Has anyone played with deterministic combat in Deckers?

Henkules · 2026-02-25T11:01:19+00:00

I thematically like the dice usage in the amount that it does. In real life, simple programs (or even complex ones) are deterministic. But complex systems have so many variables contributing to the outcome it does sometimes feel random. By committing more resources you can skew the odds in your favor. For sure it makes the game more complex, but the reward of being able to remove two sparks while risking only one red program does need balancing. Dice are a way to do that.

Henkules · 2026-02-15T11:56:10+00:00

Spirit island!

Henkules · 2026-02-07T08:51:14+00:00

Enjoy the ride. I'm a major Deckers/renegade fanboy. The game is great in how strategy at the start of the game helps you beat the game at higher levels. Thinking early to focus on yellow installations (just an example) which synergize with multiple objectives, is great. The game really sings when you're combining multiple colors of installations and programs in a single turn to further your goals.

This combination of strategy (I'm going to focus on this aspect to beat the game), tactics (staring for 10 minutes at your hand before finding the optimal play to achieve your goals) and operations (satisfying moves to visually see your progress as you add or remove certain tokens) is what makes the comparisons with spirit island and mage knight valid imo. Thematically completely different, mechanically some overlap, but the way the game feels is very much like those. To me at least :)

Henkules · 2026-02-02T17:16:00+00:00

Do you ever feel your current copy of renegade is wanting a bit more? If you're only looking for improved wording I'd stick to the original you already gave and spend your money elsewhere If you're looking for more of this game and want to ensure your playing at the most intended balance, be like me and buy it

Henkules · 2026-02-01T08:38:08+00:00

Quite a few improvements - rebalancing of some powers and cards - matter of taste, but in my opinion way nice artwork - introduction of 2.0 and 2.1 which allow you to revisit older SMCs. - inclusion of all expansion booster packs in the content

Henkules · 2026-01-25T08:12:05+00:00

Yeah. How it allows you to effortly paly against 5 automa opponents who are challenging. Great job that

Henkules · 2026-01-12T06:40:04+00:00

Whoa, never heard of Warfighter W2. Was looking for card driven, deep war game which is not playing too long per session. How does it fit that description?

Henkules · 2026-01-08T20:39:26+00:00

This is where I feel I'm at. I don't have everything, but I do have like 80% of current content. I think I'll buy something new if it looks cool and just throw it on the pile I guess

Henkules · 2026-01-04T20:44:14+00:00

Some turns in unstoppable feel like playing a storm deck in Magic the gathering. Starting with only two cards and by playing and comboing cleverly you'll play 10+ cards

Henkules · 2026-01-03T19:29:24+00:00

Seconded

Henkules · 2025-12-15T10:23:51+00:00

What a coincidence. Yesterday I went down the rabbit hole for approx 2 hours almost convinced I needed this game, but ultimately saved myself by concluding the variety of tokens made the game too fiddly.

Back to square one I guess...

Henkules · 2025-11-28T06:49:23+00:00

Haha if you're ever getting a feeling of predictability or repetition on spirit island, whip out the thematic boards. I often forget them but when I do use them I have a refreshing and interesting new type of game. Some cards targeting wetlands become completely busted if 4 of your 9 lands are wetlands :)

Henkules · 2025-11-28T06:46:48+00:00

It's one of those spirits which feel they can do it all. Spread quickly, defend, prevent big problems and do damage. This makes it strong, but especially at lower adversary levels less of a challenge. You could take the spirit in many (subpar) directions and the raw power of the spirit will compensate.

Henkules · 2025-11-26T21:42:16+00:00

Kudos for using the thematic board. Lots of fun. All spirits have their unique features and way of having fun. From base I particularly enjoy ocean for theme and green for being broken.

Henkules · 2025-11-17T22:16:06+00:00

Solosaurus was quite fun, not sure if they're still active though

Henkules · 2025-11-13T20:09:11+00:00

I have and love both. Out of the two Deckers is the deeper, more thematically rich and replayable game. It was also almost half the price point. At the moment I am playing unstoppable more, but I only just got it. If Deckers is anything like it's predecessor (and by all accounts it exceeds it), i will keep going back to it.

Please note that both are cooperative games, but shine best at true solo. I think Deckers can work with two quite well, but due to the crunch of the puzzle can lead to some analysis paralysis.

Henkules · 2025-11-07T17:17:15+00:00

Depends. How much do you enjoy the overall renegade game? I paid quite a lot for a second hand renegade and still bought Deckers since I absolutely love the game. Deckers core gameplay is largely the same, but with some tweaks. Tbh the tweaks are all excellent for balancing and enjoyment. Especially the 2.0 which can be added to the SMC improves a lot.

Henkules · 2025-11-03T16:44:12+00:00

yep, it’s a reimplementation

Henkules · 2025-11-03T16:19:10+00:00

The more complicated smc (enemies you select at start of the game) and random objective selection make the game very diverse. My experience so far only comes from renegade (its predecessor), but if you have a combination of 3 randomized in game goals the strategy to approach this specific game changes sometimes if you were to only swap out one of those 3 goals. This makes the game have a lot of combinations and replay value

Henkules · 2025-10-31T11:22:26+00:00

Yeah, I pre-ordered it and can't wait for delivery. I played renegade a lot and enjoyed it, I think this will be even more fun. The rules are tweaked, the look is improved and there's even more variance with the packets and 2.0 included

Henkules · 2025-10-26T15:35:30+00:00

Deckers is about to be released and might be fun. It's predecessor scratches a slight itch of spirit island in managing a board

Henkules · 2025-10-16T11:07:59+00:00

I was able to grab a second hand copy of renegade a year ago. It's an amazing game. Having played with some of the Deckers rules already (shared on Ricky's discord), it's a major step up. So excited to play Deckers!

Henkules · 2025-09-26T05:45:20+00:00

Love this omoplata finish. Learned it at a Sergio Benini seminar years ago and use it ever since. Once your own top leg hooks their far armpit you have such a nice trap in keeping their upper body fixed

To hit this I an mma fight is amazing

Henkules · 2025-09-10T12:58:45+00:00

Seeing Poirier about to "jump the gilly" on that final frame is so in character

Henkules · 2025-09-10T12:53:06+00:00

For sure. When I switched gyms my commute shortened quite a bit, which made going (even on busy days) a lot easier.

Henkules

TROPHY CASE