Pyroclastic Flow

Shiros was a volcanic planetary hell. It was also a key production center that the Theocrat rebels had to capture.

Pyroclastic Flow is a modern reimagining of the vintage Metagaming Microgame titled Hot Spot. It is a quick playing, beer and pretzels, tactical wargame about the Theocrat raid on Shiros. The Soros Corporation maintains fragile, floating platforms called Crustals that can move through molten lava. The Crustals are defended by Infantry and Hovercraft.

The Theocrat attackers are strong, but they must capture Crustals quickly, before their Attack Platforms break up and their units melt into the planet’s surface. It's the wargame version of "The Floor is Lava."

Pyroclastic Flow uses an entirely revamped conflict resolution system inspired by the Panic Engine used by the ttrpg Mothership. Instead of using a standard combat results table, this game uses a pair of opposed rolls of d100 dice and a combat matrix to determine the combat results. Every single attack can result in a negative outcome and is super easy to resolve. The most difficult math in the game is adding up multiples of 10 to a maximum of 100. This game eliminates calculating odds ratios in favor of rolling directly against a stack of units stats. You can read more about this design and how it compares to other vintage Microgames here.

This game is designed as a friendly entry into hex and counters wargames, which is a pretty daunting genre to enter into.

Pyroclastic Flow comes with everything that you need to play:

• 72 Counters
• 11"x17" Dry Erase Map
• 8"x16" Rules Pamphlet
• 2 Dry Erase Player Trackers
• 2 Sets of Black d100 dice
• 2 Dry Erase Markers

In addition to the physical components, the game also comes with files to play the game via VTT or to give people a copy that they can assemble via print and play. These files are contained in the embedded box of counters that are available as a separate purchase if you are willing to print the rules, map, and player trackers yourself. You can also download a PDF of the rules for the game for free before purchase.

A print and play/VTT only version is also available on DriveThruRPG and Wargame Vault and is available for paid subscribers of The Adventure Gaming Periodical as part of its Micro Sub program.