Play game
Order of the Phoenix (not that one), RootJam 2024's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Use of this year's theme | #5 | 4.000 | 4.000 |
| Creativity/Uniqueness | #19 | 3.500 | 3.500 |
| Clarity of Rules/Mechanics | #20 | 2.750 | 2.750 |
Ranked from 16 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Includes Law of Root?
No
Includes PnP?
Yes
Leave a comment
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
Comments
Hiya!
At first, thanks for taking the time to both check and write down so many remarks.
Now to the point:
1. Designing this I had in mind only 4-player games (which I should have noted in the post, that's true) - where there are some limitations as to where this one can move/build/etc..
2. I've removed the scoring per 2 removed warriors. Other means will stay there for a while for now (next in line is the one for removing own nests since removing them does other beneficial things).
3. There are now 3 mutualy exclusive ways to score VP - true. But they cannot score by crafting, for example.
4. Phoenix(es) - limited to 2. I want them to have separate actions to limit building up for one snowball with other warriors and all. Also, I'm gonna try with 2 of them right now, because I've also added this rule: "There can ever be only one phoenix on a clearing. If there would ever be 2 phoenixes on one clearing, remove one immediately."
5. Action pool for phoenixes - I've added clarification. i.e. the pool lets you do 4 actions divided between both phoenixes - I guess this is what you had in mind?
After this, we'll see after next 4-hand test.
If you have time, please check https://root.lacony.ru/?page=faction&id=113&print - This is the updated version. I cannot upload new images while voting is in progress.
Thanks again,
Blichew
In reviewing these guys I've taken the opportunity to look through your newer version, and I think things have cleared up quite a bit! Definitely needs more playtesting, but as that's not something I can focus on or judge for the moment, I wanted to commend you on your understanding of fun game mechanics and how to get them to flow well together.
I also do love the theme of the phoenixes, you've obviously put some research into their mythology, and as an extension into how that can be applied to a game of root. (Life cycles etc)
One thing I'm unsure about is with crafting, them not having an item box isn't really much of a nerf or anything that affects their gameplay much, if anything it just kinda messed things up for the VB and LOTH. LOTH would have an important interaction with these guys, but that's kinda taken away by this.
Great submission, crazy that it's one of three!
Immediately: overpowered. Incredibly overpowered. Chill on two-three nests with phoenixes on them and spam recruit followed by sacrificing all your warriors next birdsong, use the 6x sacrifice boost to get 5 victory points and you have the most free 8-10 vp turns (and you can do them consecutively, consistently, no real counter play or a ‘down’ turn) you’ll ever see. And if you choose to actually play the game somewhat normally, you just have double the hits and no base game faction can hope to keep up with even a single phoenix.
Also: it’s a lot of words. I don’t know how but it needs to be pared down
Additionally: there are many ways to do the same thing it seems
Adding on: there are FOUR, count em FOUR ways to score victory points. One is base game eyries only way to get victory points, but you can also choose to get victory points many many other ways. Without 3+ factions constantly attacking you, you can win in 4 turns or less every single game. There are more actions and things you can do than 2 factions put together. Ridiculous to be honest.
How to fix maybe…?:
1. One phoenix. Not multiple. That’s all you get
2. Remove the ability to score in evening per number of nests
3. Remove ability to score by sacrificing common warriors in the beginning of turn
4. Limit recruitment (each recruit action gives 2 warriors max and can only be done once for instance, since there is another way to get warriors in ashes to ashes)
5. Remove building. Ritual is the only way to make nests. Or vice versa. Why do there need to be two ways to do this
6. Amendment to number 4, change action economy entirely. Phoenix (singular) doesn’t get its own action time, put them together into one “do action” time
I actually really like the crafting concept.
your clarity of rules is pretty good, but those rules are absolutely overpowered. Interesting ideas, but needs more than just some play tests and tweaks