ZEPHON - The Syncretic & The Imperious

NEW LEADERS

SYNCRETIC DEVA

“Death is so final. I have not yet found a cause worth killing for.”

• Cyber Affinity: The Deva's rebuilt body and technical prowess naturally bias him towards the machines. Start with Cyber units and gain early access to Cyber technologies, including exclusive access to the highest tier of Cyber research.

• Hidden Wisdom: The Deva's pre-collapse knowledge runs deep—if his followers can draw it from him. Start with free research points.

• For the Few: Everyone is welcome in the Deva's city, though he fears the tyranny of the majority. Each new type of building in a city increases loyalty; each duplicate building decreases it.

• Idol Worship: The Deva's followers upgrade their bodies to be mechanised like his, ignoring his indifference to their efforts. Population also has energy upkeep, but production buildings can produce loyalty.

• Duty of Care (Elite): Though a pacifist, the Deva will intervene to save the life of his faithful. Spend influence to fully heal a unit, but decrease their maximum hitpoints.

IMPERIOUS EXONAUT

“From orbit, one cannot but love humanity. And hate the other.”

• Human Affinity: The Exonaut cares only for humanity, to the exclusion of all others. Start with Human units and gain early access to Human technologies, including exclusive access to the highest tier of Human research.

• View From Above: From the space station, the Exonaut can see all. Reveal tiles for free.

• Tactics: Her martial background and unique viewpoint enable the Exonaut to excel militarily. Spend influence to buff units in a wide area.

• Quality Tells: The Exonaut's troops are exceptionally well-trained and -equipped. Units start at level 2, but take longer to produce.

• Humanity's Finest (Elite): With the best specimens of mankind, how could we fail? Units are stronger, tougher and braver at higher levels.

NEW UNITS

• Paytanim Prowlers (Cyber, Tier 5): Hovering mechanical infantry built to infiltrate behind enemy lines.

• Abanim Catalyst (Cyber, Tier 6): Large hovering mechanical construct with random damage reflection and unstable attack surges.

• Provocators (Human, Tier 5): Biological infantry equipped with long-range cannons to harass enemies at a distance and cover allied retreats.

• Helios Missile Tank (Human, Tier 6): Large mechanical vehicle built to rain devastation on enemy cities and infantry from extreme range.

• Ybbaath of the Orolos (Voice, Tier 5): Biological infantry that blights enemies and manipulates the battlefield.

• Cavaedium Odai (Voice, Tier 6): Large bio-mechanical monster that summons Lamenting Odai.

• Lamenting Odai (Voice): Hovering biological infantry that self-destructs to damage nearby enemies.

• Eradicator (ZEPHON): Large mechanical flyer with a varied arsenal that can rain fire on enemies.

NEW OPERATIONS

• Saboteur Insurrection (Human, Tier 6): Halves the output of all buildings on a target enemy tile. Saboteur Revolution (Tier 7) upgrade extends duration.

• Machine Mind (Cyber, Tier 6): Reduces morale loss for allied units in a wide area. Transhuman Indifference (Tier 7) upgrade also reduces incoming damage.

• Uzhodai's Call (Voice, Tier 6): Teleports a friendly unit to the nearest allied city. Pleasant Reception (Tier 7) upgrade heals the unit on arrival.

NEW ITEMS

• Engineered Cicadas (Human, Rare): Heals adjacent allied units.

• Planck's Coil (Cyber, Rare): Restores the bearer to life after death with a portion of their hitpoints.

• Bleed Bond (Voice, Rare): Links an allied unit to the bearer to reduce incoming damage.

NEW OUTPOSTS

• Hydroponic Farm: Provides food and research, and every 10 turns grants an ability that increases a unit's movement for several turns.

• Ikon of Vorodai: Provides algae and energy, and within a wide radius increases the attack effectiveness against enemy units.

NEW QUESTS

• Political Fallout (Early-game): Corporate militants from a secret bunker are ambushing your scouts and raiding your supplies—capture one and trace them back to a pre-war political figure whose offer may reshape your war.

• A Time of Nightmares (Mid-game): The Anchorite broadcasts a warning as Dreameaters pour through a Dream Tear—fight for your life or earn his trust to tame the beasts.

• Binaric Choice (Late-game): Two runaway Eradicators beg for your help as ZEPHON moves to reclaim them—decide whether to destroy them, return them, or risk everything to uncover the secrets in their code.

• Fit for Adoration (Syncretic Deva): A cybernetic pilgrim asks if ZEPHON is a god; consult Oracle Shards across the wasteland and decide whether the answer changes everything.

• The Empath's Defense (Imperious Exonaut): Your old friend Kolya fires missiles at your capital as a test of your humanity—match wits over chess from orbit and decide what it truly means to save the human race.

NEW MUTATORS

• What Carries Across? (Unrestricted): Anchorite and ZEPHON can build titans.

• Was Any Of It Real? (Unrestricted): Neutrals have all upgrades.

• What Is The Worth Of A Human Life? (Imperious Exonaut): Stats screen is available during play.

• What Is Truly Worthy Of Worship? (Syncretic Deva): Units gain +2 armor each turn while stationary, up to +6. Bonus is lost when moving.

NEW MUSIC

• Exploration: 5 minutes 15 seconds of enticing wondrous harmonies.

• Human (Late-game): 5 minutes 11 seconds of hard rock militaristic beats.

• Cyber (Late-game): 5 minutes 27 seconds of sharp methodical synths.

• Voice (Late-game): 5 minutes 8 seconds of primal ominous melodies.