Hey everyone!

We're thrilled to announce that our strategic card game, Astral Dominion, is now officially launched and available, for free, right here on itch.io! If you enjoy tactical, turn-based battles with deep strategic layers, we think you'll love diving into this universe.

Enter the Astral Dominion

Astral Dominion is a 1v1 card battler where strategic placement and resource management are key to victory. Players take turns deploying cards onto a grid-based battlefield, using their unique abilities and influence to control the board.

Inspired by Classics, Forged Anew

Fans of tactical card games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's Queen's Blood will recognize the focus on lane control and strategic positioning. Like Queen's Blood, winning rows is crucial for scoring. However, Astral Dominion carves its own path with distinct mechanics we're excited for you to explore!

Understanding the Battlefield

Here’s a quick look at how Astral Dominion works:

• Reading Your Cards: Every card features a unique 5x5 grid centered on the card's placement position. Colored squares on this grid instantly show you where the card exerts influence – perhaps dealing damage (like red squares often do) or buffing allies (yellow/orange squares). Combine this visual guide with the card's text description detailing its specific actions (boosting power, weakening foes, drawing cards, etc.) to master its potential.
• The Board and Pawns: Gameplay unfolds on a grid where card placement is everything. Each card has a Pawn Cost, and you spend Pawns from your turn's pool to play it. Managing your Pawns wisely is crucial – can you afford that powerful card now, or should you play smaller units to build board presence?
• Strategic Placement: Positioning matters! Place cards where their 5x5 influence grid can maximize buffs, hit key enemy units, or secure vital territory. Think ahead to outmaneuver your opponent.
• Turn-Based Tactics: Players alternate turns, playing cards or passing. But be quick – turns are timed, adding an extra layer of pressure!
• Winning the Game: The goal is to control the majority of the rows on the board by the end of the game. You only score points for the rows you decisively win. Watch out for round-end modifiers triggered by certain cards or objectives, which can swing the score! The game concludes after a set number of rounds or if a player forfeits, with the highest score claiming victory.

Play Astral Dominion FREE Today!

We've poured a lot of effort into creating a deep and rewarding strategic experience, and we can't wait for you to try it.

• Play In your Browser here: https://maple-leaf-makers.itch.io/astral-dominion
• Join the Community:   https://discord.com/invite/BjsWkTrjUX
• Share Your Thoughts: We're eager for your feedback! Let us know what you think in the comments below or in our community channels.

Thanks for reading, and we hope you enjoy commanding your forces in Astral Dominion!

- The Maple Leaf Makers Team