Game Objective

In Tamashii: Chronicle of Ascend, players take on the role of human survivors with the ability to transfer their minds into digital space and inhabit different physical bodies. Called Tamashii, your goal is to resist the oppression of the AI Ascend, helping other survivors and facing hostile bots. The game is based on scenarios, each with an independent story and specific victory conditions. Winning or losing scenarios unlocks new components and narrative paths.

Victory condition: Each scenario ends when players fulfill the objectives described on the Victory card or fail (receiving a Defeat card). The final scenario, The Ascend, can only be played after completing at least one path in each previous scenario.

Setup

Setup is divided into two phases:

Basic Setup

1. Organize all Basic Data tokens, Open Data, Corrupted Data, EXP/Damage markers, and dice in an accessible location (the neutral pool).
2. Each player chooses a Player Board and:
   • Places the Dump tile in the bottom slot.
   • Places 4 Lock tokens in the rightmost slots of the Launcher.
   • Marks the Trace track and the Assets tracks (Shield, Memory, Power, Reroll) with markers at space 0.
   • Inserts an ITG Limiter into space 5 of the Integrity track.
   • Chooses 2 Core Data tokens (one is placed in the corresponding slot on the board).
3. Each player receives:
   • 1 Data Bag with 12 basic tokens + 1 additional of the Core Data type.
   • 3 Help cards.
   • 1 Class Augment deck (except in the Prologue).
   • 1 random Learning Protocol card (except in the Prologue).
   • 1 Body token (representing the starting body).
4. Set up the Body Market with cards face up (number of players +1).
5. Place the time track and the marker at space 0.

Scenario Setup

Follow the instructions on the chosen Scenario sheet to:

• Assemble the map with District tiles (some revealed, others hidden).
• Distribute Exploration tokens on the hidden tiles.
• Prepare the enemy deck (organized by levels).
• Set the Corrupted Data pool on the Time track.
• Position the players on the starting tile and read the first Scenario card.

Tip: On your first game, always start with the Prologue to learn the basic rules.

Gameplay Flow

Each turn has 4 phases, resolved in order:

1. Planning Phase (simultaneous)

1. Trace Roll: Roll dice according to the value on the Trace track. For each ⚡, draw and attach 1 enemy card. If any enemy is attached, reset the Trace to zero.
2. Reload Launcher: Fill the highlighted slots of the Launcher with tokens from your Data Bag.
3. Program: Rearrange tokens in the Launcher using movements (slides or switches) according to your body's PRO value.

During this phase, players may also perform Upgrades (see specific section).

2. Action Phase (in order)

1. Move & Trace: Move through the map (up to the body's MOV value) and increase the Trace according to the destination or current tile.
2. District Effect: Activate the effect of the tile you are on (if any).
3. Launch Patterns: Use the token arrangements in the Launcher to activate abilities, gain resources, or hack enemies.

3. Combat Phase (in order)

Players roll dice to attack the Top Enemy (the most recently attached enemy). Enemies counter-attack, causing Wounds, which can be blocked with Shields.

4. Mission Phase (simultaneous)

Advance through the scenario, resolve progress effects, enemy actions, and check victory/defeat conditions.

Actions and How to Play

Movement

You can move up to your current body's MOV value. Hidden tiles block passage and must be revealed upon entry. When revealing a tile:

• Resolve the Exploration token effect (if any) and discard it.
• Flip the tile and apply its immediate effect (if it is a Faction Hideout, add the corresponding Augments deck).

Patterns and Launching

To launch a Pattern, arrange tokens in the Launcher exactly as shown in the pattern (rotations are allowed). During the Launch step:

1. Discard the tokens used in the Pattern to the Dump.
2. Resolve the effect (gain Assets, hack enemies, inhabit bodies, etc.).

Types of Patterns:

• Basic: Gain Assets (Shield, Memory, Power, Reroll) or EXP.
• Hacks/Repels: Use the Top Enemy patterns to deal damage or discard it (with penalties).
• Augments: Activate equipped card abilities.

Combat

Roll dice according to your body's ATT value. Each ⚔️ deals 1 damage to the Top Enemy. Enemies counter-attack with their own symbols (causing Wounds). Use Power to add dice or Reroll to repeat rolls.

Upgrade

During the Planning phase, spend:

• Memory: To discard tokens, gain new ones, or equip Augments.
• EXP: To increase maximum Integrity, unlock Launcher slots, gain Open Data, or buy Class Augments.

End of Game and Scoring

The game ends when:

• Players fulfill the scenario objectives (resolving a Victory card).
• They fail a critical condition (such as exhausting the Corrupted Data pool or failing to meet a time limit).

There is no scoring: Victory is determined exclusively by the scenario rules. Defeats may unlock new content for future games.

Tips for Winning

• Token Management: Prioritize Patterns that generate Memory and EXP for fast upgrades. Discard unwanted tokens to improve your Data Bag.
• Trace Control: Moving frequently reduces enemy tracking. Avoid staying stationary on tiles with high Stationary Trace.
• Efficient Combat: Use Hacks to weaken enemies before combat and Shields to mitigate damage. Prioritize defeating enemies to gain EXP.

Consult the manual for details on this section.