Commanders, the time has come to prepare for The Old War. As the release draws near, we want to highlight the mechanics that will shape your experience in this dark and unforgiving world.

In The Old War, you’ll lead a persistent army—an embattled force that survives the ravages of war, grows stronger through experience, and faces the consequences of every battle fought.

Every unit counts in The Old War, and that includes your workers. Your workforce is divided into three tiers: Apprentice, Artisan, and Architect. Losing one of these highly skilled workers can have devastating consequences on your war effort, so preserving your army’s strength is critical to long-term success.

Over time, individual units can become heroes. Through valor and experience, a unit can rise above the ranks and gain unique abilities, becoming a pivotal force in your ongoing campaigns.

In The Old War, you don’t simply fight for immediate victory. Your army persists between battles, and you may find yourself in battles where resource gathering is just as important as fighting. Your opponent may be focused on total annihilation, while you aim to build and gather strength for the war to come. Lost battles don’t necessarily mean a lost war—it’s all about adapting your strategy and resources for the long haul.

Your army grows stronger as you fight against specific enemies. For example, battling the undead will turn your forces into undead-killing machines, making your faction more effective against certain threats as you progress.

This is just the beginning. The Old War will continue to evolve with more units, mechanics, and expansive battles as we get closer to launch. Get ready for a dynamic, ever-changing RTS where no two battles are ever the same.

If you are interested in shaping the future of The Old War, feel free to add a wishlist or drop a comment, I'd love to hear what you think about it!

Hello Everyone!

Today, we’re diving into the construction system for the main human faction in The Old War, The Kingdom of Andar. This post will cover everything from placement mechanics to dynamic destruction, giving you a clear understanding of how to plan, build, and maintain your settlements.

Historically in strategy games, humans are the quintessential base builder with a familiar set of rules. This is why I've decided to start with a familiar faction. The Kingdom are not the only human faction, but they are the most familiar. They expand their territory using fortifications and roads to connect cities and trade routes, giving them places of refuge when the sun sets.

Building placement for Andarian architects in The Old War is influenced by several key factors:

• Spheres of Influence – Buildings must be placed within the controlled area of your faction (more on this below).
  
• Building Requirements – Certain structures need certain requirements to be built.
  
• Obstruction Rules – You cannot place structures too close to enemy buildings, natural obstacles, or units.
  
• Destruction System – While most buildings adhere to a loose grid for ease of placement, smaller structures have more flexibility.

The Kingdom of Andar expands their territory through a methodical, risk averse approach, with each move planned carefully to preserve human lives. Town Centers, Outposts, and Fortifications. Each structure projects a Sphere of Influence, allowing new buildings to be placed within its radius. If a structure falls outside this zone, construction will be blocked until influence is extended.

• Town Centers provide the largest influence radius.
  
• Outposts serve as forward-expansion points, granting a smaller zone of control, but allowing construction outside of your zone of control.
  
• Fortifications & Roads also extend influence.
  
• Destroyed buildings reduce influence, meaning losing key structures can quickly cut off an important expansion.

There are a variety of conditions required to construct a new Andarian building.

• Resource Costs - Buildings cost resources to produce, with the most common resources being gold, stone, wood, and iron.
  
• Terrain and blocking - You must place a building in an unobstructed place within your sphere of influence.
  
• Technological Unlocks - Some buildings require an architect to place, some require certain buildings, like a Lumber Yard or Blacksmith to construct properly.

Building constructed by the Kingdom of Andar follow a multi-phase process:
https://youtu.be/sr1yABrZN7g

• Foundation Laying – Workers clear terrain and mark the construction site.
  
• Framework Setup – Wooden scaffolding is erected, defining the structure’s shape.
  
• Assembly & Reinforcement – The building takes shape as walls, roofs, and details are finalized.
  
• Completion & Functionality – Once fully built, the structure is operational and can train units, produce resources, or provide defensive bonuses.

The time and resources required depend on the structure’s size and complexity. Upgraded buildings take longer but offer significant benefits.

War is brutal, and so is the destruction system in The Old War.

• Progressive Damage – Instead of instantly vanishing, structures start to burn and crumble depending on the damage type.
  
• Critical Damage – When a building gets critically damaged, it will be destroyed unless repaired.
  
• Total Destruction – The building fully collapses and stops working.

These are the basics of the construction system for the Kingdom of Andar. Many of the same elements will be consistent across factions.

Let me know if there is something you think could be added or changed!