Journey Through the Andes
Journey Through the Andes is scenario six of Act III: Steel in the original game and Definitive Edition, set in 1817. The expedition led by Simon Bolivar must reach Pacamayo Valley, while the Boneguard’s scouts threaten to alert the enemy. It is a route-and-pursuit mission: reaching the destination matters, but the optional challenge rewards control of the approaches.
Scenario setting & objectives
The required objective is to reach Pacamayo Valley. The optional objective is to prevent any Scout from reaching the Boneguard army. Reveal the path before moving the main force, and divide attention between the destination and the routes a Scout could use. Keep mobile units ready to intercept rather than sending every unit directly toward the valley.
Mission approach
Prioritize the required route and preserve the force needed to complete the mission. Pursue the Scout objective when a small mobile detachment can cover the likely path without weakening the main group. Avoid splitting the army among optional skirmishes until the route to Pacamayo is secure.
Route hazards, forces and mission choices
Journey Through the Andes is the sixth scenario in Act III: Steel and takes place in 1817. Amelia Black and Ká:nien lead the player’s force toward Pacamayo Valley while the Circle of Ossus pursues them. Reaching the valley is the primary objective; the secondary challenge is to prevent every Scout from reaching the Boneguard army, which awards 1,500 experience. The starting force includes Amelia, Ká:nien, four Musketeers, three Skirmishers and three Streltsy. The high mountain route steadily damages the player’s units in the extreme cold. They recover only beside a campfire, while valleys connected to the road and caves provide opportunities to avoid the worst exposure. Enemy patrols arrive along the route, and the pursuing force includes Black Riders; Cavalry Archers can approach from the valley. The map is based on the Rockies but follows a long winding crossing rather than a conventional open land battlefield. Move the main group between shelters and avoid leaving fragile units outside to absorb unnecessary cold damage. Keep mobile units ready to intercept Scouts, but do not let the optional objective pull the whole force away from the route. Six Treasures are distributed across the map, including rewards along the western route, in northeastern caves and to the southeast; attempt them only when the force can safely spare time. The essential mission is movement and survival, not building a permanent economy. Preserve the heroes and enough fighting strength to reach the destination, use caves to break contact where possible, and return to the road when the next safe passage is clear. This scenario-specific cold and Scout objective should not be mistaken for ordinary Rockies map rules.
Suggested movement sequence
A reliable approach is to keep the heroes and slower infantry together, use the path’s shelters deliberately, and send a small mobile group to inspect the next section before the main force advances. The cold damage punishes unnecessary pauses in exposed areas, while a campfire can restore health when the group is stationary beside it. Caves let the player avoid some patrols and reduce avoidable damage; they are not a reason to lose the mission’s direction. The enemy Scouts are tied to the optional reward, so identify likely routes and intercept them with available mobile units rather than scattering the whole army. The starting Musketeers, Skirmishers and Streltsy provide a mixed force, but the player has no ordinary base economy to replace every loss. Preserve units whenever possible and spend Treasure time only when the route is safe. The primary objective is simply to reach Pacamayo Valley, so a detour that costs too much health or leaves the heroes exposed can be worse than abandoning a Treasure. Enemy Black Riders and Cavalry Archers make an unsupported retreat dangerous. Move between protected segments, regroup before each patrol contact and resume the route as soon as the force is ready. The secondary Scout challenge is valuable, but completing the campaign objective remains the priority.
Reach Pacamayo while preventing Scouts from warning the Circle
Amelia and Ká:nien must cross the Andes and reach Pacamayo Valley before Beaumont and the Circle can secure the Fountain of Youth. The primary objective is to reach the valley; the optional condition is not to let a single Scout reach the Boneguard army. This makes the mission a route-control challenge rather than a broad base-building scenario. Watch the paths used by enemy Scouts and intercept them before they reach the army, while keeping the heroes on the route toward the valley. Do not chase a Scout so far that Amelia and Ká:nien lose progress or enter a dangerous area without support. The two objectives can conflict if the player pursues every scout personally, so position defenders on likely approaches and keep the main group moving. Protect the heroes through the cold terrain and use the map markers to guide the route.