Designer(s) Eric M. Lang Publication date 2012 Setup time < 5 minutes | Publisher(s) Fantasy Flight Games Age range 10 and up | |
 | ||
Players 2 (up to 4 with Expansions) | ||
Star Wars: The Card Game is a Living Card Game (LCG) produced by Fantasy Flight Games. It is a two-player card game set in the Star Wars universe. It puts one player in command of the light side of the Force (with the affiliations Jedi, Rebel Alliance, and Smugglers And Spies making up the light side), and one player in command of the dark side of the Force (made up of Sith, Imperial Navy, and Scum And Villainy affiliations). The Balance of the Force expansion allows multi-player games. The game is set within the time-frame of the original Star Wars trilogy.
Contents
- Cycles
- Hoth
- Echoes of the Force
- Rogue Squadron
- Endor
- Opposition
- Seasonal Tournament Kits
- Store Championships
- Regional Championships
- National Championships
- World Championships
- References
Each player has a deck of objective cards representing various missions plus a deck of player cards of units (characters, vehicles, droids and creatures), events, enhancements and fates. Each objective is linked to a set of five player cards. Deck construction consists of choosing which objectives are to go into your objective deck, then adding each of those objective's set of five player cards to your player deck. Game play consists of deploying cards to your tableau, attacking your opponent's objectives, defending your own objectives, and committing cards to the Force Struggle.
The dark side player wins if the Death Star dial reaches 12, with this dial increasing by one on each dark side turn, effectively putting a timer on the game. It may also be increased by winning the Force struggle, destroying light side objectives, and via card effects. The light side player wins by destroying three dark side objectives before the dark side players wins.
Cycles
Like their other living card games, expansions were released in the form of “Force Packs”, Each Force Pack in expands the Star Wars universe and increases players' deck-building options with 60 cards (a complete play set of each new objective, unit, enhancement, event, and fate card).
Hoth
The Hoth cycle invokes a powerful sense of location, and create a sense that the players are fighting over a specific place – in this case, Hoth. The light side player is asked to establish and defend Echo base. On the flip side, the dark side player has extra incentive to go after specific light side objectives to drive the Rebels from Hoth.
Echoes of the Force
In the Echoes of the Force cycle, Star Wars: The Card Game experiences dramatic changes taking shape as both sides learn to better channel the power of the Force. Its balance has implications that reach far beyond damaging dark side objectives or advancing the Death Star dial. The cycle turned out to be a huge boost for light side play as it provided many answers against the dominant Sith decks. By the end of the cycle, several cards were either "errataed" or put on a restricted list due to the growing dominance of mainly Jedi decks.
Rogue Squadron
In the Rogue Squadron cycle, Star Wars: The Card Game introduces mechanics to recreate the challenge and tension of dogfighting. Pilot cards can be played as normal units or attached to vehicles, unlocking new powers and card combinations.
Endor
The Endor cycle adds Mission cards, which are added to a command deck. When played, they become objectives under your opponent's control, and you can attack these to reap rewards.
Opposition
The Opposition cycle focuses on the struggles between pairs of factions: Jedi and Sith, Rebel Alliance and Imperial Navy, Smugglers and Spies and Scum and Villainy.
Seasonal Tournament Kits
Seasonal Tournament Kits are the foundation of Organized Play. With three four-month seasons each year (Spring, Summer, and Winter), players can find a large variety of tournaments, game nights, and leagues at their local stores. Seasonal events are a place for newer players to experience organized tournaments and experienced players to try a new deck or alternative format, such as 2v2.
Store Championships
Store Championships kick off Organized Play each year in style. With Store Championships, you will find players of varying skill, more prizes than your weekly game night or league, and loads of fun. Store Championships are also a great chance to play in a more competitive event at your local store and vie for bragging rights and the title of Store Champion.
Regional Championships
Regional Championships are your chance to join a community that spans beyond your town or city. Regional Championships are exclusive events and offer a precious first-round bye at the country’s National Championship. Win a Regional Championship and prove to everyone that you should be taken seriously!
National Championships
National Championships are all about meeting others from across your country and seeing how you stack up against the best your country has to offer. Get to know other top players in your country and form new friendships. Compete against your fellow compatriots for the right to be crowned National Champion and a first-round bye at World Championships!
World Championships
World Championships are the culmination of Organized Play each year and the fires from which champions are forged. Each November, hundreds of players from around the world arrive for five days of gaming at FFG’s very own Games Center. Play for your chance at being named World Champion and earn the right to work with the designers on creating a card for the game!