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Greetings dungeoneers and associates! I'm here to update you on our progress. We're still not at print yet, but our list of remaining tasks is much shorter.

Completion Progress

An update on where each component is, followed by more information on individual components! 

The remaining work is to finalize edits + some layout based on copyeditor feedback, I have submitted the rulebook to her today.

Latest Rulebook Export: https://www.onedeckdungeon.com/RuleBook_2_0_Sep192026.pdf

This has taken a lot more effort than I anticipated. I wanted it done a week or so after Gen Con, I've gone through a number of revisions and rearrangements, and I'm now happy with where it is. There have been some terminology updates.

Discard Immediately -> After Gather & Roll

A number of effects would instruct you to do things like "immediately discard all 3s rolled." This causes a bunch of timing shenanigans and we're adjusting all such abilities to instead trigger once at the conclusion of the Gather & Roll step. This is a slight nerf to these penalties, but should not dramatically affect gameplay.

Step 4: "Use Skills and Place Dice" -> "Take Actions"

This was a necessary change, especially with Relics, both for clarity and to make clear how the mandatory Flare action works. This does not impact how the game is played, simply makes the step clearer in what happens during it.

Discard -> Return (for dice)

All cards and effects and rules are now unified around the "return" keyword for dice that are returned to the supply. "Discard" caused confusion for many because they're not cards.

Potions Explanation and Keywords List

A much better Keywords list, as part of the Feats, Skills, and Potions section. Potions were also underexplained in the previous rules, we think this is much better. The full new Potions/Healing/Keywords spread is below.

Unified Setup Diagram

Previously, setup was discussed a bit more casually - we've moved to a more traditional ordered list of steps (especially with expansion steps, this is important).

Stored/Locked Dice indicators

This isn't just in the rulebook, but we've made storage slots explicit on hero cards when they can store dice. This has been a frequent point of confusion for new players across the ages.

Epic Mode - 3 or more players (yes, including odd player counts!)

Previously, you could play One Deck Dungeon with exactly 4 players by combining two sets. Now you can play with any number of players by adding boxes! Epic Mode is what we're calling it, and we're excited to share the rules.

In Epic Mode, you will use one box for every two players - 3-4P, 2 boxes, 5-6P, 3 boxes, 7-8P, 4 boxes, and so forth. The only limit is your imagination! And, well, your table. We think 6 will be enough for most folks, but if you want to make a 12 player convention event game happen...it's now possible!

Each encounter, heroes will split up into groups of two, and will face encounters separately + simultaneously. This is similar to the old 4P mode, but now the reference cards, potions, relics, and so forth are dealt with in a much cleaner fashion.

In an odd-hero count game, one will be an Elite Hero, and be on their 1P side. They'll face encounters alone, but using the heroic assist rule, one die can be passed between groups during each encounter, before rolling. This helps keep them as part of the party for strategy and planning.

Dungeon and Boss boxes must be filled by each group simultaneously, so you'll need to collaborate well in order to succeed!    

These rules will be printed inside the Trove, and will be available on OneDeckDungeon.com (along with a training video). You can read the full rules at https://www.onedeckdungeon.com/staging/epicmode.php or in the images below:

Relics Campaign Sheet

We're doing something slightly different with the Relics talents - all powerful Once per Game abilities. These allow you significant benefits, but you have to choose when to use them!

Alternate Dungeon Rules

We've got more Alternate Dungeons, there will be twelve 4-dot promo dungeons in the Trove. Each is both harder and more complex than its original version. For example, the alt-Lich:

Now, for each box you fill, you must first spend 3 mana (3 value worth of blue/black dice). You'll have to plan a bit differently!

The alt-Hydra:

As you deal with its heads, those boxes will *retain the dice* that fill them, leaving them filled for the next round! You won't have them to roll, but they'll still inflict damage to the boss.

Every alternate boss and dungeon has its own new quirks. To help you out against them, when facing a 4-dot dungeon you can choose *two* campaign sheet focuses to use during each 4-dot game.

Escape Mode Art

Escape Mode now looks a bit prettier than the quick version I made earlier this year. Get up those steps!

Box Shenanigans

As some of you may have heard, there've been a LOT of new compliance rules added (especially in Europe) for games, toys, and indeed any shipments. While they do have some benefits, the implementation's not great, and it disproportionately affects small businesses. We've spent way more time than we'd hoped figuring out precisely what we need to put on game and case packaging so that Dungeon is saleable around the world without incident.

Here's what the side of our box looks like now:

Yikes.

Don't eat the game, please!

Schedule

We'd hoped to be at print by now, you'd hoped we'd be at print by now, and we're still not quite done - there's been more work and challenges in places than we anticipated. I am sorry for that, and we're wrapping up as quickly as we can. As always, if you are unhappy with the delivery schedule, you can contact us for a full refund, no questions asked (except for how to process it) at [email protected]. I get it, it's been longer than it should've been - we do not begrudge anyone for being upset or wanting a refund. 

The unfortunate fallout of these delays is that it's unlikely we'll have these shipped out before end of year. We're going to try, but it's tight even if everything goes perfectly. And, given the state of the world, "perfectly" is a lofty goal with freight! 

Financially - money for the full print run and freight (including tariffs) is set aside and ready to send to the factory as soon as the print files are complete. 

Expect another update when copyediting + revision completes (first week in October). If you spot any errors, feel free to contact us directly at [email protected]