A Wargamers Needful Things: Denver Walker

Relic Wars

Flying Pig Games

Denver Walker

This is written by the designer of Relic Wars, Denver Walker, and yes, she is related to that Mark Walker of wargaming fame. I guess the game designing bug is in the blood. The game will show up on Kickstarter next month and links to it and the game will be below. Without further ado here is what she has to say:

"Flying Pig Games Unleashes Relic Wars: A Tactical Fantasy Skirmish and Exploration Game by Denver Walker

Flying Pig Games is set to release Relic Wars, a fast-paced skirmish battler and exploration game designed by Denver Walker. Known for publishing award-winning wargames, Flying Pig is venturing into new territory with Relic Wars a game that blends tactical combat, magical relics, and tense player interaction. This is not a wargame. It's a savage fantasy experience full of cinematic moments, emergent strategy, and brutal decisions.

Relic Wars is a tactical, low-complexity game with high replayability and evolving strategies, designed for 2Ð4 players with stretch goals in the upcoming Kickstarter campaign expanding that count to 5, with the potential for 6. Players take control of deadly champions each with unique stats and special abilities and enter a cursed battlefield made of modular terrain tiles that are revealed and explored throughout the game.

At the heart of the game is movement, positioning, and light inventory management. Each turn, players may explore new terrain, gather powerful items, or engage in direct combat. Characters can equip swords, bows, shields, and spells each with upgradeable effects and use terrain to their advantage for defense or line-of-sight. Chalices, the games ultimate objective, are scattered across the board, drawing players into inevitable clashes.

Combat is fast, intuitive, and driven by custom dice. Each weapon and shield brings its own tactical flavor, and players can stack upgrades to modify their attack and defense pools. Divine Intervention cards drawn at the end of each player s turn inject wild, unpredictable effects into the game from healing to destruction.

Victory in Relic Wars is achieved in one of two high-stakes ways: eliminate all other players, or collect three chalices and survive one final round. Every decision whether to attack, retreat, upgrade, or press your luck can swing the tide of battle.

All Souls Expansion: Death Is Not the End

Included in the Kickstarter is the All Souls expansion, which adds an entirely new layer of gameplay introducing ghost characters, ethereal terrain, and supernatural relics. In All Souls, when a character is KOÕd and doesn't return through Divine Intervention, they return to the board as a ghost, gaining new ways to influence the game and even win.

Ghost players move freely across the battlefield, unhindered by terrain or crowding, and use the unique Haunt Die to perform powerful spectral actions like possession, invisibility, or echo life a ghostly attack. They can also win the game by collecting three chalices and surviving a final round, creating a new path to victory even after death.

The expansion includes:

* 4 ghost miniatures and character sheets

* New map tiles including The Graveyard and The Castle

* A powerful set of new Relic War Tokens like the Shroud of Turin, Crown of Thorns, Longinus the Centurion s Lance, and more

* The purple Haunt Die, used exclusively by ghost players

* New rules for haunting, manipulating the battlefield, and even banishing ghosts entirely

With All Souls, no one is ever truly eliminated. Every player remains active in the game, and ghosts become wild cards disrupting plans, hunting relics, and tilting the balance of power in unpredictable ways.

The game launches on Kickstarter on May 6th, and has already been selected as a Kickstarter Project We Love. Fans can follow the campaign now via the Kickstarter pre-launch page to be notified the moment it goes live. As a special reward for early supporters, the first three backers will be able to pledge for the full game at just $1 + shipping.

Relic Wars will also be featured on major tabletop media platforms, including Zilla Blitz's YouTube channel and Becca Scott's Good Time Society, giving players a front-row seat to gameplay previews, strategy tips, and behind-the-scenes content.

Designer Denver Walker, in her first published release, expresses deep pride and gratitude for the years of development and support that shaped Relic Wars. She worked closely with artist Riccardo DAriano, whose stunning artwork brings the world of Relic Wars vividly to life from the brooding characters to the haunting landscapes and every relic in between.

The game has been rigorously playtested by respected figures in the wargaming world, including Mark H. Walker ('65, '85, The Long Road, 2022 CSR Winner), Hermann Luttmann (A Most Fearful Sacrifice, The Rock of Chickamauga), Fred Manzo (developer), Greg Porter (Armageddon War), and many others.

With accessible mechanics, rich tactical depth, and a mix of exploration, combat, and clever maneuvering, Relic Wars marks an exciting evolution for Flying Pig Games and a thrilling debut from a rising designer."