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!

Game developer The Tea Division, in association with Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield, are proud to unleash Vanguard Exiles on Steam Early Access today for $14.99 / €14.79 / £12.79.

A redefined take on the genre, prepare yourself for a competitive strategy gameplay experience unlike any other! Whether taking on opponents in PvP, or opting to go solo, Vanguard Exiles offers new scenarios in each round ensuring no two turns are ever alike!

If you’d like to familiarize yourself with Vanguard Exiles before buying it, there’s a demo currently available on Steam, offering an abridged single-player mode to get you facing off against an AI opponent and familiarize yourself with the many of the game’s Units and Actions available. The real meat of the game comes from squaring off against opponents in PvP and the Early Access release offers that along with new Units and Actions.

More content will be added to Vanguard Exiles throughout the Early Access period such as new Units, Actions and Factions, Zones and Biomes, Ranked leaderboards, Tournaments, a dedicated single-player campaign, and the ability to permanently own your unique squad (the permutations of which are countless!).

“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!” 

"Vanguard Exiles is the deepest, most exciting project I’ve been a part of in my over 25 years in the games industry,” said Mark Rowley from The Tea Division. “Vanguard Exiles is a sprawling labyrinth of tactical depth that offers endless possibilities. I’ve been blown away by the creative strategies our players have come up with and have been eagerly awaiting this launch so I can watch everyone learn from each other and test out tactics I never would have thought of. That’s why we added Spectator Mode, so players can learn just by watching!"

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