Vampire Hunters

A New Darkness is revealed!
over 7 years ago – Sat, Dec 03, 2016 at 11:05:29 PM

Hello Hunters,

Which would you like first, the good news or the good news?

Dracula’s presence was recently revealed and the rising shadows are spreading. Within the darkness there are ominous whispers. Within the whispers, a name, the name of a dark Elder Vampire long forgotten in the chronicles of the Order’s history. And that name....?

Marku.

Lost in the mists of time this ancient, dark Elder Vampire has revealed himself in all his terrible glory. This enormous bat-like creature is massive and contorted by the beast within. Marku is a creation of death and desires only to feast on his victims and add their skulls to his collection.

We knew of the hidden threat during the campaign, but our brave spies could only glimpse his outline in the cover of the shadows. This foul creature now stands revealed, awaiting our brave Hunters.

Befitting the menace of this Elder Vampire, Marku is a large miniature, about 60mm (~2.5 inches). This highly detailed Kickstarter Exclusive miniature complete with ID Card is the final Stretch Goal to be unlocked in the Pledge Manager (see Update 59). It will be included in all Hunter and Slayer level pledges.

And more good news....

Nominations are open for BGG’s 20 Most Anticipated Games of 2017 and, thanks to the fantastic support of our amazing Backer community, Vampire Hunters is right there on page one as an early nomination. We couldn’t be more pleased at the support from you, our backers.

Only the top 50 most popular games on the nominations list go forward to voting for the Top 20 and with over 300 games nominated, every ‘thumbs up’ counts. So please, head on over to the forum, here, give Vampire Hunters a ‘thumbs up’ to second the nomination and get us into the next round for voting. It’s an honor to be listed alongside some of the impressive talent on the list and we’re grateful for your support..... and your votes!

We mentioned the Pledge Manager earlier; we receive all your battle plans and requests for intelligence! We are hard at work and our own fight pushes ever onward behind the scenes. We plan to have the Pledge Manager open in early 2017 and it will be open for plenty of time to give everyone a chance to join the hunt.

So be ready and keep your stakes sharp!

Good Hunting.

Castle Dracula
over 7 years ago – Sun, Nov 13, 2016 at 10:59:38 PM

Hello Hunters!

Good news. The sculpts and art for the optional buy ‘Castle Dracula’ expansion are complete!

As we entered the centuries old ruin we were surprised to hear a voice resonating through the dimly lit interior “At last we meet; I did not expect you to make it so far. Welcome to Castle Dracula!”

We were on alert and ready with stakes, crossbows and harpoons but there was no form visible, just the voice that flooded our minds.

“You may have defeated some of my children to win your way to my door,” the voice continued “they were nought but thralls and beasts. You mere mortals are no match for what awaits you here.”

“Mere mortals?” I heard from the Hunter next to me. “We are Vampire Hunters!” he shouted in challenge, nursing his cuts and bruises. “Hush,” I tried to warn him, “I have heard legends of this Dracula, some call him the Prince of Darkness!”

“Vampire Hunters? You are nothing but children playing at Vampire Hunting,” the invisible presence thundered. Picture frames and chandeliers shook and some of us were forced to our knees by the sheer force of the creature’s voice. Even the most experienced in our group paled at the thought of what awaited us.

“Yes, you should kneel before me,” the ancient vampire hissed. “That’s the respect and obedience you owe me.” From the depths of the darkest shadows at the top of the staircase a massive, cloaked figure slowly came into view. It had long hair and deep set, coal black eyes filled with menace. Its unnaturally elongated mouth and razor-sharp fangs were only made more terrifying by the human form the figure took. Its arms were outstretched in a welcoming gesture, but ended in gnarled bone and hard, vicious claws.

We were paralyzed. We had fought our way through many vampire dens but nothing we had met so far compared to the overwhelming menace of this foul Vampire.

Before we could recover and collect our thoughts, three young women appeared beside Dracula. I took a step forward, at first attracted and hoping to rescue these helpless young women. As I drew closer I realised that they were no longer the beautiful young brides they had once been. They were seductive in their beauty but corrupted by Dracula into foul loathsome creatures. Together they were strong and ready to do his bidding. The legends I had heard were true, this mythic creature, this Dracula, held the power of suggestion over those tainted by his inhuman plague.

“So, the Order send you to storm my castle, and look at yourselves, suddenly thrust into a world of powers that only now you begin to comprehend. You come before me armed with pieces of wood and flashes of fire. You’ve been warned but still you persist. My warriors have fought and turned your friends but still you dare to think you may enter my castle! You are nothing more than cockroaches. Neither I nor my Brides will give you safe passage this night.”

We slowly climbed to our feet and readied our weapons...........

See for yourself what awaits you in this highly detailed & thematic expansion. You will fight Renfield, the Brides and finally Dracula himself to stop his evil taking hold! This expansion is available as an optional buy at $30 for Kickstarter backers and will be $45 at retail. Like the other optional buys it can be added in the pledge manager.

Castle Dracula Expansion contains:

- Dracula, an Elder Vampire

- the Brides of Dracula, Elder Vampires

- Renfield, his servant

- Coffin miniature, for objectives

- 2 Double-sided map tiles with new art (Gothic Castle, Deconsecrated Gothic Church)

- Encounter Tokens for Spawning

- cards

- 4 Hunts + campaign

Good Hunting!

Surveys Are On The Way!
over 7 years ago – Mon, Oct 24, 2016 at 11:31:38 PM

Hello Hunters!

The day is bright as our plans move ever forward, but the Vampiric plague is wary and restless in their sleep. Beware the shadows and falsehoods spread by the Vampire minions. The Hunters have strength in numbers and a well prepared plan of attack. Teamwork is the key to their success!

To that end, Dark Gate Games & Ludofact require a little more from our fearless Hunters, but don’t worry, it’ll be painless.  We need some preliminary information to help speed up our manufacturing and logistics processes. In order to collect this information you are being asked to complete a survey. Hunter Level Surveys are already on their way, with Slayer Level Surveys following shortly behind.

ADDITIONAL GEAR: we ask that all Hunters indicate how many copies of each of the Optional Buys they are interested in.  Please note, this is a survey for planning purposes; it is not the pledge manager and your selections are not binding at this stage. They will only be used for planning purposes to help minimize production time, by affording Ludofact a better idea of how many boxes to prepare in advance of the Pledge Manager.

PLEDGE MANAGER:  when the pledge manager is launched you will be able to update your address so our delivery agents are sure to get your valuable packages safely to your homes & no one will be left in the dark. You will also be given the opportunity to add or delete optional items and extra copies of the basic pledges at that time. The pledge manager will also allow you to pay for additional goods you want above and beyond what you pledged for during the Kickstarter campaign. It’s also a great way for you to welcome family, friends & other would-be Hunters into the fold – there is strength (and savings) in numbers!

Be prepared, keep your stakes sharp, and…

Good Hunting!

Some Seek Justice... while others Settle for VENGEANCE !
over 7 years ago – Mon, Oct 03, 2016 at 12:11:27 AM

Hello Hunters!

I don't have much time to talk, the shadows have been closing in and I have far to travel before sun sets. News has arrived from our friends at Mighty Boards who are also fighting the good fight against ternary, and they could use our support.

Where our fight is against those who hide in the shadows, our friends at Mighty Boards battle crime bosses & their minions who walk the streets in broad daylight and scoff at the laws meant to protect you and I. These villains will thrash you in front of the police and then calmly enter a restaurant for lunch without repercussion.

But no more.

Might Boards has uncovered a brave and perhaps crazy few ordinary people the justice system has let fall through the cracks. Some might classify them as victims, but that would be a mistake. These unlikely heroes have taken the law into their own hands, deciding Vengeance was a satisfactory replacement for justice...

...and they won't stop til every last punk is sleeping in a dirt covered bed...for keeps.

They call this fight, VENGEANCE.

If you are looking to keep your reflexes sharp on those days not calling you to pull out your wooden stakes, perhaps fighting a relentless enemy not imbued with supernatural powers will do the job?

You can read all about it here --- but don't wait as their call to arms is almost over!

Check it out here.

Whether fighting gang minions or vampiric forces, as always Be Safe and --

Happy Hunting!

from SKETCH till DONE
over 7 years ago – Tue, Sep 27, 2016 at 11:34:34 PM

Hello Hunters!

First, welcome back, I am encouraged to see so many of you have returned with your throats intact. Clearly your resolve is strong and your stakes pierce true.

I am pleased to inform you that from this Update onward, we have a trustworthy apprentice appointed with the task of keeping the masses informed of any Vampiric movement and Hunter progress. As our elite Hunter Cells identify & burn vampire nests, we are seeing a much clearer picture of the scope the stench these vampire lords have released upon our homes as your assignments to hold back the night move ever closer.

Everyone will receive Updates Every 2 Weeks, provided there's still a Hunter standing who is not turned beyond his or her ability to resist the corruptors' command to remain quiet. We remain encouraged for many have been bitten and still returned...mostly human.

As for that news my apprentices--

There is much to report as to the origins of the plague that now befalls us, and of the history and character of each Undead responsible for the shadow that darkens our streets. Very soon my eager Hunters their secrets will be told, as our chroniclers have almost completed recording their foul story.

Furthermore, our most skilled artists have finished compiling Illustrations for both Hunter and Turned Hunter ID Cards -- now everyone will be seen.

See for yourselves:

Finally, we managed to send in someone skilled in the art of map & location crafting, and now we have a near complete set of the New Tiles which will display the dangerous locations to which you will soon find yourselves exposed.

Much has been risked so that more can be won if we stay the course.

From the Crypts:

Our friends at Maki Games, innovators in printing fully 3D gaming components, have discovered a technology to bring the world of our most vile enemy to stunning 3-Dimensional life! They created a sewer environment to play Vampire Hunters in their Modular Underground Project. They've also brought Dallas and a Warrior to 3D life, and they are awesome! Here at Dark Gate Games, we have already backed their project, and we can't wait to play Vampire Hunters with their beautiful 3D tiles.

Here is an image of what they did:

We encourage you to read their update to view all the details, found here.

The enemy lurks in every shadow and already knows we approach, so do your friends the kindness of waking them up to the darkness around them. Perhaps you will get a stake in their hands before the shadows take them.

The winter nips at hour heels, giving us a few precious months to spread the word because those heartless living corpses hate the cold and for a short time remain hidden. But the ice also quickly melts and Spring will be soon to follow...Be ready.

Don't be caught slumbering my fellow Hunters.

Stay Sharp, stay safe, keep your collars tightly around your throats, and...

Good Hunting!