darkSpyro

Ok so through conversations with friends, they are shocked at how Skylanders have grown in popularity, and how quickly they are flying out of the stores. This lead to "How can it grow beyond sequel after sequel of video games?" After the obvious answer of a TV show, one of my friends saw my stack of Skylander cards that came with the figures, asking if there was a TCG made of it. I said no, but then it came to us. A Trading Card Game based on Skylanders (like Pokemon or Magic). The conversation soon spiraled into game mechanics on how it could work too (And we came up with some good basic steps, and I think we might pursue making some cards to play with).

I bring this up to propose a question. If there were a Skylander TCG would you play? What other things can you think of to help expand the Skylander brand so it doesn't just die out after a few sequels?

I honestly can't imagine a Skylanders TCG getting started considering there's only 32 different Skylanders (not including legendaries). There would need to be many, many more I'd think.

Make up the rules. Post them here. I have two sets (decks) of Skylanders cards, on top of the ones I staple to my wall.

I've been dabbling with ideas on how to use the cards as a means of tournament play with the Skylanders themself. Maybe like shuffle and face down, with each person drawing a card that picks the Skylander the opponent will use in Battle Mode.

If it is going to truly hold its ground like pokemon . Pokemon is the best example cause it started as a game also almost 14 years ago in north america and it still has toys, clothes and games on the shelves. It needs an animated series or movie, some more kids clothes, school supplies, cereal or pasta or candies. It would also need a larger toy line, actual action figures or stuffed animals, playsets. Then it would be nice to see card games, board games, and of course sequals prequals and spin off like skylanders racing game or a skylanders sports mix. If it is going to stick around for a long time and stay as popular it needs to build speed. Not to say many game franchises dont stick around for a long time just by being good games, but almost all good franchises eventually add more merchandise.

It depends on how you make the game, at least how we looked at it. Not like Pokemon or Magic where creatures are used up quickly, the Skylanders are your main focus. And you have to deplete the opposing Skylander's HP to win (Ideas were throwing around is you have to defeat X amount of Skylanders, and Swapping Skylanders would be involved of course) Course this is all on paper at the moment.

Were currently not really using the cards that we were given, just starting from scratch really. I need to polish the rules out a bit and I will post them. Also might photoshop a few of the cards we thought up too.

Quote: CopiousTurtle

I honestly can't imagine a Skylanders TCG getting started considering there's only 32 different Skylanders (not including legendaries). There would need to be many, many more I'd think.

Consider the hats. Those could be item cards. But it is true, it would need to be fleshed out more. But there is a CCG/TCG game to be made here. As one who has played such games since the beginning of M:TG, I'd be all over it.

32 Skylanders is more than enough to make a card game. Considering the Pokemon game you could only have a set number on your bench at a given time. There are a number of ways the game could be constructed. Either akin to Magic where instead of a Planeswalker the player is the Portal Master and can call forth different Skylanders. Or decks can be constructed around a individual Skylander where depending on the character it provides different benefits to your deck.

A Trigger Happy decks give your +10 Gold a turn and some sort of luck bonus.

Whirlwind provides Regeneration every round based on the characters healing ability.

Etc.

Quote: Tramz

Quote: CopiousTurtle

I honestly can't imagine a Skylanders TCG getting started considering there's only 32 different Skylanders (not including legendaries). There would need to be many, many more I'd think.

Consider the hats. Those could be item cards. But it is true, it would need to be fleshed out more. But there is a CCG/TCG game to be made here. As one who has played such games since the beginning of M:TG, I'd be all over it.

Only if it was done well to prevent another combo winter. ( I have to say, I had a first turn lobotomy deck that beat time twister in more than one tourney. what was heard most often was,"Lobotomy? Lobotomy! La bot o me.......nooooo!)

The cards already have #s on them for "power" and "toughness" so there is something that could be worked out. Shooting from my hip:

Locations - These are the cards for the actual places in the adventure packs.
Skylanders - these are teh card of the skylanders
Spells/Enchantments - these are the extra items in the adventure packs.

Attack (fist icon) - how much damage the critter will do to an unshielded critter or portal master
Defense (shield icon) - how much damage the critter can absorb. If attack is higher than defense, critter perrishes and any carry over hits the portal master
Speed (running icon) - If 49 and below, cannot be played from hand until it is your turn. If 50 and above, can be played from your hand on any turn so long as you have a location in play.
Luck (4 leaf icon) - When damage is dealt to portal master, The portal master can choose to roll a 1d10. If the 1d10 is lower than the luck of a chosen skylander, that skylander takes the damage and not the portal master. If the 1d10 is higher than the luck of a chosen skylander, then the portal master takes that damage. (1d10 x 10 = die roll total)

Portal masters start the game with 1000 "hit points". In order to put a skylander into play, you have to have a location (expansion pack card) in play. Locations can be played only once a turn, on your turn. If you have 2 locations (that are different) you can play 2 skylanders a turn on your turn.

The "extra" itamz in the adventure packs will act as spells or enchantments. They are as follows:

Time Twister - can be played only on your turn. Can only be played if you have just 1 location in play. This will give you an extra turn.
Healing Elixir - Can be played on any turn. Can be played on a skylander or on a portal master. This will heal or prevent up to 100 points of damage.
Ghost swords - can be played only on your turn. Can only be played on a skylander. This will add 50 points to the attack level on the skylander. Cannot be destroyed, but will go away if the skylander this is on is destroyed.
Hidden Treasure - can be played only on your turn. This allows you to search your deck for 1 card and place it into your hand.
Sky-Iron Shield - Can be played on any turn. Can only be played on a skylander during your turn. If played on a skylander, it is not destroyed at end of turn. Prevents 50 points of damage to skylander or portal master. If played on a skylander, it will add 50 points to their defense total.
Anvil Rain - can be played on any turn, as long as you have one location in play. Can be played on your turn without a location in play. This will destroy any 1 card in play. Once played, will not go to "graveyard" but shuffled back into the deck.

A skylander cannot attack the turn it is brought into play.

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If I am making sense, then this example 1 complete turn will be pointless to you. Bob and Dave are playing the card game. Both have 2 adventure packs and 15 figures. Bob went first and played his location. He then put Slam Bam into play. Dave went next and played his location. He then played Double Trouble. We pick it up on Bob's second turn.

Bob, draws a card to make 6 in his hand (start with 7). He plays Hex and then declares he is attacking with Slam Bam. Dave blocks with his Double Trouble. Normally this would deal 50 points of damage to double trouble and the carry over 35 points would go to Dave. Dave instead plays healing elixir on double trouble. Dave also decides to chance his luck and roll a 1d10 to reflect the damage from himself back to double trouble. He rolls a 3 (30) and the damage is reflected. This would normally be a fatal blow to Double Trouble (85>50) but the healing elixir saves Double trouble. Bob's turn is over.

Dave draws his card. He plays his second location. He then plays L-Choppy and Drill Sgt. Then then attacks with Double Trouble. Bob, being wise, blocks with Slam Bam (75<85). Dave then plays Ghost swords on Double trouble to add the extra damage. Bob then has to destroy Slam Bam and decide what to do about the 40 points of damage. He will chance his luck and roll a 1d10 against the luck on Hex. He rolls a 2 (20) and the 40 points of damage go to Hex and hex survives.

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If all that makes sense, then you have yourself a CCG based on what comes with the figures. Obviously its not balanced as if you dont have an adventure pack, you cant do squat. Yes, the spells / enchantments are powerful. This isnt supposed to be M:TG Portal. Its an idea that can be expanded upon. I would say that to be fair, both players should play with the same # of cards. I suggest to start with 7 cards as it is a common starting card count and it allows you to find a location. You cant call the discard pile a graveyard as that is copyrighted (I am sure) by wizards of the coast. Not sure what to do about having more than 7 cards in hand as there will be soo few to start with. Hmmmmmmmmm

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If anyone has suggestions or improvements, by all means post them here.

I've played a variety of CCG games over the years. I have a few ideas on a game but I think most of them would be far more complex for the likely main target age range of younger children. I play a lot of games like Legends of the Five Rings and have found memories of the now defunct Doomtown game. Personally I'd like to treat each Skylander as a Stronghold from L5R, where it provides certain benefits to the deck as well as a send amount of produced resources each round. Your personal "Skyland" would be equal to your Provinces. Etc

well out of bordem, and for not other reason then why not, I am working on a few 'prototype' cards for the game. Once they are done I will post them with some rules. (Making the Template of the card's is proving to be the most annoying.)

Not sure how "different" you are trying to make said templates. There are a number of "card creator" sites online you might be able to get reference from. Most are generic Magic the Gathering ripoffs but I've seen a few others like YuGiOh and Pokemon.

I have made Custom cards before, but at the moment I was 'trying' to make a brand me template meant for the cards.

Did no one like my idea for the game?

I'd rather see a T.V show than a card game.

To many Hit Points for my taste in games. At a certain point it's just going to be rounds of "I attack" until someone runs out of HP. Something can obviously be done with the cards that come with the figures but I dont see a really serious game coming from it. It needs its own cards and rules.

We do need more characters, so maybe it'd happen after a sequel or two. They'd also have to include item cards, like the hats, the pirate ship, etc.

I'm not a fan of the card game idea.

But for those complaining about lack of characters, what about the enemies? Chompy cards, Cyclops cards, Troll cards, etc.

Quote: Monsinour

Did no one like my idea for the game?

^ I liked your idea, thanks for posting it. I'm going to give it a try with one of my family members.

Quote: Monsinour

Did no one like my idea for the game?

I'm not sure on the need for locations, unless they provide some kind of particular character or element specific bonus/penalties to gameplay, but using the adventure pack items as enhancements or sorceries is a solid idea, and the basic notion of the order of combat is good.

The pvp items like the rocket hat and such items could also be added. Admittedly this wouldn't be the deepest game, as it has to appeal to a younger audience, but between items that act as enhancements/sorceries/artifacts, location cards that can bias battles, and enhancing gear (hats..), there could be enough for a core set.

I wonder if NPC's could even find a way to be tossed in here somehow. Maybe make a Kaos "raid" deck, like the WoW CCG, where he fields NPC's against portal masters.

the locations are there so you can place skylanders down. Did I neglect to state that you have to have a location in play in order to play a skylander?

Quote: DarkRaptor

I have made Custom cards before, but at the moment I was 'trying' to make a brand me template meant for the cards.

You should make cards that have each element logo on a background of the element's color.

Then I could get hard enough paper to hopefully cut them out, and they can be elemental cards. That's one thing Activision should have made, for those who want to use the cards to create tournament playstyles for the game, or a TCG.

Quote: Monsinour

the locations are there so you can place skylanders down. Did I neglect to state that you have to have a location in play in order to play a skylander?

I understand your notion of locations. I just disagree with the basic necessity. I remember it in.. I think it was the original Star Wars CCG? I didn't really see the point there, either. At least the LoTR CCG had them make a certain degree of sense. I don't want to state categorically that locations would be a misstep. I'm just not sure I'd agree with it, unless they offered some kind of game alteration, such as an element bonus/negative. It would add an element of strategy as to which Skylander you could or should play.

Quote: GameMaster78

Quote: DarkRaptor

I have made Custom cards before, but at the moment I was 'trying' to make a brand me template meant for the cards.

You should make cards that have each element logo on a background of the element's color.

Then I could get hard enough paper to hopefully cut them out, and they can be elemental cards. That's one thing Activision should have made, for those who want to use the cards to create tournament playstyles for the game, or a TCG.

That is way way too close to M:TG and i am 100% sure WotC would have a ton to say in stopping that from becoming a reality.

^ Doesn't the Pokemon card game have element cards too? Or am I also thinking of Magic cards.

Quote: OpalOsprey

^ Doesn't the Pokemon card game have element cards too? Or am I also thinking of Magic cards.

Yeah M:TG has 5 elements. But elements are kind of inherent to Skylanders. It would be impossible to have a card game without including such a basic point of their "existence".

yeah pokemon have them also, they also have trainer cards, could be portal master cards lol.

Quote: Tramz

Quote: OpalOsprey

^ Doesn't the Pokemon card game have element cards too? Or am I also thinking of Magic cards.

Yeah M:TG has 5 elements. But elements are kind of inherent to Skylanders. It would be impossible to have a card game without including such a basic point of their "existence".

Yea, but having them designed to be almost exactly like the M:TG cards would be a huge no no. M:TG lands (elements)



I would prefer to see something along the lines of this for element cards



You would have to remove the "tap" symbol as that is a registered trademark of WotC.

Quote: Monsinour

Quote: GameMaster78

Quote: DarkRaptor

I have made Custom cards before, but at the moment I was 'trying' to make a brand me template meant for the cards.

You should make cards that have each element logo on a background of the element's color.

Then I could get hard enough paper to hopefully cut them out, and they can be elemental cards. That's one thing Activision should have made, for those who want to use the cards to create tournament playstyles for the game, or a TCG.

That is way way too close to M:TG and i am 100% sure WotC would have a ton to say in stopping that from becoming a reality.

Wizards doesnt have a copyright on elements. The Japanese Pokemon game had energy types before WotC got the rights to port the game over here to the States.

^ I used to collect Magic cards but I don't remember those "tap" ones, are they new? Yeah, that would be a neat idea for the Skylanders elemental cards.

Quote: OpalOsprey

^ I used to collect Magic cards but I don't remember those "tap" ones, are they new? Yeah, that would be a neat idea for the Skylanders elemental cards.

The second set of lands are from the Unglued series. They were very sought after lands. I know of a few people who would trade 2 duals for a complete set (40) of the unglued lands.

^ Oh, okay thanks! I used to also collect Pokemon cards a long time ago but was too young to understand the card game but I think I remember the cards being published by Wizards of the Coast. I could be wrong though.

Not wrong. Wizards got the rights to port the Japanese sets over to English. I'm not sure if all the new sets after the 6th one were originals or if its continued to follow the Japanese cards. I stopped following Pokemon awhile ago.

You couldnt technically copyright an element any way. It would be like copyrighting a dragon, elf, orc, tiger, zebra, or dog etc. etc. You can copyright the design, artstyle, artwork or a specific individual. But you cant copyright something you dont own, and you cant own an element. You can own mineral rights in some places though lol.

ok wow, miss a little miss a lot. I am actually almost done with a set of cards focused on Spyro. I will post them in a bit, along with some rules for the game I am organizing.

Personally I've been mulling over some ideas for a serious card game. Again though it might be a big complex if its designed for children.

If anyone is familiar with L5R they might see so similarities with the base idea. Each player is a portal master. They can be students of Eon or Kaos whatever the case my be. Generally each player as a Skylands Stronghold. The Stronghold is based on Element. This provides a general defense to the players lands (will get into this later) as well as a base energy and coin production cost each round.

Each player has four provinces of their Skylands now they can build up defenses for, plant energy production, gold production, and place Skylanders down to defend.

Skylanders can have items such as hats, legendary items, Gemstones, etc. attached to them. Skylanders have upkeep costs, and add-ons continue to build on that upkeep. Powers have energy costs. Defenses places on the lands themselves likewise can have upkeep costs.

There are also action cards that can provide boosts/hexes, move units both offensively and defensively.

I'll likely post more once I get some more solid concept ideas down on paper.

the biggest thing for a game like this is to make it appealing and easy for kids, BUT also appealing to adults to want to play. Most kid card games (Pokemon, Yu-Gi-oh!, naruto etc) actually make a good chunk of money from random retail buys (Kids randomly buying packs from Target, Wal-Mart) compared to the competitive players (who know more to spend a little money on a single card then to buy a box HOPING to pull that one card).
Marketing for this games would be so simple too. Add a Promo (promotional card) in the figures, with a little paper explaining there is a card game, website information, and even picks of the packs available at stores. To make it better, place the Packs and Theme Decks NEXT to the figures. Even make the two connect in different ways (much like the WOW TCG has 'loot' cards in the packs that unlocks things in the video game)
Ok maybe I have thought to much about this (is it obvious that I have worked in the card industry before?)

Well given the webcodes and the online game the concept of providing bonuses to the online experience is certainly possible. Of course there are a number of bugs that need to be worked out of the online beta first. Seeing as the Healing Elixir from the adventure pack doesnt even work properly. Codes could be worked into DLC via the consoles as well. Shiny foil cards or some other promotional rare cards are pretty much standard practice. I would agree the packs being in the same section as the figures would net the most attention and "random" buys especially if its stating the concept of bonuses for gameplay with purchase.

indeed. Just like how with the Soul Gems, its basically advertising the characters with the little video IN the game, if you advertise both (the Game in the TCG and the TCG in the game) the sales will be amazing. Plus there is the Merchandising! Yes Merchandising. Spaceballs the color Book, Spaceballs the breakfast.. oh wait wrong thing (I hope SOMEONE gets that joke)
With TCG's there is more then the cards, Deck Boxes, Sleeves, Game Mats, and more. Who doesn't want a game mat of your favorite Skylander looking cool?

Skylanders 2: The Search for More Money?

YAY!!!!! Im not alone. Side note, working on the last Spyro card, should have posted in a little bit. (All joking aside, that is a fitting name for the sequel)

Quote: DarkRaptor

indeed. Just like how with the Soul Gems, its basically advertising the characters with the little video IN the game, if you advertise both (the Game in the TCG and the TCG in the game) the sales will be amazing. Plus there is the Merchandising! Yes Merchandising. Spaceballs the color Book, Spaceballs the breakfast.. oh wait wrong thing (I hope SOMEONE gets that joke)
With TCG's there is more then the cards, Deck Boxes, Sleeves, Game Mats, and more. Who doesn't want a game mat of your favorite Skylander looking cool?

Go to Ludicrous speed!

Well if it was PVP on the game then i would use my double trouble yeah I HAVE HIM AND I LIVE IN THE UK
not boasting but hes very good i chose his beam path since its very good and he does 20 damage now and hes a high level.
Yeah hes gonna be my best skylander in no time

Would this make Yogurt a Portal Master? ;]

What a world, what a world!

I'm still working out some mechanics (bit limited at work at the moment) Trying to get a rough idea down on paper though. See if anyone else likes where I'm going with things if they can visualize it.

Skylander TCG-

Rough Player Layout Design




Strongholds (27)


Energy Flora (32)

HAHA I like how were sort of coming up with two different games lol.

I do look forward to see what your coming up with. Curious to what mechanics you're building off of.

i was 'trying' not to take mechanics from other games, but I know I incorporated some haha. currently writing up the rules and stuff

Well with so many CCG out I find it hard to really have anything one can classify as "original". Something may always seem to feel or give the vibe of another game. I'm using the feel of a couple different ones but knowing is obviously a straight port over as that wouldnt be cool or really work all that well.

OK so here is my version of the game and with some of the basic rules and a few cards. Here are a few things to take note as I post these.

1. These are not only prototypes, and the pictures for most of the cards don't look perfect. Also the card template are the same and I made them myself, so they are not perfect.
2. I am always up for suggestions, but don't be negative saying things like "WOW those are stupid", this achieves nothing at all and makes you look like a jerk.
3. The rules are still in the planning stages, and things are easily modified, so like I said, suggestions are awesome!


The game involves using your Skylanders to defeat opposing Skyalndser (simple concept) As you can see with the Skylander Character card pictured here.



Each Skylander would have HP (when they reach 0, they are defeated), Attack (How much base damage they will do in an Attack), Defense (When attacked, you minus your Defense by his Attack and take that much damage, if any) and Energy (You gain that amount each turn. Energy is used to play Ability Cards, Item Cards, and other things involved in the game)

Below that is the Skylander's natural Ability's. Effects that can be activated each turn or when something triggers it. For Spyro we have one that when he plays an Ability Card you can make it cost more to draw an extra card. Plus if Trigger Happy and Gill Grunt are in play in the 'Portal Zone' (We will get to that in a moment) you gain more Energy each turn. Each Skylander would of course have different effects that cater to how that one would play.

Now for Ability Cards






As you can see each Ability has a cost on it, that is the amount of Energy you must pay to play this card. You may only play 1 Ability card a turn (Unless a card says otherwise). So take the card Charge for example, you add to your Attack Power for the turn dealing more damage, but other cards like Spyro's Flight is more defensive card to take less damage. Few things

-At the moment each Ability that pertains to the Skylander (Fireball or trigger Happy's Golden Gun) are all Requirement that Skylander. I have mixed feelings about this.

Now there will be item cards as well (Exiler and Hats) not yet made.

Now how game play works is as follows

Draw your opening hand, and play 1 Skylander in your hand (Again not sure, sense there is a chance not to GET the Skylander, so thinking you maybe able to choose your first Skylander)

During your turn you
-Gain Energy
-Draw a card

then goes into a Main Phase

-Play an Ability
-Play an Item
-Play a Skylander

When you player or "Switch" your Skylander, you move your Current 'Main' Skylander to the Portal Zone (having a Max amount of Skylanders in the Portal Zone, Number yet to be determined) When you Switch Main Skylanders to the Portal Zone, the new Skylander can't Attack, but gain's the basic Energy for the turn(Another maybe)
During your turn you may switch your Main Skylander with one in your Portal Zone.

The object of the game is to Defeat X number of Opposing Skylanders(X Unknown), which leads to Attacking. I want to say free Attack, so each turn you can deal base damage to your opponent if you have no Ability Cards or don't want to play one. Also been thinking of making it cost 1 or 2 Energy. Again still working on things lol.

So that is the basic's and I probably forgot a rule or two, so please ask questions

@DarkRaptor this sounds a little too much like the Pokemon TCG in my opinion. :/