Overview
Champs: Battlegrounds is a free-to-play real-time strategy/tactics game played on a variety of grid-based maps, or battlegrounds. Developed and published by Quark Games, Inc, Champs: Battlegrounds was first released on iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android devices in August 2013, and Greenlit on Steam in May 2014.
In either the single-player campaign mode or player vs. player matches, players control a squad comprised of 6 units (or 'Champs'). The game is played in real-time, unlike most other squad tactics games, with players moving their Champs and utilizing their abilities to be the first to score 8 kills (10 kills in Campaign levels). After a Champ is killed they are resurrected at the edge of the map, becoming invulnerable for a brief period of time before they rejoin the fight.
Each Champ has four different abilities that require energy to use. Energy is regenerated constantly over time, but units can be positioned on energy tiles to regain energy at an increased rate. Capturing and holding energy tiles is a key part of the strategic gameplay.
As of 11/14/2014, Champs: Battlegrounds has ceased production and all servers have been shut down.
Champs
Champs: Battlegrounds currently has 40 Champs available in-game. Champs have been added on a regular (usually weekly) basis since the game's launch.
Champs are divided into two pricing Tiers, Tier 1 and 2. Generally speaking, Champs in Tier 2 are slightly more powerful, but a Tier 1 based squad can still win against Tier 2 with proper strategy and tactics.
Every Champ in the game is available for purchase using Battle Points (BP - available by playing the game) or Quark Points (QP - available for purchase, with small amounts rewarded for completing the Campaign levels).
Champs gain experience as players battle with them, to a max of 5. Leveling a unit unlocks Relic slots, which are ability modifiers, such as increased Defense and HP, or increased Energy Regen.
A Tier 1 Champ can be 'upgraded' to a Tier 2 Champ by paying the price difference (in BP or QP) between the Tier 1 Champ price and the Tier 2 Champ price. Several Champs have different upgrade 'paths', eg a Squire (Tier 1) can be upgraded into a Knight or an Axeman (both Tier 2).
A player can field as many Champs of the same type as they wish into their squad - if they want a squad entirely comprised of Bandits, that can happen.
Tier 1 Champs
Tier 1 Champs are listed below, with their respective race listed after the Champs' name. Tier 1 Champs are all available for purchase in-game using either Battle Points (BP - available by playing the game) or Quark Points (QP - available for purchase). A total of 6 Champs (a full squad) made up of the first three Champs listed are granted to you after playing the game's tutorial.
Apprentice
The Apprentice is a mage-in-training. With her staff, she is able to cast devastating fireballs and keep her allies alive with healing magic.
| Ability | Cost | Description |
|---|
| Basic Attack | 3 Energy | Releases a magic blast that packs a bigger punch than the enemy expected. |
| Heal | 4 Energy | The Apprentice has an affinity for curative magic, demonstrated by healing an ally's injuries, no matter how severe. |
| Fire Bolt | 5 Energy | Unleashes a powerful ball of fire and launches it toward an enemy. |
Squire
A rough and tumble kid who is proficient with a sword and shield. Despite his small stature, he packs quite a punch and has a good throwing arm too.
| Ability | Cost | Description |
|---|
| Basic Attack | 3 Energy | The Squire swings a short sword at an enemy at melee range. |
| Rock Toss | 4 Energy | The Squire is surprisingly resourceful and strong, throwing a rock found on the ground with enough force to do some damage. |
| Pushback | 5 Energy | The Squire throws his all into a shield push, and despite his small stature, manages to push the enemy back a bit. |
Tinker
The Tinker is a prodigy with a wrench, and even moreso with explosives. He is able to make a mine from junk scattered around the battlefield and blows it up on command.Vagabond (Human) - available for free by playing the game tutorial
| Ability | Cost | Description |
|---|
| Basic Attack | 3 Energy | The Tinker swings a wrench and knocks an enemy upside the head. |
| Remote Detonate | 4 Energy | The Tinker pushes a giant button with glee, detonating any mines on the battlefield. |
| Makeshift Mine | 5 Energy | The Tinker throws down a small explosive made from spare parts and explosive chemicals. The fuse doesn't last forever, though. |
Wilder
The Wilder is a quick little Chibbet that likes scouting and reporting rather than fighting. In battle, it can spot an enemy's weakness and use the Chibbets' natural green thumbs to grow weeds, hindering an enemy's advance.Initiate (Sun Elf)
| Ability | Cost | Description |
|---|
| Basic Attack | 3 Energy | The Wilder throws a large seed at the enemy with surprisingly strength |
| Spy | 4 Energy | The Wilder knows how to spot weaknesses in the enemy. It finds these weak spots and lets its allies know where to attack. Spot weaknesses to amplify damage taken by target(s) by 30%. |
| Weed | 5 Energy | The Wilder plants a quick-growing seed in the ground, which sprouts into a mass of thorny weeds that tangle any unfortunate unit caught in it. |
Settler
Armed with some liquid courage, the Settler prefers to drink before, during, and after battle. This works surprisingly well, as the Settler attacks with such ferocity that even the sturdiest of opponents are left beaten and bruised in its wake.
| Ability | Cost | Description |
|---|
| Basic Attack | 3 Energy | Bean the enemy with the Settler’s gourd. |
| Swig | 4 Energy | The Settler can't resist a quick drink even in the midst of battle. Indulging increases its defenses and heals the Settler over time. |
| Drunken Charge | 5 Energy | Drunk with power and ale, the Settler charges ahead with reckless abandon, headbutting the first enemy he comes into contact with. |
Striker
The proud Sun Elf Striker is a force to be reckoned with. Armed with sharp daggers and the power of the Sun, the Striker fights with fervor that is unseen in other fighters.
| Ability | Cost | Description |
|---|
| Basic Attack | 3 Energy | Throws a dagger with extreme precision. |
| Invigorate | 4 Energy | The Striker focuses his attention and energy, gaining the energy needed to keep attacking. Charge daggers to recover 2 energy on next 2 attacks. |
| Grapple | 5 Energy | The Striker was never a fan of long range, so he latches onto a faraway opponent and pulls them in close. |
Ghoul
This Undead wields daggers forged from the Underworld that can cut an opponent's very soul. It has little regard for its allies, using their vitality for its own Energy to continue fighting and killing.
| Ability | Cost | Description |
|---|
| Basic Attack | 3 Energy | Slashes at a target with dark-infused daggers. |
| Feast | 4 Energy | Ghouls have little camaraderie for their allies, and proves this by taking a chomp out of the nearest ally just to heal itself. |
| Soul Cut | 5 Energy | Slices and dices with such speed and power that the target's very soul is cut. If the Ghoul kills with this attack, the enemy's soul serves to strengthen it. On kill, +12 to all defense and +15% damage. Stacks to a maximum of 3. |
Shade
The Shade is an incorporeal horror, with an icy blade in place of one of its hand. It knows no fear, and will go as far as sacrificing its own life force in order to kill faster.
| Ability | Cost | Description |
|---|
| Basic Attack | 3 Energy | Slashes at a target with an icy blade. |
| Icy Shiv | 4 Energy | The Shade is so eager to kill that it harms itself just for a more powerful attack. |
| Shadow Strike | 5 Energy | True to its name, the Shade is able to become one with darkness, disappearing from the battlefield, only to instantly reappear somewhere else with a quick attack to surrounding enemies. Never trust the shadow. |
Initiate
Adorned with war paint bestowed upon her from the gods, the Initiate has been training for battle her entire life. Hurling her boomerang high into the heavens, it comes crashing down enemies igniting them in flames.
| Ability | Cost | Description |
|---|
| Basic Attack | 3 Energy | The Initiate throws her boomerang toward an enemy. Despite the hit, it still manages to return to her. |
| Wither | 4 Energy | Saps energy from the opponent using the magic granted to her by the gods. |
| Sparkerang | 5 Energy | The Initiate ignites the boomerang and hurls it at her opponent with all her might. |
Widget
Reactivated by a wayward energy tile, the Widget's primary function of service was corrupted, turning it into a fighter. In battle, the Widget can defend itself and improve its own energy regeneration, and also punish opponents who havea full energy bar.
| Ability | Cost | Description |
|---|
| Basic Attack | 3 Energy | The Widget smashes an opponent with plated arms. |
| Energy Shield | 4 Energy | The Widget uses some of its collected energy to create a shield around it, protecting it from one attack. In addition, the small shield actually boosts the Widget's circuitry, letting it recover from actions more quickly. |
| Energy Cannon | 5 Energy | Charging a hidden cannon, the Widget aims and fires a charged ionic blast at an enemy, dealing more damage if the enemy was readynig for a powerful attack! |
Listing of Tier 2 Champs
Tier 2 Champs are listed below, with their respective race listed after the Champs' name. Tier 2 Champs are all available for purchase in-game using either Battle Points (BP - available by playing the game) or Quark Points (QP - available for purchase).
A Tier 1 Champ can be 'upgraded' to a Tier 2 Champ by paying the price difference (in BP or QP) between the Tier 1 Champ price and the Tier 2 Champ price. Several Champs have different upgrade 'paths', eg a Squire (Tier 1) can be upgraded into a Knight or an Axeman (both Tier 2).
- Axeman (Human - Upgrades from Squire)
- Knight (Human - Upgrades from Squire)
- Archer (Human - Upgrades from Vagabond)
- Bandit (Human - Upgrades from Vagabond)
- Cleric (Human - Upgrades from Apprentice)
- Sorceress (Human - Upgrades from Apprentice)
- Alchemist (Human - Upgrades from Tinker)
- Engineers (Human - Upgrades from Tinker)
- Critter (Chibbet - Upgrades from Wilder)
- Lookout (Chibbet - Upgrades from Wilder)
- Planter (Chibbet - Upgrades from Wilder)
- Radiant (Sun Elf - Upgrades from Initiate)
- Skylancer (Sun Elf - Upgrades from Striker)
- Corruptor (Undead - Upgrades from Ghoul)
- Pestilent (Undead - Upgrades from Ghoul)
- Reaper (Undead - Upgrades from Ghoul)
Game Modes
Champs: Battlegrounds contains a single-player campaign with 30 levels, plus PvP and 'Proving Grounds' (PvP matches against AI). In all game modes, Battle Points can be earned to spend on Champs. Other players can be directly challenged in PvP.
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