Enter the Memory War
Carapace is a tactical narrative wargame for 1–2 players, focused on fast, brutal skirmishes and long-term campaign progression. You take control of a Carapace, an ancient warframe stirred from dormancy, and guide it through missions where memory, positioning, and survival define your legacy.
The Gameplay Loop
Each session of Carapace follows a structured but flexible loop:
1. Prepare for Mission
– Choose a mission type
– Select your Carapace and support units
– Equip memory fragments, weapons, and relic systems
2. Deploy and Engage
– Set up a 2’ x 2’ (or 3’ x 3’) battlefield
– Roll initiative and resolve fast-paced, tactical combat
– Position carefully—damage is targeted and brutal
3. Record the Outcome
– Win or lose, your Carapace remembers
– Mark structural damage, memory drift, and recovered fragments
– Update your Mnemonic Lattice (campaign sheet)
4. Advance the Story
– New memories may change how your Carapace fights
– Unlocked scars, flaws, and relic systems alter future missions
– Legacy is persistent: every mission matters
Combat in Carapace
Combat uses a custom dice pool system derived from the One Roll Engine (ORE). Players roll several 10-sided dice looking for sets (matching numbers) to determine initiative, speed of attack, hit location, and damage:
– Width (number of matching dice) = Speed / Initiative
– Height (the number rolled) = Effect / Hit Location
Strategic decisions and memory-based upgrades can alter your roll results.
What Makes Carapace Unique?
– Quick Setup, Quick Resolution
Full missions resolve in under an hour—fast enough for modern players, deep enough for tactical veterans.
– Lethal, Consequential Combat
Every hit matters. You don’t just lose superstructure—you lose function. Hits have consequences, for you and the enemy.
– Memory as Progression
Memory is identity. Your Carapace’s growth is shaped by what it remembers, and what it forgets.
– Modular Campaign Play
Play one-shot missions or link them in a deep, branching campaign using point-crawl travel maps.
Game Modes
– Solo Play
Lead your task force through ruins and megastructures against AI-controlled enemies and environmental threats.
– Co-Op Mode
Team up with a second player—each controlling a Carapace with distinct memory and equipment paths.
What You’ll Need
– Carapace unit sheet and rules
– 6x 10-sided dice, (D10’s).
– 2’x2′ minimum table
– Miniatures or tokens for units