Prototype Development

Gloom Routers

A dark sci-fi tactical card game about rival expedition machines forcing engineered light through a ruined world.

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Mode
Playable prototype
Core loop
Pathing, route, deploy, engage
Goal
Secure Relics
Gloom Routers title art

What it is

A tactical fight over temporary light

Ghostlight Spill pathing art
Pathing changes the round before either player can settle in.

Command Mechs, build routing infrastructure, and contest Relics in a hostile playfield split between bright Corridors and the Gloom. Every round starts with pathing and route reveal, then turns into a pressure puzzle of turn order, deployments, hidden threats, and engagement timing.

Routes

Choose the light package that powers your round.

Nodes

Anchor the field with prisms, lenses, and relays.

Modules

Upgrade Mechs and bend combat math before impact.

Directives

Fire off tactical orders at the moment they hurt most.

Game Overview

How Gloom Routers plays

Two players route temporary light, build a playfield, and win engagements to claim Relics before the site goes dark.

Start with a deck

Each player brings a deck and a Route package.

Route icon Pathing & Routes

A pathing card sets the round's pressure while each player reveals a Route for Cores, draw, and Magnitude.

Turn Order

Turn order choice is awarded to one player. They may then choose who goes first for both Deployment and Engagement.

Deployment icon Deployment

The first player spends Cores to deploy cards, then the other player gets their deployment window.

Engagement

The first player may declare engagements, then the other player gets their engagement window. Hidden Gloom Mechs and Directives can swing the outcome.

Engagement choices include:

Aftermath icon Aftermath

After each engagement resolves, aftermath effects and modifiers settle before play continues.

Armistice icon Armistice

End-of-round effects resolve after both engagement windows.

Refresh icon Refresh

Committed cards ready, refresh effects pay out, and the next pathing and route round begins.

Icon glossary

Route iconRoutePathing and Routes reveal at the start of the round.
Cores iconCoresResources gained from a Route.
Draw iconDrawCards drawn from a Route.
Magnitude iconMagnitudeStrength of your engagement rewards that round.
Deployment iconDeploymentYour build window.
Attack iconAttackThe attacker's engagement window.
Defense iconDefenseThe defender's engagement window.
Attack iconDefense iconAttack or DefenseCan be used in either engagement window.
Aftermath iconAftermathHappens after an engagement resolves.
Armistice iconArmisticeEnd-of-round effects before Refresh.
Refresh iconRefreshCards ready and refresh effects pay out.
Passive iconPassiveAlways active when its condition is true.

Development Status

Prototype online, systems still evolving

Gloom Routers is currently in prototype development.

A playable browser build is being developed and tested. The public site now points players toward the playable prototype, rendered card browser, and the core shape of the rules.

Playable

Playable prototype available from the landing page.

Visible

Rendered deck previews are wired into the site.

Next

Playtest notes, screenshots, and footage will follow as the game develops.

6
5
Stormwall Phalanx
SI rarity
It holds because there is nowhere else to go.
Current prototype art and rendered cards are already in active use.

Card Previews

Active card examples

Browse full rendered decks