The world of Warsaken® descends into darker territory with the release of Shadow Contagion, a tightly focused 20-card micro-set inspired by the chilling narrative found in the accompanying short story. This expansion explores the fallout of Lord Aksel Ziegler’s fungal experiments, Governor Makur Key’s response, and the catastrophic consequences sealed beneath the Vakrott Research Lab.
Shadow Contagion is built around themes of infection, morale pressure, public perception, and the brutal economics of war, bringing new gameplay angles to every faction.
Two Leaders, Two Philosophies
At the heart of the set are two opposing leaders:
Makur Key, War Financier
A mastermind of resources and political manipulation, Key gains value from enemy inefficiency and converts it into raw economic superiority. His abilities reinforce themes of profit from chaos, equipment dominance, and morale-aware operations.
Special versions include:
- War Financier (Infinite)
- Authentic War Financier (Loot)
- Tyrant War Financier (Decadent)
Aksel Ziegler, Necrotech
Cold, brilliant, and dangerously pragmatic, Ziegler commands the fungal soldier program. His toolkit focuses on infected units, retrieving them from the arsenal or even from discard piles. Once the infection spreads, his NECROGENESIS ability can decisively tilt the battlefield.
Variants include:
- Necrotech (Infinite)
- Authentic Necrotech (Loot)
- Tyrant Necrotech (Decadent)
Territory, Tension, and Collapse
Vakrott Research Lab, the site of the story’s events, anchors the set with a territory that embodies both strength and risk. While it produces valuable resources, its elimination punishes players by wiping unspent resources and causing a morale crash—mirroring the lab’s catastrophic failure in the lore.
Infection Mechanic & Biological Warfare
Shadow Contagion’s most distinctive feature is its new Infected Soldier forces—wild soldiers with built-in mechanics like DECAY and IMMOBILE, representing the mindless obedience and degradation described in the story.
These units interact with devastating WMD cards such as:
- Infected Payload
- Feed the Infection
- The Cure
Some WMDs reward spreading infection; others represent attempts to halt it at any cost.
Morale-Based Decisions
Cards like Test Subjects A/B and Tremble in Fear force players to weigh short-term power against long-term morale stability.
Intel & Cover-Ups
Ziegler’s manipulative nature appears through Intel cards like:
- Escape Plan (a near-death contingency for leaders)
- Demonstration (targeted hand disruption)
- Retrograde (salvage and resource recovery)
These emphasize secrecy, sabotage, and behind-the-scenes influence.
New Forces & Battlefield Presence
Shadow Contagion also includes non-infected units, such as:
- Sergeant Isaiah Carter (stealth infiltration)
- Captain Marcus Knight (heavy soldier with first-strike capability)
These reinforce the human side of the conflict—elite operators caught in the middle of something far beyond their expectations.
Collector’s Corner: Mystery Pack Exclusives
Shadow Contagion introduces a handful of exclusive special variations available only in mystery booster bundles and boxes. These variants include Infinite, Loot, and Decadent leader editions with unique aesthetics and collectible appeal. They serve as premium counterparts to the standard set, offering visual distinction without altering gameplay mechanics.
A Small Set With Large Impact
Shadow Contagion may be just 20 cards, but its themes of infection, resource manipulation, and moral compromise make it one of the most atmospheric micro-sets ever released for Warsaken. Whether you favor economic control, ruthless biological strategies, or precise military operations, Shadow Contagion provides new tools—and new dangers—on every front.
