A known hobby for most of the world, it’s near impossible to find someone who has never delved into the world of collectibles, whether it is stamps, figurines or even bottle caps. But no doubt the most popular of these is the never-dying world of Collectible Card Games. (CCGs)
The unique experience of owning valuables combined with the nature of games, CCGs come in many varieties.
Whether you are taken by the exciting gameplay, the rush of competition or the amazing art; there is a CCG in the world that’ll fit your tastes.
Let’s take a look at the most popular CCGs out there.
10. Flesh and Blood
The newest release on our list, Flesh and Blood despite being new, is a heavy-hitter. Released in late 2019, the game has gathered a huge player base ever since.
If the name is off putting, do not worry. Unlike its name, the art and the gameplay is not as gruesome. Published by Legend Story Studios out of New Zealand, a new wind in the world of CCGs, Flesh and Blood combines the traditional seated gameplay with capturing art and fantastical story-telling of its cards.
The rules are simple; two players face each other with decks consisting of 60 cards, no more than three copies of each card. Each round lasts about 50 minutes, where if no winner is declared at the end three more turns are added to the play. If both heroes are living at the end, it is an honorable draw. (Or maybe not so.)
You face your opponent with might, magic, and equipment! And of course, your wits. Reveal your hero and equipment at the start of the game, but you might want to keep your strategies to yourself. Rules are very easy to pick up as you settle into the game.
Throw your dead in the graveyard or give them a proper burial and make sure your hero does not end up with them.
9. Star Wars Customizable Card Game
Yes, it is true. One of the most renowned epic operas in the world, if not the most, does have a card game. Despite the publishers Decipher Inc. canceling the game’s continuation in 2001, thanks to its loyal player base it has been kept alive ever since.
Called the Players Committee, they have undertaken the responsibility of releasing new cards every few months, and holding tournaments and championships. At one point with over 40,000 worldwide players, it was the second most popular CCG in the world.
With how many cards there are, rules can be a bit tricky, definitely easier as you continue playing.
60 cards per deck, players choose their side, Light vs Dark. And they battle against each other to claim locations that they have put down just before. Your deck which consists of vehicles, characters and weapons from the Star Wars Universe is how they drain their opponent’s Life Force, which is equal to the number of cards they have left in their deck.
So, if you want to go on this space adventure for yourself, go check out this wonderful CCG and its loyal player base.
8. A Game of Thrones: The Card Game
You’d be surprised to hear that this card game came long before the TV series that most of us know and love. Based on George R. R. Martin’s novel, A Song of Fire and Ice, A Game of Thrones: The Card Game was released in 2002 and got high praise from the CCG world.
It got so much praise that in 2002, the first release of the game, Westeros Edition was awarded the Best Collectible Card Game of the Year. The second release Ice and Fire Edition didn’t fall short, and won the Best Expansion or Supplement of the Year in 2003.
Even though its production has been switched to an LCG (Living Card Game) in 2007, the past randomized booster packs are still in play. And with the release of the TV Series its popularity has widely increased.
The only downside to this game is that the rulebook might be a little confusing at the beginning. While its complexity is off putting to some, if you are looking for a card game that will truly feel in depth and personal and with stakes high? This is the one for you.
Choose your family, choose your plot card. Defeat your opponent with intrigue, power and combat.
7. Final Fantasy Trading Card Game
It is no surprise that the famous video game franchise, Final Fantasy, would have a successful CCG. (And TCG, as CCGs are sometimes called)
As of 2017 3.5 million booster packs were sold in Japan, and 5.5 million packs worldwide. Over three thousand unique cards and a dedicated fan base, FF-TCG captured the hearts of many with its art and creativity as well as a simple rule-set.
Each deck consists of exactly 50 cards, and players draw five to their hands. From then on, they can play their cards by spending Crystal Points (CPs), similar to the mana system in various other games.
Cards are tied to elements, which when they want to play them, they must spend at least 1 CP of its kind, and the rest can be the standard CP. Players gain Element CP either by turning a Backup card sideways, or discarding a card in their hand belonging to the element type.
After your strategy plays out and you manage to deal 7 damage to your opponent, you win the game.
6. Deadlands: Doomtown
Based on the popular Deadlands RPG, Deadlands: Doomtown is one of the most unique CCGs out there. With its Weird West setting and poker-based combat phase, it has captured the hearts of not just traditional players but also those seeking a new experience.
Before its equally popular counterpart, the Doomtown: Reloaded Expendable Game was released, Doomtown was set in a city called Gomorra with various factions gunning for leadership. The Law Dogs against the outlaws Blackjack, family of witches Whateleys against the holy people of the Flock and more; Deadlands: Doomtown is not only just a competitive game but also a story experience.
The rules are simpler with this one, with Weird West appropriate phase terms; especially if you are familiar with playing cards. The decks consist of exactly 52 cards, and an outfit card which determines which faction a Dude (your gang members) belongs to. Every card variety in game is tied to an actual playing card suit, and they also have ranks the same way a playing card would.
There can be no more than four copies of a card, or cards with the same value or with same suit. You play your turns that are called days by starting phases, gambling to see who goes first, gathering upkeep from others, expand your gang. You win, by being the player with the most control and victory points.
Increase your influence, become a most fearsome gang leader, become rich; or follow the law and become honest and reputable by putting the criminals in their place.
Plan your world in Deadlands, with its witches, mysterious tribes, men in black, holy warriors and more…
5. Legend of the Five Rings
Set in the world of mystique and samurai, dragons and holy entities called Rokugan, Legend of the Five Rings (or L5R for short) is a CCG that is considered one of the classics.
A fantasy environment in feudal Japan, it was and still is a huge hit in the CCG society. The story driven with these cards was so beloved that the setting of Rokugan was featured as a campaign setting as an expansion to the third edition of world’s most popular TTRPG, Dungeons & Dragons with novels and miniature games to follow.
Adding their own flavor to the CCG genre, the publishers of L5R decided on several victory conditions a player can reach to beat their opponent. These conditions can change with the cards played, and evolve with which factions are chosen.
With 2 decks consisting of at least 40 cards for each player, the game goes on until one of these winning conditions is reached. The title “Emperor of Rokugan” is awarded to the winning player.
What is great about L5R is that not only can it be played with two players, but it also lets multiplayer matches take place, with each player representing a faction of Rokuga.
Wonderful art, many story options and a variety of cards to choose from, the Legend of the Five Rings is an impressive card game with an on-going worldwide fan base.
Win with honor or win with war, win with knowledge; the path is not a linear one, obstacles you shall overcome..
4. Netrunner
Designed by Richard Garfield, the creator of Magic: The Gathering, Netrunner is a CCG published by the Wizards of the Coast in 1996.
A favorite amongst the lovers of the cyberpunk genre, it even takes place in the Cyberpunk 2020 (RPG) setting.
A combat between a mega-corporation (the Corp) and the hacker (the Runner) takes place in Netrunner.
The Runner is constantly trying to break through the corporation’s defense system and steal their data, while the Corp’s goal is to complete their secret plans. These are all depicted with the cards played, the Corp tries to defend themselves with safety programs known as ICE, (Intrusion Countermeasure Electronics) and the Runner attempts to outsmart them with their programs called Icebreakers.
If you are bored of the card games that are set in fantastical worlds, and want a unique conflict experience, Netrunner is going to be an immensely rewarding game for you.
3. Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game
An on-going CCG launched by Konami in 1999, the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise is a name in the CCG genre that has left its mark permanently.
Once it was named the top selling CCG in the world by Guinness World Records, with sales exceeding 22 billion. Anime adaptations, spin off series, a manga franchise, Yu-Gi-Oh is a never ending saga.
Easily accessible with tournaments held at almost every local shop and championships in the world, you will never have a hard time finding players of Yu-Gi-Oh to battle against.
There are a few ways to win, such as your opponent not having any more cards in their deck to draw from, or lowering their Life Points to a zero, or completing certain card combos. Your deck consists of three types of cards, Monster, Spell and Trap.
Destroy your enemy’s monsters, defend your own and duel with magic and might.
2. Pokémon Trading Card Game
Known and loved by most born during the 90s and late 80s, the Pokémon franchise is a sensational CCG game in the world. Simple, eye-catching and exciting, it’s been going on since 1996.
In the game you assume the role of a Pokémon trainer with your own set of Pokémons, fighting others to be the best that no one ever was. You win by overpowering your opponent’s Pokémon and knocking them out, or drawing the game long enough that they have no cards left in their deck.
Whether you are drawn in for nostalgia, or the chance to collect valuable cards, or for the thrill of it, Pokémon will not disappoint.
1. Magic: The Gathering
A name that likely has been on the top of every top 10 card list in a long, long time. It was the first trading card game published, with over 20 billion Magic cards produced ever since its first release in 1993. Its popularity has been an upright increase, booming especially in the 2010s.
Bringing different works from Wizards of the Coast with each expansion, the goal is to face your opponent with magic, artifacts and creatures as a Planeswalker. You lower their health from 20 to 0, and you win.
Over the years it has evolved with its rule set varying in different levels of challenge, catering to all kinds of people. International and global tournaments are held periodically, with new expansions released on a regular basis still. With rarity and production taken into account, card prices vary from a few cents to thousands of dollars; and you might yet find them in a random booster pack.
It’s for certain that the sensation called Magic: the Gathering is not going to end anytime soon. And if you want to become a part of it, get ready to traverse through different worlds, walk the planes, and face epic opponents.
The world of CCGs continues to grow in other genres, especially in the digital world. But it’s never the same as sitting on a table, and facing a stranger or a friend in a thrilling duel.
