The Pharhad Road

About the Game

⚔️ Survive the Pharhad Road

Take command of a party and push through a hostile road filled with hidden threats, ambushes, and brutal encounters.

Enemies don’t wait in arenas—they emerge when they see you.

Advance carefully, or you’ll wake multiple enemy groups at once and lose control of the fight.

🧠 Tactical Combat Built on Risk

• Grid-based movement with precise positioning

• Line-of-sight enemy activation (pull fights carefully)

• Dice-driven combat with critical hits and clutch outcomes

• High-stakes decisions every turn

One mistake can cascade into a full party wipe.

🛡️ Command Distinct Roles

• Vanguard – frontline anchor

• Wayfinder – mobile skirmisher

• Ember Sage – fragile arcane damage

🔥 Resource Pressure & Survival

• Limited recovery tools like Field Breather and Safe Camp

• Downed-state fate checks determine survival

• Shared supplies between allies

🌍 A Connected Tactical Journey

One continuous route where every decision impacts the next fight.

⏱️ Playtime

• First run: 45–90 minutes

• Replay runs: 25–45 minutes

Can you control the road… or will it overwhelm your party?

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Your Party

Each hero has a unique role. Success depends on coordination.

🛡 Vanguard

• Frontline anchor

• High durability and recovery

• Controls space in melee

Key Abilities

• Cleaver Strike (2d6)

• Bolt Launcher (Ranged)

• Grit Mend (Healing)

• Tempo Break (Attack boost)

🏹 Wayfinder

• Mobile skirmisher

• Ranged control and utility

• Flexible positioning

Key Abilities

• Quick Blade

• Trail Bow

• Quarry Brand

• Field Mend

🔥 Ember Sage

• High damage caster

• Fragile but powerful

• Best used from safe positions

Key Abilities

• Spark Touch

• Ember Shot

• Inner Flare (Advantage)

• Homing Sparks (Auto-target attack)

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Enemies

Enemies are designed to punish poor positioning and overextension.

• Thistlekin Scout - Ranged ambusher

• Thistlekin Captain - Durable leader

• Ridge Hound - Fast melee attacker (can knock prone)

• Cave Brute - Heavy final encounter

Important: Enemies can reinforce each other if activated together.

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World Structure

Unlike traditional RPGs:

• The game is one continuous battlefield

• Not separated into isolated encounters

• Enemy groups overlap and interact

• Movement decisions outside combat matter

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Combat Strategy Tips

Control Engagements

• Pull enemies one group at a time

• Avoid triggering multiple line-of-sight zones

Use Positioning

• High-value targets should stay protected

• Control choke points

Manage Resources

• Don’t waste healing early

• Plan for long-term survival

Respect Momentum

• Fights can spiral quickly

• Recover control early or risk total collapse

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User Interface

The game provides clear tactical information:

• Turn order display

• Health and Guard values

• Movement range and positioning

• Action availability

• Target indicators

Use this information to make informed decisions under pressure.

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Session Length

• First playthrough: 45–90 minutes

• Replay sessions: 25–45 minutes

Designed for:

• Quick runs

• Tactical mastery

• Replayability

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1. Control the Encounter

Choose when and how fights begin.

2. Every Resource Matters

Survival depends on careful planning.

3. Position Is Power

Movement and line of sight define combat.

4. Failure Builds Mastery

Each run improves your strategy.

5. Final Advice

• Move slowly and deliberately

• Never rush into unknown space

• Protect your Ember Sage

• Use the Vanguard to control the battlefield

• Save recovery tools for when they matter most

6. Closing

The Pharhad Road is a game about control.
Lose control—and the road will overwhelm you.