Swords, Arrows & Shields is a 2D card game that combines elements of luck and strategy, featuring a unique tarot-themed design. Compete through 10 rounds, aiming to outscore your opponent by forming sets of Major Arcana cards with matching colors to claim victory.
Each turn is divided into two phases: the Minor Phase and the Major Phase.
Minor Phase:
At the beginning of each turn, players enter the Minor Phase, where a Minor Arcana card is played to generate the cost needed for the Major Phase. There are 3 types of Minor Arcana: Swords, Arrows, and Shields. Each type interacts in a rock-paper-scissors dynamic. This system introduces an additional strategic element, as players must carefully choose and manage their Minor Arcana to effectively counter their opponent's plays and maximize their effectiveness in the Major Phase:
Swords overpower Shields
Arrows defeat Swords
Shields block Arrows
In addition to the standard interactions, one of the Minor Arcana types—Swords, Arrows & Shields—has a special ability to defeat all others
If your Minor Arcana type overcomes your opponent's type, you receive the full cost of that Minor Arcana
If your Minor Arcana is defeated by your opponent's type, you only get half of the card's cost
If both players play the same Minor Arcana type, each player receives the full cost
If Swords, Arrows & Shields is played, the player recevies 10 cost automatically.
Major Phase:
In the Major Phase, players use the cost gathered during the Minor Phase to play Major Arcana cards. The goal is to strategically form sets of matching colored cards, as these sets generate points. The player who forms the strongest sets across 10 rounds will outscore their opponent and win the game.
In the Major Phase, players have the option to place their Major Arcana cards in one of two fields: the Knock Field or the Support Field.
Placing a card in the Knock Field allows players to work toward forming a set of Major Arcana cards. These sets are crucial, as they determine the player’s final score at the end of the 10 turns. Only the Major Arcana placed in the Knock Field will contribute to these scoring sets.
Alternatively, players can place Major Arcana cards in the Support Field, where they can activate one of two available effects, called "contracts." These contracts offer unique advantages, such as manipulating the game state, disrupting the opponent’s strategy, or providing immediate benefits to the player. However, cards played in the Support Field won’t contribute to the endgame scoring sets, so players must carefully weigh the decision of when to pursue powerful short-term effects versus long-term strategy.
Master the balance between strategy and luck to outscore your opponent and become the champion of Swords, Arrows & Shields.
