Highlander: The Card Game
Designers | Mike Sager |
---|---|
Publishers | , , |
Players | 2 (or more in some variations) |
Playing time | Approx 20 min |
Random chance | Some |
Skills required | Card playing Arithmetic Basic Reading Ability |
Highlander: The Card Game is an out-of-print collectible card game based on the Highlander franchise of films and television series.[1][2] Players build decks from a 400+ card set, taking on the persona of one of the Immortals depicted in the franchise. The core of the game takes the form of a sword duel with players alternately playing attacks and defenses. Other cards are played to affect the basic rules of the game. The player wins when his opponent is reduced to 0 ability or cannot avoid a "headshot" attack (i.e. beheading, the only way to permanently kill an Immortal within the franchise canon). An expansion called the Movie Edition was released in mid March of 1996.[3]
Card types[]
Basic attacks[]
Nine attacks, one to each space on the attack grid.
Basic blocks[]
Six blocks, four each covering four areas of the attack grid, two covering just the upper and lower rows.
Guards[]
Defense cards which can stay in play multiple turns, but must be discarded if the player wishes to attack.
Special cards[]
- Events: happen once and are discarded.
- Edges: modifying other cards they are played with; not considered "Special Cards" for game play purposes, multiple Edges may be played in a single turn.
- Situations: the players stay in play and change the basic rules of the game.
- Locations: like situations, but only one location can be in play at once.
- Allies: introduced in later expansions, earlier they were treated as situations.
- Illusions: introduced in later expansions; not considered "Special Cards" for game play purposes, and may only be played from an exertion.
- Plots: formerly a subset of Situations and Events in older versions, these also stay in play and change the basic rules of the game, often adding up for a greater effect.
Pregame cards[]
- Persona cards: rare cards featuring established characters from the films and television series, allowing players to use persona-specific cards, or enhancing the abilities of standard persona cards. Most personas also grant a special ability to the player, such as dealing extra damage per attack or granting extra attacks per turn.[4]
- Quickenings: rewards for winning tournaments and sponsored events, granting abilities to the user similar to those of certain personas.
- Weapon of Choice: allow players to use special weapon-specific cards.
- Watcher: affects the basic rules of the game.
Reception[]
According to Terry Elder, the game had a strong following on the east coast of the United States, central midwest, and in California.[5]
References[]
- ^ Miller, John Jackson (2003), Scrye Collectible Card Game Checklist & Price Guide, Second Edition, pp. 225–232.
- ^ Owens, Thomas S.; Helmer, Diana Star (1996), Inside Collectible Card Games, p. 55.
- ^ Varney, Allen (May 1996), "Reports on Trading Card Games", The Duelist, no. #10, p. 9
- ^ "The 10 Most Forgotten Collectible Card Games". therobotsvoice.com. Retrieved 2017-12-28.
- ^ Varney, Allen (September 1996), "Inside the Industry - Reports on Trading Card Games", The Duelist, no. #12, p. 73
External links[]
- Card games introduced in 1996
- Highlander (franchise) books and games
- Collectible card games
- Collectible card game stubs