Bloodgrounds

Bloodgrounds is a turn-based arena game about leading a team of mortal gladiators and managing a city as you pursue vengeance against the Emperor. You are a noble heir who survived after the tyrannical Emperor took your freedom and murdered your father. Now a wealthy patron and gladiator trainer, you recruit allies, climb the tournament ranks and fight your way toward the grand Capitol, where the Emperor awaits.

Recruit and prepare gladiators

Before each battle, assemble a team from physical, ranged and magical classes. You can recruit gladiators by paying gold, dueling them or showing mercy in the arena. Train them by raising their levels and stats, teaching them abilities, treating negative statuses and traumas, and equipping them with weapons, armor and consumables.

Your gladiators are mortal: if one falls in battle, they and their equipment are lost forever, though their legacy lives on. You can honor fallen gladiators with a monument in the city.

Fight in the arena

Combat takes place on a grid, with units acting in initiative order. Move and position your gladiators to outmaneuver opponents, and spend action points on attacks, weapon or class abilities, items such as potions and magical scrolls, or traps placed on the ground. Deity abilities can aid your team, while a deal with a local crime lord can sabotage enemies before a battle. You can also fulfill the audience’s bloodthirsty wishes to win its favor and earn rewards after each fight.

Manage Marevento

Between battles, spend your gold to unlock, build and upgrade buildings in the desolate coastal city of Marevento, which you inherit along with an estate overlooking it. The buildings provide services, tools and mechanics for your campaign, including an infirmary where gladiators recover and a market for trading items. Defeat each region’s Arena Champion to advance the age and gain access to powerful new buildings and items.