Before the Ash

A strategy city-builder with cards and hexagonal tiles, about developing a city next to Vesuvius - the volcano that ended ancient Pompeii.

Strategy
City Builder
Card Game
Historical

Game Overview

Before the Ash is an engaging strategy city-builder that puts you in charge of ancient Pompeii's development. Set against the looming threat of Mount Vesuvius, you must carefully balance city growth with the constant danger of volcanic activity.

Story

In 79 AD, Pompeii stood as a prosperous Roman city at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. As the city's governor, you must guide its growth and development, knowing that time is running out. The volcano's impending eruption adds urgency to every decision you make.

Core Mechanics

  • Card-Based Building System: Use cards to construct various buildings and expand your city.
  • Resource Management: Balance multiple resources to maintain and grow your settlement.
  • Faith System: Manage the city's faith through special buildings and actions.
  • Disaster Management: Deal with volcanic activity and protect your city from fires.
  • Hexagonal Grid: Strategic placement of buildings on a hex-based map.

Game World

Experience the rich atmosphere of ancient Pompeii, with historically inspired architecture and city planning. The game's setting captures the essence of Roman civilization while adding strategic depth through its unique mechanics and the ever-present threat of volcanic disaster.

Technical Details

  • Platform: Browser-based HTML5 game
  • Controls: Mouse-only interface for accessibility
  • Game Length: Variable based on strategy and survival
  • Save System: Automatic progress tracking

Key Features

Strategic City Building

  • • Plan and expand your city using a hexagonal grid system
  • • Strategic placement of buildings affects resource generation
  • • Balance growth with disaster preparedness
  • • Optimize building layouts for maximum efficiency

Card Management

  • • Draw and play cards to construct buildings
  • • Special rare cards with unique abilities
  • • Strategic card usage and timing
  • • Build combinations for enhanced effects

Resource System

  • • Manage multiple resource types
  • • Balance production and consumption
  • • Trade and convert resources
  • • Unlock advanced buildings through resource milestones

Disaster Management

  • • React to volcanic activity and fires
  • • Build protective structures
  • • Emergency response system
  • • Risk vs. reward decisions

Faith System

  • • Build and maintain religious buildings
  • • Generate faith through actions
  • • Unlock divine interventions
  • • Special faith-based events

Historical Setting

  • • Authentic Roman architecture
  • • Historical accuracy in city planning
  • • Period-appropriate buildings and resources
  • • Immersive ancient Roman atmosphere

How to Play

Basic Controls

  • • Left click on cards to enter build mode
  • • Right click to exit build mode
  • • Left click on card while in build mode to exit build mode
  • • Left click on fires to extinguish them
  • • Press 'C' to toggle the CRT effect (optional)

Getting Started

  1. Start with basic resource-generating buildings
  2. Place buildings strategically on the hexagonal grid
  3. Monitor your resources and plan expansions
  4. React quickly to volcanic activity and fires
  5. Build faith-generating structures for special abilities

Resource Management

  • • Buildings generate resources at regular intervals
  • • Accumulate resources to construct advanced buildings
  • • Use faith to purchase special cards from the Shop
  • • Balance resource production with city expansion

Disaster Response

  • • Vesuvius erupts frequently, causing fires
  • • Click on fires to extinguish them
  • • Extinguishing fires generates faith
  • • Strategic fire management can clear areas for rebuilding
  • • Prepare for the final eruption that will end the game

Scoring System

Score points through various actions:

  • • Placing buildings
  • • Constructing rare buildings (blue border cards)
  • • Extinguishing fires
  • • Gathering resources
  • • Aim for the highest score before the final eruption!

Game Mechanics

Card System

The game's core mechanic revolves around a unique card-based building system. Each card represents a different type of structure or action you can take to develop your city.

Card Types:

  • Basic Building Cards - Common structures for resource generation
  • Special Building Cards - Unique structures with powerful effects
  • Action Cards - Special abilities and one-time effects
  • Rare Cards (Blue Border) - Premium buildings with enhanced capabilities

Resource Economy

The game features a complex resource management system where different buildings produce and consume various resources.

Resource Types:

  • Basic Resources - Required for simple buildings and maintenance
  • Advanced Resources - Crafted from basic resources, used for special structures
  • Faith - Special resource earned through specific actions and buildings
  • Population - Affects resource production and city growth

Disaster System

The volcanic threat system creates dynamic challenges throughout gameplay, forcing players to adapt their strategies.

Disaster Mechanics:

  • Regular volcanic activity causing fires
  • Fire spread mechanics affecting nearby buildings
  • Emergency response options and strategies
  • Progressive difficulty scaling
  • Final eruption event

Building Mechanics

Buildings are placed on a hexagonal grid, with positioning affecting their efficiency and vulnerability to disasters.

Building Features:

  • Strategic placement bonuses
  • Building synergies and combinations
  • Upgrade and maintenance systems
  • Protection and vulnerability mechanics

Progression System

As you develop your city, new options and challenges become available, creating a sense of progression and achievement.

Progression Features:

  • Unlockable building types
  • Resource milestones and rewards
  • Score multiplier system
  • Achievement tracking

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when I lose all my resources?

Don't worry! The game is designed to always provide you with basic options to recover. You'll continue to receive basic building cards that can help you rebuild your resource production. Focus on placing resource-generating buildings strategically to recover.

How do I get more faith?

Faith can be generated in several ways:

  • Extinguishing fires
  • Building and maintaining temples
  • Completing certain objectives
  • Special events during gameplay

What's the best strategy for surviving longer?

Focus on balancing your resource production with disaster preparedness. Build a mix of resource-generating buildings and protective structures. Keep some resources in reserve for emergencies, and don't neglect faith generation as it provides valuable options during crises.

How do I unlock rare buildings?

Rare buildings (cards with blue borders) can be obtained through:

  • Purchasing them from the Shop using faith
  • Reaching certain resource milestones
  • Completing specific objectives
  • Special events during gameplay

Can I save my progress?

Yes, the game automatically saves your progress as you play. When you return to the game, you'll be able to continue from where you left off. However, note that clearing your browser data will reset your progress.

What triggers the final eruption?

The final eruption is triggered by a combination of time passed and city development. While the exact timing varies, you'll receive warning signs as it approaches. Focus on maximizing your score before this happens!