Xeno Card

Xeno Card is a minigame in Xenosaga Episode I - Der Wille zur Macht. It is a virtual trading card game.

Card game rules
The player must have the Card Passport in order to play the minigame. The Card Passport can be obtained from a robot in the bar of the Elsa. The player can play the game at any Save Points that also have the blue EVS symbol appearing above them. The player can obtain additional cards by buying a Starter Pack or Card Pack from many stores throughout the game. There are also special promo card packs that can be obtained at various places in the world.

Win conditions
The goal of the card game is to force the opponent to run out of cards in their deck before the player does. A deck can be depleted in the following ways:


 * Each time a player draws a card, their deck will be depleted by one.


 * Many cards carry a cost, which requires a specified number of cards to be moved from the deck to the lost pile.


 * If a player is able to directly attack an opponent's deck, a number of cards equal to the points of damage dealt must be moved to the lost pile.

A player will instantly lose the game as soon as their deck is reduced to 0 cards.

Deck construction
The player's deck cannot contain more than 40 cards, nor more than 3 of any single card. The player has the ability to create up to 5 different decks.

Card types

 * Battle Cards - Battle Cards are cards that can be placed on the battlefield. They comprised of six subtypes, Human, Realian, Mech, Gnosis, Unknown or Weapon. Weapons cannot be placed on the battlefield on their own but rather must be equipped to a card of another subtype. Each non-weapon Battle Card has a HP and Attack value. Weapons only have an Attack value.


 * Event Cards - Event cards are one time use cards. They can be used during a player's Event phase, or during the Block phase of an opponent's turn.


 * Situation Cards - Situation cards are placed in the situation area and remain there permanently unless they are destroyed or discarded according to the conditions on the card.

Attack types
Each Battle Cards carries one of the following attack types:


 * Hand - Cards with Hand attacks can only attack an enemy card that appears directly in front of them. They cannot attack an opponent's deck.


 * Ballistic - Cards with the Ballistic attack will fire upon whatever opponent card is closest to them, regardless of whether it is in the opponent's front row or back row. If there is no opponent card in their direct path, they will attack the opponent's deck.


 * Spread - Spread attacks will attack all cards on the opponent's battlefield.


 * Homing - Homing attacks will ignore any cards on the opponent's battlefield and directly hit the opponent's deck.


 * Penetrates - In the event a card of this type destroys an opponent's card in battle, any remaining attack value that exceeds the remaining HP of the opponent's card will carry over to either the card behind the opponent's card, or the opponent's deck if there is no card behind the opponent's card.

Turn phases
Each turn consists of the following phases:


 * Draw Phase - The player draws one card from their deck.


 * Move Phase - Cards can be moved from the standby area to the battlefield and vice versa. Card positions can also be rearranged on the battlefield.


 * Event Phase - Event cards can be played by the player. The opponent can have the opportunity to counter an event card if able. Events from battle cards or situation cards will also be triggered.


 * Set Phase - One battle card and one situation card can be played, unless a card has a special effect allowing more to be played. Battle cards will be placed in the standby area unless they have a special effect permitting otherwise.


 * Block Phase - The opponent can play event cards. The player will have the opportunity to counter them if able. During the opponent's turn, the player will have ability to play event cards. Effects from battle cards or situation cards can also be triggered.


 * Battle Phase - Cards on the battlefield will attack the enemy battlefield. Any "E" marks on cards will disappear.


 * Adjust Phase - If the player has more than 6 cards in their hand, they will have to discard to that number.