Imagine stepping into a war zone straight out of a gritty cyberpunk novel. Neon signs flicker overhead, drones buzz through crumbling alleyways, and shadowy factions wage tactical battles for control of a crumbling megacity. That’s the dark, electric heart of Line of Fire — an intense, real-time card game that’s getting a bold new twist in its upcoming expansion: Burnt Moon.
In a recent designer diary shared on BoardGameGeek, the game’s creator, Dann Kriss, opened up about his creative process behind Burnt Moon. It’s not just a bunch of new cards — it’s a dramatic shift in how battles are fought, felt, and won. We got a glimpse into both the mechanical guts and the philosophical backbone of a game that’s as much about strategy as it is about storytelling through struggle.
Let’s dive into what makes this expansion tick — and why it might just shake up your entire approach to playing Line of Fire.
Born for Chaos: Meet the K-0R
First off, Burnt Moon introduces a ruthless new faction: the K-0R. If the established factions in the game rely on careful positioning, resource management, and calculated plays, think of the K-0R as their complete opposite. They’re a brutal, barely-human force that thrives on disruption. Their tactics are raw, volatile, and often self-destructive.
“In a way,” Kriss writes, “I wanted K-0R to feel aggressive, unavoidable, and like a ticking time bomb — not only for your opponent, but for you too.”
This isn’t the kind of faction you play if you like stability or slow-building power. K-0R wants to burn bright and fast — to force confrontations, break plans, and leave both sides scrambling to adapt. You won’t just be playing to win. You’ll be blowing things up just to see what’s left afterward.
Power That Burns: Tacticians, Beware
One of the most daring additions Burnt Moon brings to the table is a mechanic called Burn Orders. These are powerful new command cards that challenge players to sacrifice their own units for short bursts of overwhelming force. That drone you just deployed? You’ll be detonating it in three turns.
It’s a classic “push-your-luck” trade-off: temporary dominance in exchange for long-term vulnerability. Make the right call, and you swing the tide of battle in one explosive moment. Jump too soon or too often, and your own plays start to collapse under the weight of lost assets and rising risks.
This twist on traditional card game strategy forces players to rethink their approach. In Burnt Moon, aggression isn’t just an option — it’s the whole playstyle. That high-stakes energy makes the K-0R a thrill to master, but an unforgiving challenge for those unprepared for its chaos.
Tailor Your War: The Burn Protocol
Beyond the new faction and mechanics, Kriss has something much bigger in mind: turning Line of Fire into a modular battlefield. Enter the Burn Protocol — a rules system designed to let players customize their matches with scenario-based effects, shifting objectives, and asymmetric story elements.
Think of it as a toolkit for building your own narrative campaigns or tournament formats. From special events to house rules, the Burn Protocol offers a flexible framework for adding depth, drama, and replayability to your game nights.
“I see Line of Fire not as a static game,” says Kriss, “but as a living architecture for tactical storytelling.”
In other words, the game isn’t just evolving. It’s inviting players to help shape what it becomes.
Rethinking Aggression
One of the most fascinating parts of Kriss’ diary is his take on what “aggression” really means in a strategy game. It’s not just about striking first or hitting hardest. True aggression, he argues, means forcing the game state to change — pushing your opponent (and sometimes yourself) into uncomfortable decisions.
“Destructive choices,” Kriss writes, “are not failures — they’re part of the system’s engine.”
With Burnt Moon, players are no longer penalized for losses. Instead, destruction is reimagined as a tactical resource — essential to keep the game dynamic, reactive, and alive. It’s a stark contrast from standard deck-building strategies that revolve around preservation and accumulation.
Here, death isn’t defeat. It’s fuel.
Is Burnt Moon for You?
If you’re a Warhammer veteran or someone who thrives on high-risk, high-reward strategies, K-0R might already be calling your name. Deck-builders will find exciting new mechanics that turn traditional playstyles on their heads. And tournament players should be prepared for the meta to get a serious shaking up — Burnt Moon doesn’t just add variety. It shifts the very DNA of the game.
What Shines:
- Asymmetric play that brings fresh intensity
- Modular rules keep every match unpredictable
- Unique mechanics that reward bold, destructive tactics
What Might Be Tough:
- Steep learning curve — especially for less experienced players
- The self-harming nature of K-0R can backfire if misplayed
- Some mechanics can feel punishing if you’re not ready for the risk
Final Thoughts
Burnt Moon isn’t just more content — it’s a rethink of what Line of Fire can be. Through explosive mechanics, a faction that weaponizes self-destruction, and a modular system made for storytelling, Dann Kriss is building something larger than a typical card game expansion.
It’s risky. It’s raw. It’s full of potential.
In a world where everyone’s fighting for control over a dying city, Burnt Moon asks: what if control was never the goal?
Your Turn
Have you played Line of Fire or dipped into any of its expansions? Are you drawn to high-risk strategies where the margin between victory and self-inflicted defeat is razor-thin? Hop into the conversation on BoardGameGeek or drop your thoughts below. We’d love to hear how you plan to torch the battlefield.