CCG: Rules: Introduction
From SSDC, Inc.
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INTRODUCTION
The Commander
“Battlelord Addo’s report due in 30 seconds, Commander.”
“Good Jensin, put it through directly”, I responded.
“Yessir.”
Sitting in the massive command and control console, my hands and mind moments away from vast sources of knowledge, I reminisced. There was a day when I was out-running Alliance blockades, out-shooting pirates, and out-thinking rival mercs. Now, age has slowed my reflexes and dulled my combat edge. But the old fox is not dead . . . no, not by a long shot. My mind is still sharp and my experience second to none around these parts. I will have my say in the affairs of this subsector.
A small crouched Gen-Human in scarred battle armor coalesced on my monitor pad.
“Battlelord Addo reporting as directed,” the hologram barked.
I heard the resentment in the warrior’s voice and chuckled. I too hated busybody commanders interfering with my freedom in the field. I was wrong then, as this Battlelord is wrong now. Command and control are vital to any successful field operation.
“What is your situation?” No sooner were the words spoken than a bright flash burst over the Battlelord’s head. He flinched involuntary (I knew he hated revealing weakness).
“Kinda busy at the moment, Chief. Intel on the mining facility’s garrison was SNAFU. There’s an extra squad of Python Lizards and they’re dug in good. The Orion and Human are dead. The Ram charged in during our last volley . . . haven’t heard anything since. I assume he’s dead. The Eridani and I are pinned down. I’ve ordered a retreat but the Swordsaint refuses. I’ll press charges at HQ ... if I live.”
“Strap all but one satchel charge to the Eridani and order him to take out the position. He’ll jump at the command. Provide suppression fire and keep the detonator yourself. Use it when he gets close. Keep one charge for yourself... for the objective.”
An explosion rocked the hologram. The Battlelord rose from his crouch and peered into the distance. “Well, sir looks like your plan is no longer necessary. The Ram will never be a Battlelord, but he did go out like a hero.” “Very well, proceed to the mission’s primary objective. Remember, all but you are expendable.”
Overview
The Battlelords Card Game pits mercenary against mercenary in a struggle for fame and fortune. The time is the late 23rd century. The field of battle is the frontier of the Fornax Galaxy. Crime, intrigue, and warfare run rampant. You command an elite mercenary corps, ready to engage anyone or anything ... for a price. Plan carefully, act boldly, and carry a large weapon. On the frontier, we are all living on borrowed time!
Each player (Commander) attempts to solidify the reputation of his or her mercenary company. Reputation is measured by completed missions and fame. By playing cards out on the table in a Command Display, Commanders set up shop on planets, enhance their holdings with special operations, recruit and equip mercs, send squads on missions, and bring the battle to the enemy (the other players). Successful completion of missions increases the Commander’s Fame and improves a Battlelord’s abilities. The Commander with the greatest Reputation over a pre-set amount at the end of any given round is the winner.
Collecting and Trading
Battlelords is a collectible trading card game. You can form a playing deck with whatever Battlelords cards you wish. The 60-card Command Deck you purchased with these instructions contains enough cards to begin playing. Once you have mastered the basic rules and gameplay, you will discover that more powerful, cohesive decks may be formed by picking and choosing cards from other Command Decks, as well as less expensive 15-card Reinforcement Packs. Cards may also be gathered by trading cards with other Commanders.
The Field of Battle
The Battlelords Card Game takes place in four frontier subsectors of the Fornax Galaxy, millions of lightyears from the Milky Way. The planets and spacelanes are filled with aliens, spies, criminals, soldiers, con artists, traders, and enemies of the Galactic Alliance. Disputes are generally settled by the business end of an Omega Cannon. It is here, on the edge of society, that a mercenary can really make a name.
The four subsectors are called the Industrial Province, the Denderon Hemisphere, the Plains of Desolation, and the Voidlands. The Industrial Province is the commercial hub of the area and contains the most planets and the greatest population. The Denderon Hemisphere is also relatively populated and safe. The Plains of Desolation and the Voidlands are the “backwoods”. Don’t leave home without your battle armor!
The Decks
The Battlelords Card Game is played with two separate, but interrelated decks. The Fame deck holds Hotspots,Missions, Wild cards, and Battle cards. The Fortune deck includes Battlelords, Personnel Under Development (PUDs), Equipment, Matrices, and Operations. These cards are discussed in detail below. Fame cards have the title running vertically. Fortune cards have the title running horizontally. Battlelord cards, which look like id cards, are Fortune cards.
Command Display
Cards from both the Fame and the Fortune deck are activated by revealing them to your opponents and by playing them on the table. A particular Commander’s manner of organizing his or her cards on the table is called a Command Display. After a couple of games, feel free to set up your cards as you like, as long as your opponents can tell what you have displayed. In the beginning, we suggest the following Command Display:
Fame
Fame is very important to a Mercenary Commander and is measured in Fame Points. Fame is gained in a number of ways and spent in even more ways. Thus, your Fame Point total will vary significantly during the course of the game. Use a pencil and paper, dice, markers, or some other means to keep track of Fame Points.
Fame never falls below zero. No Fame may be expended if you have zero Fame Points. This means that you may notbe able to retreat in certain situations.
One Fame Point may be converted into one Credit. Two Credits may be spent to generate one Fame Point.
Revenue
Revenue is also very important to a Mercenary Commander. Revenue is measured in Credits and is generated by active Hotspots and Operations in your Command Display. Revenue is generally not carried from turn to turn.
Two Credits may be spent to generate one Fame Point. One Fame Point may be converted into one Credit.
Card Effects
The rules detailed below are general rules. They are in effect when card play does not dictate a different outcome. Card effects always trump these general rules.
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CCG: Rules: Basic Battlelords
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