We are revisiting the basics on how to play Borderlands®: Mister Torgue's Arena of Badassery™. This information first appeared in the original crowdfunding campaign for Borderlands.
This campaign features expansions and new content for Borderlands®: Mister Torgue's Arena of Badassery™. While many of you are returning backers already familiar with the game, we know a lot of you are brand new to the arena. In this update, we provide you with an overview of how the game plays, so you can head into the arena fully prepared and guns blazing!
The [RE]action™ System
Mister Torgue’s Arena of Badassery™ is built on Monster Fight Club's innovative [RE]action™ System. Vault Hunters’ actions are represented by colored dice: RED [d6], YELLOW [d8], and GREEN [d12]. The black [d10] is called the OBSTACLE die and is used to generate target numbers when making unopposed rolls. While the PURPLE [d4] is used as a randomizer for many special rules.
For example, the Vault Hunters in the core game have an action pool of two YELLOW [d8] dice and one GREEN [d12] die.
When performing an action, a player’s roll must equal or exceed a target number (typically an enemy’s defense) in order to be successful. To make the roll, the player chooses from their pool of available action dice, choosing whichever color they think has the best chance to succeed.
The player rolls the die and adds their relevant skill (melee, ranged, tech, reflexes, etc.) to the result, along with any relevant modifiers from the game (such as from equipment or skill improvements). The total is then compared to the target number to determine the outcome of the action.
Salvador has spent a YELLOW action dice (represented by the crossed-out action token) to attack the psycho. He rolls a 5 on the YELLOW die. He adds his ranged (crosshair) score of 2 to the result, for a total of 7. It is compared to the psycho's defense (shield icon) of 6. His total exceeds the psycho's defense, resulting in a hit.
Wounds: Action tokens also serve as a Vault Hunter’s wounds. For each point of damage a Vault Hunter suffers, they must replace one GREEN or YELLOW token with a RED token. If a red die must be replaced, the Vault Hunter is out of action and must spend cash to be reconstructed at the nearest New-U Station.
Salvador has suffered a wound. This is represented by changing one of his YELLOW tokens to a RED token. Whenever a Vault Hunter must replace a RED token, they are removed from play. Off to the New-U!
Movement: Vault Hunters spend action tokens to move. The number of hexes they move depends on what dice they spend: GREEN [3 hexes], YELLOW [2 hexes], RED [1 hex].
Salvador has spent a YELLOW token to move two hexes.
Example Scenario Layout
Scenarios: Each scenario provides you with details on how to set up the arena gameboard, enemies spawning, special rules that are used during the game, and, most importantly, how you can achieve victory.
Announcements (left) and Spotlight (right)
Announcement Deck: Enemies are controlled by the Announcement Deck. Every enemy turn, players resolve the next announcement card and follow the orders given from top to bottom. The announcement will determine enemies’ movement, attacks, special actions, and spawning. Enemies focus their actions on whichever Vault Hunter is currently in the spotlight.
Spotlight: At the beginning of the game, each Vault Hunter draws a random spotlight card. When a Vault Hunter meets the conditions on their spotlight card, they receive the spotlight token and will likely get really f*cked up during the enemy turn. Managing which Vault Hunter currently has the spotlight is an important part of achieving victory.
Event Deck
Event Deck: Events force Vault Hunter’s to think on their feet and respond to new challenges. Events can be beneficial, such as Vault Hunters refreshing an action token, but are normally challenges, such as giving enemies incendiary ammo, extra attacks, or spawning a mini-boss that will turn you into frothy, pink slush.
Loot Tokens
Loot Tokens: As you kill enemies, they explode into delicious piles of loot represented by Loot tokens. Loot tokens are drawn blindly from the Clap Trap Bag to be looted by the Vault Hunters. Some tokens, like Guns! can be used for immediate effect, while others remain on your Vault Hunter’s card to use when the time is right. At the end of a scenario, some Loot tokens have a cash value to purchase new gear from the vending machines.
Bounty: Bounties are a special type of Loot token. At the end of the game, a Bounty card is drawn with a Unique enemy and bounty hunt scenario. Vault Hunters can choose to pursue the bounty for their next scenario to earn extra rewards.
Vending Machine Decks
Vending Machines: After the game, you visit the Ammo Dump, Guns!, Zed’s Meds, and Torgue’s Legendary vending machines. Flip the top two cards of each vending machine to see what gear is available. Players then take turns purchasing items from the vending machines.
Skill Trees
Skill Trees: As a Vault Hunter completes scenarios they will level up and gain new abilities on their skill tree. A Vault Hunter must unlock a skill on a lower tier, before they can unlock any skills on a higher tier. (For example, Salvador must unlock a tier 2 skill, before unlocking a tier 3 skill.)
Boss model, actions, and profile
Bosses: Fighting a boss is the final challenge in a campaign and will determine if you are actually the badass you claim you are. Bosses have profile cards like any enemy. However, they also possess an Announcement card with unique ways to maim and dismember you and event deck to make the battle extra thematic.
Oh. And there's also LOTS of loot.
Want to see more? Watch these videos!
Follow Now!
If you’re a fresh recruit or a veteran looking for the ultimate showdown, this is your chance to prove just how badass you really are! So be sure to FOLLOW NOW for more updates, a free follower gift, and launch notification.
We launch on November 4th at 11 AM EST!
Until next time, Vault Hunters!
