What would you expect to encounter in a roleplaying game? Some tabletop RPG players will hear clashing swords in their head, the sound of combat ringing out loud and true - but with ION Heart Multiplayer, that’s not always going to be the case. For one, laser swords sound different when they hit each other. But there’s a more important reason:
The ION Heart Universe has always been one where fighting isn’t always your only answer.
The Encounter System
The Encounter system is how your Pilot and Mech experience the world of the Aegeic Galaxy, and not all of them are going to be about Mech’s facing off in grand scale skirmishes.
You're going to explore how your characters interact with the many worlds, the different species and their cultures, and assist with the unique problems facing daily life in the galaxy.
In this age, fighting is less avoidable than in the distant future of the ION Heart Solo RPG, but diplomacy and charity are available options that the world of the game encourages.
We break down Encounters in the game into three types:
Peaceful: This can be anything from helping a farmer herd his megafauna home, to solving a relaxing puzzle. Quite often these problems can be resolved through player discussions, roleplay, and a little bit of dice rolling.
Protective: You could be exploring new worlds, keeping convoys safe during storms, protecting settlements from wildfires, or saving settlements in the wake of disasters. You can’t fight the ways of the universe, but you can help keep people safe.
Dangerous: Remnants of the Nephilim, settlements under siege, and thrilling Mech vs Mech battles. This is where you face off against threats that make the universe a risky place.
Battle Maps or “Theatre of the Mind”?
All the things you will encounter can take place on a hex map to represent the world, or by using the “theatre of the mind” playstyle. Like with most things in ION Heart Multiplayer, we want you to have good flexibility, and the tools to guide your own experience in the Aegeic Galaxy.
Your Story Unfolds
How you engage with the story you find in ION Heart Multiplayer will shape your experience. There will be consequences to your actions, and the ones that you don’t make. You’ll earn battle scars, and grow stronger bonds - both between your Pilot and their Mech, and with your other teammates.
“It’s always been important to me that violence isn’t the only thing that keeps the world moving. Sometimes, like in the real world, violence just leads to more violence. In ION Heart Multiplayer, I wanted to show that a world can be changed with all manner of actions. It’s your story, and your galaxy to unite.” Ben Alexander, Creator of ION Heart
There is no right or wrong path in ION Heart Multiplayer.
The worlds you will encounter and their citizens’ problems are nuanced and may require different approaches. Sometimes you will fight to protect the citizens of the Astral Union, sometimes you must use your mind, your voice, or your heart.
How will you respond when faced with these problems? The Astral Union is waiting...
POLL: What Do You Do?
“Astral debris rains down upon the space station. You only have a moment to decide how to react: What are you going to do?”
Use your Mech to support the structure of the facility, to aid in fleeing citizens. You risk your own safety, but you’ll make sure some will get out alive.
Fly out to try and take down as many meteoric projectiles as possible before they hit the station. You can’t get them all, but you can certainly try.
Coordinate the evacuation efforts. Keeping your cool and trying to help others find a way to help the evacuation efforts - if you have the nerve for it.
Make sure to vote and let us know what you'd do!
Projects We Love!
We wanted to take a moment at the end of this update to highlight some of the projects we love and are excited for on Backerkit right now! Each image is clickable and will take you over to their pages so you can find out more about these exciting projects:
First up is Idols of the Neon Dark, a fantasy adventure about fame, teamwork, and the power of performance. Step into the role of a magical idol-warrior to combine familiar 5E rules with fresh, performance-based powers... all in a setting that feels big, bright, and (probably!) like nothing else you have played in! Whether you’re a long-time DM, completely new to the game, introducing kids to D&D, or a group of friends who love K-pop, you'll find support and fun here.
Legends of Akerothis a brand new TTRPG from our friends over at Crossed Paths Press, inspired by the blue sky adventures & stories of the SNES era JRPGs such as Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy & Fire Emblem. If you love JRPGs and high fantasy fun, this game is 100% going to be for you. Last but not least, we have Murder and Mischief flying in from Critical Kit! This multiplayer game has you playing as dimension-hopping corvids which sounds like an insanely good time to us. We are big fans of their solo game Be Like a Crow, so this multiplayer black-feathered follow-up is sure to be a real treat.
