Titan Games Kalamazoo

Set in Games Workshop’s Warhammer Fantasy Battle universe, Warhammer: Invasion The Living Card Game, designed by award-winning designer Eric M. Lang, is a battle in which two players muster their forces, collect vast resources, venture out on perilous – but rewarding – quests, build and develop their kingdom, and lead massive sieges against heavily fortified foes. Every race features its own flavour and proficiencies. The Dwarfs are the masters of armour and can withstand mighty blows that would kill any other creature. The Orcs spread their love of battle far and wide, and are capable of dealing massive damage and destruction on a scale nigh unimaginable. The Empire is well organized and swiftly develops and moves their forces about with surgical precision. Chaos strikes insidiously at the delicate underbelly corrupting, and eventually destroying, all who it targets with lies of power and strength. Every faction must not only wage war with its foes, but also must manage and build up their kingdoms if they hope to win.

At the centre of your empire is your Capital. This mighty fortress, represented by your Capital Board, is where you determine the fate of your troops and buildings. Divided into three zones, Battlefield, Quest, and Kingdom, the Capital represents the focal point of your realm. The Kingdom zone determines how many resources are funnelled into your coffers. Each point of power here will be turned into profit, allowing you to bring forth mightier units and buildings. The Quest zone provides new cards. The total power channelled here will determine how many cards you may draw each turn. Take care, as you have a finite number of cards in your deck. The Battlefield is the zone from which you launch mighty attacks. Each point of power will allow you to deal damage to opposing units and Capitals, while defending your own holdings.

As each of these zones is vital, you must decide where your attentions are most beneficial. Do you put an emphasis on resources, allowing you to out build your foe and bring more forces to bear? Do you send your units on quests and outdraw your opponent? Do you summon forth your mightiest warriors and engines of war to dominate your rival on the fields of battle? These decisions will determine the fate of your empire; balance them wisely and you will reign supreme. As each faction, or blend of factions, has scores of powerful strategies, it will take a clever leader to discover all of them!

Each war begins with the creation of your empire. Your Capital is erected and forces and buildings begin to flow into your realm. Units and Support cards are summoned into service in one of your three zones, providing you benefits you must capitalize on. Tactic cards will allow you to get the jump on your foes, and may well turn the tide of battle. Quest cards will provide your units new options, and can bring powerful rewards into your employ. Each card you draw may be used to further develop your nation, or placed within one of your zones. Developments will unlock key abilities on certain cards, and will increase the damage capacity of your Capital.

Support Cards represent the weapons, artefacts, and buildings that make your empire great. The Empire, with its multitudinous religions, has a number of temples and shrines. These buildings allow you to move units to different zones, prevent your opponent from targeting your units, and even help you rapidly develop your zones. The Orcs mob up at Grimgor’s Camp, which reduces the cost of the first unit brought into a zone each turn. The Dwarfs, masters of craftsmanship, are able to repair their Capitol by building the Keystone Forge. Dedicated to disease, the Shrine to Nurgle forces damaged units to become corrupted after combat. To further help these aspiring nations, there are a number of Neutral buildings that can bolster the abilities of any faction. The Contested Stronghold provides power for each development in its zone. For the faction that has developed their Capital, this building can be an amazing resource.

Tactic Cards represent manoeuvres, spells, and other unexpected actions, and are played directly from your hand, often producing a devastating and unwelcome surprise for your opponent. The WAAAGH! cannot be predicted and can unleash massive amounts of damage to an unprepared foe. Demolition! provides the Dwarfs a way to remove pesky Support cards or developments, and can swing the balance of power in an instant. Innovation is a Neutral tactic that provides resources based on the number of developments in your Kingdom zone, which can provide a huge income bonus for the development-minded ruler.

Quests represent the various missions that units can be sent on. Only playable in your Quest zone, these cards provide a benefit after a unit has spent time there. The Chaos Quest, Journey to the Gate, represents a young warrior travelling to the frozen climes at the north of the world to gain strength from the Ruinous Powers. Once completed, this quest forces your opponent to discard their hand! The Dwarfs have a history based on the honouring of traditions and respect for elders. Any dwarf foolish enough to sully their good name, by act of malice or mistake, must take up the Slayer Oath. This oath sends them forth to battle horrible monsters, in an attempt to die honourably in battle. The Glorious Death quest, once completed, allows the Dwarfs to destroy up to two attacking units!

First you must collect that which is your due. Resources are counted up, cards are drawn, troops are purchased, and buildings are constructed. Once you have amassed your army and built up your empire, blood must be spilled. Any unit in your Battlefield may be sent forth against the enemy Capital. Once combat is joined, your pathetic foe must try and defend against your onslaught. Every point of damage must be distributed amongst the defenders, but any that spills over goes straight into the heart of your foe’s Capital. As each section becomes more and more battered, your opponent must scramble to prevent it from being wrecked entirely. For once you have destroyed two of your opponent’s zones, they are eliminated entirely.

Warhammer: Invasion the Card Game is fast paced, and will push you to the edge as you rapidly build your army, develop your Kingdom, and lay waste to your foes. Perilous quests, underhanded trickery, and raw power can all be found within. Each race has much to gain, and will only be sated when their empire controls all the lands. No quarter will be given, and none will be asked for. This is Warhammer Invasion!

Thanks to Board Game Geeks for the information.

The sun is finally shining and the snow is melting away, just as spring break is ending here on WMU’s campus. Welcome back to all the students, we look forward to seeing you!

The evaluation of “Comic book shops” have come a long way, even in my shorter- then some life span. I find it interesting to compare when I was a child going into a comic shop, to now days.

I grew up somewhere you wouldn’t think there would be a “comic nerd” to be found. I was raised in a farm area of southern Ohio, where the was very little shops in general. Its just a little speck on a map called New Holland. Not too far away (about a 20 minuet drive) there’s a city called Circleville. Some people may actually know this place, only for its famous Pumpkin Show every year.

In this city, when I was a very young girl, I was introduced to my first comic book. I don’t remember the name of the shop sadly but I recall exactly what it looked like on the inside. It had this old blue carpet, and white walls littered with art and random pictures from books. It even had its own unique smell.. not a bad one..but it was something that belonged only to that shop. There high tables (they actually were most likely normal tables, but I was a very small child), and cases full of cards.

The thing that puzzled me most, was that there were adults there. I always thought that comics and cartoons were for children, and adults had those boring shows with real people in them. I asked my mother why there was so many grown-ups and she told me that you never had to out grow comics. She also picked me out some books to show me, that she told me she read as a kid. This also shocked me, since I thought that it was a boy hobby. That was the day I found out that even a big girl could love comics, and some how its something that had a greater influence on me then at the time anyone could have guessed.

Over time all things must adapt to changing situations. Comic shops are no different. What used to be a small, normally family operated business has boomed into much more. Influences from all over the world can be found gracing the shelves. From Anime and Manga from Japan, to board games from Germany, there is something for everyone.

I look around the shop, and the people I have met here, and can’t help but be in awe of it. While some may see it as just four walls with some shelves, I see it more of a sanctuary. Everything on our shelves are meant to bring happiness to those who pick it up.

Warhammer is something HUGE here, and while I first wasn’t sure of it, I am a believer now. People spend hours collecting, painting and readying there army, looking forward to Saturdays. The day finally arrives, and the come carrying there big boxes, ready for the action. People who normally are so calm and collective when they speak to me, are shouting and laughing. The same can be said for anything here. There’s nothing like the rush of rolling the dice, and they come out in your favor.

I admit, its a bit exciting to see so many strike up conversations about there passions here with strangers. Can you imagine if the whole world was like that? Its odd to think of a business as a place where everyone can laugh and play together, but that’s why we hold events here. A lot of man hours go into our events. Even when its not the days of them, there’s still letting everyone know, setting up everything needed and so much more. We wouldn’t have it any other way though.

Comic shops have gone from little stores you go into once a week to pick up your comics and cards, to something I think is much better. Its turned into a community where you get a warm greeting and there’s always something waiting for you.

I wonder if this is were my mother imagined when she told about comics that this is where I would end up. I remember the day I told her I was leaving my home to move up to Kalamazoo and begin perusing my dream of being a comic artist. She didn’t believe me. The I found myself with a job in a comic shop while I’m here learning to improve my artistic ability, and she told me its exactly where I needed to be. I think shes right about that.

Its almost March, so it is finally time to announce the events for the month!!

Thursday, March 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th at 4pm: Open Board Gaming! Bring in you friends and a favorite board game to play, or, come learn a new game! Mark will be here demoing 4pm to 10 pm. He also takes requests, such as Settlers of Catan and Munchkin!

Friday March 5th at 5pm : Magic the Gathering Nights! We offer both a booster draft and open play for our trading card game enthusiasts. Booster drafts have moved time this month, starting at 5 PM. Drafts are $16.00 (tax included), for 4 packs of World Wake.

Friday, March 12th at 6pm: Legend of the Five Rings Harbinger “practice” Tournament. Excited about the next L5R Sword Tournament, coming up in April? Then how about a nice practice tournament! Entrance will be $5, and there will be prizes for the top 3 winners.

Friday March 19th at 6pm: Legend of the Five Rings Harbinger Booster Draft. Entrance will be $20 for one intro deck and boosters. Prizes to the top winners.

Friday, March 26th at 6pm: Video Game Tournament Night. I have been taking a poll for which game everyone wanted to play. Right now its a toss up between Capcom vs Tatsunoko and Halo 3! Since its such a close race, Ill extend the poll deadline to March 4th! Be sure to email me your opinion at titangamespromo@aol.com by then, and the winner will be announced on our website on the 5th! This event has been canceled. This event would be running at the same time as Marmalade Dog which is right up the street, and we will be attending! Look for this event at the end of April!!

Saturday, March 6th,13th,20th and 27th, all day long, its Warhammer and Lord of the Rings! Come in and use our tables and terrain for free! Face your friends, and make new ones! Its all day long, and its a free event!

NEW THIS MONTH! SUNDAY OPEN GAMING! In February we started opening our store on Sundays, and now we are inviting everyone to come in and use our tables and chairs! Bring your friends and any board game, trading card game or miniature game! Attendance is FREE!

Last night’s Legend of the Five Rings sword tournament was a blast!! We had people from as far away as Detroit and Toledo, Ohio!

On that note, let me go ahead and thank everyone for coming, even if it a 5 minuet drive, or a 5 hour drive. It was great to see new faces around the shop.

The sword however, ended up staying in Kalamazoo. Congratulations to our winner Elliot!

We will be holding another sword tournament in April

Iv had a lot of phone calls asking how to get here, and since we are a fairly new store, I figured I would post up sensible directions for both students at WMU, those driving from Kalamazoo or Portage, and even how to get here using public transportation. Click the images below for full view of the maps.

For WMU Students: This is a walk in the park. Ill be using the Bernhard Center as my going off point, since that is one of the first places a new student learns.
Head east on Archer Dr toward Dormitory Rd S then turn left at W Michigan Ave. Keep walking for about 4 minuets. We are that quick and easy to get to!

Those coming from Portage MI or southern Kalamazoo may find it easier to come in from S. Westendge Road (since that is the major road on that part of town) Here is the directions:

Head north on S Westnedge Ave toward Schuring Rd
Continue onto S Park Street
Turn left at Academy St
Slight left at W Michigan Ave
Continue onto Stadium Dr
Turn right at W Michigan Ave
And your there!

Those coming from West Main Street will find it easier to take this route:

Head east on W Main St/MI-43 E toward Lodge Ln
Turn right at Monroe St
Turn right at W Michigan Ave

And you have arrived here!!

As for public transportation, the easiest way is to take any of the buses that return to the loading station, and then take the number 16 Lovell bus. It stops right on the cornor before our shop. If you don’t know which bus to take to the loading station, then check out http://www.kalamazoocity.org/portal/metro.php for the complete list of buses.

We waited patiently, and now it is finally time. The newest magic set it upon us! World Wake was released today!
We do have all the boosters, decks, and fat packs, however we only have a few of the intro packs, and those started flying off our shelves as soon as we opened.

We are of course doing the booster draft tonight at 6 pm. Sign up for it starts at 5 pm. I am limited entrees to 16 players, so if you want in, come early!!

We also got another huge Games Workshop order in! Here is what we got in:

Tryanid Codex
Warriors of the Last Alliance
The Mines of Moria
Warhammer Rulebook
Vampire Counts Army Book
Ork Lootas and Burnas
Ork Battle Wagon
Necron Monolith
Cadian Heavy Weapon Team
Necron Battleforce
Ork Battleforce
Ork Codex

And to top all that off we have new board games from AEG:

Thunder Stone
Adventurers: Temple of Chacotic
Descent: Journey in the Dark
Twilight Imperium 3rd Edition
Tales of the Arabian Nights

Just as our email said, there’s a lot being worked on our site. I just want to remind everyone that this is still a current work in progress. I do have a lot planned (lots of new parts of our sections and such), but it takes a little time to execute. Thank you.

As promised, our first big Warhammer order came in. Here’s what we got!

Space Marine Sternguard Veterans
Space Marine Razorback
Space Marine Whirlwind
Space Marine Predator
Space Marine Dreadnought
GW Tape Measuring Tape
Guards of the Fountain Court
Tryanid Codex
Tryanid Gargoyle Brood
Tyranid Ravenor Brood
Hobby Starter Set
Space Marine Scouts with Sniper Riffel
Space Marine Attack Bike
Chainmail
Daemon Hunters Codex
Mordor Troll
Assault on Black Reach
Drarf Warriors
Rangers of Middle Earth
Eldar Battleforce
Dark Eldar Battleforce
Space Marines Tactical Squad

Expect more orders very very soon

Dwarf Warrior

Last Friday, here in the shop, we held our first ever L5R booster draft. It was a lot of fun! If you missed it, don’t worry. We have a L5R sword tournament coming up on February 19th at 5pm!! What will we be giving away? Why a lovely L5R sword (you can see a few pictures of it below, along with the rest of the event!