Goon Wars TCG: Complete Beginner’s Guide to Cards
"Goon Wars" is a strategic trading card game developed by Balatroon Games, part of the Goons of Balatroon (GOB) universe. This free-to-play card game is currently in open beta, and it integrates blockchain technology to offer a unique gameplay experience.
Players engage in intense PvP battles using decks composed of 30 cards, which include creatures, spells, and mystery cards, each with unique abilities and effects. The game's card system is designed to encourage strategic play and deck customization.
In this beginner-friendly article, you will find everything you need to know about the cards in Goon Wars along with tips on how to use them effectively.
Collectible and Non-Collectible#Copy URL to this article section
All players start the game with Non-Collectible Cards that can help them understand the gameplay basics. These do not show rarity, and cannot be collected nor traded.
Collectible Cards, on the other hand, are NFTs that can be bought, sold, and traded. Every card has a fixed number of prints that will never increase—higher rarity means that less of it will be printed. Players have full ownership of these cards. They exist on Beam, a layer-2 blockchain for gaming on the Avalanche network.
You can buy Collectible Cards from the Sphere marketplace on Beam, either by purchasing a card pack (silver packs have 5 random Goon Cards, bronze packs have 1 random Good Card), or purchasing a specific card from another player.
You can buy card packs on the Sphere Marketplace.
Card Rarity#Copy URL to this article section
Rarity tells you the quality of a card and how hard it is to find. This will also show you how powerful a card is.
Only Collectible Cards have rarity—they can either be Common, Rare, Epic, or Legendary. To identify the rarity, you need to look at the colored gemstone at the bottom of each card.
The four rarities of Collectible (NFT) cards in Goon Wars
Card Edition#Copy URL to this article section
Each Collectible Card has a Regular and a Shiny edition—you will see it in the Card’s frame. While this makes no difference in gameplay or functionality, Shiny Cards have greater collectible value as they are harder to find!
Cards come in two editions: Regular and Shiny
Card Types#Copy URL to this article section
Creature #Copy URL to this article section
Creature cards are the protectors and damage dealers. You will find an Attack stat on the top left (yellow circle), and a Health stat on the right (red circle).
Spell#Copy URL to this article section
Spell cards have instant effects when played, including powering up your cards and damaging your opponent’s avatar and Creatures, among others.
Mystery#Copy URL to this article section
Mystery cards are a type of Spell cards but with delayed effects. They are placed facedown on the battlefield and are activated by specific conditions or actions.
The three card types in Goon Wars
Elements #Copy URL to this article section
Elements are the classes of the cards. Each one of the five elements uses unique gameplay strategies.
Neutral#Copy URL to this article section
This is the state of all tiles at the beginning—it means that a card has no true element. These cards do not clash with other elements, and can even enhance and strengthen other elements.
Earth#Copy URL to this article section
Earth cards are focused on defense. It features big creatures, strong defensive cards with the Insult trait, and many token generating cards.
Electricity#Copy URL to this article section
Electric cards are focused on speed and discard effects. This type also features many Pounce and Ensnare cards.
Fire#Copy URL to this article section
Fire cards are focused on damage and chaos. This type features many direct damage and area-of-effect damage cards.
Water#Copy URL to this article section
Water cards are focused on deception, control, and manipulation of the battlefield. This type features effects such as Bounce, Steal, and Mystery.
Each card can be classified into one of the five elements
The elemental advantages of cards
Elemental Synergy #Copy URL to this article section
Many creature abilities and spell effects depend on elements.
For example, casting Grounded gives a Creature +3/+3 only if it is Electrical. Otherwise, it inflicts 3 Damage.
Tile Effect #Copy URL to this article section
When a Creature is placed on a Tile in the Battlefield, the Tile will automatically transform into the Creature’s element (e.g. Earth Tile, Water Tile).
These tile effects can create further elemental synergies with Spells and Creatures. For example, placing the Amphibious Regent on the Battlefiled gives all Creatures on Water Tiles a +2 Attack.
Abilities #Copy URL to this article section
Abilities are special effects, powers, or behaviors that are indicated on the card. These get triggered at certain points in the game.
Here is an alphabetical list of abilities:
Barrier#Copy URL to this article section
When activated, Barrier ability protects the Creature from the first hit of damage (single-use). Afterwards, the barrier disappears.
Censor#Copy URL to this article section
Removes the target card’s abilities and any other effects. However, Attack and HP stats remain unchanged.
Ensnare#Copy URL to this article section
Creature ability or Spell that targets a Creature card and prevents it from attacking on its next turn.
Insult#Copy URL to this article section
The card with Insult ability forces the opponent to attack it before attacking anything else.
Last Breath#Copy URL to this article section
Creature ability that gets activated when the card is destroyed.
Leech#Copy URL to this article section
Creature ability that heals their Avatar with the same amount of damage inflicted on the enemy.
Cards with Barrier, Censor, and Ensnare abilities
Cards with Insult, Last Breath, and Leech abilities
MIA#Copy URL to this article section
Creature ability that puts the creature in a dormant state for a set number of turns before waking up. While MIA, the card cannot attack or be attacked.
Mystery#Copy URL to this article section
These cards are played facedown and are only triggered when certain conditions are met. Otherwise, the opponent does not know what has been played.
Pounce#Copy URL to this article section
Creatures with Pounce ability can attack the same turn they are played.
Rummage#Copy URL to this article section
Lets the player choose one card from 3 options. This is added to their hand.
Untouchable#Copy URL to this article section
Cards cannot be targeted by Creatures or Spells, and are immune from damage and destory effects.
Warcry#Copy URL to this article section
Warcry ability triggers when the card is played normally from the player’s hand.
Cards with MIA and Pounce abilities, and Mystery type
Cards with Rummage, Untouchable, and Warcry abilities
Remember, the key to mastering Goon Wars lies in experimenting with different card combinations and strategies. Understanding the nuances of card types, rarity, elements, and abilities will give you an advantage in PvP battles.
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