[url={STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43766717/a207682ed28528e9eabe60b0986925d2dc53932e.jpg][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43766717/a207682ed28528e9eabe60b0986925d2dc53932e.jpg[/img][/url] Hello friends! Today, we’d like to tell you about the importance of preparation in Ash of Gods: The Way. If you’re struggling with a specific battle, this blog may be useful to you! If you’re enjoying the Prologue so far, be sure to wishlist Ash of Gods: The Way and follow the page to be notified when it releases: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1293460/Ash_of_Gods_The_Way/ [h2][b]Why prepare?[/b][/h2] [url={STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43766717/bd8dbd8a950acf0fbd4e0190dc617ad1a868d436.png][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43766717/bd8dbd8a950acf0fbd4e0190dc617ad1a868d436.png[/img][/url] Every battle in Ash of Gods: The Way is a new situation, a new ‘problem’. Whether it be a horde of bandits, an extremely narrow battlefield or a series of one-on-one fights, there are usually certain strategies that will work better than others. A battle is like a puzzle you need to solve, though there are always multiple different solutions. If you’re struggling with a certain battle and you’re using the same general build you used in the last battle, you may need to switch it up. In this case, it would be good to review what went wrong in the battle. What cards did they use? What weakness in your build did they exploit? Were you missing a specific tool to respond to their plays? Solving this issue and adapting your deck may just give you the win. [h2][b]Getting started[/b][/h2] [url={STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43766717/a6bfa57107364851f359a4208ad7899dc13a7bde.png][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43766717/a6bfa57107364851f359a4208ad7899dc13a7bde.png[/img][/url] Before you even enter a battle, Eik has already reviewed the rules and may have some useful advice for you. He will greet you whenever you click on a battle; you’ll see him on the left side of the screen. It’s recommended you heed this advice, and see if you can make changes to your deck in advance. You can also choose to read the rules of the battle and just see what comes at you. Take note of the battlefield and the cards your foe uses. There’s often a theme going on – a lot of ranged units, a lot of armor, a lot of spells. etc. [h2][b]Let’s get buildin’[/b][/h2] For this blog, I’m going to use one of Mirina’s Qualification battles as an example. This battle features an extremely strong unit, aptly called ‘The Punisher’. This guy has 85 health, 20 armor and has a special ability that lets him one-shot your commander, regardless of the amount of health you have. If you let him get close, you’ll quickly be reunited with the tournament overview screen. And before you ask – he’s also immune to poison. [url={STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43766717/c00f83e659348439c3ce9a8bae205d28bd9fe0b7.gif][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43766717/c00f83e659348439c3ce9a8bae205d28bd9fe0b7.gif[/img][/url] His main weakness – and therefore your key to success – is that the Punisher cannot move sideways, only forwards. This means that as long as you place one of your own units directly in front of him, he cannot get to your commander. Now that we’ve set the scene, let’s define our objective. Your objective is to eliminate the enemy commander. This is important! It means that you don’t actually have to take out the Punisher, you just have to keep him busy long enough for you to take out the commander. So, what do we need to block the Punisher for a while? We can place a defensive unit in front of him; a Guardian, to be precise. A Guardian gains 2 armor when you give him an item. Since he has 3 slots for items, that’s 6 armor to block the Punisher’s 7 attack. [url={STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43766717/e5a72ecac425bcd8c731eba4c179cca94145222c.png][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43766717/e5a72ecac425bcd8c731eba4c179cca94145222c.png[/img][/url] As for items, look for ones that increase health or health regeneration, like the Herbalist’s Pouch. Additionally, the Guardian has an optional upgrade that will give him passive health regeneration of 3 health each turn. Okay, now that you have the Punisher under control, you can focus on the battle. As your time is limited by how long you can keep the Punisher busy, you’ll want some cards that can quickly get to the other side of the battlefield and swiftly deal with any enemies they may come across. The Blade Master is a powerful card that gains 2 attack every turn she’s alive for. Great for quickly dealing with enemies! Another option is the Crusher, who has the ability to attack twice in one turn if it gets hit by an enemy. This allows you to take down strong foes quite quickly, but also requires him to, well… get hit. You also have the Archer, who is great to support a Blade Master or Crusher. [url={STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43766717/a16eb3b7358ab83e791965fa93d5de731b9417ad.png][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43766717/a16eb3b7358ab83e791965fa93d5de731b9417ad.png[/img][/url] As for support cards, Berkanan Boots give a unit extra speed, the Veteran’s Ring is great to give a unit extra attack each turn, the Guard’s Sword straight up gives you more attack and the Spear of the Victor gives a card the ability to retaliate when hit. For spells, you may find an Inspiration or Shock card useful to boost your cards or damage an enemy card respectively! Now that you’re all kitted out, you should have no problem finishing this battle! The randomness of your cards can throw a wrench in your plan, but you can surrender the battle at any time and start over! [hr][/hr] Got questions? [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2304670/view/3654146727490311304]Check the FAQ[/url], make a discussion thread, or join the conversation on [url=https://discord.gg/ashofgods]our Discord channel[/url]! Remember to wishlist & follow Ash of Gods: The Way to become one of the early supporters of the game! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1293460/Ash_of_Gods_The_Way/