Welcome to the Solo Rules for Heroes of Land, Air & Sea

Hey there! If you enjoy playing Heroes of Land, Air & Sea and find yourself wanting to dive into an adventure all by yourself, you’re in the right place. In this guide, I’ll walk you through all the rules and tips you need to have a great time playing this amazing game solo. So, let’s get started!

Setting Up

First things first, let’s set up the game for a solo play session. Setup is pretty straightforward, and you have total control over which factions you want to include in your game. Choose your favorite faction and get ready to conquer the world as a one-person army!

When it comes to opponent factions, you have a couple of options. You can choose to play against one, two, or even three automated opponents. Each opponent has its own unique abilities and strategies, so you’ll always have a challenging experience, no matter how many you choose to play against.

Your Turn

During your turn, you’ll take on the role of every faction in the game. This might sound overwhelming, but don’t worry, you’ve got this! Start by activating one faction, making all the necessary actions and decisions. Then, move on to the next faction and repeat the process until you’ve played through the turns of all the factions. Easy, right?

As you play, be mindful of the automated opponent’s behavior. They are programmed to act based on specific rules and strategies, but don’t worry, you can always refer to the reference card provided for guidance. Keep your wits about you and outsmart the opponents to claim victory!

Scoring and Winning

Scoring in the solo variant works just like in the regular game, with a few minor adjustments. You earn points for various achievements and objectives, and at the end of the game, the player with the most points wins. Keep track of each faction’s score as you play and see who emerges victorious!

Final Thoughts

Playing Heroes of Land, Air & Sea solo is a fantastic way to experience the game in a whole new light. The challenge of controlling multiple factions and outsmarting automated opponents will keep you entertained for hours on end. So, gather your armies, prepare your strategy, and embark on an epic solo adventure. The world is waiting for a hero like you!

Once you’ve chosen your Faction, here’s what you need to do to set up the game for solo play:

1. Randomly select the Faction for the Solo Enemy.
2. Get all the components for that Faction, just like you would in a regular game. Flip the Enemy’s C.C. Board to the Solo Enemy side. You don’t need Hero Cards for the Enemy because the Enemy Hero abilities are listed on the Solo C.C. Board.
3. Put the 3 Hero Units in the Enemy’s Courtyard. But remember, don’t put 2 Serfs or 1 Warrior in the Courtyard.
4. Put all 3 Resource Tokens on the “3” space of the Resource Track.
5. Put 1 Action Token on the “Start” space of the Capital City Track. You don’t need the other Action Token for solo play.
6. Take the Solo Action Cards and shuffle them into a deck. Put the deck face-down next to the Enemy C.C. Board.
7. The Enemy doesn’t need Spell Cards, so don’t give it any.

Here’s how the faction components are set up: all except for the Capital City are placed in the supply. Once you’ve placed your own Capital City, choose the Enemy’s Capital City Region on an adjacent Continent.

A Quick Look at Gameplay

In this game, we play through several rounds until one of the “X-Objectives” is achieved, which means the game ends.

Here’s how each game round goes during the Action Selection Phase:

1. The Enemy draws a Solo Action Card and does what it says with its first Hero ().
2. You take your first action (the Enemy can’t follow).
3. The Enemy draws a card and does what it says with its second Hero ().

When playing the solo version of Heroes of Land, Air, & Sea, it’s important to understand how the Enemy’s actions work and how they affect the game. In this mode, the Enemy will take 3 actions for every 2 actions you take. This can make the game more challenging, but also more exciting.

Here’s how it works: you start by taking your first action as normal. Then, the Enemy takes its first action using its first Hero. After that, you take your second action (the Enemy cannot follow). Next, the Enemy draws a card and performs that action with its third Hero. This means that you will perform 2 actions, while the Enemy will perform 3. After all these actions are taken, the Collection Phase occurs, where Resources are collected as normal. Finally, after Resolution, a new round begins.

Action Selection Phase – Enemy Draws Cards

During the Action Selection Phase, you will draw the topmost Solo Enemy Card and assign it to the leftmost Hero Slot at the bottom of the Capital City Board. That action will be performed by that Hero.

Keep in mind that the Enemy doesn’t have a normal Action Bar like you do. Instead, the Solo Enemy Cards and the Hero’s card slots act as the Enemy’s actions.

If I’m capable of performing the listed action by meeting its requirements, I MUST do so. However, if I can’t because I don’t have enough Resources or I lack a necessary requirement, it is considered a “Failed Action.” Instead, I perform a Move Action.

If there is only one Solo Enemy Card in the deck, I don’t draw it. Instead, I take that card and ALL the cards in the discard pile (excluding cards in Hero Slots) and shuffle them together. Then, I place them face-down to create a refreshed Solo Enemy deck.

Collection Phase – Discard Cards

After I draw 3 cards and perform (or fail) 3 actions, it’s time for the Collection Phase. I collect Resources just like a regular player. Then, I discard all 3 cards from the Hero Slots into a discard pile nearby, facing up.

Solo Action Cards – The Actions

When you look at the Solo Action Card, you’ll see the type of action it is and if you can follow it. This card also gives you all the details and requirements for the action, as well as what counts as a failed action.

It’s important to keep in mind that abilities from the Heroes or the Capital City can change how these actions work.

Recruit: When I recruit a Unit, the Enemy has to spend Resources. The recruitment happens in a specific order: first Air Vessels, then Sea Vessels, Warriors, and finally Serfs.

The new Units I recruit go straight to the Region where I am, and they become part of my army. However, if a Region is already full with 5 Units, the new Unit will go to the Capital City. And if I happen to be in the Courtyard, the new Units will be placed there.

But here’s the catch: if the Enemy doesn’t have enough Resources to recruit any Unit, or if there are no Units available in the supply, the recruitment action will fail.

Build: Let’s talk about the “Build” Solo Action Cards. There are actually 2 different kinds of these cards.

Capital City Track: Now, this part is interesting. The Enemy has its own Capital City, and it can upgrade it using an Action Token. The Capital City Track has 6 spaces, and each space represents a level. To move up to the next level, the Enemy needs to pay a certain amount of Ore, which is a special kind of resource.

If the Enemy reaches the end of the track, it’s game over. But there’s more to it than that! Increasing the Capital City Level comes with some nice benefits. For example, the Enemy gets more strength, victory points, Constructs, and special abilities. So, it’s definitely worth the effort.

However, there’s a catch. This action will only work if the Enemy has enough Resources available. In other words, they need to have the required materials in order to upgrade their Capital City.

Towers and Vessels: Now, let’s move on to building some cool stuff. The Enemy can use its Resources to build different features. But there’s a priority order here.

First, they can build Towers. If that’s not an option, they move on to building Air Vessels. And if that’s still not possible, they can try building Sea Vessels. So, there’s always something they can build, even if their first choice is not available.

Towers are like structures that are placed in the region where a hero made a move. Just like regular players, the enemy is not allowed to build more towers than its capital city level permits. Additionally, a serf must be present in the region in order to construct a tower. When the enemy’s tower uncovers all nearby exploration tokens, those tokens are collected and placed on the designated area of the enemy’s faction board.

Vessels are like objects that are placed in the region where a hero made a move. If a sea vessel is being built, the hero must be on a shore region. If the hero is not on a shore region, then the sea vessel will be constructed in the capital city instead.

The enemy will attempt to fit as many units as possible in the vessel, giving priority to heroes first, and then warriors, and finally serfs. If the hero is already in a vessel, the new vessel will be placed in the capital city.

If the Enemy does not have enough Resources, this action will not succeed.

My Analysis: Unlike me, the Enemy doesn’t have to gather Spell Cards. It already has 3 Spells in its arsenal, one for each Hero. Instead of taking a regular Research Action, the Enemy will actually cast one of these Spells. This gives them Victory Points and activates the Spell’s effects.

The Spells cast by the Enemy can still be interrupted if I use my own Spells. If I manage to copy one of the Enemy’s Spells, I can even make decisions for them, like choosing which of their Units or Resources they’ll lose.

However, this action will fail if the Enemy doesn’t have enough Resources to cast a Spell. Even if a Spell is useless because there are no player Units around to be affected, the Enemy still casts it and gets the Victory Points.

Note: When you take a Research Action, you can follow it just like any other Research Action.

Hey there, fellow researcher! Let’s talk about the fascinating world of research and the importance of choosing the right research actions. Are you ready to dive in?

Research is like a secret code that helps us unlock new knowledge and discover hidden treasures of information. It’s an exciting journey where we get to explore, analyze, and seek answers to our burning questions. But how do we make sure we’re on the right track? That’s where choosing the right research actions comes into play.

When I’m choosing a research action, I like to keep a few key factors in mind. First, I consider the goal or purpose of my research. What am I trying to achieve? By understanding my objective, I can select the research action that aligns best with my needs.

Next, I take into account the resources available to me. Research actions can require time, money, and specialized tools or equipment. It’s important to consider what I have at my disposal before diving into a particular action. After all, I don’t want to end up empty-handed halfway through my research journey!

Another factor I consider is the accessibility of the research action. Some actions may require specific skills or knowledge, while others may be more beginner-friendly. It’s essential to choose an action that matches my expertise level to ensure I can make the most out of it.

But wait, there’s more! I also think about the potential impact of the research action. Will it yield valuable insights? Will it contribute to existing knowledge or pave the way for new discoveries? By evaluating the potential outcomes, I can prioritize actions that have a higher chance of making a significant impact.

Finally, I always keep in mind the thrill of the unknown. Research is an adventure, and sometimes taking a leap of faith into uncharted territories can lead to remarkable discoveries. It’s about finding the right balance between following a proven path and exploring new horizons.

Remember, fellow researcher, choosing the right research action is crucial for a successful and rewarding journey. So, take your time, consider your goals, resources, accessibility, impact, and embrace the thrill of the unknown. Happy researching!

Tax: When you select the “Tax” action, you will immediately receive the indicated amount of Resources in each slot on the Tax Track. Then, if you decide to follow through with this action, the Resource Tokens will cycle as usual. So, no matter what, you will always gain Resources when you use the Tax action. After collecting your Resources, it will be your turn to move.

Attack: I’m a Hero, and I have a special ability called “Attack”. With this power, all the Units in my Region can move up to 2 Regions to Battle you, the player.

Now, here’s an interesting twist – the Enemy can move in any direction to Battle you. The compass doesn’t matter, except when it comes to deciding between two targets of equal strength. It’s a handy tiebreaker!

But wait, I don’t attack just anyone. I have standards. I will only attack you if your army’s Natural Strength is less than or equal to mine. It’s all about fairness, you know?

If you have multiple armies within range, don’t worry, I’ve got it figured out. I’ll target the weakest one. It’s like a challenge within a challenge!

When it comes to choosing the weakest army, there’s a rule that helps break ties. We look at the movement compass and go clockwise, choosing the first army it can reach. But here’s the catch – the Enemy gains something for starting a Battle. It’s like a double-edged sword.

Now, let’s talk about what happens when we try to take action. This particular action will only work if there are player armies within 2 Regions of the Hero. And, of course, those armies shouldn’t be stronger than the Hero.

Battling against a Single Enemy

So, when it’s time to Battle, the first step is to choose your Tactic Card. This card plays a crucial role. Then, you draw and reveal 1 Solo Action Card. Pay attention to the Strength value listed at the bottom of the card. It will give you a clue about what you’re up against.

Imagine this scenario: you’re in the midst of a battle, trying to outsmart your enemy with clever tactics. Well, here’s something you need to be aware of. Let’s say the enemy plays a Tactic Card called “First Strike.” If you choose the Conscripts Tactic Card, it’s game over for you. The enemy’s Tactic Card will cancel yours, leaving you defenseless.

Now, when it comes to Tactic Cards, there’s something else you should know. These cards have a value that gets added to the enemy’s overall Strength. But here’s the twist: the Tactic Card you’ll be facing depends on whether the enemy is attacking or defending.

Here’s the thing, though. The enemy’s Tactic Card doesn’t give them extra Strength or Victory Points. Only the Solo Action Card can do that. However, the enemy’s Tactic Card can mess with the outcome of your own Tactic Card. So, it’s important to keep an eye out for it.

By the way, if your Tactic Card manages to cancel out the enemy’s Tactic Card, it also cancels the extra Strength that the Solo Action Card would have given them. It’s a double whammy!

Now, here’s what happens when the enemy loses a battle. Just like any other player, they’ll lose units. But here’s the order of weakness: Serfs < Warriors < Air Vessel < Sea Vessel < Hero. So keep that in mind when plotting your strategies.

If an Action fails, I can still move a Hero in response. It’s one of the perks of being the Commander. So, if any of my Units survive a failed Action, they simply make their way back to the Capital City Courtyard. It’s like a retreat, but not a defeat. And the best part is, if a Hero gets destroyed during the failed Action, no need to worry! They come back to life in the Courtyard, ready to fight another day. It’s like they never left. So, even if things don’t go according to plan, I can always regroup and strategize from our safe haven.

If the Enemy’s chosen action fails, I’ll move. That includes me and my army.

When my Hero and all the Units in my Region move, we’ll follow the compass on the Action Card. Just like the one in the top-left corner of the Game Board.

If we can move in the designated direction, we’ll go for it. But if we can’t, we’ll keep circling clockwise until we find a Region we can move into.

Here’s a tip: when using the arrow, start from the center of the Region and draw the line. If you’re not sure, just go clockwise.

I’m moving the army to the West Region.

Now I’m shifting the army to the South Region.

Unfortunately, the army can’t go in the Sea Region. So, I’ll just rotate the pointer clockwise until it points to the Southeast Region.

When you move the Hero:

• My army always moves.
• The rule for deciding movement is simple. If my unit can’t move in the direction of the arrow, I just keep turning clockwise until I find a region where I can move.
• If I’m moving from my Capital City, I’ll bring all my available units from the Courtyard, but I won’t exceed 5 units. I’ll take as many Warriors as I can, but I need to have at least 1 Serf.
• If there’s an empty vessel in my region, I’ll board it before I move. And if there’s another unit available, I’ll take it with me, giving priority to Warriors over Serfs.
• I can’t move back to my Capital City or to a region where my other heroes are. Each region can only have one enemy faction hero.

So, when the army enters a region that you control, you’ll find yourself in a battle. It’s an intense moment that can change the tides of the game. That’s why it’s important to understand how battles work and to be prepared for them. Let me explain it to you.

First things first, let’s talk about regions. In the game, the world is divided into different regions. Each region can be occupied by one player, and it’s their responsibility to defend it. Now, when another player’s army enters a region that you control, things get interesting.

This is where the battle begins. It’s a clash between two armies, and the outcome will determine who gets to control that region. So, both you and your opponent will need to strategically plan your moves and make the right decisions.

During a battle, you’ll have the chance to roll dice. The number of dice you can roll is determined by the number of armies you have in the region. The more armies you have, the more dice you can roll. Rolling dice is important because it helps you determine the outcome of the battle. It’s all about luck and probability.

Once the dice are rolled, you’ll compare the results. The player with the highest total wins the battle. But don’t worry if you lose. Battles are not the end of the world. They are just part of the game. You can always bounce back and try again in the next round.

So, now that you know how battles work, make sure to plan your moves strategically and consider the risks. Remember, every battle is an opportunity to prove your skills and turn the tide of the game in your favor. Good luck!

When I go through a Region or stop moving in it, I collect any Exploration Tokens I find and add them to my pile on the labeled section of the Enemy C.C. Board. The outcome written on the Tokens doesn’t matter. The Enemy gains something right away for every Token I collect.

Using Ferry Routes

When the movement arrow points in the same direction as a Ferry Route, the Enemy army will follow the Ferry Route and move accordingly.

In case the Ferry Route has several branches, the Enemy army will choose the one that avoids using a Graticule or any alphanumeric characters that form a loop on the Map.

Heroes who are on Air and Sea Vessels have their own unique ways of moving:

• The Vessel is always in motion.
• When a Vessel moves, it moves independently from a Land army. Any Units that are left behind remain in their own Region.
• Even as the Vessel moves, it can still gather Exploration Tokens while passing through various Regions.

Enemy Air Vessels:

• Enemy Air Vessels do not use Ferry Routes or Graticules to move.
• If an Enemy Air Vessel enters the center Sea Region, it counts as one Region, but it cannot stop there.
• If an Enemy Air Vessel’s second move would take it to a Sea Region, it instead moves to the next Land Region in a clockwise direction.
• An Enemy Air Vessel immediately stops moving if it enters a Region that you control, which triggers a Battle.

Enemy Sea Vessels:

• Enemy Sea Vessels can utilize Graticules and wrap around the Map when moving in the direction indicated by their card’s compass.

I can dock and undock from shores without even moving. I can also stop in a sea region with my sea vessel and then battle. After a second movement, I will dock at the shore regions indicated by the compass on the card. If I end my movement in a sea region adjacent to land regions that I control, the enemy sea vessel will dock on the shore with the weakest army and then battle, even if it’s not in the direction of the card or if my army has a higher strength than the enemy’s.

When it comes to sea vessel movement, the map is organic and can make some movement paths tricky to determine. But when in doubt, the movement path may bend clockwise to find the right direction.

Now let’s talk about moving and gaining resources.

When I’m playing the game, I get 1 Resource of a Resource Region’s type if my Hero enters that Region. But if there’s a Battle when I move, I have to deal with that first. The Battle has to be resolved and the Enemy has to win before I can gain the Resource. However, with the “Attack” Action Card and Air Vessels, there’s a chance that I could gain 2 Resources.

Now, let’s talk about what happens after using a Solo Action Card.

When I play the game, I can choose to Follow a successful Solo Action just like any other action, except for Attack.

But here’s the thing. If the Enemy’s Action fails, I can’t Follow it. Only my actions can be followed, not the Enemy’s.

The Game Comes to an End

The game will end when either the Enemy or I achieve one of the 4 “X-Objectives”, or when the Enemy reaches the end of their Capital City Track.

Once that happens, we complete the current round and play one more round (unless a Capital City is destroyed, in which case the game ends immediately). After that, we tally up the Victory Points as usual, but keep in mind that the Enemy Heroes won’t give us any points.