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About Dread Admiral
Dread Admiral is a turn‑based naval roguelite where you command a fleet that persists across missions. Ships you construct remain, and any lost are permanently gone, making each building decision weighty.
Every mission consumes a turn, bringing the Black Fleet ever closer. You earn ranks, unlock perks, and upgrade your flagship even after defeats, while AI Admirals with distinct tactics and random mission modifiers keep each campaign unique.
01 / THE GUIDE
Persistent Fleet
Every ship you build carries forward, and every ship you lose is lost forever. This permanence forces you to weigh long‑term utility against short‑term power when constructing new vessels.
Because lost ships cannot be recovered, rebuilding them consumes future turns that the Black Fleet will use to close the distance, turning fleet composition into a strategic resource.
- Prioritize versatile ships that can handle multiple roles to reduce future rebuild needs.
- Monitor which ship classes you lose most often and adjust your construction priorities accordingly.
02 / THE GUIDE
Turn Pressure
Each turn spent on a mission is a turn less for the future, moving the Black Fleet nearer. This creates a constant tension between acting now and preserving time.
Deciding when to fight or flee directly influences how quickly the Black Fleet approaches, making time management a core element of every strategic choice.
- Compare the immediate reward of a mission with the long‑term cost of losing a turn.
- Use early turns to gather resources that may offset later pressure from the Black Fleet.
03 / THE GUIDE
AI Admirals
You face AI Admirals with distinct personalities and tactics. Their fleets and economies adapt to your actions, providing dynamic opposition throughout the campaign.
Observing an AI Admiral’s patterns can help you anticipate moves, but their adaptability means no single strategy guarantees success.
- Watch the composition of an AI Admiral’s fleet before committing to a direct clash.
- Adjust your own economy to counter the specific tactics you notice.
04 / THE GUIDE
Unpredictable Mission Modifiers
Each mission includes unpredictable modifiers that alter conditions, forcing you to reassess tactics on the fly. These modifiers keep campaigns fresh and prevent repetition.
Because modifiers vary, the same ship lineup may perform differently from one mission to the next, encouraging flexible planning and balanced fleet design.
- Maintain a mixed‑role fleet to handle a variety of possible modifiers.
- Reserve versatile ships for missions where modifiers are unknown.
05 / THE GUIDE
Perks and Flagship Upgrades
Earn ranks, unlock perks, and acquire technology that improve your flagship even when you lose. These upgrades persist across the campaign, offering incremental advantages.
Persistent perks and flagship upgrades can become decisive in later turns, helping you survive longer as the Black Fleet draws nearer.
- Prioritize perks that enhance survivability for extended campaigns.
- Upgrade the flagship early to maximize its lasting impact.
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