[Ashen Dungeon Dev Log #01] A New Take on D&D – Combat

Hello everyone, I’m RasEn, developer of Ashen Dungeon.
This is the second dev log, where I’d like to introduce one of the core fun elements of the game: combat.

⚠️ Please note: this post contains light spoilers about combat.
If you’re an experienced tactical RPG player who prefers discovering systems on your own, I recommend checking it out directly through gameplay.

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⚔️ Combat Rules

Ashen Dungeon is a game about overcoming constant crises while building your own mercenary company.

If you’ve played titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Darkest Dungeon, or Slay the Spire, you already know how different combat rules can completely change the feel of a battle.

• In Darkest Dungeon, your party’s formation determines which skills are available and what ranges you can attack — positioning itself becomes a strategic layer.

• Slay the Spire introduced the concept of shields, which change how damage and defense are managed.

In Ashen Dungeon, you’ll find shields, formation-based tactics, and a dice system that can dramatically alter the flow of battle.

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🎲 Dice and Strategy

When talking about dice, the first thing that comes to mind is of course D&D.

In Baldur’s Gate 3, a single roll can bring disaster or turn the tide with a dramatic critical hit.

In Ashen Dungeon, I didn’t want dice to serve only as “pure luck.”

Instead, I wanted them to present strategic options to overcome chance.

• Which skills activate depends directly on dice results.

• Sometimes luck won’t be on your side, but you can anticipate possible outcomes and prepare accordingly.

• You’re always considering “the worst-case scenario,” which adds the thrill of probability-based strategy.

This system also ties closely with the deck-building elements I’ll introduce in future dev logs.

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🛡️ Tactical Encounters

Fun in combat isn’t just about attack, defense, or dice rolls.

Imagine these situations:

• What if a monster always targets your ally with the highest attack?

• What if an enemy focuses on the weakest HP member instead?
  How would you adapt?

Or think about a Slay the Spire enemy that generates a shield every time it’s hit — what’s the most efficient way to break through?

Different enemies bring different rules and patterns, constantly forcing players to rethink their strategy.

Moreover, monsters in Ashen Dungeon often hide unique abilities, and the process of anticipating and countering them creates a strong sense of tactical tension.

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🏁 Closing Thoughts

In this dev log, I gave a brief look at Ashen Dungeon’s combat rules and tactical depth.

Of course, the actual gameplay offers much more intense encounters — I can’t wait for you to experience them directly.

Thank you for your interest and support! 🙏