By Double Summon Games / Nora Jean Haynes & Iris Cassandra Saint Claire
Have you ever watched yugioh and gone "holy fuck these kids card games are intense. I wish they made games about being a card game anime protagonist this is wild" CONGRATULATIONS they just have! Perfect Draw! Is a PbtA game that's literally that. You are a gang of card game protagonists in a world where you solve everything with card games and it is exactly as wild as all card game animes.
When I say "this game is exactly what you would expect it to be" I mean that, and not in a bad way. Every single character class you can read the blurb of and go "oh yeah okay I know what they mean I've seen that character before" every move you go "okay yep, that's what should be a move in a card game anime game" it has really perfectly distilled what a card game anime is. It's also just fun as hell. They made a whole lightweight card game system for the game- your character's deck is a real, physical deck of cards that you, the player, make. There's gimmicks galore. There's a card that you can only draw if you're losing and want to dramatically turn things around. You can be someone's imaginary friend. You can be an edgy loner.
For lack of infinite space, to sum it up this is a game about card games with everything that usually entails.
Due to… recent events that I would rather not talk about, today's post is a highlight of different tabletop games made by trans peeps! These games are fantastic in their own right, of course, but you can also know that they were made by incredibly cool and attractive people
(Also, these are flyover descs of the game, they'll get more in-depth singular posts later, this is because I am lazy)
A TTRPG About People Playing TCGs
Perfect Draw is a phenomenal card game TTRPG that was funded in less than a day on backerkit, it's incredibly fun and has simple to learn hard to master rules for creating custom cards, go check it out!
A post-apocalyptic sci-fantasy tabletop RPG about building a better future.
Songs for the dusk is fucking good, pardon my language, but it's a damn good post apocalyptic game about building community in a post-capitalist-post-apocalypse-post-whatever world. do yourself a favor and if you only check out one game in this list, check this one out, its a beautiful game.
An RPG of Aviation Fantasy
Flying Circus is set in a WW1 inspired fantasy setting full of witches, weird eldritch fish people (who are chill as hell), cults, dead nobility, and other such things. It's inspired by Porco Rosso primarily but it has other touchstones.
A pastoral fantasy tabletop RPG about traveling animal-folk and the way they change with the seasons.
Wanderhome is a game about being cute little guys going on a silly adventure and growing as the seasons change, its GMless and very fun
https://weregazelle.itch.io/armour-astir
Armour Astir has been featured in here before but its so damn good I had to post it twice. AA demonstrates a fundamental knowledge of the themes of mech shows in a way that very few other games show, its awesome
A discord-based LARP and mystery game!
Kitchen Knightmares is… more of a LARP but its still really dang cool, its about being a knight serving people in a restaurant, its played using discord so its incredibly accessible
https://grimogre.itch.io/michtim
Michtim is a game about being small critters protecting their forest from nasty people who wish to harm it, not via brutal violence (sadly) but via friendship and understanding (which is a good substitute to violence)
Thirsty Sword Lesbians is a roleplaying game for telling queer stories with friends.
ok this technically doesn't count but I'm putting it here anyways cuz its like one of my favorite ttrpgs of all time
TSL is a game about baring your heart and dueling away with people who you'll probably kiss 10 minutes later, its very very fanfic-ey and inspired by queer narratives. I put it here because its made by a team, and the expansion has a setting specifically meant to be a trans "allegory", so I'll say it counts, honestly just go check it out its good shit
https://willuhl.itch.io/mystic-lilies
Mystic Lillies is a game inspired by ZUN's Touhou Project about witches dueling powerful foes, each other, and themselves. Mystic Lillies features rapid character creation and a unique diceless form of rolling which instead uses a standard playing card deck.
https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/141424/nobilis-the-game-of-sovereign-powers-2002-edition
I… want to do a more general overview on Jenna K as an important figure in indie RPG design, but for now just know that Nobilis is good
https://temporalhiccup.itch.io/apocalypse-keys
Apocalypse Keys is a game inspired by Doom Patrol, Hellboy, X-men, and other comics about monstrousness being an allegory for disenfranchisement. Apocalypse Keys is also here because its published by Evilhat so its very cleaned up and fancy but I love how the second you check out the dev's other stuff you can tell they are a lot more experimental with their stuff, this is not a critique, it is in fact a compliment
Work together to build a world you must then save from evil.
Fellowship! I've posted about this game before, but it is again here. Fellowship has a fun concept that it uses very well mostly, its a game about defining your character's culture, and I think that's really really cool
The castle infects all. Its vassals run this city. Start your revolution.
Voidheart Symphony is a really cool game about psychic rebellion in a city that really does not like you, the more you discover for yourself the better
Panic at the Dojo is a phenomenal ttrpg based on what the Brazilian would call "Pancadaria", which basically means, fucking other's people shit up. Character Creation is incredibly open and free, meaning that many character concepts are available
Build a new world in the ruins of the future.
Legacy 2e is a game about controlling an entire faction's choices across time, its very fun
remember to be kind to a trans person today!
oh also don't even try to be transphobic in the reblogs or replies, you will be blocked so fast your head will spin
I recently rediscovered the card game anime inspired ttrpg "Perfect Draw" and with it being on sale and now being in a better spot financially when i was upon discovering it the first time I was thinking of grabbing it. Whether that be the pdf or physical book.
That being said I worry about being able to pull together a play group. However, even with that in mind I think i might still grab it.
Anyone got any pointers one way or another? It looks super cool but i want to make sure I'm making the right choice
Hey there, fans of Perfect Draw! (Also fans of PbtA games or RPGs in general who might be interested in an RPG that has an attached card game meant to emulate the Yu-Gi-Oh anime) Guess who's made a new playbook for the game!
If you guessed "the guy who made and shared a template for people making their own playbooks," great job. You got it in one.
Introducing: The Idol, a playbook for Perfect Draw! If you wanna check it out now, you can find it on my Patreon, where even just a $2/month membership gets you access to all content I make! For those who still need a little convincing...
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It's good to be famous... until it's not.
This product contains:
The Idol, a playbook for Perfect Draw! that lets you play a superstar, with all the benefits and downsides that come with the job
Access to abilities like:
Parasocial Relationship - Use your fans' obsession with you to your advantage, but suffer the consequences of their jealousy afterwards!
Superchat - see if your fans have sent you donations in the middle of a card game, and potentially benefit if they have!
Use My Card! - Gain a powerful new card, sent to you by a fan!
Is That...? - Go incognito, or reveal yourself to the public to draw attention to yourself!
You're Not Alone! - Use your experience with isolation and loneliness to connect with others who are suffering.
Devoted Fanbase - Weaponize your fans to achieve your ends. Just don't take advantage of them too much!
Forced Smile - Keep it together when interacting with a fan, even when things are going to hell.
The sample deck All Eyes on Me!, a deck focusing on cards with the {Tenacious} keyword!
A new keyword: {Tenacious}! Your cards get stronger the more cards your opponent controls!
This is a playbook for the game Perfect Draw!, by Nora Jean Haynes and Iris Cassandra Saintclaire at Double Summon Games.
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If that sounds interesting to you, check out my Patreon! Or, if you prefer to avoid subscription-based approaches, I also put all of my stuff up on Itch a week after I release it to Patreon. As of right now, that means you can go grab my first entry into my NPC Encounters series: Perfect Draw! NPC Encounters: Cyber Century and Lingering Hatred.
You won't get as good a deal as my Patrons, though...
When you play this, replace another target warrior or item's effects with "When this is destroyed, each opponent draws a card."
When this is destroyed, you draw a card.
My Own Rules
Item | {Strong}
If a warrior would win a clash against another warrior, the other warrior wins instead.
It's Me, Bokey!
Warrior | {Weak}
{Ace}
When you play this, you can replace target card on the field's effects with target card in a graveyard's effects.
Once per turn, when a warrior attacks a card, you can give that attack target {Underwhelm} this turn. (If it would Decide the Outcome of a Clash, it always loses.)
{Sniper} 1 (When this attacks a player directly, it deals 1 extra damage.)
Bubble Bouncing
Invocation
The next card you play from your hand has {Followup}. (You can play an additional card after that one.)
The next card target opponent plays from their hand has {Overwork}. (After they play it, they can't "Play a Card from their Hand" on their next turn.)
Size Shifter
Warrior | {Normal}
During your turn, this becomes {Strong}.
During your opponent's turn, this becomes {Weak}.
{Piercer} 1 (When this defeats a card, it deals 1 damage to that card's controller.)
Footwear Exchange
Invocation
Swap the effects of two target cards on the field until end of turn. They also both gain your choice of {Piercer} 1, {Underwhelm}, or {Teamwork}.
"Let's walk a mile in each other's shoes!"
Null-Goo Drone
Warrior | {Normal}
When you play this, another target card loses its effects as long as this remains on the field.
The Infinity Everything Sword!!
Item | {Weak}
{Ace}
This has every effect from every other item on the field and in the graveyards.
Equip this to a warrior. That warrior has every effect from every other warrior on the field and in the graveyards.
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Deck: Plushies
Gimmick: Matching and {Overwhelm}ing enemy cards' strength
Itsy Bitsy Kitty
Warrior | {Weak}
{Overwhelm} (If this would Decide the Outcome of a Clash, it always wins.)
{Piercer} 3 (When this defeats a card, it deals 3 damage to that card's controller.)
Crazy Color Chameleon
Warrior | {Normal}
{Overwhelm} (If this would Decide the Outcome of a Clash, it always wins.)
{Blocker} (When another card is attacked, you can redirect the attack to this.)
{Inconspicuous} (This cannot be attacked if there are other possible non-player targets.)
Big Bouncy Bear
Warrior | {Strong}
{Overwhelm} (If this would Decide the Outcome of a Clash, it always wins.)
Pursue the Perfect Pal
Invocation
{Ace}
Search your deck and graveyard for up to two warriors and put them into your hand. You may put one of them onto the field instead if it has the same strength as an opponent's warrior.
Grub Grabbing Gorilla
Warrior | {Normal}
After this clashes with a warrior of equal strength, destroy up to one target item and gain 1 life.
Cotton Craving Customers
Invocation
Choose {Weak}, {Normal}, or {Strong}. Each player creates a warrior of that strength. These warriors can't attack each other.
Draw a card.
Affectionate Army Ants
Warrior | {Weak}
{Pressure} 1 (You have +1 combat tension.)
After this clashes with a warrior of equal strength, if you haven't created a copy of Affectionate Army Ants this turn, create a copy of this.
Button-Eyes Plush Dragon
Warrior | {Strong}
{Ace}
Once per turn, after your warrior clashes with a warrior of equal strength, your warrior can attack again this turn.
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Deck: Gunlance
Gimmick: One-time use effects
Rocket Sheller
Warrior | {Normal}
{Blocker} (When another card is attacked, you can redirect the attack to this.)
When this attacks or is attacked, you can {Strengthen} it until end of turn. Use this effect only once. (It turns from {Normal} to {Strong}.)
Shrapnel Sheller
Warrior | {Weak}
{Followup} (When you play this, you can play an additional card this turn.)
After this attacks or is attacked, you can destroy a card on the field. Use this effect only once.
Shield Plating
Item | {Strong}
{Pressure} 1 (You have +1 combat tension.)
When a warrior you control is destroyed, you can return it to the field. Use this effect only once.
Full Reload
Invocation
{Ace}
Choose one:
-Shuffle your graveyard into your deck, then draw two cards.
-Remove all cards you control from the game, then return them to your field. {Strengthen} each warrior you control until end of turn. ({Weak} becomes {Normal}, {Normal} becomes {Strong}, {Strong} gains {Overwhelm}.)
Incindiary Sheller
Warrior | {Strong}
To play this, return a card you control to your hand.
{Piercer} 1 (When this defeats another card, deal 1 damage to its controller.)
When your opponent attacks, you can redirect the attack to this. Use this effect only once.
Minefield Wasteland
Item | {Weak}
At the end of your turn, {Fumble} target opponent. (Describe an action. If the opponent does that before your next turn, you can Counter Your Opponent's Play for free.)
When this is attacked, destroy the attacking warrior. Use this effect only once.
Burst Sheller
Warrior | {Normal}
{Ace}
During your turn, you can play an additional staple. Use this effect only once.
When a card you control is targeted by an opponent's effect, deal 2 damage to that opponent. Use this effect only once.
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Deck: Money
Gimmick: Creating and using {Weak} items.
Bottomless Vault
Item | {Strong}
When you play this and at the beginning of your turn, create a {Weak} item.
Your {Weak} items have {Inconspicuous}. (They can't be attacked if there's another possible non-player target.)
Stressed Hoarder
Warrior | {Normal}
When you play this, create a {Weak} item.
{Pressure} X, where X is the number of {Weak} items you control. (You have +X combat tension.)
Senior Banker
Warrior | {Strong}
{Ace}
When you play this, create a {Weak} item.
Instead of spending advantage, you may sacrifice a {Weak} item for each 1 advantage you would spend.
Wallet Weightlifter
Warrior | {Normal}
When you play this, create a {Weak} item.
{Piercer} 1 (When this defeats a card, deal 1 damage to its controller.)
As long as you control three or more {Weak} items, {Strengthen} this. (It turns from {Normal} to {Strong}.)
Bribery
Invocation
Create two {Weak} items.
You can sacrifice any number of your {Weak} items. For each one sacrificed, destroy a random card controlled by target opponent.
IRS Agent
Warrior | {Weak}
At the end of your turn, {Fumble} target opponent. If the opponent performs the action, you also create two {Weak} items.
{Sniper} 1 (If this attacks directly, it deals 1 extra damage.)
Eat the Riches
Invocation
{Ace}
Create a {Weak} item.
Target a warrior you control. Sacrifice all your {Weak} items. For each one sacrificed, {Strengthen} that warrior and give it {Piercer} 1.
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Deck: This card creation system is kinda fucked up?
Gimmick: Raigeki
Destroy One
Invocation
Destroy target warrior your opponent controls. (This is a maximum power, perfectly balanced card according to the card creation rules.)
Destroy All
Invocation
Destroy all warriors target opponent controls. (This is also a perfectly balanced card.)
Gain OR Drain
Invocation
Choose one:
-You gain 1 life.
-Target opponent loses 1 life.
Gain AND Drain
Invocation
You gain 1 life and target opponent loses 1 life.
So, card creation in Perfect Draw uses a point system with a few metrics. The relevant ones here are "powerful" and "versatile". If an effect gives you card advantage, such as destroying an opponent's card, it's an amount of "powerful" equal to the card advantage it gives. So destroying 1 monster is 1 powerful is 1 point. What about destroying all opponent's warriors? The card creation rules say to assume each player probably has 1-2 warriors on the field, so that's 2 points.
Next is "versatile". Any time a card gives you an additional option, that's 1 versatile, which is also 1 point. "Destroy target warrior" lets you choose which warrior gets destroyed, so it's versatile. 1 versatile + 1 powerful = 2 points. "Destroy all opposing warriors" doesn't give you any choices, so it's 0 versatile + 2 powerful = 2 points.
The Gain/Drain cards are the same way. The OR lets you choose (versatile 1) between effects of powerful 1, for a total of 2. The AND gives you two effects of powerful 1 with no choices, for a total of 2. Technically all these cards are worth 3 points because they're "consistent", but that doesn't change anything; they're all worth the same amount.
Obviously something's not right here. Getting choices can be powerful, yes. Getting to choose which warrior is destroyed is stronger than, for example, if it was random. But the rules treat "getting to choose between 2 effects" and "getting two effects" as equally powerful.
I feel like I MUST be missing something. This isn't some loophole or exploit, it's the basic rules of card creation, applied to dead-simple effects. They can't have messed up something so simple, right? But I can't read the rules in any way that makes "destroy all opposing warriors" as anything other than 2 points, and "destroy target warrior" is explicitly mentioned as being 2 points.
That said: This is the demo version. Maybe it's an early draft, or maybe the full version gets into more detail, or maybe I misinterpreted something. If anyone wants to read through the card creation rules and see if they can make this make sense, or if anyone reading this has the full version, please comment, I want to understand.
UPDATE: I bought the full version and ribbons exactly solve this problem :D
