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How to Play EMBER: Obsidian Protocol
- , by Eden Miller
- 6 min reading time
If you're a fan of mechs and robots, EMBER: Obsidian Protocol is the game for you. Assemble your own squad of mechs and fight to explore the ruins of an ancient civilization on the moon. With the power of Modularized Armor Platforms (MAPs) and semi-autonomous drones, you'll mobilize your team in search of alien "Relics." But beware, other mercenary squads are looking for the same thing, and they won't hesitate to gear up against you. Fortunately, your team of Mech pilots is prepared to handle the attack.
So, get ready to personalize your squad and engage in lunar battle.
EMBER: Obsidian Protocol Is the Ultimate Custom Army Experience
EMBER: Obsidian Protocol is a tabletop wargame made with customization in mind. Each model is made of magnetic components, offering full control over how you build your squads, with the freedom to change any parts out that don't suit your strategy. This is one of the most exciting things about Obsidian Protocol, setting it apart from any other tabletop wargame on the market.
Obsidian Protocol models are specifically made for the game, with pre-magnetized components, thoughtfully designed and with all Part Cards included.
How Does Obsidian Protocol Work?
The game can be played in two modes: standard mode and free-move mode. Each mode gives players the flexibility to choose the scale of their battle and how movement should work. Standard mode is played on a flat, checkerboard-style grid, offering a more structured gameplay experience with terrain fixed within the grid spaces.
Free-move mode gives players the opportunity to freely utilize terrain and move with a ruler. Terrain is incredibly important and adds dimension to gameplay, adding terrain protection and rendering line of sight essential. Terrain also makes movement more interesting by utilizing flying and jumping mechanics.
Obsidian Protocol is played over a series of rounds composed of six phases. Rounds and phases are shared between players and moved through simultaneously. Each MAP is made up of its parts and a pilot. Each pilot must be unique. Your squad may include Mechs, Drones, and Projectiles/Deployables. Mech Part Cards must match the loadout of your mech. The first thing you'll do is select tasks and deploy units. More info on how to deploy can be found in the rulebook. From there, you'll proceed to the Command Phase.
Command Phase
This is your opportunity to issue instructions to Drones on the field. Each Mech has one Command by default, but some units may produce more. You'll select a Mech to issue the Command and an Ally Drone unit to receive the Command. Throughout this process, you'll move a Command Token from your Mech to the Drone to indicate where the Command is traveling from and to. The Drone will then be able to perform one of two actions: move or execute a Command Action.
Players alternate issuing Commands until they can no longer issue Commands or choose not to issue more. Then, the Command Tokens are removed from all Drones, ending the Command Phase.
Planning Phase
Each Mech Part has one or two actions, each with an action type. On the pilot's Timing Dial, players will choose a Timing that corresponds to an action type associated with one of the Mech's Parts. The action type will determine when the Mech acts in initiative order, indicated as pips next to each number on the Timing Dial, keeping their Timing secret from their opponent. After selecting Timing, players will flip the Timing Dial face-up next to their Control Panel, ending the Planning Phase.
Action Phase
This is the phase we've all been waiting for: time for combat. Timing Dials are revealed, and each Mech will receive an Action Opportunity one after another according to their selected Timing. In the case of two Mechs having the same timing, their Pilot's Initiative Values will be compared. The lowest Initiative Value will go first.
Timing priority proceeds as follows:
- Swift Timing (1)
- Melee Timing (2)
- Projectile Timing (3)
- Firing Timing (4)
- Movement Timing (5)
- Tactical Timing (6)
First, you'll choose your Mech's stance: Offensive, Defensive, or Mobility. After selecting a stance, you'll Maneuver and perform actions. Maneuvering is an adjustment movement. Actions are related to the action type of the Timing selected in the Planning Phase. More information on action types can be found in the rulebook.
Once all mechs have completed their actions, the Action Phase ends.
Automatic Phase
In this phase, Drones execute their programmed actions. These Automatic Actions do not require Commands, so if they are able to perform their actions, they will. Players will alternate performing their Automatic Actions until they can no longer. Once all Drones have performed their Automatic Actions, the Automatic Phase ends.
Delay Phase
The Delay Phase leans into the fast-paced nature of combat, slowing down time to allow Projectiles and Deployables to perform Delayed Actions. Players will alternate performing Delayed Actions until all Projectiles and Deployables have performed their actions. Then, the Delay Phase ends.
End Phase
The End Phase ends each round. Both sides will remove all Mechs with Integrity Loss and any units that are removed or destroyed upon the end of the round. Red Tokens and Command Tokens are removed, and Yellow Tokens are flipped. Then, players check their Task progress and award Victory Points accordingly.
If no player wins, First Player status passes to the opponent and the next round begins. Most games last five rounds, wherein Victory Points are totaled.
Mech Damage Is a Game Changer
Destroying parts and units is one of the most exciting parts of battling with Obsidian Protocol. Combat meaningfully impacts your model, and you see the results of battle physically represented on the field. Since the Mechs are totally magnetized, when part of a mech is destroyed, you can physically remove the part to show damage. Arms, limbs, and guns can fly off willy-nilly, but if the Torso is destroyed, the Unit is fully destroyed as well. This raises the stakes of gameplay, as you'll lose certain abilities as you lose Mech Parts.
For more information on how combat works, be sure to check out the rulebook for further instructions on how to handle attacking, damage resolution, and destroying parts and units.
Variety Is the Name of the Game
If you're not convinced by the incredible (and detailed!) combat system, there's a lot more you can do in the game. You can sneak around with stealth effects, engage in Electronic Warfare, and use unique movement types like flying and teleportation to navigate your lunar battlefield. There are a wide variety of Pilots and Mechs at your disposal, so no two games will be the same. On top of all the existing Mech customization options, Obsidian Protocol offers a lot of variety to players.
Whether you choose to fight for the United Network, Reconstruction Development League, or Guardian of Freedom, your Mechs will find glory among the stars.
