HomeFeaturesDeathbulge: Battle Of The Bands
Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands' greatest trick is making me enjoy turn-based combatRock ‘n’ roll for initiative
Rock ‘n’ roll for initiative
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Five Houses LLC
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Five Houses LLC
Essentially, you don’t take turns – you race for them. Both your party of rock band weirdos and the opposing gang of tree stumps/DJ birds/fish bagpipers are represented on markers that slide towards the end of a four-part bar: when a marker hits the end, it’s their turn to make a play, regardless of who took the last one.
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Five Houses LLC
Still, there’s much more to Deathbulge’s sonic duels than the sliders. Each of the bar’s four segments can, and likely will, become filled with Measure Effects – status modifiers that help or hinder the party as their marker moves through that section. Some deal damage or sap mana, while others can slow down or speed up the marker itself, often dramatically rejigging turn order and forcing strategic rethinks over the course of a few rounds.
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Five Houses LLC
