Taint Exploitation System

Version 3.0 • Tactical Resource Management

Overview

System that makes Taint a tactical resource that can be exploited offensively. Previously, Taint was just a threshold (0-10 scale, hit 10 = Corruption). Now it's an active battlefield mechanic.

Core Concept

• When you damage enemies, they accumulate Taint Markers
• YOU can spend THEIR Taint to debuff them
• THEY can spend their OWN Taint for desperate power (risk/reward)
• Creates offensive counterplay and mirrors Church's self-harm mechanics

Gaining Taint Markers

Damage-Based Taint

When you take damage, gain 1 Taint Marker per 3 damage dealt (round down).

Event-Based Taint

• Taint Pulse card: All enemies within 3 hexes gain 2 Taint
• Void Embrace (Boss ability): All enemies gain 5 Taint
• Standing in Tainted Terrain: Gain 1 Taint per turn
• Capsule Breach: Gain 3 Taint (pilot exposed to Engine radiation)
• Failed Taint Save: Gain 1 Taint

Self-Inflicted Taint (Church Faction)

• Blood Offering: Discard 2 cards, gain 1 Taint, +3 damage next attack
• Martyrdom Ascension: Discard 3 cards, gain 2 Taint, permanent +1 damage buff
• Absolution card: Remove all Heat, recover 3 cards, gain 1 Taint

Taint Threshold (Corruption Risk)

Taint Level	Status	Effects
0-4 Taint	Safe	No penalties
5-7 Taint	Danger Zone	Enemies can exploit Taint; -1 Pilot Grit checks; Cannot heal
8-9 Taint	Critical	-1 SP max; +1 Heat generation; Enemy attacks have Advantage
10+ Taint	CORRUPTED	Roll 1d6: 4+ resist, 1-3 roll on Corruption Table

Offensive Taint Exploitation

YOU Can Spend THEIR Taint

When attacking an enemy with Taint Markers, you may spend their Taint for offensive bonuses BEFORE rolling Attack Dice.

Exploitation Options

Cost	Effect	Timing
1 Taint	EXPOSED WEAKNESS Gain Advantage on this attack (roll 3 Attack Dice, take 2 highest)	Before rolling Attack Dice
2 Taint	FORCE REROLL Force target to reroll up to 2 successful Defense Dice	After Defense roll
1 Taint	HEAT SPIKE Target gains +1 Heat immediately	Any time on your turn
3 Taint	COMPONENT VULNERABILITY This attack deals +1 Component Damage	Before rolling Attack Dice
4 Taint	NEURAL DISRUPTION Target cannot play Reactive cards against this attack	Before rolling Attack Dice
5 Taint	TAINT OVERLOAD Target immediately flips 1 Pilot Wound card	Any time on your turn

Defensive Taint Exploitation

THEY Can Spend THEIR OWN Taint

When YOU have Taint Markers, you may spend them for desperate power. BUT: This increases your Corruption risk.

Desperate Power Options

Cost	Effect	Risk
2 Taint	TAINTED FURY +2 damage to next attack this turn	Gain 1 Heat
3 Taint	IGNORE PAIN Reduce next damage taken by 3 (before Defense roll)	Gain 1 Heat
1 Taint	VOID STEP Move 2 hexes (costs 0 SP)	Gain 1 Heat
4 Taint	THERMAL PURGE Remove ALL Heat, ignore Strain roll this turn	Permanent -1 SP max (until end of mission)
5 Taint	RESURRECTION PROTOCOL (Once per battle) When Casket HP reaches 0, reshuffle discard and return with 10 cards	Pilot flips 2 Wound cards

Corruption Table

When you fail Corruption Save (rolled 1-3), roll 1d6:

d6	Result	Effect
1-2	PUPPET OF THE ENGINE	Enemy controls your Casket for 1 full turn. After, return to control at 5 Taint
3-4	TAINT NOVA	Explode in Engine energy: 3d6 damage to all within 3 hexes (including allies). You take 6 damage. Reset to 0 Taint
5-6	MUTATION	Pilot flips 1 Severe Injury immediately. Casket gains permanent mutation (roll 1d6 for type). Reset to 5 Taint

Mutation Table (1d6)

• 1-2: Clawed Limb - +1 melee damage, but -1 SP max
• 3-4: Third Eye - Ignore Disadvantage from cover, but -1 Defense
• 5-6: Void Touched - Can spend Taint at -1 cost, but gain +1 Taint per turn

Faction Interactions with Taint

Faction	Taint Interaction
Church of Absolution	Martyrdom Theme: Church WANTS Taint for self-sacrifice. Corruption Save 3+ (more resistant). Can self-inflict Taint via Blood Offering
Dwarven Forge-Guilds	Rune-Warded: Gain Taint at half rate (6 damage = 1 Taint). Cannot be exploited until 8+ Taint. Cannot spend own Taint (rune-locked)
The Ossuarium	Corruption Masters: "Death's Patience": Resist Taint penalties until 5+ Taint. "Decay Aura": Enemies within 3 hexes gain 1 Taint/turn. Corruption Save 5+ (very resistant)
Elven Verdant Covenant	Nature vs Corruption: Gain Taint at DOUBLE rate (3 damage = 2 Taint). "Regeneration" removes 1 Taint. Corruption Save 5+ only in Forest terrain

Strategic Depth

"Taint Bomb" Strategy

1. Focus fire on 1 enemy to stack Taint (get them to 6+ Taint)
2. Once high Taint, spend it aggressively (Exposed Weakness, Force Reroll, Component Vulnerability)
3. Finish them before they can self-purge

"Risk/Reward" Decision

• Do I spend Taint for immediate power (Tainted Fury) or save it for Resurrection Protocol?
• Do I accept Taint for positioning (stand in Tainted Ground for better angle)?
• Do I use Church's Blood Offering (gain Taint) for alpha strike?

Church "Taint Martyr" Build

1. Play Blood Offering (+1 Taint, +3 damage)
2. Stand in Tainted Ground (+1 Taint per turn)
3. At 7-8 Taint, spend 2 Taint on Tainted Fury (+2 damage)
4. Total: +5 damage from Taint manipulation
5. Risk: You're at 5-6 Taint after spending, vulnerable to enemy exploitation

Integration with Other v3.0 Systems

See Also

Taint Exploitation integrates with these systems:

Designer's Notes

Why Taint Exploitation Works

1. Offensive Counterplay: Not just "deal damage," but "stack Taint, then exploit it"
2. Risk/Reward: Church can self-Taint for power, but risks Corruption
3. Faction Asymmetry: Dwarves resist, Elves vulnerable, Ossuarium thrive, Church weaponize
4. Tactical Depth: Markers create offensive/defensive dynamics and strategic decision points

Design Philosophy

Taint as Resource: Represents Engine corruption accumulation (not direct damage). Can be spent offensively (by enemies to debuff you) or defensively (by yourself for power). Threshold-based system: Reach 10 = Corruption risk. Persistent across reshuffles (corruption is permanent until exploited).