Claw Empire

The de-facto Empire of Erda, the Claw Empire rules the world with an iron claw — demanding fealty, submission, and total control of the woodlands. Inspired by the French Empire of the Napoleonic Era and the Holy Roman Empire.

Playstyle

The Claw Empire favors regimental discipline, powerful Officers, and consistent access to tactical Gambits through their Orders Deck. They field professional soldiers, Regimental Pike troops, and blackpowder Shotte alongside feared Hound legions.

Faction Ability — Officers & Orders Deck

Certain Claw Empire Troops have the Officer type. When a Claw Empire player has an Officer on the battlefield, they may draw a card from their Orders Deck and add it to their hand during the Muster Phase (drawing 1 fewer card from their main Army Deck that turn).

The Orders Deck is a separate 10–15 card deck consisting strictly of Gambit cards. It sits outside your Army Deck, which is how the Claw Empire works around the 30–40 card deck limit. Officers often grant additional buffs to the Orders Deck.

Push of Pike

An Orders Deck card. If you control 2 or more adjacent Pike Troops, they may force enemy Troops away 1 space during the Charge Subphase. The pushed Troops move as a block.

Pike Buff

Claw Empire Gambits and abilities buff Pike Troops with increased damage. See Pike Buffs by Faction.

Common Archetypes

• Regimental — Disciplined professional soldiers
• Officer — Command units that unlock the Orders Deck
• Aristocrat — High-status units with powerful abilities
• Conscript — Numerous but less experienced
• The Pact — Professional soldier Hounds, part of the Claw Empire (inspired by Hessian mercenaries)

Common Species

Hound, Cat, Coyote, Badger

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See The Pike Triangle for how Pike, Shotte, and Cavalry counter each other.