[Chip Theory Games] The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era

[Smoove_B]

As promised, they have finally published some information. Do you like the Elder Scrolls? Do you also like Neoprene? Good news!

Betrayal of the Second Era is a 1-4 player cooperative tabletop adventure from Chip Theory Games, developed in partnership with ZeniMax Online Studios and Bethesda Game Studios. The game is coming to Gamefound in Fall 2022. Gamers can expect a lavish production, full of the beautiful stitched mats, custom dice, heavy chips and PVC cards Chip Theory Games is known for.

Like the video games, players can expect a mix of exploration, character building, delving into dungeons and combat. The tabletop combat and character creation systems in the game are heavily inspired by Chip Theory’s award winning title, Too Many Bones. Each adventure in the game takes place over the course of three gameplay sessions, with sessions being roughly one hour per player in length. Players will customize and control a single hero throughout all three sessions of an adventure as they manage multiple skill lines, classes and experience the many regions of Tamriel, each with their own unique flavor and mechanics.

The game features a heavy emphasis on character building. Experience points are handed out generously, allowing players to build interesting and unique characters in the consolidated timespan required in a tabletop experience. You’ll keep your character for three total play sessions. Game session to game session progression is meaningful, but players are not required to remember complex narrative points or play with the same group forever.

Betrayal of the Second Era is set during the events of the Planemeld, as the Order of the Black Worm plots to secure the Amulet of Kings. As the dark cult schemes, however, one of their members is planning an even darker betrayal, one that will tie Tamriel in with Oblivion forever. Adventurers will uncover her machinations amid a bevy of endlessly replayable content. We can't wait to share more with you throughout 2022!

[YellowKing]

My perception from watching that is that it's going to borrow heavily from Too Many Bones mechanically, but with a greater emphasis on character customization and narrative. Which I'm perfectly fine with.

I love TMB, but my one complaint is that I often feel that just pumping up basic attack dice is easier/more beneficial than unlocking skills (caveat: I only own the base game, so that may be addressed with additional content). If this addresses that with a greater emphasis on character customization, I'm very intrigued.

[hepcat]

I may pick it up at a convention, but for now I need to stop backing kickstarters as much as I have.* Especially in light of the current shipping crisis.

*With the exception of Assault on Doomrock

[AWS260]

for now I need to stop backing kickstarters

Suuuure.

as much as I have.

There we go.

[Smoove_B]

Launching in March of 2023, but the Gamfound page is published for preview.

[baelthazar]

Launching in March of 2023, but the Gamfound page is published for preview.

[Smoove_B]

Yeah, individual map tiles....customizable character sheets in neoprene. I had thought I would be able to avoid this, but now I'm not so sure.

[hepcat]

I feel as if I should sell all my TMB stuff and back this, as the art is much cooler. But man, I’ve already sunk so much into TMB.

[Smoove_B]

I feel as if I should sell all my TMB stuff and back this, as the art is much cooler. But man, I’ve already sunk so much into TMB.

Check your email - it's like they're specifically targeting you.

[hepcat]

Christ, at this point I'm invited to their homes for their kids' birthday parties.

[baelthazar]

I feel as if I should sell all my TMB stuff and back this, as the art is much cooler. But man, I’ve already sunk so much into TMB.

There was an option a while ago to pay like $800 in one of their KS and it would get you the core boxes of every other KS they offered. I think that might have ended up being a good deal.

[YellowKing]

I have little doubt I'll be all in on this one. I'm all in on Hoplomachus Remastered/Victorum and the 2nd printing of Burncycle, so why stop now?

Seriously though, I don't mind paying a premium price for a premium product. CTG has never let me down so far, and I'll keep giving them my business as long as they keep delivering.