Ultraman Card Game/Standard Rules

These are the standard rules of how to play the Ultraman Card Game trading card game.
== Game Setting ==
TBA.
== Card Overview ==
Each card has several properties that can determine gameplay.
# Level: A value that represents the "level" of the card. 
#* Cards belonging to the Ultraman archetype have levels that range from 1 to 3 (as a reference to the 3-minute rule).
#* Cards belonging to the Kaiju archetype can have levels of any number.
# Card Rarity: The rarity of the card.*
# Card Type: The type of the card, which determines how effective a card is against one of another type.
# Card Name: The name of the character represented by the card and an accompanying subtitle, if any.
# Character Name: The name of the specific character archetype that the card belongs to. Only cards of the same character archetype can level up on another.
# Flavor Text & Effects
#*Effect Box: The card's abilities, which affect its current state and can turn the tides of battle.
#*Flavor Text: A quote that describes the character on the card.*
# Battle Power: The battle power of the card, which changes according to the current state of the card.
# Card Number: The ID of the card.*
* has no effect on the gameplay.
== Deck Construction ==
A deck consists of 50 cards. There can have up to 4 copies of a card in each deck.
== Game Concepts ==
== Playing Field ==
The playing field denotes the zones where players can place their cards during the game.
*Deck Area: This is where the player's deck is placed upon play.
*Discard Area: This is where cards are discarded upon means of play e.g., upon effect activations.
*Scene Area: This is the zone where Scene cards are played during the set scene card phase.
== Win Conditions ==
*After all battles in the judgment phase are completed, the player who wins three or more battles in a turn wins the game.
*If both players have three or more wins, the player with more wins is victorious.
*If they have the same number of wins, continue playing the game until one player has more wins.
*Alternatively, if a player's is unable to set a character card, then that player loses.
== Standard Fight ==
* At the start of the fight, each player shuffles their deck.
* Each player then draws six cards from the top of their deck to form their opening hand.
* There is no turn order for this game.
* Both players play a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide who become Lead player.
=== Redraw ===
* If you are not satisfied with the six cards you drew, you can redraw once. Return all six cards to the bottom of your deck, and draw six new cards. Then, shuffle your deck.
=== Start Phase ===
* This phase confirms who is the 'Lead player' and the 'Next player'. The winner of the most recent battle becomes the Lead player. If it was a tie, the Lead player remains the same as the previous turn. 
=== Draw Phase ===
* In the first turn, do not draw a card. From the second turn, each player draws a card from the top of their deck, and puts it into their hand.
=== Set Scene Card Phase ===
* The Lead player can set one scene card face-up in the Scene Area. If you do, draw a card.
** You can only set a scene card if its Round (the number of the glowing segments in the bottom left icon) is less than or equal to the Field Round count. The Field Round count is the number of battles between characters on the field (number of Battle Areas). If a scene card is already set, you can only replace it with another that has an equal or higher Round.
=== Set Character Card Phase ===
* Lead player set character card step
** Set one character card from your hand face-down, vertically in the first battle area, next to your deck. From the second turn, set one card face-down in an empty space, next to the card you set in the previous turn. 
* Next player set character card step
** Set one card from your hand face-down, opposite the Lead player's card.
=== Level Up Phase ===
* Lead player level up step
** You can level up a card you have set by stacking a card from your hand, with the same 'Character Name' and exactly 1 Lever higher, face-down on top of it. 
*** From the second turn, you can also level up each character you set in previous turns.
* Next player level up step
** You can do the same as the Lead player.
*** You cannot level up by skipping Levels. or by using a card with the same or lower Level. Each character in a battle Area can only level-up once per turn.
=== Open Phase (Flip all cards face-down, face up) ===
* Lead player character enters play effects step.
** Resolve your "When this character enters play" effects.
* Next player character enters play effect step.
** Do the same as the Lead player.
=== Effect Activation Phase ===
* Lead player payment effects step
** The Lead player can use their payment effects, such as (Activate).
* Next player payment effects step
** The Next player can do the same as the Lead player..
=== Judgment Phase ===
* Characters facing each other battle. Determine the battle outcome by comparing their BP.
** Determining BP
*** Look at the top character card in each stack. That character's BP value is: 
**** [SINLGE] when there is only one card.
**** [DOUBLE] when two cards are stacked.
**** [TRIPLE] when three cards are stacked. 
** Determining Wins and Losses
*** Compare their BP. The higher value wins, the lower value loses.
*** Turn the losing card sideways.
*** If their BP values are the same, it is a tie. 
*** Turn both tied cards sideways.
=== End Phase ===
* Effects that last "for this turn" expire.
Expand to read the outdated rules.
== Old Rules ==
This version of Ultraman Card Game was first introduced during its world debut at Anime Festival Asia 2023 in Singapore. At later playtests (e.g., Ultraman The Hero Premiere 2024 in Malaysia, Tablecon Quest 2024), the rules were revised. The old rules have been kept here for archival purposes, and are not an accurate representation of the current gameplay.
=== Card Overview ===
Each card has several properties that can determine gameplay.
# Minutes: A value that represents the "level" of the card, with higher levels typically being more powerful than lower levels. 
#* Cards belonging to the Ultraman archetype have levels that range from 1 to 3 (as a reference to the 3-minute rule).
#* Cards belonging to the Kaiju archetype can have levels of any number.
# Card Type: The type of the card, which determines how effective a card is against one of another type.
# Card Name: The name of the character represented by the card and an accompanying subtitle, if any.
# Character Name: The name of the specific character archetype that the card belongs to. Only cards of the same character archetype can level up on another.
# Flavor Text & Effects
#*Flavor Text: A quote that represents the character on the card.*
#*Effects: The card's abilities, which affect its current state and can turn the tides of battle.
# Battle Power: The battle power of the card, which changes according to the current state of the card.
# Card Number & Rarity: The ID and rarity of the card.*
* has no effect on the gameplay.
=== Playing Field ===
The playing field consists of three columns of two rows each. Units in the front row can attack opposing units, while units placed in the back row are used during the Level Up Phase. 
When the game first begins and the playing field is empty, players must create a column by placing a unit face-down in the front row. Only one column can be created per turn. 
Units can only be placed in the back row if the front row of that column is occupied. During the Beginning Phase, a unit placed face-down in the back row must be of the same Character Name as a unit in the front row. Otherwise, this is considered an illegal play during the Level Up Phase.
=== Win Conditions ===
If a player wins three consecutive battles in a turn, they win the game.
=== Standard Fight ===
* At the start of the fight, each player shuffles their deck.
* Each player then draws five cards from the top of their deck to form their opening hand.
* There is no turn order for this game.
* When both players are ready, they call out "Get Ready! Ultra Fight!", and the fight begins.
# Beginning Phase
## Both players draw a card and add it to their hand.
## Both players turn all the cards on their playing fields from Rest to Stand.
## If the playing field is less than three columns, players must create a new column.
## Both players may place cards face-down in the back row, if applicable.
# Level Up Phase
## Both players reveal all their cards on the playing field by turning them face-up.
## If a back row unit is +1 Minute greater than the front row unit and is of the same Character Name, players may Level Up by placing the back row unit over the front row unit.
##* If a back row unit does not fulfill these conditions, then this is considered an illegal play and the card returns to hand.
# Judgement Phase
## Both players compare the battle power of their front row units in the same columns.
##* The Battle Power of a card depends on the number of cards stacked on that space.
##** If there is only a single card on that space, the card is in Single state.
##** If two cards are stacked, then the top card is in Double state. 
##** If three cards are stacked, then the top card is in Triple state.
##** Due to card effects, units can also be in the Extra state, if applicable.
##* If a front row unit's battle power is greater than the opposing unit, the opposing unit is put to Rest. This is considered one battle.
# End Phase
## If a player satisfies the win conditions, then the player wins the game. Otherwise, the turn ends, and the game returns to the Beginning Phase.