Hey Cardboardians!
It’s Ryan. I’m back with another Ryan Recommends!
My last post recommended a bunch of fantasy-type dungeon games, where your friends form a group or party and take on an adventure!
Well, I thought I’d continue the pattern and talk about another one of my favorite game types, The Deck Builder!
What is a deck builder? I’m so glad you asked. A Deck Builder gets that name because of how the game is played. You start with basic cards that generate some form of resource – attack power, gold or some form of purchasing currency, and a few others. The fun comes what you do with your initial deck! With those starting basic cards, you can start to buy better and better cards which will then become part of your deck making it stronger over time.
I’ll use the example of Marvel’s Legendary deck builder pictured. Using the money generated by these first basic S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, I can begin to purchase heroes such as Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, and so many more. Legendary has heroes from the X Men, the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Spiderman – and that’s just a few!
Once I use these resources to buy Iron Man, those cards are put into a discard pile. When my main deck runs out of available cards, I shuffle that discard pile to make my new deck.
Some of the specific rules for deck builders can vary, but the core mechanics are the same. Use your basic cards, get better cards, get stronger. Some deck builders even provide opportunities to remove the basic cards from your deck over time, leaving you with only your new, better cards.
You’ll then use your super cool new upgraded deck to fight enemies and win! The deck builders I enjoy most have a co-operative element to them as well. Everyone is working together to get stronger and fight a threat (which is generally known as an enemy or encounter deck). To continue with the Marvel Legendary example, you’ll fight super villains such as Loki or Thanos. They’ll have abilities and minions to slow down your progress and that’s why being stronger is so important.
Now. For the exciting part!
I love deck builders because after one game, they are fairly easy to play (but not easy to master :P). But I REALLY love deck builders because of the variety available!
Marvel’s Legendary
If you’re a fan of Marvel, Marvel’s Legendary will allow you to control Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
DC Comics Deck-Building Game
If you’re more of a DC Comics fan, DC Comic’s Deck Builder lets you control superheroes, but you’ll be fighting against each other!
Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle
The Harry Potter deck builder sees you choosing a specific character to follow through all seven books, growing in power and abilities over time. The cards you add to your deck reflect your growth through Hogwarts as you follow along Harry Potter’s journey.
Thunderstone Quest
Thunderstone Quest is a fantasy dungeon diver deck builder. Head into the dungeon for rewards, then go back to town to improve your deck before ultimately taking down the boss!
Dominion
Dominion is an economy based deck builder. Use your gold to buy structures and bigger coin to corner the market and edge out your opponents.
Aeon’s End
Aeon’s End is a rich world where you’ll use gems as money to buy relics, spells, and more valuable gems. Spells are played to breaches to be cast, dealing high amounts of damage to the forces of evil and their minions. Each character has specific abilities to ensure that your group is well equipped to work as a team to fight.
And there are so many more!
If you need more recommendations, or just want other people to discuss gaming of any kind with, check out our community Discord or check out our Game Recommendation section.
Game on!
