In Siberian Dawn the interface
between the Overseer and the world is called the Hub, so today we delve into
the components of the Hub and take prospective Overseers through how it all
goes together to present them with all the information they need in the
missions ahead.
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The example Hub shown on this
page is for the Resource phase, where the Overseer can buy additional
resources, deploy units, and use the abilities of other resources they
currently have available.
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1 – Resources
These are the resources the
Overseer has drawn this phase, with the number drawn based on their current
Rank. Any not used at the end of the Resource phase are discarded.
2- Active Resource
This is the active resource
selected, a Guild Scribe. Active resources and actions will be highlighted by a
glowing border.
3 – Action Pods
These 6 pods will give the
Overseer contextual actions that are available with the resource they have
currently selected, providing a quick and simple interface to control the Resources
and elements of the Hub.
4 – Resolve Button
This button will show the current
action waiting to be resolved and is the final confirmation to perform that
action. Overseers have to always be alert with what they are doing as there is
no undo in the heat of battle.
5 – Data Display
This displays the data for the currently
selected resources, giving more information on the item, their status, and any
costs an action with this resource might be. The Data Display will also show
events and Strategic data during those phases.
6 – Current Command
This is the current Command
points an Overseer has. They are normally gained from Logistics cards, and any
unused are lost at the end of the Strategic Phase.
7 – Current Union Credit
This is the current Union Credit
points an Overseer has. They are normally gained from Investment cards and any
unused are lost at the end of the Strategic Phase.
8 – Overseer Rank
This is the Overseer’s Rank. The
Rank starts at level 5 and is increased by unlocking Strategic sites. Rank
determines how many resources are drawn in the Resource phase and also the Rank
of units the Overseer can command.
9 – Overseer Glory
This is the Overseer’s Glory. It
can be increased by defeating hostiles and performing other actions. Glory can
be moved to the Overseer’s Command points and some resources can also move
command points to Glory. Glory can be lost with Hostile actions and if it drops
to 0 the Overseer will lose a rank and a Strategic site will lock.
10 – Area Vitae
This is the Vitae for the area
the mission is taking place in, and is a measure of the energy present. If
Vitae is reduced to 0 the Overseer has failed their mission. Hostile actions
will drain Vitae.
11 – Bank
The Bank is the Overseer’s Credit
reserve. Normally one Investment resource can be banked per turn, and Credit in
the Bank can be transferred to the Overseer’s Current Union Credit pool.
12 – Resource Pool and Discard
This is the pool that the
Resources are drawn from at the start of each Resource phase. Resources dropped
or gained are added to the Resource discards. When the Resource pool is empty
the discards become the new Resource pool.
13 – Tactical Pool
This is the pool that the Tactics
are drawn from at the start of the Strategic phase. Any Tactical cards
discarded or gained are added to the Tactical pool as there are no separate discards.
14 – Current Objective
This shows the current Objective
in the mission and also shows how much of the Objective the Overseer has
completed if it has an amount, otherwise it would just be a 0 for incomplete or
1 for completed.
15 – Bond
A Bond is a link the Overseer can
pick before the mission starts that gives them a connection to one of the
groups in the game. A Bond can be improved during the game and the Mentor unit
has their abilities linked to this Bond. Each Bond also gives a unique bonus to
start that game.
16 – Locked Union Strategic Site
This strategic site is locked.
The Overseer can pay command equal to their Rank plus 1 to unlock this site,
allowing them to then deploy a unit here and also increase the Overseer’s Rank
by 1. Attacks on this site are undefended.
17 – Deployed Unit Strategic Site
This strategic site has a Grunt
unit deployed here. During the Tactical phase the Grunt might be able to attack
the Hostile in the opposite site. The Grunt also defends against any attacks of
the Hostile opposite.
18 – Empty Strategic Site
This strategic site is empty, but
can have a unit deployed here if the Overseer pays Command equal to the units
Rank. Attacks on this site are undefended.
19 – Unknown Hostile Site
This Hostile is unknown. They
will be revealed if the Overseer places a unit in the strategic site opposite,
or they will be revealed in the Hostile phase if they become active.
20 – Inactive Hostile Site
This Hostile is known as there is
a Union unit opposite, but the Hostile will not be acting in the Hostile phase
this turn.
21 – Active Hostile Site
This Hostile will be taking an
action in the Hostile phase unless they are removed or deactivated first.
22 – Threat Level
This shows the current level of
Threat. For each level of Threat an extra Hostile will be activated this turn,
and if it is above level 4, Hostiles might get an action bonus.
23 – Influence Flanks
There are two displays that show
the Influence for the right and left flanks. As units occupy sites and take
actions they add to the Influence for their side. As Influence increases, units
on that flank get a bonus to actions.
Finally...
And there you have the details of
the Hub and what each of the elements do in the interface, a tight integrated system
that allows the Overseer to do what they do. But some keen eyed observers might
point out that there were two pods at the bottom that weren’t explained… well you
always have to make sure you have some spare buttons, don’t you?
In future blogs I would like to
cover some of the elements introduced above like rank and also take a look at
the Fate Helix, the innovative way the game works out the resolution of
actions, but let us know in the comments what you would like to see about the
game here or on Facebook and we shall see what I can do.
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- Winterflood -
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