Scalar Core 2026

Scalar Core is an artisan, tactical hex-based strategy game for two players where the goal is to occupy and defend the central Control Zone. Players choose a formation of unit dice and take turns deploying, moving, and battling across the board to strengthen their dominion. The game features a unique "Scalar Core" die—a special d4 that sits at the center of the board and dictates global effects that can shift the tide of battle at any moment.

On a turn, players perform a single action: rolling and deploying new units into the Deploy Zone, moving an existing die to an adjacent hex, or declaring an attack on an enemy. Combat is resolved by comparing the face values of the unit dice combined with simultaneous rolls of Battle Dice, which provide flat stat boosts or special effects like

Victory is achieved by claiming three Control Tokens. To earn a token, a player must have four of their dice within the Control Zone at the start of their turn. Every time a token is claimed, the Scalar Core die is rolled, triggering new global conditions.

—description from the designer