Ashen Marches is a turn-based tactical RPG set on a hex grid where players control two heroes through branching campaigns against varied enemies, culminating in a confrontation with a dragon. The game emphasizes dice-based resolution for every action, from attacks and defenses to initiative, and supports both solo play and online co-op with a friend.
Gameplay
Combat unfolds on a hex board with two heroes facing off against enemies that follow distinct behaviors. Wolves target bleeding characters, bandits form defensive lines ahead of archers, ratmen swarm from multiple directions, and a werewolf regenerates wounds while pursuing its prey. The dragon at the campaign's end exhales fire across entire lines of hexes. Players resolve actions by rolling pools of six-sided dice, where successes determine outcomes for strikes, parries, dodges, and who moves first. Skill levels, equipment quality, and tactical choices like aiming add extra dice to the pool before the roll.
Weapons alter turn structure and positioning needs. A rapier exploits openings in enemy guards, a two-handed hammer staggers foes, bolas trip charging wolves, shields block projectiles, and an arquebus delivers heavy impact at the risk of misfire. Spears, slings, and crossbows allow ranged options from the back line. Heroes select races such as human, elf, or dwarf at the start, then allocate experience points freely across skills and talents without rigid classes. The pair shares a single inventory and currency, forcing trade-offs on gear purchases, and the run ends if either hero falls.
Each campaign generates a fresh branching map across burned borderlands. Players choose encounters, manage resources like potions during travel to cities, and decide which loot to retain. Completed runs unlock new starting options and higher difficulty roads, expanding variety without granting direct power advantages. An optional dice bag mechanic can reduce extreme luck streaks, and an in-game compendium details rules, weapons, and enemy types alongside an optional tutorial.
Game Modes
The core experience centers on campaign runs where players guide the two heroes through three stretches of borderland toward keeps and the dragon's cave. Battles vary in objectives: eliminate all foes, survive a set number of rounds, or escort both heroes to an exit point. Four difficulty levels adjust challenge, and seeded runs ensure different layouts on each attempt.
Players can command both heroes in single-player sessions or invite a friend for two-player online co-op, with each controlling one character. Co-op encourages joint planning of turns, resource allocation discussions, and mutual positioning to cover flanks. No other modes such as competitive multiplayer or endless survival appear in the available details.
Core Mechanics and Progression
Progression ties directly to experience spent on characteristics, skills, and talents that influence dice pools. Armor layers provide additional protection options, and more than twenty weapons span four quality tiers. Enemy factions each employ unique tactics, requiring adaptation in positioning and target priority. The shared purse mechanic creates ongoing decisions about equipment priorities between the two heroes throughout a run.
Map exploration rewards selective engagement with encounters to preserve resources. Unlocks after successful completions add new starting configurations and tougher campaign variants, supporting repeated playthroughs focused on different approaches rather than power scaling.
Is It Worth Playing?
Ashen Marches suits players who enjoy tactical hex-grid combat resolved through dice pools and resource management across short-to-medium campaign runs. The freeform hero development, weapon variety that changes tactical options, and co-op support for shared decision-making appeal to those who like tabletop-style strategy without physical components. Solo players retain full control over both heroes, while co-op adds coordination elements around gold and positioning.
The game remains in a pre-release state with a confirmed release date listed as coming soon on its primary distribution platform. No player reviews or aggregated scores exist yet, so expectations should rest on the described systems of dice-driven turns, branching maps, and faction-specific enemy behaviors. Those drawn to turn-based RPGs with co-op elements and procedural variety in encounters will find the core loop of planning actions, rolling dice, and adapting to outcomes a direct match for the provided mechanics. Availability will determine final access once the title launches.