Dwethia Heroes – Rules

Getting Started

The rules of Dwethia Heroes are designed to be easy to learn, with clear examples throughout. This guide provides everything you need to understand the game quickly.

What You Need to Play

To begin your battles in Dwethia Heroes, you will need the following:

Dice

You'll need several standard six-sided dice (D6). While 12 will suffice, having at least 24 is recommended for smooth play.

Record Sheet

Keeping track of your warriors’ stats and abilities is crucial. You can use a simple sheet of paper or print a pre-made record sheet. A pen or pencil will also be useful for notes.

Miniatures on bases with paint

Models are equipped with specific base sizes, colors, and are marked. More on this in a later section. Gameplay can range from small one on one duels to squad level conflicts. If you’re new, start with one or two models per side to learn the basics before expanding to full squads. This game is "miniature agnostic" which means anything you can find can work just fine, though we recommend 3D printing your own through sites like HeroForge.com

Scenery

Though not required, terrain such as ruins, trees, trenches, scaffolding, intricate buildings or rocky outcroppings enhances the game’s immersion and strategic depth. You can create your own, purchase pre-made scenery, or use simple placeholders. Players are encouraged to clutter the battlfield in Dwethia Heroes more than any other Dwethia system.

Measuring Distances

Throughout the game, you'll need to measure distances for movement, attacks, and other actions. Players may measure at any time, such as before moving a unit.

• Measure distances base to base, from the base of one model to the base of the target model.

Rolling Dice

Dice rolls are the foundation of gameplay, determining success or failure in various actions.

• Some rolls require modifiers (e.g., a +1 bonus to a roll of 4 results in a final score of 5).

D6 and D3 Rolls

• D6: A standard six-sided die roll.

• D3: Roll a D6 and divide by two, rounding up:

  • Roll 1-2 → Result: 1

  • Roll 3-4 → Result: 2

  • Roll 5-6 → Result: 3

Re-Rolls

Certain abilities allow re-rolls. If granted a re-roll:

• Pick up the dice and roll again.

• The second result always stands, even if it's worse than the first.

• No dice may be re-rolled more than once, regardless of the source.

Characteristics

Every unit in Dwethia Heroes is defined by a set of characteristics that represent their strengths, weaknesses, and special abilities. These characteristics determine how well they fight, survive, and interact with the battlefield.

A unit’s profile is written in the following format:

M P S D A W I D F A

Each characteristic is explained below:

Identifiers

Certain units share keywords that provide additional rules or interactions. A full breakdown of these can be found in the glossary.

Martial (M)

• Represents a unit’s skill in combat.

• The higher the number, the better the fighter.

Perception (P)

• Represents a unit’s ability to detect and aim.

• The higher the number, the more accurate the unit is.

Strength (S)

• Determines how powerfully a unit strikes in combat.

• The higher the number, the greater the chance of wounding an enemy.

Defense (D)

• Measures a unit’s resilience against attacks.

• The higher the number, the harder it is to wound the unit.

Aggression (A)

• The number of attacks a unit can make in a single combat round.

• Higher values represent more aggressive or well-trained combatants.

Wounds (W)

• The number of hits a unit can take before being removed from play.

• Most Heroes have 1 wound, while heroes and powerful creatures may have more.

Integrity (I)

• A bonus added to Martial when the unit is in coherency with its allies.

  • Some models may have negative Integrity, such as large machines or rampaging beasts, this negative number is subtracted from the Martial of itself and any ally touching its base.

• Encourages strategic positioning and teamwork.

Destiny, Faith, and Affinity:
Each player will have a pool of resources they can pull from. Some units, usually heroes, can add to this pool.

Destiny (D)

• Points that can be spent on rerolling dice.

• Often limited and used for crucial moments.

Faith (F)

• The unit’s resistance to Affinity powers (magical or supernatural effects).

• Higher values indicate greater resilience to spells and enchantments.

Affinity (A)

• Represents a unit’s magical ability to spend on spell-like effects.

• Used for casting, enchanting, or manipulating reality.

• Can also be used to resist Affinity

Movement (Mv)

• Represents a unit's speed in combat, the higher the number the father they travel on their turn.

• In Dwethia Heroes, all movement is translated from inches to space. So a unit with 6" will move 6 spaces.

Building a Unit Profile

Each race in Wonders ofDwethia starts with a base set of stats. These are then modified by their class and faction, creating a fully customized profile that fits both playstyle and lore.

The Game Turn

Turn Structure

The game is divided into turns, during which a model will move, attack, and use abilities. Each turn follows a structured sequence to ensure smooth gameplay.

Sides

Every battle has two opposing sides, each controlling a force of models.

• Each side may be controlled by one or more players.

• Large games may include multiple players managing different portions of an army.

Turn Sequence

Each turn consists of five phases, resolved in the following order:

1) Priority Phase

• Both sides roll a die to determine priority.

• The winner of the roll chooses whether to take the first turn or to allow the opponent to act first.

2) Hero Selection

• The player who's turn it is will select one model who has not yet activated and proceed through the remaining phases with that model.

• Players should have a separate character sheet for each of their models, when a model activates it should have an activation token placed upon it to help players keep track of which models have activated.

• If the player has no more models to activate, his opponent will continue to take turns with his models until every model has had a turn, then the next round will begin by clearing all activation tokens.

3) Movement Phase

• The activated model may move up to his full distance.

• Defensive move: Any model with a shield may move half its distance to lower its save by 1.

  • Example: a Legionaire with a shield moves defensively giving it a 4+ save instead of a 5+ save.

• Stealth Move: Any model with a cloak may move half its distance to increase the perception of any attacker by 1.

  • Example: a hunter makes a stealth move causing a black sun pirate to hit it on a 6+ instead of a 5+.

4) Shoot Phase

• The activated model may shoot any ranged weaponry or spells they possess.

• At the end of this phase, all casualties from ranged attacks are removed from play.

• Some ranged weaponry have the tag [Quick Shot]. If a model with one of these weapons is slain, it may make a ranged attack with this weapon before they are removed from play.

5) Close Combat Phase

• The activated model makes a melee attack.

6) End Phase

• Play passes to the other player, do not proceed to phase 7 yet.

• If the player has no more models to activate, his opponent will activate one more hero then proceed to step 7.

• Players with more models than their opponent may not be able to activate all their models in a single round.

7) End Round

• Any lingering effects (special rules, abilities, etc.) are resolved.

• Clear all activation tokens

• The turn is completed. Start a new turn with Phase 1 – Priority.

THE MOVE PHASE

Once priority has been established, the turn proceeds to the Move Phase. During this phase, the active player moves their hero up to their maximum movement allowance as indicated by their profile. Models do not have to move their full distance—they may move less or remain stationary if the player chooses.

TURN ORDER FOR MOVEMENT

1. The side with priority moves its hero first.

   • Players can choose for their models to remain stationary

2.  The game proceeds to the Shooting Phase.

MOVING MODELS

• Players may move their activated mode.

• Use a measuring tape or ruler to determine movement distances.

• Models do not have to move in a straight line; they can move in curves or any path as long as they do not exceed their movement allowance.

• Defensive move: Any model with a shield may move half its distance to lower its save by 1.

  1. Example: a Legionaire with a shield moves defensively giving it a 4+ save instead of a 5+ save.

• Stealth Move: Any model with a cloak may move half its distance to increase the perception of any attacker by 1.

  1. Example: a hunter makes a stealth move causing a black sun pirate to hit it on a 6+ instead of a 5+.

• Moving up an incline: Any model that wishes to move up an incline so steep that its model may not rest on incline may ignore any height of 1" rounded down to the inch, otherwise they will treat the incline as difficult terrain. If they cannot reach the top of the incline then this is impassable terrain to them.

  1. Example: an assassin has a movement of 8" and wants to climb one of two buildings, one is 4" high the other is 5" high. As difficult terrain is is half movement he can only climb the 4" building.

• Moving across a gap: Model's may ignore a gap of 2" rounded down to the inch, otherwise they will treat the gap as difficult terrain. If they cannot reach the other side of the gap then this is impassable terrain to them.

  1. Example: An Alpha has two routes towards enemies, one is 4" and the other is 2". Since the Alpha only has a movement of 6" it can only take the 2" route.

MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS

• Models cannot move through enemy models (Friendly models will gladly step aside but no models can end their movement on the same space of another unit).

• Engagement Rule: A model may not move next to an enemy space unless it intends to Engage the enemy.

• Engaged: Once engaged, neither model may move further during this phase. (To engage in melee combat, a model must move into a space next to an enemy space).

• Facing: Models may be rotated freely at any time during the game. Rotating does not count as movement.

• Leaving the Battlefield: Models cannot leave the battlefield unless retreating due to special rules or scenario objectives.

COHERENCY

Coherency represents the organizational structure of a unit and how closely its models are grouped together during the movement phase. Maintaining coherency allows models within a unit to stay coordinated, benefiting from increased effectiveness in combat, leadership, and other factors.

WHEN COHERENCY APPLIES

• Coherency Range: A model is considered to be in coherency with another model or group of models if it is in a space next to that model. Models that are within this range are assumed to be working together in a coordinated manner and will gain certain benefits (or deficits) during the game.

Unit Benefits/Deficits from Coherency:

• Martial Value Enhancement: If a model moves within coherency of another model or a group of models in the same unit, they gain the benefits of Coherency. The Integrity value of the models in coherency is added to their Martial value. This represents the unit's improved coordination and effectiveness in combat as a result of staying together.

• Other Benefits/Deficits: Depending on core rules or any special rules that apply, maintaining coherency might grant additional benefits or impose certain deficits. For example, some units may gain bonuses to defense, Martial, or special abilities if they remain in coherency, while others may have specific penalties or restrictions if they are out of coherency.

• Negative Integrity: Some units don't work well with others, they will suffer from negative Martial abilities while within coherency with others. The whole group will have their Martial Abilities reduced by the greatest negative within the coherent units. (This will be explained further in the fight phase rules).

Maintaining Coherency:

During the Move Phase, players must ensure that their models are within coherency if they wish to benefit from coherency. If a model is moved too far from the unit and no longer remains within coherency of any other model in the same unit, it may lose the benefits of coherency for the rest of the turn.

In some cases, special rules or abilities may allow models to maintain coherency even if they are slightly further apart or offer other strategic advantages when forming a cohesive unit.

Special Coherency Rules: Certain factions, abilities, or terrain may modify the coherency rules. For example, a unit with a special leader or a specific terrain feature might have a larger coherency range or different rules regarding how they interact with other models. Always check the relevant rules for any specific abilities that could affect coherency (any inches are translated to spaced for Dwethia Heroes).

TERRAIN RULES

• Different types of terrain affect movement speed and interactions.

• Each terrain piece has specific keywords that determine its effects (see the Terrain Glossary).

Fight Phase Rules

When a unit begins its activation within range of or engaged with an opponent it has a few choices to make before simply rolling the dice, they may pick one of the following actions:

1. Retreat:
The unit declares a retreat attempt.

• This model will not roll any attack or wound dice this phase.

• when this model retreats the engaged model will make an opportunity attack at -3 martial (see rules below).

• After the opponent makes the opportunity attack, the active model may move all up to 3" away in any direction.

• Models must still end this move following normal retreat rules (ending at least 1" away where applicable).

2. Fire Ranged Weapons:
The model chooses to make a ranged attack instead of fighting in melee.

• The model resolves ranged attacks by following the Rolling Ranged Attacks rules from the Shooting Phase

• The model's Perception is reduced by 3 for this attack to represent the chaos of close combat.

3. Fight (Default):
Resolve the fight as normal with the following rules:

1) Making a melee attack
Before resolving combat, players must identify which models or groups of models are the target of the melee attack.

• Melee Target Criteria: Any opposing model that is within range.

  • Some melee weapons may have range 2 or 3. This means enemies within 2 or 3 inches or within 1-2 bases are considered within range. 

    • Cannot reach: If terrain is ever in the way of a model with reach fitting its base into combat, it may reach up to 2 or 3 inches based on its reach value.

• Coherency: If any group of models are in coherency and range 2 with models engaged in a fight, these models are also contributing the highest integrity of the combat.

  • Range 2 includes all models whose bases are directly touching a model that is in the fight or touching a base that is touching a model in the fight.

  • These models will modify their Marial skill by the integrity of these models. (See coherency and integrity rules).

2) Resolving the Attack

• The Unit who's making the attack is considered the Attacker.

• The opposing player is considered the Defender.

1. Roll for Attack
The active model rolls a number of dice equal to their model’s Aggression value.
Example: A model with Aggression 2 rolls 2 dice.

2. Determine Attack Roll Value (ARV).
The attacker will make their own attack rolls, attempting to score hits on their opponent. In order to determine the Attack Roll Value (ARV) players must do the following:

1. Identify which model among the attacker and defender has the highest Martial Value (M) on their profile. This becomes the ARV.

2.  Identify which model among the attacker and defender has the Highest Integrity Value (I) on their profile, add this to the ARV.

3.  Identify which model among the attacker and defender has the lowest negative Integrity Value (I) on their profile, subtract this from the ARV if the model is within coherency of an ally.

4. Determine the number to meet or exceed on all attack dice by using the following chart:

If the highest ARV Value is:

• If the ARV of the attack is less than the ARV of the target, the attack roll is made on a 3+.

• If the ARV is double or higher, the attack roll is made on a 2+.

• If the ARV is less than half the ARV of the target, the attack roll is made on a 5+.

• If the ARV is half or lower, the attack roll is made on a 6+.

• If ARV is equal on both sides, the attack roll is made on a 4+.

Example: An attacker with a ARV of 5 is fighting a defender with a ARV of 4. The attacker will need 3+ while the defender will need a 5+

3) Roll for wound
Compare the Strength of the Attacker to the Defense of the Defender and roll according to Step 3. Wound Calculation (see below).

Wound Calculation:

Compare the Strength of the attacker (which is the Strength of the model plus the Strength of the weapon) to the Defense of the target defender.
Use the following rules for wound rolls:

• If the Strength of the attack is less than the defense of the target, the wound roll is made on a 3+.

• If the Strength is double or higher, the wound roll is made on a 2+.

• If the Strength is less than half the defense of the target, the wound roll is made on a 5+.

• If the Strength is half or lower, the wound roll is made on a 6+.

• If Strength and Defense are equal, the wound roll is made on a 4+.

Some units have special traits or wargear that allow them to ignore wounds, referred to as Saves. When a wound is inflicted, the unit must roll a die and compare the result to their Save value. If the result meets or exceeds the Save value, the wound is avoided. 

4) Ignore Wounds and Roll Saves
Some models have defensive capabilities that would allow models to ignore wounds.

• Roll Saves: Roll these saves by picking one of the opponent's successful wound dice, and roll that dice to meet or exceed the model's save value. If the save fails, remove a wound from that model, removing the model if it has no more wounds remaining. Repeat this process until no more models with saves remain in the fight, at which point any remaining wounds are distributed as normal.

• Ignore Wounds: Some models, such as Champions of the void, may ignore wounds through special rules, follow these rules as stated. Repeat this process until no more models with applicable special rules remain in the fight, at which point any remaining wounds are distributed as normal.

5) Retreat Phase

After all combat has been resolved, players may choose to retreat any remaining unit that survived the fight. The player may choose to move the entire coherent unit up to 3 spaces away from combat, or may select individual units within the coherent unit to move separately, with each moving up to 3 spaces away from combat. All units must end at least 1"\ space away from enemy models. If this is not possible, the unit cannot retreat and must remain locked in combat. The attacking unit makes a retreat move first (if they choose), followed by the defending unit.

After retreat moves are completed, any unit that remained stationary while an enemy retreated from range may make an Opportunity Attack.

Opportunity Attack:
After the Retreat Phase, any model that remained stationary while an enemy model or models retreated may make an Opportunity Attack.

Aggression Roll: For each model that remained stationary, roll 1 die for every point of Aggression the model has.

Wound Roll: For each die that rolls a 6+, the retreating model(s) take a wound.

Example:
A unit's attack did not go well and it decides to retreat back towards an ally. It moves 3 spaces back. It was within range of 2 enemy units each with 3 aggression. They roll 6d6 and any 6+ causes a wound on the retreating unit.

Faith and Affinity

Affinity

Affinity is the catchall term for mystical or psychic power found throughout the galaxy. Units with Affinity will have this listed on their profile, along with the powers they can activate using it.

Using Affinity Powers

• A unit may normally activate only one Affinity power per turn.

• If an Affinity power is activated during the Shooting Phase, the unit cannot fire any ranged weapons in that phase.

• If the caster is in coherency with enemy units, they may only target those units with their Affinity powers.

• Some spellcasters may have special rules allowing them to cast multiple powers per phase. If so, they must:

  • Declare all powers, their targets, and pay the affinity before any rolls are made.

  • Affinity is spent regardless of whether the spell succeeds, fails, or the target is destroyed before the spell resolution.

Some Heroes may have unique Affinity Actions, detailed in their unit profiles, with defined costs, activation phases, and special effects.

Faith

Faith represents spiritual strength, unwavering belief, or sheer willpower in the face of supernatural force. It is used to resist Affinity-based powers.

Using Faith to resist Affinity

When a unit is targeted by an Affinity power (or is within 10 spaces of the caster), the defending player may attempt to resist using Faith.

1) Initiate Resistance

• Spend 1 Faith point to attempt resistance.

2) Affinity & Faith Bidding

• Players alternate spending additional points to modify their rolls:

  • Each Faith point adds +1 to the defender’s roll.

  • Each Affinity point adds +1 to the caster’s roll.

• Players continue back and forth until one player passes.

3) Roll Off

• Both players roll 1d6 and add their modifiers from Faith and Affinity points that they bid.

4) Resolution

• If the Faith roll is higher, the power is negated and all Affinity spent is lost.

• If the Affinity roll equals or exceeds, the power resolves successfully.

5) Destiny – Final Bidding Phase

After the roll, players may enter a final Destiny bidding phase to try and shift the result:

• Destiny points may be spent by either player to add directly to their total roll.

• Players take turns spending Destiny one point at a time, each adding +1 to their result.

• This continues until both players pass consecutively.

Important: In this context, Destiny may not be used to reroll any dice—only to increase the final result. This is a unique exception to general Destiny rules.

Example of a Full Duel

A Necromancer targets a Commissar with the Spell Lightning, spending 2 Affinity.

• The Commissar spends 1 Faith to resist, plus 2 more for a +2 bonus.

• The Necromancer responds with 2 more Affinity, giving him +4 total.

• The bidding ends. They roll:

  • Commissar: 4 + 2 = 6

  • Necromancer: 5 + 4 = 9

Destiny Phase Begins:

• Commissar spends 4 Destiny → 6 → 10

• Necromancer responds with 1 Destiny → 9 → 10

• Commissar spends 2 more Destiny → 10 → 12

• Necromancer passes

• Commissar passes

Final Result: Affinity 10 vs Faith 12 → Spell fails.