Order of the Blade

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO JOIN THE ORDER?

Assassins from around the world have been summoned to compete in a battle royale recruitment tournament hosted by the Order of the Blade — a secret shadow society of elite operatives.

The rules are simple: use strategy, weapons, utilities, and unique character abilities to outmaneuver your rivals. Only one assassin will remain standing to earn a coveted place within the Order — and the respect of those who dwell in the shadows.

Test your skills against friends or foes. Prove your worth. Join the Order.

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WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT

• Ever-changing modular city means no two games play alike
• Advancing guards shrink the zone to hasten movement & combat
• Sudden events force on-the-fly decisions and chaotic turnarounds
• Limited-use unique character shadow abilities
• Out-of-turn players engaged with defensive dodge rolls
• Avoid light square proximity to gain dodge roll advantages

INCLUDES RULES FOR AFTER DEATH, GUILD WAR, MINI ROYALE, TEAM ROYALE, & CO-OP

*After Death is an optional rule that keeps eliminated players engaged and out for revenge for higher player count games

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ASSASSIN SHADOW ABILITIES

Each player starts with a unique ability and one Shadow Ability Coin. Timing is everything—use it for maximum impact. Land the final blow on your target, and you’ll earn another coin plus their ability. Strike early or wait for the perfect moment, but only the last one standing claims a place in the Order.

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DRAW, MOVE, OR ATTACK. CHOOSE WISELY.

On your turn, you have three actions to gather supplies and position for attacks. Drawing from the Shadow Deck equips you with weapons and utilities. Each move brings you closer to your target—or deeper into the shadows. Play utilities to gain tactical advantages, but weapons are what make your enemies bleed.

When making an attack, the defender is actually the one that gets to roll. This puts your health, and therefor your fate, in your own hands.

*Playtesters have expressed favoring this mechanic knowing you can only blame yourself for a poor roll rather than feeling helpless when an opponent is on a hot streak of high rolls. It's also fun for other players to cheer on someone who's down to their last health consistently rolling their dodge attempts high enough to survive a few last attacks.

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SHADOW GUARDS & EVENTS

Throughout your game you will occasionally draw event cards that effect the play area and require you to quickly shift your strategy. Shadow Guards will also occasionally march forward, shrinking the arena’s safe zone, and challenge the combatants to move inwards or face a brutal attack.

Anyone caught outside the zone at the end of their turn risk taking damage equal to the Shadow Guard Intensity tracker. But sometimes you might choose to risk the zone to get a better position around a building, then walking straight into the Line of Sight of your opponents.

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MASTER THE DARKNESS

Game tiles feature three terrain types. Buildings keep you confined to city streets but offer cover from enemy sightlines. Light squares make you an easy target, so avoid them when possible. Shadow squares are your ally; use them to gain dodge advantages. Master the darkness to survive longer and be the last one standing.

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See what people from KantCon said about their experience

"I love the concept of the Shadow Guard! Super unique and added a fun element. One of the coolest game concepts I’ve played recently!"

"Very thematic, easy to learn. Every decision feels important and it's well balanced with enough luck to keep it spicy."

"Great for low & high player counts… the game felt balanced… there’s a ton of variance."

"Shadow Guard mechanic was pretty fun, as it speeds up the game. There’s a good amount of offensive and defensive cards in the game to make it interesting."

"I enjoyed the battle royale mechanic with the closing circle. Also, I liked the theme including the card art and style."

"I like the speed and pacing of the game. The randomness of the map and lighting adds a great element."

"I like how the different abilities and cards can change how your turn works. I liked how the game pushes you forward."

"It was a very good translation of the battle royale [video game] closing zone feeling to a board game."

"Very fun with a lot of strategies & character abilities to exploit. Probably one of the most enjoyable PvP board games I've played."

"Easy to learn, fun to play. Random luck roll is a great equalizer. Things don't always go according to plan, which is fun. Adapt!"

"Overall, I enjoyed playing the game. The card mechanics partnered with the environmental mechanics are very interesting."

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Order of the Blade Overview

Order of the Blade Unboxing

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BoardGameGeek Listing

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/421161/order-of-the-blade

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