Planar Conflict - Card Backs

I ran into a bit of a problem while working on card backs for the Infernal decks. Basically it boils down to this: Vassals need to stay face down until they are revealed during combat. As a creature, Vassals are single bordered on the back, but so are Shields and Terrain; in addition, flying Shields must reveal their contents. So how could I design the card backs to reveal some cards but not others?

I did a small reworking of the single bordered card backs and here's what I came up with as my final solution...

First, here's the standard card backs for Vassals, which remain face down. It simply says "Planar Conflict" below the Guardians logo.

Next is the card back for flying Vassals, represented by the same wing icon used on the front of the cards. These cards get revealed because they are flying.

Then we have Shields, which are represented with a new Shield icon.

Since Planar cards are both Stronghold and Terrain, the backsides of Planar cards will simply be rubble.

Finally, the double bordered cards, which are Glyphs, Relics, and Events.

Planar Conflict Cards #7-12 Revised: Infernals

I've revised each Infernal so that they have both a frontside ability and a backside ability. You can tell the front of the card from the text, which says "Flip". The frontside ability is activated by flipping the card; the backside ability is either automatic or requires a decision on when to use it. Some stats also change during the flip. Note that these could still change based on playtesting results...

Planar Conflict Cards #70-75: Control Cards

Here are the last cards in the set, the 6 Control Cards, for a final total of 75. I still have to finish revising each Infernal - they are a little different from their original conception - then I just need to finish the backs of the cards, do a little playtesting, and re-write and finalize the rules. Here are the Control Cards for each Infernal:

Planar Conflict Card #69: Phylactery of Immortality

Phylactery of Immortality belongs to Z'Grall's deck...

Planar Conflict Card #68: Dagger of Agony

Dagger of Agony belongs to Abbaddon's deck...

A Comedy of Errors

Wow, so I've really messed things up by forgetting the 2 Relic cards. I had to re-work some of the cards based on artwork and ideas I came up with last night and today. Here's a list of the changes, everything should be complete now:

• Orb of Frost had its name changed to Orb of Conveyance. You can find it here.

• Book of the Dead has been changed to Book of Vile Thoughts, and has been re-assigned from Z'Grall to Kru'chek. The text of the card is also completely different. You can find it here.

• The second Relic for Abbaddon is complete. It will be Planar Card #68.

• A new second Relic for Z'Grall (to replace Book of the Dead) is also complete. It will be Planar Card #69.

• The Danuu Mreeshi Control Card post will be moved, and the card # will change from 68 to 70.

Sorry for the confusion. Developing this set is a living thing and is constantly changing. However, once the last 2 Relic cards are posted, only 5 Control Cards remain to finish the set. The end is in sight!

eBay News and Other News

Last week some Tweezles came up for auction on eBay and sold for staggering prices:

Tweezle the Sneaky: $424
Exploding Tweezle: $126
Cheesy Con Souvenir Tweezle:  $53

I would have loved to have that Tweezle the Sneaky, but the price was a little rich for me. I've also been in contact with Dave Genzler, the original Tweezle, about doing an interview. Hopefully he'll agree and drop some Guardians knowledge on us.

Currently on eBay I have several sealed boxes of Starter decks for sale. Normally I try to avoid any self-promotion here, but money's a little tight right now and I'm hoping some of you could use some starter decks. The link is here:

Guardians Starter Box

Cheers!

Small Error in Cards Remaining

Looks like I got a little ahead of myself...in addition to the Control Cards and card backs, I still need to develop 2 more Relics. Also, each Infernal has been significantly modified, so I need to redo those 6 cards as well. The total number of unique cards in the Planar Conflict expansion is now firmly set at 75...

Planar Card #67: Reconstruction

This is the final Event card. The only cards left to develop are the six Control cards and the card backs...

Planar Conflict Card #66: Futile Undertaking

This is the second Event card:

Planar Conflict Card #65: Invasion

Here is the first of the three Event cards for Planar Conflict. Every deck contains one of each Event card. The wording choice in the text is very specific, because I will be revealing a very exciting and fun variant for this set! Here is the first Event card:

Planar Conflict Cards#59-64: Shield Sets

I originally wasn't going to include Shields as part of the Planar decks. While looking for artwork, however, I stumbled across a great-looking Shield, and then a search turned up even more options. Soon I was developing Shield sets for each deck...Shields are an integral part of the game - why not use them? This of course changes deck construction...with the removal of Trials and the addition of Events, decks should now look like this:


1  Infernal
1  Control Card
12  Planar Cards
20  Vassals
8  Shields
5  Glyphs
2  Relics
3  Events

total = 52 cards

Here are the Shield Sets. Note that all Shields are the same - there is no (upcard) number on them...

"Chaotic" belongs to Danuu Mreeshi's deck...

"Devilish" belongs to Abbaddon's deck...

"Glow" belongs to Kru'chek's deck...

"Jeweled" belongs to EIl Perma's deck...

"Undeath" belongs to Z'Grall's deck...

"Energy" belongs to Tavu-Ra's deck...

Planar Conflict Card #58: Book of Vile Thoughts

Book of Vile thoughts belongs to Kru'chek's deck...

Planar Conflict Card #57: Spear of Illusions

Spear of Illusions belongs to Danuu Mreeshi's deck...

All Vassals for Planar Conflict Completed

All the Vassals for Planar Conflict are finished. Here's what's remaining for development:

4 Relics
6 Control cards
24 Trials

I'm seriously considering abandoning the Trial cards which I think would fit better with an adventure/board game-style variant I've been developing for the past couple of years. Instead, I'd replace them with 4 Event cards that would be the same for each deck. That means I would only need to develop 4 cards instead of 24, but it would leave the deck size the same at 45 cards/deck. Having Event cards pays homage to C.J.'s contribution to Guardians, which is important to me. That also means I could wrap this project up much more quickly, and move on to completing the rules (including non-cooperative and solo variants), and providing examples of game play.

I've got a little time to think it over, as the remaining Relic cards probably won't be completed until the weekend. The Control cards will be the last cards developed, and will be mainly text (minimal artwork), similar to the Turn Summary cards from the original game. Oh, I almost forgot - I need to work on the backsides of the cards as well!

Planar Conflict Card #56: Horned Sentinel

Horned Sentinel belongs to Tavu-Ra's deck...

Planar Conflict Card #55: Vein Flayer

Vein Flayer belongs to Danuu Mreeshi's deck...

Planar Conflict Card #54: Energy Construct

Energy Construct belongs to Tavu-Ra's deck...

Planar Conflict Card #53: Behemoth of Azul

Behemoth of Azul belongs to Danuu Mreeshi's deck...

Planar Conflict Card #52: Poison Dragon

Poison Dragon belongs to Kru'chek's deck...

More Errata for Planar Conflict

I just realized that I had created a near-unbeatable combo between Sla'drakka, Orb of Frost, and Tavu-Ra. I have modified the Sla'drakka card to change this.

Also, I have changed the creature class for Xibbain from Monk to Wanderer...

Planar Conflict Card #51: Amulet of Displacement

Amulet of Displacement belongs to Eil Perma's deck...

Planar Conflict Card #50: Orb of Conveyance

Orb of Conveyance belongs to Tavu-Ra's deck...

Planar Conflict Card #49: Sla'drakka, Priest of Tavu-Ra

Sla'drakka belongs to Tavu-Ra's deck...

Errata for Planar Conflict Cards

Well, I goofed pretty good. I got the text of Oranon mixed up with that of another card. When I corrected it, I realized I had also messed up the text for Tezzeret. Both should now be fixed. My apologies...

Planar Conflict Card #48: Oranon, Greater Avatar

Oranon belongs to Eil Perma's deck...

Planar Conflict Card #47: Storm Lord

Storm Lord belongs to Kru'chek's deck...

Planar Conflict Card #46: Flamehammer

Flamehammer belongs to Kru'chek's deck...