Rogue Command Update Revamps Deckbuilding & Difficulty

Think real-time strategy is on its last legs? It might be time to give Rogue Command another look. This under-the-radar roguelike fuses Slay the Spire–style deckbuilding with fast-paced, resource-heavy skirmishes that feel straight out of classic C&C. The June update lands today, marking the most significant revamp since launch—and a true turning point for genre-mash RTS rogues.

Blueprint Pools, Scalable Heat, Balanced Enemies, and Phasewalker Specialist

• Blueprint pools let you draft from themed card sets instead of pure RNG
• Pre-run difficulty selector and “heat levels” post-Ascension 10 for masochist-friendly scaling
• Enemy balance revamped: fewer weaklings, more deadly squad combos
• New Phasewalker specialist teleports and buffs troops for fresh tactics

Publisher|Fennec Diaspora
Release Date|Out now (latest update June 2024)
Genres|RTS, Roguelike, Deckbuilder
Platforms|PC (Steam)

Rogue Command’s new blueprint pools system transforms its upgrade drafting, swapping random overwhelm for focused archetypes like Tanks, Healers, or DPS. While you still face chance, you get to steer your build rather than chase lucky draws.

In practice, this change speeds up pacing. Now, each run feels like honing a real build—crafting infantry-heavy armies or vehicle squads—instead of praying RNG might be nice this time. It’s Slay the Spire logic on a real-time battlefield where one misstep can snowball fast.

The update also retools enemy encounters. Trash-mob spam is dialed back so high-threat units hit harder and force you to adapt on the fly. Plus, you can now pick your base difficulty before booting a run, and after Ascension 10 you unlock optional heat levels that crank up enemy AI, speed, and damage. Think Hades muse system or Risk of Rain 2’s artifacts: it’s perfect if you want to see how far your build can go.

My favorite tweak is the Phasewalker specialist. This unit warps in to buff key troops, reposition forces instantly, or pull an overextended squad back to safety. It’s a small addition that upends stale metagames and encourages on-the-spot creativity—yes, there’s a hint of RTS-MOBA flair, and I’m here for it.

Beyond Rogue Command, this update quietly issues a call to other indie RTS-roguelikes. Titles like Metal Mind or Despot’s Game trial genre mash-ups, but Rogue Command treats deckbuilding as more than an RNG toy—it makes it a core strategy layer. And in roguelike design, letting players craft their own mythic synergies is what turns a one-off playthrough into an obsession.

Why This Matters for Strategy Fans

If you skipped Rogue Command over random chaos or grind fatigue, now’s your moment to return. Focused blueprints mean viable build paths, the enemy overhaul keeps each skirmish tense, and heat levels ensure seasoned players stay on their toes. Add in the Phasewalker’s teleport shenanigans, and you’ve got a game that rewards forethought as much as flashy reflexes.

At $14.99 on Steam, this update feels like a steal—especially during the Summer Sale. If you’ve been waiting for an indie RTS to justify the genre’s survival in 2024, Rogue Command might just be your answer. Even if you’re deep into deckbuilding roguelikes, this one stakes its claim by doing things differently—and mostly nailing the landing.

TL;DR: RTS Deckbuilder Gets Its Groove Back

The blueprint pools overhaul injects serious strategic depth, scalable heat levels cater to both casuals and masochists, and the Phasewalker specialist adds a fresh tactical twist. Rogue Command’s latest patch proves the genre’s future is still being written—one card draft at a time.