Comments on the Blue Moon (expandable card game) Rules
I already mentioned the expandable card game "Blue Moon" in a previous post. Now that I've read the game rules, I can comment a bit more about the game.
FYI, the rules and complete card list can be found at the official homepage (downloadable rules can be found in the US distributor game page). Given that this is an expandable card game, the complete card, including expansions, is just around 300++ cards, around the same size of a typical Magic: The Gathering 1st block expansion release.
The art on the cards are quite beautiful, and very consistent. Each set/precon is illustrated by one artist, so the cards of a people/set have a consistent feel. World of Warcraft: The Card Game still has better art, though.
To simplify the rules, the game revolves around getting 3 (or more) dragons to your side. This is done through a series of "fights", each fight being played by trying to trump the opposing player per turn. I think it's similar to the playstyle of The President's Game or Big Two Poker (to Filipinos, it's similar to Pusoy Dos or "super trump", if you remember that one). Each player takes turns playing cards trying to beat (or trump) the value of the opponent's last turn. When a player can't or doesn't want to out trump the opponent, the fight is lost, and you get to take a dragon or two to your side.
Turns are basically played with Character Cards, with Support Cards and/or Booster cards for enhancement (sort of like Magic's Sorceries). Booster cards modifiers for the current turn, while Support Cards are modifiers that last for the duration of the fight. The modifiers, and some of the Character Cards themselves, put versatility in the otherwise simple trumping system. There are also Leadership cards, but they seem fewer and generally has similar modification effects.
The rules do appear to be made specifically for a 1 vs 1 game. The text on the cards uses "I" for the current player, and "you" for the opponent. You quite literally read what the card says as if the current player is the one speaking. I'm not so sure that simply applying this to a multi-player game (which technically isn't supported) will allow a balanced game.
Each precon has a certain flavor or style of play. For "advanced" rules, customized decks (mixing cards from other precons) are allowed. At first, I thought that the 10 moon (a sort of indicator of a card's relative overall value) limitation would be restrictive, but the leader cards (which determine a deck construction's limitations), also have similar limitations, so perhaps it's OK.
Overall, it's a sort of simplified (non) CCG. Not as overly complex as Magic and World of Warcraft can get, but perhaps that's a strength. Or, you can consider it a complex playing card (poker) game. Since I haven't actually played it yet, I could be missing out on something here and there. Some people may dig this, others may not. Perhaps it would work better for more casual players.
Regardless, check the materials out, and if you think you'll like it, give it a try.
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