The first 1996 expansion set is FLASHPOINT. This set reveals a sinister plot by the futuristic Architects of the Flesh to take control of our world in the present day. The Architects are raising a massive Arcanowave tower deep in the jungles of South America, and it's up to the pistol-packing karate-kicking action heroes known as the Dragons to save the day. Half the Dragons tear off to the Amazon to assault the Architect base. The other Dragons slip through the Netherworld to hold off the Architect reinforcements by waging a house-to-house firefight in the year 2056. Burning skyscrapers, exploding rainforest temples, saturation bombing and the Doomsday Device: the secret war just got a little more public!
FLASHPOINT focuses on two factions in the secret war (the Architects and the Dragons) with lots of new weapons, vehicles, and equipment. New cards for the other factions appear as well. In game mechanics terms, FLASHPOINT concentrates on increasing the number of ways players can punch attacks through to their targets.
FLASHPOINT also contains more than a dozen info cards. One of the best things about SHADOWFIST is the detailed and exciting background and storylines we've developed, and we've found a cool way of letting players in on the secrets of the Secret War-a bonus info card in each booster pack. Most of these cards describe the storyline of the expansion set, as told from the perspective of the major characters. Other info cards contain card checklists and answers to frequently asked questions. FLASHPOINT packs are sold in half-size displays containing 30 Flashpacks. Each Flashpack contains 8 FLASHPOINT game cards and 1 info card. The expansion contains 111 game cards divided into 3 levels of rarity: common, uncommon and rare. FLASHPOINT is planned for March of 1996.
In June of 1996 we'll publish a SHADOWFIST expansion set called THRONE WAR. THRONE WAR is set in 69 AD, when the Emperor of China is on his deathbed. He's been a pawn of the vile Eaters of the Lotus for years, so his death is a good thing-but who will take his place? Every faction has a candidate: the Guiding Hand want to put a true Son of Heaven on the throne; the Ascended enlist a skilled impersonator to supplant the dying Emperor; the Hidden Empress, leader of the Dragons of 69 AD, makes a bid for the throne; and so do each of the Four Monarchs from the Netherworld. And it's not like the Lotus is going to sit back and watch while someone takes the throne away from them. . .
In other words, First Century China is about to explode in white-hot action and diabolical court intrigue! THRONE WAR is the SHADOWFIST expansion that action movie fans have been waiting for: full of daring kung fu tricks, bizarre Chinese legends, and historically accurate betrayals. Not to mention a few cool Ascended killers in mirrorshades, doing their Uzi-armed best to kill them all and let the vultures sort out the pieces.
Where SHADOWFIST game play is concerned, THRONE WAR focuses on nifty new ways of jazzing up multi-player diplomacy and strategy. Because if you want to win the THRONE WAR, you're going to have to make some friends as well as enemies.
SHADOWFIST players with questions about the game have an easy source for answers. The SHADOWFIST answer line is available for calls Monday through Friday, from 9AM to 6PM Pacific Standard Time, at (206) 232-3040. In addition, questions can be sent via email to jgarcia@halcyon.com. Daedalus internet representatives also take questions posted to the Usenet discussion group rec.games.trading-cards.misc and to the SHADOWFIST discussion folder on America Online found at keyword GIX. Finally, players can write to Daedalus at P.O. Box 880, Mercer Island, WA 98040-0880 (Attn: Rules Questions), but please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for replies.
Last modified: February 16, 1996;