A recent addition to card trading games is the PK Collectible Card Game. This game, founded by Brandon Selvaggio in 2006, is based out of Mentor Ohio. In this game, you are represented by your avatar who gathers forces to find the cause of the breach in an ancient barrier protecting the world, known as the Fireseal. The object of the game is to lead your troops to victory using your deck of avatar, troop and magic and spell cards.
You are allowed only 1 avatar, the leader of your troops. Troops can be ranked as henchman, ally, champion, or legend, each having its own powers and abilities including support bonuses. Spell and magic cards, known as influence, are used in battle. More than one influence can be used in a battle, but each one can only be used for one turn. Finally, there are power cards, each with a unique ability, which can be used one per player per turn. All these different cards are available in the PK core cards set.
There are 7 rounds, or sorties, in every match. The number of matches per game is potentially unlimited. With each match won, you gain prestige points. You must gather 7 prestige points to win. However, you can also lose prestige points by losing battles.
Beginners should have a starter deck to ensure a good balance to their cards with a few rare PK cards for power. Starter decks, based on the Chinese elemental circle, are composed of the following elements: fire, earth, metal, water and wood. Creature and power cards, some of which can only be used at the start of a battle, increase your avatar’s power or decrease that of your opponent. Using cards in battle without proper support can result in the loss of a round or match. The losing players at the end of each battle must discard a card.
Players begin with 4 karma points and no prestige points. Players draw 7 cards and can then use karma to discard cards and draw new ones. This can be done with one or all karma points, but can only be done on a player’s first turn. As many troop cards as desired can be played on a turn. Power cards can be played one at a time, with any currently in play being discarded.
Rounds continue until the entire deck has been used, at which point the winner is determined or the deck is used again to continue play. Learning the rules to this interesting game can take some time. However, the game provides many twists and turns and will likely be one of the most fun card games you have had the pleasure of playing.