Critical Mass: Raijin vs Archon

About this board game

Critical Mass: Raijin vs Archon is a two-player mech combat game for head-to-head battles lasting around 30 minutes. Released in 2018, it combines fast-paced fighting strategy with deck-building elements as two customized mechs clash.

Each player chooses a favorite mech, with every option offering a different starting loadout and unique powers. During each turn, both players secretly play one card face-down. Once the cards are revealed, they resolve according to their speed, provided they have not been interrupted.

Every choice can shape the battle. Weapons deal damage and can interrupt an enemy, while defensive cards avoid weapon hits. Upgrade adds more cards to your arsenal, but it can be interrupted before it takes effect. Recharge reloads spent cards, giving you access to options that have already been used.

• Weapons: Deal damage and interrupt opposing actions.
• Defense: Avoid weapon hits when timing and prediction are on your side.
• Upgrade: Expand your available cards, while risking interruption.
• Recharge: Reload cards from your spent supply.

After cards are played, they move to their owner’s cool-down pile and remain there until reloaded. Meanwhile, incoming damage destroys the armor on your mech. Once enough armor is gone, an armor core becomes vulnerable; destroying that core stuns the mech for the next turn.

In Critical Mass: Raijin vs Archon, reading your opponent and choosing the right moment to attack, defend, upgrade, or recharge are central to survival. The game ends when one mech’s armor has been completely destroyed down to its last core.