we'll be at booth #2555, and are always happy to see folks! If not, we hope you have a good middle of the summer.