Salutations, colonisers!
Let's talk about objectives.
We've recently introduced Tenets and Oaths to the game, and playtesters have already started experimenting with them.
Tenets act as guided objectives that help introduce players to the game's core mechanics and systems.
Oaths provide smaller goals that encourage activities beyond simply attacking other players. You might be tasked with destroying raider camps, recruiting a certain number of units, or defeating specific enemies. Complete an Oath and you'll receive a reward, with a new one becoming available the following day.
The system was... fine. But we felt it could be much better.
Every player has a different playstyle and preferred pace of progression. With additional tribes currently in development, those differences will only become more pronounced. That's why we're already changing how the Oaths work.
They will be available in the new building called Oath House (currently placeholder box). An Oath is a commitment made through this building that allows you to convert resources into a guided objective. Complete that objective and you'll be rewarded with Valor. The system is designed to support different approaches to the game and reward players for pursuing them.
When selecting the Oath House, players will be presented with a range of available Oaths. These are generated based on factors such as the player's current Era, position on the High Table, and diplomatic relationships with discovered players.
Oaths will be divided into several categories, each represented by a different color and focused on a particular style of play: Protection, Kinship, Sabotage, Dominion and Discovery.
Each Oath has a cost, an objective, and a reward. More difficult, risky, or time-consuming Oaths provide greater rewards.
Our goal is for Oaths to encourage meaningful, strategic, and thematic gameplay. Since a larger portion of Valor gain will be tied to this system, your choices and accomplishments should also be reflected more clearly on the High Table.
In addition, a selection of evergreen Oaths will always be available to ensure players have options regardless of their current situation.
Players will be able to pursue up to three Oaths at the same time, and there is no time limit for completing them.
And don't worry if an Oath proves too difficult. You can abandon or fail it at any time. You'll recover 50% of the resources invested, which should soften the blow of changing your plans.
We'll dive deeper into the system in an official development log once the update goes live, but for now we'd love to hear your thoughts.
Do you like the idea of Oaths and Tributes? Have they been useful? How do you feel about Oaths? Is there anything you'd like to see added to the system? Let us know in the comments.
Playtesters should expect this feature very soon, so be sure to apply for the playtest and invite your friends if you haven't already.
And, as always, wishlist the game and join our Discord for direct communication with us, the developers.
Cantos Games