PoxNora
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| PoxNora | |
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| Developer(s) | Octopi, Inc., a FUN Technologies Company |
| Designer(s) | Dan Kopycienski |
| Release date(s) |  August 1, 2006 |
| Genre(s) | turn-based strategy, collectible card game |
| Mode(s) | two-player |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux |
PoxNora: Battlefield of the Immortals is a multiplayer online game that combines a collectible card game with a turn-based strategy game. PoxNora is launched via Java Web Start through a browser and can be played on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. The game is free to play with "Sample Battlegroups" and players can purchase additional game pieces, called "runes", and built their own strategies. The game included nearly 250 runes in its premiere set and first expansion set, and a second expansion released on January 2, 2007 added close to 100 additional runes.[1].
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[edit] Game Play
Players build decks, called "BattleGroups", on PoxNora's website. A Battlegroup consists of twenty runes in any combination of spells, relics, equipment and champions. The game is launched via Java Web Start and players enter a lobby where they can chat or enter games. Games consist of two players, though matches against AI "bots" are coming soon[2].
Each player's Battlegroup is shuffled like a deck of cards, and players reveal two runes per turn (except the first turn, when three are revealed). The game is played on a tiled map with various obstacles and a Shrine representing each player. The first player to destroy his or her opponent's Shrine wins.
Players accumulate Nora, a magical energy, each turn and can use it to cast spells or deploy champions. When a champion rune is played, it appears on the game map and can be moved around, as in a tactical roleplaying game. Champions are limited by Action Points (AP), which they regain each turn.
The game is free for a trial play, but to be able to utilize runes that upgrade and to organise custom Battlegroups, it is necessary to purchase runes. $1 US buys 100 credits, and runes cost 25-30 credits each, available in packs of 10 (costing 300 credits), 30 (850 credits) and 100 (2500 credits). Each pack has a mix of common, uncommon and rare runes (with 10% of rare runes being special ultra-rare "exotic" runes).
These runes can be traded with other players. There are several "rune shops" in the Trader forum. Those can give players a good idea of how much their runes are worth. For an automated approximation of rune values, see the fan site PoxShop. It is important to do some research before you trade, because there can be unsavory traders who won't think twice about offering a Boghopper Tad for your Boghopper Finlord!
[edit] Factions
PoxNora's world is split among seven factions. Each rune belongs to a particular faction and players receive bonuses if their Battlegroups have enough revealed runes of a given faction. A small bonus is given for ten matching runes and a large bonus for twenty.
[edit] Forglar Swamp
The telepathic Firk and agile Boghoppers fill the Forglar Swamp, a place where creatures inhabit water as well as land.
Faction bonus: +5/+10 Nora per turn.
[edit] Forsaken Wastes
A faction of necromancers, the Forsaken Wastes has an unending army of undead.
Faction bonus: Champions can be redeployed in 3/6 fewer turns.
[edit] Ironfist Stronghold
The Ironfist Stronghold is a well-defended mountain kingdom inhabited primarily by dwarves.
Faction bonus: +5/+10 defense (DEF) to your Shrine.
[edit] K'thir Forest
The people of K'thir Forest are elves and garu (man-bears), and are known for being in touch with nature.
Faction bonus: +1/+2 speed (SPD) to your Champions.
[edit] Savage Tundra
The frigid tundras of PoxNora are home to the Jakei, a blue-skinned people at home in the snow, as well as the Lonx and all manner of frozen beasts.
Faction bonus: +5/+10 hitpoints (HP) to your Champions.
[edit] Sundered Lands
The desolate Sundered Lands are home to the Draksar, an ancient race of lizard-men.
Faction bonus: +8/+15 DEF to your Champions.
[edit] The Underdepths
The Underdepths is a dark, hot place filled with demons and the fallen Deep Elves.
Faction bonus: +2/+4 damage (DMG) for your Champions.
[edit] Expansion: The Savage Tundra
Octopi, Inc. released PoxNora's first expansion on October 25, 2006. The expansion, consisting of approximately 70 new runes, introduced the Savage Tundra faction. This brought the total rune count to almost 250[3].
[edit] Expansion: The Shattered Peaks
Octopi, Inc. released PoxNora's second expansion January 2, 2007[4]. This expansion added close to 100 runes, introduced the 8th and final faction, the Tribes of the Shattered Peaks, and added additional changes and improvements to gameplay mechanics.
