Beyond the Board: A Deep Dive into Vulcan’s Battle Chess

An Introduction to a New Kind of War

John: In the ever-expanding universe of GameFi, a few titles manage to generate a unique kind of buzz. They borrow familiar concepts and infuse them with the novel mechanics of blockchain technology. Today, we’re looking at one such game: Vulcan’s Battle Chess. The name itself is evocative, bringing to mind the classic 1989 computer game Battle Chess, where pieces violently clashed in animated combat. It also taps into a rich vein of fantasy and sci-fi lore, from the Roman god of fire to Star Trek’s logical Vulcans.

Lila: That’s a powerful name to live up to. When I first heard it, I pictured a standard game of chess, but with animated mythological creatures and maybe some NFT skins for the King and Queen. Is that what we’re talking about?

John: That’s the most common first impression, and it’s a logical one. But Vulcan’s Battle Chess is something quite different, and arguably, much more aligned with modern gaming trends. It’s not a turn-based board game in the traditional sense. Instead, it belongs to the “auto-battler” or “auto-chess” genre. Think less about the slow, deliberate moves of a Grandmaster and more about the strategic preparation of a general before a battle ensues.

Lila: An auto-battler? Like Teamfight Tactics or Dota Underlords? So you build an army and then… just watch?

John: Precisely. The core gameplay loop involves selecting a team of units, strategically placing them on a grid-based battlefield, and then letting them fight automatically against your opponent’s army. The strategy is all front-loaded into the preparation phase. Which units do you choose? Where do you position your tanks, your damage dealers, your support units? How do their abilities synergize? That’s where the “chess” element truly lies—in the political and tactical maneuvering of your forces before the first sword is even swung. It’s a genre that has proven to be incredibly popular for its blend of deep strategy and accessible, hands-off action.

Lila: And this one is getting some serious attention. I saw a newsletter from Puck News that even mentioned “Netflix’s Vulcan Chess” in a headline. That’s a huge potential spotlight. Is there a series in the works?

John: That’s the million-dollar question, and something we must approach with caution. The mention in the Puck newsletter (as cited in a search result for June 2025) is certainly intriguing and suggests the project has crossed the radar of mainstream entertainment media. However, as of today, there has been no official confirmation from either Vulcan Forged or Netflix about a partnership or series. For now, we have to file that under “exciting but unconfirmed rumor.” Still, it speaks to the project’s potential reach. The focus for us, and for new players, should be on the game itself, which is part of the much larger and well-established Vulcan Forged ecosystem.

Overview & Key Features: More Than Just Pieces on a Board

John: At its heart, Vulcan’s Battle Chess is a game of strategic army composition set in a Greco-Roman mythological world. Players assemble a squad from a wide range of creatures known as ‘Vulcanites’—each with unique stats, abilities, and classes. The goal is simple, and one that fans of the genre will find familiar: be the last player standing. As one online community member described a similar game, the objective is to “Capture the opponent’s Commander or all of its forces to win.” While the specifics might differ slightly, that’s the core essence.

Lila: It sounds like the depth comes from the Vulcanites themselves. What are the key features that make this particular auto-battler stand out from the crowd?

John: That’s the right question to ask. The developers, Vulcan Forged, have built a comprehensive ecosystem, and Battle Chess leverages that foundation. Here are the standout features:

John:

• Deep Strategic Gameplay: This isn’t a game of chance. Winning requires a deep understanding of unit synergies, counters, and battlefield positioning. You might build a defensive front line of minotaurs while your satyr mages cast spells from the back. Your opponent might counter with flying harpies that bypass your front line entirely. Every match is a new puzzle.
• True Asset Ownership via NFTs: This is the GameFi cornerstone. Your Vulcanites aren’t just data on a company server; they are Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) on the blockchain. This means you truly own them. You can level them up, trade them on the open marketplace, or even use them in other games within the VulcanVerse, adding a layer of persistence and value that traditional games lack.
• Play-and-Earn Mechanics: Vulcan Forged has been a proponent of a “Play-and-Earn” model, a subtle but important evolution of “Play-to-Earn.” The emphasis is on creating a fun, engaging game first. The earning potential, primarily through the in-game currency `$LAVA`, is a reward for skill and participation, not the sole reason to play.
• Lore-Rich Universe: Battle Chess is not a standalone title. It’s woven into the fabric of the VulcanVerse, a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). The Vulcanites you command in Battle Chess are the same creatures that roam the lands of VulcanVerse. This creates a cohesive, cross-platform experience where your achievements and assets in one game can have relevance in another.
• Low-Complexity Entry Point: While the strategy is deep, the core concept is straightforward, making it what some in the wargaming community might call a “low complexity block wargame” in principle. You don’t need to be a crypto wizard or a chess grandmaster to start having fun. The basics are easy to grasp, but the skill ceiling is incredibly high.

Lila: So the NFTs aren’t just digital statues. They’re functional, cross-game assets. That feels like a significant step up from many early NFT projects that were just about collecting JPEGs. It gives the assets real utility.

John: Exactly. Utility is the name of the game in modern GameFi. An NFT’s value is increasingly tied to what it can *do*. In Vulcan’s Battle Chess, your NFTs are your army. Their strength, rarity, and level directly impact your ability to compete and win.

Technical Elements: Under the Hood

John: From a technical standpoint, Vulcan’s Battle Chess is built to be accessible. It’s part of the My Forge platform, which serves as a central hub for all of Vulcan Forged’s games. Players can typically access the game through a web browser, which lowers the barrier to entry significantly compared to games requiring a high-end gaming PC and a large client download.

Lila: So you don’t need a beast of a machine to run it? That’s great news for accessibility. What about the engine and the overall feel? Is it a smooth experience?

John: The development team has focused on creating a stable and fluid experience. Because the “action” phase is automated, the game doesn’t demand the kind of split-second network synchronization that a real-time shooter would. The critical technical component is the backend—the connection to the blockchain for asset verification and the matchmaking servers. Vulcan Forged has been operating in this space for years, as their YouTube channel and extensive ecosystem demonstrate, so they have a mature infrastructure. The graphics are stylized and clear, designed to communicate unit types and battlefield status effectively without being overly demanding on hardware.

Lila: So the tech is designed to serve the gameplay and the blockchain integration, not to push graphical boundaries for their own sake. That sounds like a smart, pragmatic approach.

John: It is. In GameFi, a stable, secure, and responsive connection to the blockchain and its assets is paramount. That’s where the development focus needs to be, and Vulcan Forged appears to understand that well.

NFT & Blockchain Usage: The Engine of the Economy

John: This is the section that truly separates Vulcan’s Battle Chess from its traditional gaming counterparts. The entire game is built upon a blockchain foundation, which governs everything from asset ownership to the in-game economy.

Lila: Okay, let’s break that down for someone who’s new to this. Which blockchain are we talking about, and what are all these tokens and NFTs really *for*?

John: An excellent and essential question. Here’s the breakdown of the Vulcan Forged blockchain stack, which is what powers Battle Chess:

John:

• The Blockchain: Elysium

  Vulcan Forged has developed its own dedicated blockchain called Elysium. It’s described as a carbon-neutral, EVM-compatible (meaning it’s built on principles similar to Ethereum) blockchain designed specifically for gaming and NFTs. Originally, the ecosystem was built on Polygon, a popular Layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum, but they have since migrated to their own chain to have more control over speed, transaction costs, and features tailored to their gaming partners. This is a significant move that shows a long-term commitment to their infrastructure.

• The Primary Token: $PYR

  $PYR (Pyr) is the core utility and governance token of the entire Vulcan Forged ecosystem. Think of it as the foundational currency. Its primary uses include:

  • Staking: Holders can stake `$PYR` to earn rewards and support the network.
  • Marketplace Transactions: Buying and selling high-value NFTs, like land in VulcanVerse or top-tier Vulcanites, is done using `$PYR`.
  • Ecosystem Fees: Some platform fees are settled in `$PYR`.
  • Play-and-Earn Pools: A portion of the game’s reward pools are funded by `$PYR`.
• The Rewards Token: $LAVA

  $LAVA is the secondary, in-game rewards token. This is what players primarily earn by actively playing and winning matches in games like Battle Chess. Its main purpose is to be spent within the game itself—for things like upgrading Vulcanites, entering certain tournaments, or other gameplay-related activities. This dual-token system is a common and effective model in GameFi. It allows `$LAVA` to be the inflationary “gameplay” currency, absorbing the selling pressure from players earning rewards, while protecting the core `$PYR` token’s value as a more stable, long-term asset.

• The NFTs: Your Vulcanite Army

  As we’ve discussed, the units themselves are the primary NFTs. Each Vulcanite has a level, stats, and lore. Because they are NFTs on the Elysium blockchain, their existence and your ownership are recorded on an immutable public ledger. You can view your assets in your wallet, and no one, not even the game developers, can take them from you. They can be freely traded on the official Vulcan Forged Marketplace, creating a dynamic, player-driven economy.

Lila: So, if I understand correctly: I play Battle Chess, I win matches, and I earn `$LAVA`. I can use that `$LAVA` to make my NFT Vulcanites stronger. If I get a really powerful or rare Vulcanite, I can then sell it on the marketplace to another player for `$PYR`. And `$PYR` is the token that can be traded on external crypto exchanges for other currencies.

John: You’ve just perfectly described the entire economic loop. That’s the model in a nutshell. It creates a circular economy where gameplay directly contributes to asset value, which in turn encourages more gameplay.

Getting Started: Your First Battle

John: For many, the biggest hurdle in GameFi isn’t the gameplay, but the setup process. Fortunately, Vulcan Forged has streamlined this over the years. It’s more straightforward than you might think.

Lila: Walk me through it. Let’s say I’m a complete beginner. I have zero crypto, no wallet, nothing. What are the exact steps to get onto the battlefield?

John: A fair challenge. Here is a beginner-friendly, step-by-step guide:

John:

1. Create a MyForge Account: The first step is to head to the official Vulcan Forged website and sign up for a MyForge account. This will be your central hub for all games, your profile, and your assets.
2. Set Up Your Wallet: The MyForge platform is integrated with crypto wallets. You’ll need one to store your `$PYR`, `$LAVA`, and NFTs. The platform is compatible with several wallets, but a popular choice for beginners is MetaMask. You can also use the platform’s native Venly wallet, which can often be created with just an email address, simplifying the process for newcomers. This wallet is your digital identity and bank account on the blockchain, so keep your recovery phrase safe and never share it.
3. Acquire Starter Assets: Here’s where it can vary. Vulcan Forged has often had systems in place for new players to get started without a significant upfront investment. This might include a set of basic, non-NFT starter units to learn the game. To be competitive and participate in the earn economy, you will eventually want to acquire some NFT Vulcanites. You can do this by purchasing them from the Vulcan Forged marketplace using `$PYR`. You would need to acquire `$PYR` from a cryptocurrency exchange and send it to your MyForge wallet first.
4. Access and Play the Game: Once your account is set up and you have some units (starter or NFT), you can navigate to Vulcan’s Battle Chess through the My Forge dashboard and jump into a match. There’s often a tutorial to guide you through the basics of unit placement and synergies.

Lila: So there’s a potential free-to-play path to learn the ropes before you decide to invest in your own NFT army. That seems like a smart way to onboard new players without scaring them away with high entry costs.

John: It is. The best GameFi projects understand that they need to be great games first. Allowing players to experience the fun of the core loop for free is the best way to convince them of the value of participating in the deeper economy.

Reputation & Reviews: Praise and Criticism

John: No project exists in a vacuum, especially in the vocal and passionate crypto community. Vulcan Forged and its games have built a reputation over several years, and with that comes both high praise and fair criticism.

Lila: Let’s start with the good stuff. What does the community generally praise about Battle Chess and the wider ecosystem?

John: The praise often centers on a few key areas. First, the strategic depth is frequently highlighted. Players who enjoy theory-crafting and finding new meta-breaking combinations really sink their teeth into the game. Second, the ambition and scope of the Vulcan Forged ecosystem are widely respected. They aren’t just launching a single game; they’re building a whole universe with interconnected parts, powered by their own blockchain. This long-term vision gives players confidence. Finally, the team’s persistence and continuous development—such as the major migration to the Elysium blockchain—is seen as a very positive sign of their commitment.

Lila: Okay, but it can’t be all sunshine and roses. What are some of the common critiques or challenges players face?

John: Of course. The criticisms are often typical for projects of this scale in the GameFi space. For newcomers, the learning curve can be steep, not necessarily in the game, but in the surrounding crypto mechanics. Understanding wallets, tokens, and marketplaces takes time. Secondly, as with any game with a competitive meta and an open economy, game balance is a perpetual challenge. A new Vulcanite or a balance patch can shake up the meta, sometimes leading to frustration if a player’s favorite strategy is nerfed. Finally, while there are free-to-play options, some players feel that to be truly competitive at the highest levels, a significant investment in top-tier NFTs is required, which can create a gap between high-spenders and the rest of the player base.

Lila: That pay-to-compete dynamic is a classic issue in both free-to-play traditional games and GameFi. It seems like a very difficult tightrope to walk for developers.

John: It is the central challenge. But the open market of NFTs provides a unique solution: if you are skilled enough, you can potentially *earn* your way to the top, reinvesting your `$LAVA` rewards into better units. It’s a different paradigm from traditional games where the money only flows in one direction.

Q&A: Answering the Big Questions

John: We get a lot of recurring questions from our readers who are curious about GameFi. Let’s tackle three of the most common ones regarding Vulcan’s Battle Chess.

Lila: Fire away. I’ll be the voice of the curious reader. First question: “You keep talking about the blockchain, but why does a chess game even need a blockchain? It sounds overly complicated.”

John: An essential question. The blockchain provides three things that traditional game servers cannot. First, true and verifiable ownership. When you buy a skin in a traditional game, you are merely licensing it. The company can shut down the game and your assets disappear. With an NFT Vulcanite, you own it in your personal wallet, independent of the game itself. It’s yours. Second, it enables a permissionless, player-run economy. The Vulcan Forged marketplace allows anyone to buy, sell, and trade assets freely, with prices set by supply and demand, not by the developer. Third, it allows for interoperability. As the ecosystem grows, your Vulcanite from Battle Chess might become a pet in the VulcanVerse MMORPG or provide a bonus in another future title. The blockchain is the universal backbone that makes all of this possible.

Lila: Okay, that makes sense. It’s about ownership and creating a real economy. Next question: “What’s the deal with the two currencies, `$PYR` and `$LAVA`? Why not just have one? It’s confusing.”

John: This is a point of confusion for many, but it’s a very clever economic design. The dual-token system separates the “investment asset” from the “gameplay reward.” `$PYR` is the core token with a fixed supply, representing a stake in the entire ecosystem. Its value is meant to be more stable, reflecting the overall health and growth of Vulcan Forged. `$LAVA` is the inflationary “faucet” token. It’s created and given to players as a reward for playing. If there were only one token, the constant stream of rewards being earned and sold by players would put continuous downward pressure on its price. By separating them, `$LAVA` absorbs that daily selling pressure, allowing players to cash out their earnings without destabilizing the ecosystem’s main governance and value token, `$PYR`.

Lila: So `$LAVA` is for earning and spending, and `$PYR` is for investing and trading big-ticket items. Got it. Last one: “If I get a super-rare NFT unit, can I actually sell it for what people call ‘real money’?”

John: Yes, though it’s a multi-step process. If you acquire a rare Vulcanite, you can list it for sale on the Vulcan Forged marketplace for a certain amount of `$PYR`. If another player buys it, you will receive `$PYR` in your wallet. From there, you can send that `$PYR` to a centralized cryptocurrency exchange—one that has `$PYR` listed for trading. On that exchange, you can trade your `$PYR` for a more common cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or Ethereum, or directly for fiat currency like US Dollars or Euros, which you can then withdraw to your bank account. The key thing to remember is that the value is not guaranteed. It’s determined entirely by what another player is willing to pay for it.

Developer Info: The Forgers of Vulcan

John: A game is only as strong as the team behind it. In this case, the developer is Vulcan Forged, a name that has become quite established in the GameFi sector.

Lila: Are they just a one-game studio, or is there more to them? What’s their track record?

John: They are far from a one-game studio. As their official channels state, Vulcan Forged is a full-service “blockchain game studio, NFT engine, [and] marketplace.” They’ve built an entire platform. Their flagship product is the VulcanVerse, a vast fantasy MMORPG. Alongside that and Battle Chess, they have other titles like Forge Arena and Berserk, a trading card game. This multi-game approach is central to their vision of an interconnected ecosystem where NFTs have utility across different experiences. Their primary technology partner is, in essence, themselves, through the development of the Elysium blockchain.

Lila: And what about the future? Is there a public roadmap? What can players look forward to?

John: Vulcan Forged is known for being in a state of constant development. While specific roadmaps for Battle Chess might include new Vulcanites, balance changes, and tournament modes, the broader ecosystem roadmap is even more important. The continued build-out of the Elysium blockchain, onboarding more third-party games, and increasing the cross-game utility of their NFTs are the big-picture goals. Players can expect an evolving meta in Battle Chess and an expanding world in the VulcanVerse that their actions and assets connect to.

Summary: The Final Gambit

John: To bring it all together, Vulcan’s Battle Chess is much more than a simple chess clone with a blockchain twist. It’s a strategically deep auto-battler that serves as a key entry point into one of GameFi’s most ambitious and developed ecosystems. It cleverly uses the “chess” moniker not to describe its turn-based mechanics, but the “political chess match wrapped in supernova-level stakes” that defines its strategic core.

Lila: So, it’s for gamers who love the strategic challenge of an auto-battler but also want the added layers of true asset ownership, a player-driven economy, and being part of a larger, evolving gaming universe. It’s a game, an investment, and a community all rolled into one.

John: That’s a perfect summary. Vulcan’s Battle Chess isn’t just about winning a single match; it’s about building lasting value in a digital world. Whether it will achieve mainstream recognition, perhaps through a rumored Netflix deal or simply through its own merits, remains to be seen. But for now, it stands as a powerful testament to the potential of next-generation gaming.

Disclaimer: The world of cryptocurrency and NFTs is volatile. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research (DYOR) before investing in any digital asset or platform.

References

• Official Vulcan’s Battle Chess Page
• Vulcan Forged Official YouTube Channel
• Elysium Blockchain Official Site
• Puck News (as referenced in SERP, noting it is unconfirmed): “Anna Wintour Games, HBO’s Comp Battle & Netflix’s Vulcan Chess”

Related Links

• Vulcan Forged Main Website
• Vulcan Forged NFT Marketplace

GameFi, NFT, Play-to-Earn, Vulcan Forged, Auto-Battler