Having been referred to as “a boardgame that can’t be a boardgame”, it’s easy to see how this description fits. Imagine a tabletop strategy game where the board constantly rearranges itself with each round, with players given one of countless Squad combinations to control. Set in a fantasy post-World War I diesel punk era where magic and technology fuse, your goal is simple: conquer enough territory to end the round in victory, where your strategy and decisions on the battlefield will be all that stands between you and a glorious victory...or a crushing defeat.

In Vanguard Exiles, each Unit has its own identity, with its own distinctive look and a unique array of traits and abilities. To further this, each Squad has its own makeup, consisting of different combinations of Units and Actions. Combat happens automatically, but as mentioned earlier, this is no typical auto-battler. Strategy is key, and you’ll have to play smart, making tough tactical decisions to ensure your victory. 

Vanguard Exiles offers an immense ruleset of complex mechanics, all happening under the hood, aiming to teach players the nuances of gameplay rather than intimidate them. After each round, you’re even able to see what your chances of victory were. Did you play smart and get unlucky? Or play poorly but nab victory purely by chance? Every game teaches you something new, offering unprecedented room to hone your strategy against other players, who are likely refining their own personal playstyles. The possibilities are endless!

There’s no need to wait for those wanting to play!

The demo is currently available on Steam, offering a single-player mode to get you facing off against an AI opponent and familiarize yourself with the various Units and Actions available.

But for those wanting the definitive gameplay experience, PvP comes to Vanguard Exiles in Early Access, launching March 11, not only giving players the option to battle it out online, but also with the addition of new Units and Actions available only in the Early Access build!

“Vanguard Exiles combines tabletop design with digital design into a unique and eclectic gameplay experience,” said Richard Garfield, game designer of Vanguard Exiles. “The variety offered by the game is exciting, and skillful play introduces all sorts of unexpected novelty. My favorite thing in game design is having an interesting space to explore - like with Magic: the Gathering and Keyforge. Like those games, Vanguard Exiles is deeply interesting, and I am delighted to share it with a broader audience!” 

“I’ve been in this industry for over 25 years and worked on some major titles and franchises, yet I’ve never been as excited or confident in a project as I have with Vanguard Exiles,” said Mark Rowley from The Tea Division. “When we soft launched early playtests to get some initial feedback, we were pleasantly surprised by how captivated people were by it. New players were immediately curious about what they did to win or lose, and wanted to play more to understand the underlying strategy. It didn’t take long for players to massively improve their game and we have seen this with the single player demo since. We can’t wait to see what happens when players face off against each other in online matches with the release of Early Access. On that note, we have a dedicated Spectator Mode so players can analyze others' strategies and learn just by watching!”

Vanguard Exiles is in development for PC (Steam), scheduled for late 2025/early 2026.