I have had a keen interest in deck building games for years.
There's just something satisfying about starting off with a basic deck, then
gradually improving and customising it over the course of a game.
The core gaming mechanism of a deck builder is so simple but
brilliant. You start with a basic hand made up of a few combat point cards to
attack your foes, and some purchase point cards to acquire new, more powerful
cards from a central market. This appears to be a constant with most deck
builders, but you will occasionally find slight variations to this theme. Each
turn you draw a hand, play your cards, then buy new ones to add to your deck.
Over time, your deck gets bigger and meatier, allowing you to pull off
increasingly devastating and longer chaining combos.
The market itself is another key part of the deck building
experience. It could be made up of several different piles of cards, each with
their own unique abilities or a simple line of 5 face up cards from which to
choose your pick. You might also have a pile of cheap but weak minions you
could buy, a pile of expensive but powerful spells or actions, a pile of cards
that generate extra purchase points, and so on. Carefully considering which
cards to buy and when, is crucial to building an effective deck. Do you go for
a focused strategy, like an all-out aggro deck, or do you try to build a more
balanced deck that can handle any situation? The market is where you make those
key decisions.
One of my favourite parts of deck builders is the process of
thinning your deck. As you buy more and more cards, your deck gets bigger and
more unwieldy. You start drawing hands with dead cards that do nothing for you.
The solution is to add new cards that let you remove weaker cards from your
deck, like curses (in the case of the card game “Dominion”) or some of the
basic starter cards.
One of the most popular and influential deck builders is the “Ascension” series. It's got a great fantasy theme, with art and flavour text that really draws you in. Over the years, Ascension has had several stand-alone expansions and promo packs, each one adding new twists to the formula.
Some of my favourites include “Storm of Souls”, which
introduced constructs. Constructs are powerful cards that stay in play and give
ongoing abilities that remain in play in between turns. Another great expansion
was “Immortal Heroes”, which added hero cards that level up over the course of
the game, getting stronger and stronger. Another favourite is “Dawn of
Champions”, which comes with a "champions" mechanic where you could
recruit powerful heroes to fight alongside you.
I must admit that I have played the above exclusively
through their digital adaptation, but I do own two physical Ascension sets, the
Original “God Slayer” set and “Rise of Vigil” which have their own charm and
witty rule twists.
Another still massively popular deck builder is Dominion, designed by Donald Vaccarino and first published in October 2008 by Rio Grande Games. Dominion is widely regarded as the game that defined the deck-building genre. Even today, well over a decade later, it's still going strong. Dominion has a huge card pool with several mechanics and strategies to explore. It's a game that rewards deep knowledge and clever deckbuilding. I love how each game of Dominion feels unique, with the specific kingdom cards in play shaping the meta game in different ways.
The origins of Dominion lie in Vaccarino's desire to create
a game that allowed players to build their decks dynamically during play,
rather than pre-constructing them before the game began. This concept was
revolutionary at the time and set the stage for a new style of gameplay. The
game features a supply of Kingdom cards that players can purchase to improve
their decks, leading to a unique experience with each game, due to the random
selection of available cards.
The objective is to accumulate the most victory points by the end of the game, which occurs when certain conditions are met, such as the depletion of specific card piles. The interaction between different cards and the various strategies that can emerge from each game make Dominion a highly replayable experience.
As of 2024, Dominion remains incredibly popular, bolstered
by a robust community and numerous expansions that enhance its gameplay. With
over 15 expansions released, each adding new mechanics and cards, players have
a wealth of options to explore. The game's ability to adapt and evolve has kept
it fresh for both new and seasoned players alike. Yet, I must stress that even
if you just have the base game, the starting variability is such that it is
difficult to have two identical games in one session. Replay value is indeed
high where this game is concerned.
One of the significant developments in Dominion's
accessibility is its digital adaptation. Developed by Temple Gates Games, the
digital version allows players to enjoy Dominion on various platforms,
including mobile devices and PCs. The app features asynchronous multiplayer,
ranked matchmaking, and a robust AI system that learns from player strategies.
This digital format has introduced Dominion to a broader audience, making it
easier for players to engage with the game anytime and anywhere.
The digital adaptation retains the core mechanics that made
the original game so compelling while also incorporating features that enhance
the user experience, such as automated scorekeeping and interactive tutorials.
This has made Dominion not only a favourite at tabletop gatherings but also a
popular choice for solo play or online competition.
Now I would like to share some other great deck builders
with you and which I would recommend that you check out.
The first two I would like to propose are from the same designer and they’re called Star Realms and Hero Realms respectively. Both games, as noted earlier, share a common designer, Rob Dougherty, and are published by Wise Wizard Games. Both showcase a blend of engaging mechanics and thematic elements that resonate with fans of the genre.
Star Realms was first published in 2014 (that’s 10 years ago
to date), quickly gaining traction for its fast-paced gameplay and strategic
depth. Set in a sci-fi universe, players take on the roles of fleet commanders
battling for dominance in space. The game features a unique trade system where
players can purchase ships and bases from a central market, using trade points
generated by their cards. The core mechanics allow for quick turns and dynamic
interactions, making it an ideal choice for both casual and competitive play.
The game's popularity has been bolstered over the years by numerous expansions, including “Colony Wars” and “Frontiers”, which introduce new factions and mechanics, increasing the game’s replayability. Star Realms has also made a significant impact in the digital realm. The well-made digital adaptation offers solo play against AI, online multiplayer, and asynchronous gameplay.
The other game, “Hero Realms”, was released in 2016, takes a
similar approach but is set in a fantasy world. Players assume the roles of
heroes battling against each other, using a mix of champions, items, and
abilities. The game builds on the mechanics of Star Realms while introducing
unique elements such as character classes and a more pronounced emphasis on
direct combat.
In much the same ways as Star Realms, Hero Realms also has a
digital adaptation. The app includes various modes, including campaign play,
online multiplayer, and local play.
Today, both Star Realms and Hero Realms continue to thrive in the gaming community. Their engaging mechanics, combined with the accessibility of their digital adaptations, have solidified their places in the hearts of deck-building enthusiasts. The ongoing support from Wise Wizard Games, including new expansions and updates, ensures that both games remain fresh and exciting for new and returning players alike.
Another deck builder I would like to highlight, is “Shards
of Infinity”, designed by Aaron Nakahara and published by Stone Blade
Entertainment in 2018. This deck builder quickly established itself as a
noteworthy entry in the genre, though not as popular as the other titles listed
so far. The game draws inspiration from Star Realms and Hero Realms, but it
carves out its own niche with unique mechanics and a sci-fi fantasy theme.
The core gameplay revolves around players battling to master an artefact known as the Infinity Shard. Each player starts with a basic deck and aims to improve it by acquiring new cards from a central market. A standout feature of Shards of Infinity is the Mastery mechanic, which tracks a player’s progress toward achieving powerful abilities. As players accumulate mastery points, their cards become more potent, culminating in the ability to unleash the Infinity Shard for an automatic win if they reach 30 mastery points.
The digital adaptation of Shards of Infinity, developed by
Temple Gates Games, captures the essence of the physical game while
streamlining the gameplay experience. In much the same way as for the other
digital adaptations listed so far, players can enjoy solo play against AI,
pass-and-play with friends, or compete online. The app's user interface is
intuitive, and it effectively manages game mechanics such as damage tracking
and mastery accumulation.
Another deck builder which offers a distinct gaming experience is “Clank!”. Designed by Paul Dennen and published by Renegade Game Studios in 2016, Clank! offers a unique blend of deck-building mechanics, with push-your-luck elements that create an engaging experience.
The core mechanic in Clank! revolves around players taking
on the roles of thieves venturing into a dragon's lair to steal valuable
artefacts. Each player starts with a basic deck of cards that provides
resources like movement, combat, and purchasing power. The twist comes from the
noise generated by players as they navigate the dungeon, represented by
"clank" cubes. Each time a player makes noise, they add a cube of
their colour to a bag. When the dragon attacks, cubes are drawn from the bag,
and if a player's cube is drawn, they lose health. This mechanic creates a
thrilling tension as players must balance their greed for treasure with the
risk of drawing the dragon's ire.
Players can choose to delve deeper into the dungeon for
high-value treasures or play it safe and escape quickly. The game supports 2 to
4 players and typically lasts between 45 to 90 minutes, making it suitable for
both casual and more serious gaming sessions.
Clank! remains incredibly popular, consistently appearing on top board game lists and maintaining a strong presence in gaming communities. Its combination of strategy, luck, and player interaction makes it a favourite among both casual gamers and enthusiasts.
Clank! has a digital adaptation that has helped maintain its
popularity to some degree. This version, available on platforms like Steam and
mobile devices, captures the essence of the physical game while streamlining
gameplay. Although the digital adaptation features intuitive controls and
automated mechanics, my experience playing it felt somewhat lacking. The design
appears to prioritise a preference for players familiar with the physical game,
potentially alienating newcomers who are exploring the game through its digital
format.
Deck building games have become one of my favourite genres
because they hit that perfect sweet spot between simple rules and intricate
strategy. The core gameplay loop is easy to grasp but there's always more depth
to explore. I love the feeling of slowly building up my deck over the course of
a game, then lining up devastating combos that careen me forward towards the
finishing line. It's a genre that rewards creativity, clever deckbuilding, and
good old-fashioned luck. If you haven't tried a deck builder yet, I highly
recommend giving one a shot. It might just become your new favourite way to
game.
Before signing off, here are some links to check out in
relation to Deck Builders.
Hero Realms
Star Realms
Dominion
https://www.riograndegames.com/games/dominion/
Shards of Infinity
https://iellogames.com/jeux/shards-of-infinity/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1008800/Shards_of_Infinity/
Clank!
https://www.direwolfdigital.com/clank/
No comments:
Post a Comment