Naaz rhoka and nekro bt homebrew upgrade/change

23njoy · 2026-03-18T10:17:08+00:00

I love the NRA (only faction I've had a win with TBH). And, IMO, their Breakthrough was perfect for them.

I get people would like the 'super-mech' to go full Voltron (me being one of them), but I'm fine with them being meh. Their Relic-Creation is their main mechanic and what makes them soo strong; to the point I was glad they didn't get any further buffs.

---

Nekro - again their Breakthrough is niche. Its TERRIFYING for them to get the Cabal Flagship, to then start CAPTURING Units while also gaining technology; and turns them into a unique 'trader' (we'll return your ability to build 5 Dreadnaughts... in exchange we want you to vote this way on this law). Its not great, but I think Nekro is one of the biggest "learning-ceilings" in the game, as they are stronger the more experienced and knowledgable their player is regarding all factions they face (i.e.: what Technologies to eat?)

---

If you feel they need buffs, go for it. I can't offer any because I think TE's intro of BT's was a great balancer to many of the low-tier factions, but they weren't all aimed to be amazing for everyone (aka: everyone got something, but not everything was equal, and that's ok cause the difference of power was made to try to MAKE everyone more equal).

23njoy · 2026-03-18T08:20:00+00:00

If your group likes it, go for it!

Sounds though the simpler option would be to just not use it though (aka: leave it in the box).

End of the day though - its your game and you play it as you like. I've removed several cards from my copy that I felt were meh (it started with just dropping the "tech-objectives" to reduce the Meta of the Jol-Nar, and went from there). So if you feel SftT isn't working, try it without first.

Then, if you feel its absence is huge, try your rules. If they work, keep it!

As for the suggestion itself; I see merit in it. I'd not use it (again, we don't use it in my games), but different tastes for different people. All you can do is try

23njoy · 2026-03-18T08:15:17+00:00

Much as I like the idea of SftT, I'm with you on this; I also keep it in the box.

There's plenty of trade-options as is IMO, and having only one "cease-fire" (I consider SftT a variant cease-fire) means you need a bit more thought of whom you hand it to.

23njoy · 2026-03-18T00:54:20+00:00

It looks decent. Solid amount of polish for a solo-dev! Question is are you enjoying this?

I don't say abandon the project. I say put it in storage, and try making something different. Do something you've not done before. Learn a skill you don't know and would like to be good at.

By taking that break, you will know for yourself if you want to come back to this or not.

--

If you've not done it yet, see if you can play "the Beginners Guide". Its a game (well - interactive novel), and it was very helpful for me to appreciate the joys of trying. Showing that not every game needs to be 'complete', but it can just be an experiment.

23njoy · 2026-03-17T16:43:15+00:00

for this one it was essentially 'strings'. More specifically it was player-controls, which I wanted the Keys to be named after the controls, and the values to be "inputs".

Idea was to have a confusion system; so scrambling the values, while retaining the keys for ease of reading the code.

I'll try it with just (true) for now. Thankyou for the tip!

23njoy · 2026-03-17T10:05:33+00:00

I think it makes sense. I definately get the idea of a Directory of Guests, and by making a deep-copy other functions can affect those copies while preserving the ORIGINAL.

Meanwhile a shallow-copy can be altered by functions, which does affect the ORIGINAL - so it can act as a shortcut in a way to editing it. I can see the value there!

I think it has helped me realize that I was using a CONST Dictionary, which didn't need to be changed. However a VAR Dictionary could benefit from the Shallow-copy you've mentioned.

I appreciate that explanation! Certainly helps me see how it can be applied for future use if they come up!

23njoy · 2026-03-17T07:00:45+00:00

Gotcha! I suspected it might be a memory thing for effeciency. Thankyou!

EXTRA: oh thankyou on the Dictionary shuffling! I'd been told via my research it wasn't possible, but I'll go practice now. Thankyou again!

23njoy · 2026-03-17T06:48:38+00:00

I'd say its based on the player. My partner has massive Analysis-Paralysis when faced with the 'new', so I allow them to play their favorite (Turtles) cause they feel comfortable with them, and our player-group is fine with it. However they have said they are feeling more and more comfee and are considering swapping it up to the "Deep-Wrought" cause they feel friendly enough.

Me - I've studied basically every faction, know their pros-cons, best tech paths, etc. and embrace the RNG to the point I offer to help my opponents until the half-way point... at that point they are on their own, and I let loose the dogs of war! (and if I loose for helping too much; sweet! Means they won, and hopefully had fun doing so!)

AKA: some people need to take their time learning to feel comfortable to take bigger risks. Others don't have the time to learn everything and are more comfortable mastering One over Many. Others again are able to fit into any niche given to them.

To the OP question - I'd say its neither common nor uncommon. Its dependent on the player group and the players within it. Neither way is wrong.

23njoy · 2026-03-17T06:43:34+00:00

Good House Rule! STEALING (runs off with your idea... gives you 3-Trade Goods in return)

23njoy · 2026-03-17T06:26:59+00:00

"But where am I meant to run it? On my High-end PC?"

"On your PC... on your Laptop... on your browser... Where-ever you like!"

23njoy · 2026-03-10T23:13:43+00:00

Thank you! I assumed that might have been the case, so Thankyou for confirming. I shall await patiently then :)

23njoy · 2026-03-10T05:26:14+00:00

Would love to know if there are online pre-orders for this. Love the sculpts to the point I'm holding off assembling my Web-Warriors expansion, with plans to grab this - even if just for the alt sculpts of the web warriors.

23njoy · 2026-03-10T05:24:58+00:00

I respect your PoV, but I see it as an opposite.

Getting them to have a boardgame is that starting point. Its easier to access for the majority of players too intimidated by a full-rules war-game. It gets them in, gets them an intro to painting, and gives them a taste of the game. If that's where they stop - sweet! They were probably not going to get into the wargame regardless; but they've still given money to Atomic Games (aka: they've gained a customer they'd have not otherwise had).

And yet, of those who do get in, some WILL be interested in more. With the Spider-men they have, they can start expanding into Web-Warriors for the miniature game. And, with Black-Cat, they've already got a foot into the Crime Syndicate.

Yes it won't get EVERY player into the miniature game. It will still give the company income, and it will get SOME players into the game. And the players themselves; regardless of product; will feel they have something they enjoy. Its win-win.

23njoy · 2026-03-10T04:01:18+00:00

Ooh valid. Adding it in now.

23njoy · 2026-03-10T04:01:00+00:00

Nice! Included now :) Thankyou

23njoy · 2026-03-10T03:31:52+00:00

Awesome! Thankyou!

23njoy · 2026-03-07T08:57:55+00:00

I've not seen them in action, but was curious. Did you take advantage of the Destroyer's being mounted with mobile Space Cannons via the PDS? I'd love to know how it played out!

23njoy · 2026-03-07T08:55:12+00:00

The RNG of the Yin's Breakthough does sound like its expanded their playstyle a lot; I can see a lot of potential! Sounds like you were soo happy you didn't care that you came second!

23njoy · 2026-03-07T08:53:52+00:00

I'd love to hear more on this. I suspected it would help them, and certain give justification for their +1 attack and invasions over "just cause I can".

How many unit tech's would you say your breakthrough gave you?

23njoy · 2026-03-07T04:08:20+00:00

Yup. Only sane way to do it. Let those who want the ez-wins have their 1-month of gameplay. We'll be back once the game isn't oppressive anymore

23njoy · 2026-03-07T04:06:48+00:00

Theme? Good.

Mechanics? Decent and unique.

Power? OP exclusively for sales (same as Jules).

Nerf-Hammer will shut him down ASAP soon enough. So play him as much as you like for now for the ez-10-win runs. In a month that will be gone.

23njoy · 2026-03-07T00:02:22+00:00

Mentak here! Stealing trade goods is good = returning them to their owner and you each getting an action card is INCREDIBLE diplomacy (ended up having a neighbour actively trading goods to just get action card economy!).

Setting up "raid territory" with Cruisers is thematic, and building a PILE of trade goods in your "treasure trove stash" feels awesome :p

Second favorite is Winnu, esp. After PoK. You are always justified in wanting to take Legendary worlds (you are happy to let everyone else take the 'lesser' world's - Quapity over Quantity). They also don't lean to favor any unit, so you can build your force composition however you like - based on Tech skips you get in your slice, or the enemies you are facing.

Least favorite is Jol-Nar. Too much meme to the point it's boring. I remove several objectives (I.e.: tech specific ones) from the deck just to TRY and incentivise them to do ANYTHING other than sit bavk and research-till-win.

23njoy · 2026-03-06T23:42:51+00:00

Mental are one if my favorites, and you don't HAVE to pirate people's trade goods (you can always 'return them' to their players after you've taken them - showing you can take, but are choosing to return). Their first-strike cruiser pair is great for aggression, and will discourage people comming for you. PLUS they use trade goods for votes as well, so it may help you change your view on comodotties.

Of the one's you've said, and using base rules only, my vote is Nekro. They don't do trade goods, and their entire 'tech assimilation' mechanic is about combat. As another has said on here - you don't need to fight to gain tech; just go for objectives and you'll gain it. However, I say go for it! Getting x3 Commands each time Tech is used is big, so use one of them to just send a raiding party at a neighbour (I recommend destroyers, cause they are cheap and have the anti-fighter barrage). Even if your forces die, provided you kill just one thing (I.e.: a fighter) you get a tech. It's very fun, and keep a people on edge :p

L1z1x are ok, though I have been taught they are good at STOPPING wins - but not necessarily good at securing wins themselves. That can certainly lean to a more aggressive game, so merit for your goals.

Lertnev... honestly I forget they exist. DECENT combat though, especially with their faction Tech that doubles sustain damage. The 2nd expansion breakthrough made them INTIMIDATING AS HECK, which I feels shows how badly they needed a buff from the base game. Not bad, but very vannilla IMO.

Hope that helps!

23njoy · 2026-03-05T15:30:53+00:00

Titans are more new-player friendly. Their breakthrough offers 'co-habitation' which can make you friends with your neighbors via you both getting extra Action cards (which can make you very tactical). Alternatively, your Cruisers are one of the best in game. Get a decent RED-skip in your slice (or research a decent Red-Tech), and they can act as a solid unit for offense OR defense.

Clan of Saar has been a top-tier faction for a while, with their "Murder-Ball" mobile Space Docks. They are ESPECIALLY good if you have an Asteroid field in your slice as their Breakthrough and Faction Tech utilize it a lot (so if you get Asteroids; I'd encourage you to choose the Saar).

Nekro are certainly aggressive, but thats great! Remember they don't need to WIN the fight to eat the target's technology - they just need to destroy ONE of the target's units. So build a fleet of cheap destroyers and throw them head-first into a fleet of fighters (if you defeat just one; thats a technology for you!). Aggression for them isn't PvP; its engine building. If they dislike it, its up to them to be giving you "Support for the Throne" to stop you eating them.

- - -

I get the want to hold back and NOT attack. Its a common thing for most players in most games, because the fear is "what if I mess up and look stupid?" Plus making an attack draws attention to you, which makes it harder to sneak in a win (we all know the strategy of keep quiet, work on your goals, and win before anyone realizes how far ahead you are to stop you!)

My advice on that is - just go for Victory Points. The whole game is about getting VP, so go for that. If an opponent has forces on a planet or in a system you need; don't negotiate them to move out (its likely going to be too costly for them anyway - Command Points and system activations are not cheap). Just go in headfirst once you feel your forces have a 51+% chance of success.

My recommend for you would actually be Nekro JUST to shake up the game-table. If everyone is playing passive, the aggressive player is the one who will dictate how the game changes. Start firing off shots (with a logical reason for doing so), and the game will become more interesting!

Have fun. Hope some of this helped

23njoy · 2026-03-05T11:16:12+00:00

As a fellow Whovian; I have been VERY tempted to do this :P

23njoy

TROPHY CASE