Caleb Pavish, a mighty hero of the Alliance, looked over to Garet Vice, the elusive rogue, who nodded and disappeared into the darkness. Preparing to make his move, Caleb drew the Gutbuster that had served him well in the past. “For Gilneas,” he shouted, as he and Garet surged forward to overcome their enemy, Grizlik Sparkhex. Just as Caleb raised his Gutbuster to strike down the wounded goblin warlock, Huruk Lightvow stepped forward to defend him…
Fierce combat, abilities, allies, weapons, armor, quests…all these features familiar to players of World of Warcraft will also be found in the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game (TCG) from Blizzard Entertainment and Cryptozoic Entertainment. With the World of Warcraft TCG, players will be able to take their online experience to an enjoyable offline social event and engage in TCG-based player-versus-player (PvP) fights and epic raid battles.
The following article offers an overview of the World of Warcraft TCG, but a much more in-depth preview of the game, including extensive rules information, can be found here. To purchase the game, visit your local hobby store retailer or find a location.
Trading Card Games
A trading card game has specially designed “playing cards” and rules that will dictate how and when a player can play any given card from his or her deck. Each card often represents an ally or magic spell that a player can use in combat, and rules that define that card’s properties are listed on the card itself. Prior to beginning play, players compose their decks from their available pool of cards. Players can get more cards from 20-card “booster packs” or by trading with friends.
World of Warcraft Trading Card Game
The World of Warcraft TCG consists of many of the elements players are familiar with in the World of Warcraft massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). These include the character classes and their abilities, as well as armor and quests. The artwork of the cards is created by some of the top artists in the fantasy field, including Darrell Sweet, Greg Hildebrandt, Dave Dorman, R.K. Post, and Todd McFarlane. Cards also feature artwork from talented Blizzard artists.
The World of Warcraft TCG will offer two different ways to play: traditional play, in which two players (or two even-numbered groups) try to defeat each other, and raid-deck play, in which one player takes on the role of a powerful enemy boss that all other players group up to battle against.
What Do I Need to Play the Game?
The World of Warcraft Trading Card Game has several different product options available to players looking to play. Each of the products available has random or semi-random content within each of them. This means that players will have a chance to receive different cards with each purchase. This will help build a collection and provide more options when building a deck.
All of these products also provide a chance to get a Loot card! For a detailed list of which loot is contained in a specific product, please visit our Loot page.
Class Starter Deck
For players new to the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, this is the best product to buy to get on board. It provides each player with a full, 60 card deck that is ready to play right out of the package. Players will also get to choose which faction and class to play to start out. By combining two decks - for instance, the Hunter cards from the Alliance deck with the Horde cards from the Horde deck to make a Horde Hunter deck - players can create the race/class combination they want! Included in each deck are quick start rules as well as a more in-depth, detailed rulebook, for those hard to answer questions.
Booster Pack
These are foil wrapped packs that contain 19 game-play cards and 1 crafting material card. These packs contain 1 hero card, 1 rare or epic card, 4 uncommon cards, 13 common cards to help build a collection or customize a new deck. The cards in booster packs come from a pool of cards, usually referred to as a set. For example, the Worldbreaker set contains cards that depict Cataclysm content as well as the introduction of Goblin and Worgen to the Trading Card Game.
Raid Deck
A Raid Deck allows player to re-enact epic battles against some of the biggest foes from the MMO. Assault on Icecrown Citadel provides players with a chance to fight against the Lich King. Each Raid Deck contains three player decks that can be used to battle the Lich King deck. The experience provides an accurate account of the encounters within Icecrown Citadel. This is a multi-player friendly product that allows a player and two of friends to play against another player piloting the Lich King deck. Each raid deck also contains a Treasure Pack. Included in these packs are foil cards that show equipment acquired in that dungeon, as well as other game-play exclusive cards. The Treasure Pack may also be purchased separately.
Loot™ Cards
Randomly inserted into some booster packs are the legendary Loot™ cards! Loot™ cards have a scratch-off code that can be used to obtain an exclusive cosmetic item in the online game, such as a unique pet, tabard or mount! These cards are very rare…a player who finds one will likely be the envy of his or her entire realm!
All of these products are available at your local hobby store retailer or find a location.
If you would like to learn how to play, please click here.
Organized Play
Although the World of Warcraft TCG is a great game for people who have never played a TCG before, it also offers a great deal for very experienced players. Cryptozoic Entertainment has a very extensive tournament system with different organized-play programs. There will be tournaments for casual players and an ongoing Battlegrounds hobby league, but the programs also include big tournaments -- regional, countrywide, continental and even world championships -- for players who develop a high level of expertise with the game. For more information about the Organized Play programs that Cryptozoic has to offer, please visit the Organized Play page.
Experience the Fun!
If you're interested in trying out the game yourself, visit your local hobby store retailer, Wal-mart or Target and pick up a Class Starter Deck (bring your friends along so they can pick one up too). You and your friends will be able to play right out of the box.
World of Warcraft MMORPG players will find it easy to take up the World of Warcraft TCG since many of the names and terms used are the same as in the online game. Equally, players who enjoy TCGs will find many elements from traditional trading card games that they will enjoy.
Be sure to check out the World of Warcraft TCG!
How do I Play the Game?
Staying true to Blizzard's motto for the World of Warcraft MMORPG, the trading card game is “easy to learn but challenging to master.” While it’s generally a very easy game to pick up, players will have fun developing and refining their strategies for the different tactical situations and also collecting the cards they want to use in their decks.
Card Types
The World of Warcraft TCG offers several different categories of cards. The most fundamental one is the hero card, which represents the player’s avatar in the card game. If a hero takes damage equal to his health, that player has lost. The TCG provides the majority of race/class combinations so everyone will be able to find their favorite!
As in the online game, where players form groups to take on difficult encounters, heroes will want to recruit allies into their party in the TCG. Allies can attack the opposing hero or use a special ability to have some other effect on the game. While most allies represent the other players one might expect to see while looking for a group in Ironforge or Orgrimmar, there are also allies straight out of Warcraft lore, such as Warchief Thrall and Lady Jaina Proudmoore.
Abilities and spells from the online game make appearances in the TCG in the form of ability cards. Cards like Pyroblast and Frost Nova can be used in Mage decks, while Sinister Strike and Eviscerate can be used in Rogue decks. There are also generic abilities that any class can use, like Spirit Healer and Vanquish.
Weapon and armor cards are equipped directly by a hero, turning that hero into an offensive or defensive powerhouse. With a weapon equipped, a hero can pick off troublesome enemy allies, or go straight after the opposing hero. Armor offers defense against abilities and attacks, as well as granting special abilities to the wearer. For example, Herod’s Shoulder lets players search their deck for a weapon, and the Mooncloth Robes provide a repeatable source of card draw. The weapons and armor in the TCG come straight out of the online game.
Quests allow players to smooth out their resource development, and also serve to fill a player’s hand later in the game. Players will recognize the quests in the TCG from their experiences in the online game.
The Game
Gameplay in the World of Warcraft TCG is fast-paced and action-packed. Both players build up resources to put allies, equipment and abilities into play while striking at their opponent’s hero turn after turn. On average, a single game takes about 15 minutes, but different classes and play styles can vary. For instance, a player locked in a paladin-vs.-paladin battle can expect to be busy a while! All it takes is two people to play a game, but the game was also built for team-based or grand melee battles as well.
For a full rundown of the turn structure, including more advanced play concepts, the Quick Start Rules are available for you to try out the game. You can download a copy of them here.
In addition to player-vs.-player combat, the World of Warcraft TCG offers a unique experience in the raid decks. A Raid Deck allows player to re-enact epic battles against some of the biggest foes from the MMO. Assault on Icecrown Citadel provides players with a chance to fight against the Lich King. Each Raid Deck contains three player decks that can be used to battle the Lich King deck. The experience provides an accurate account of the encounters within Icecrown Citadel. This is a multi-player friendly product that allows a player and two friends to play against a player piloting the Lich King deck. Each raid deck also contains a Treasure Pack. Included in these packs are foil cards that show equipment acquired in that dungeon, as well as other game-play exclusive cards. The Treasure Pack may also be purchased separately.
Now that you know how to play the game, it’s time to get your friends together and head down to your local hobby store retailer and play your decks against other players. For more information about the Organized Play programs offered for the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, visit our Organized Play page.
