The Imperium of Man stretches across the known galaxy, encompassing millions of worlds. Yet it stands at the brink of annihilation. From without and within, malignant forces of Chaos are intent on corrupting mankind, while unending incursions of deadly alien races tear at its fragile boundaries. Bravely standing against eternal night are the beleaguered forces and noble orders of the Imperium, guided by the undying will of a deathless Emperor.

The distant Antian Sector has known its share of horrors and strife, but even darker times lie ahead. A Warp rift has erupted nearby, and under its baleful influence Chaos infestations and other abhorrent phenomena have surfaced throughout the sector. To face this threat, agents of the Imperium have come forth: Space Marine, Inquisitor, Commissar, Rogue Trader, and more. To succeed, such heroes will need skill and weaponry, courage and faith, and even the assistance of ancient and powerful relics.

~ The Taint of Corruption ~

Based on the Talisman system, Relic is a standalone adventure game in which two to four players each assume the role of a powerful hero from the Warhammer 40,000 universe and bravely venture forth to shield the Imperium from its enemies. By completing missions and defeating enemies, characters compete to gain rewards and experience, furthering their chance of being the first to defeat whatever evil lies beyond the Warp rift.

But to defeat the foul xenos, sinister traitors, and powerful daemons that inhabit the Antian Sector, these heroes must first shield their own souls from the ever-present siren’s call of corruption. Here in the pages of GTM, we’re pleased to present an exclusive preview of Relic, including a glimpse of the temptation and damnation of Corruption cards. First, however, let’s look at a broad overview of Relic’s mechanics.

True to its Talisman foundations, Relic is a board game in which seemingly straightforward choices mask scores of possibilities. For those who haven’t played the classic fantasy adventure game on which Relic is based, this means that on each turn, a player rolls a single six-sided die before moving his playing piece that number of spaces clockwise or counter-clockwise around the region (outer, middle, or inner) of the board it currently occupies. That player then draws a card or cards to see what he’s encountered, pitting his heroic persona against foul enemies, dangerous locations, and fantastic strangers. And all the while, these intrepid heroes rise in power, as they work their way toward the ultimate goal at the center of the board.

Those who have played Talisman, however, will find a number of noteworthy differences in Relic. First, rather than one deck of Adventure cards that determines the allies and obstacles to be found on each space, Relic has three distinct Threat decks, each of which focuses on a different foe in the Antian Sector. After landing on a space with a red icon, for instance, a player draws from the red Threat deck, which features tests of strength and an abundance of Ork-related threats. Similarly, the blue Threat deck tends to challenge a character’s willpower attribute and features the vile Tyranids, while the gold Threat deck includes tests of cunning and a focus on the clever Eldar.
All this, along with a sophisticated and varied system for “leveling up” and missions that reward players with powerful equipment (among much more!), ensures that Relic is its own unique game while delivering an experience familiar to fans of the beloved classic Talisman.

~ The Only Price is Your Soul ~

Another mechanic that distinguishes Relic from its fantasy predecessor is corruption. Represented by Corruption cards, these physical, mental, and spiritual abnormalities are the result of the Ruinous Powers’ dark touch. Still, the path towards corruption is one that its victim often walks willingly. It is the tempting promise of untold power, wealth, and knowledge that leads even the most steadfast hero into the clutches of Chaos.

In Relic, certain Threat cards (the primary source of enemies, locations, and items, typically drawn after a player ends his Movement phase) present players with a choice: they can gain a quick boost to a stat or resource...as long as they’re willing to risk a mutation. Pact of Power is a great example of such unholy temptation. This instant event immediately allows each player to gain a level (a benefit of potentially outstanding value), as long as a Corruption card comes along with it.

Upon drawing a Corruption card, a player must immediately determine whether its dark influence has any physical or mental manifestation, or whether it will merely be a burden on his character’s soul. Each Corruption card has an activation number in its upper right corner. After drawing a Corruption card, the player checks to see if its activation number is greater than the total number of Corruption cards he possesses. If so, the card is placed in front of the player facedown; it still represents a step towards damnation, but its text effects are mercifully ignored. If, however, the Corruption card’s activation number is less than or equal to the total number of Corruption cards the player possesses, the card activates...meaning its text effect immediately afflicts that character.

The text effects themselves, however, can be either beneficial or detrimental...the Ruinous Powers are fickle, after all, and you never know how a card will affect you until you draw it. Perhaps your arm will wither and fall off, as with Limb Loss. Conversely, the Dark Gods may bless you with Multiple Arms. Perhaps you’ll be cursed with a debilitating deformity like Hunchback, or turn your curse into a blessing with Acid Excretion. The possibilities are vast, but beware: the descent towards Chaos is a slippery one, and before long you could find yourself a Slave to Darkness.

Will you save humanity, or fall to the powers of Chaos? Venture into the depths of the Antian Sector, and prepare to face its mysteries!