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3 May 2008
| #1 |
| Leviathan Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 346
Current Mood:  Trickster Stats  Arcade Awards MyTrade: (0) | Card Battle Strategies for Intermediate Players Introduction On first glance, card battling might seem relatively simple, right? I mean, basically, the higher number beats the lower number in Cavalier rule and vice versa in Guivanni rule. If the number is the same, the higher MP wins. It is for this reason that many regard card battling as a very simple game that requires no thought on the behalf of the players, rather only the players having the best cards possible. However, this conception is completely untrue. The additional rule: that the rule is reversed if the card type is the same, may seem somewhat insignificant, but gives card battling a myriad of depth. Typically, when you're battling at a pro-level, you will use the same cards or at least the same levels of cards: levels 1, 2, 2, 3, 3 for Guivanni and 15, 14, 14, 13, 13 for Cavalier. So, what decides the battle in these occasions? It's not just complete chance, there is a whole level of strategy tied to the game. Additionally, it is impossible to get all of the “best” cards in one hand, forcing you to choose your cards wisely in order to beat your opponent. Finally, Card Battling is a very fun game of psychological warfare; you will often have to resort to coercing to prevent players from using certain cards or to predict what card they will use. Why Card Battle? It's unfortunate that Card Battling has been seeing a decline in popularity recently, so I feel that it is essential to point out some of the merits. So, why would you want to card battle?
And much, much more. The Strategies... And now, we get into the meat of this guide. What are some of the strategies associated with card battling? Choosing your deck: Firstly, let's analyze the cards that high levels most frequently use in both Cavalier and Guivanni rules. It may be wise to induct all of these cards into your deck. Cavalier Cards Level 15: -Spicy Dragon: A must for any serious, pro-level card battler. This is the ONLY level 15 card in the game so far. However, the majority of hands in Cavalier rule will also comprise of another magic-type card (Fire Golem or Leviathan), making this card prone to countering. Level 14: -Beast Vincento: Has a MP level (1050) that beats out Count Blood. -Count Blood: Lowest MP level (1000) of all level 14 cards. -Fire Golem: Highest MP level (1200) of all level 14 cards. However, this is very easily countered by cards such as Leviathan. -Fortuneteller: Common neutral card. Has a 1050 MP level, making it preferable to Count Blood. However, the disadvantage with this card is that you may not use level 13 Neutral cards. -G. Smith: Rare neutral card (not many people own this card), has the highest MP level (1100) that beats out every level 14 card but Fire Golem, making it very desirable. However, it sports the same disadvantage as Fortuneteller. Level 13: -Captain Norman: Only level 13 Power Card, making it a highly desirable way to counter Beast Vincento (which is highly used). However, has a low MP value: Many level 13 cards will beat it, making Norman only valuable for countering. -Regent Orc: Desirable way to counter Count Blood. Has a higher MP value than Captain Norman (750 MP), but on the reverse, Count Blood is used less frequently than Beast Vincento. -Hunter Master/Prince Stefano: These NPCs (of which Hunter Master is the more common) are highly prized for their 950 MP value, the greatest of any level 13 card and their ability to counter Fortuneteller/G. Smith. However, you have to forgo using a level 14 neutral card in order to use these, a potential disadvantage. Hunter Master is rare these days with the loss of Ghost Blue. -Leviathan: High MP level 13 card (900 MP) that is extremely valuable for countering (counters Fire Golem and Spicy Dragon). However, if you’re using Spicy Dragon (I’m under the assumption that you are), then you cannot use Fire Golem with this card. This card is rare these days with the loss of Ghost Blue. Analysis: Starting to see why Card Battling is such a strategic game? It’s completely impossible to chose any level 14/15 cards that are not counterable, and on that of that, you need to pay close attention to MP values (as your opponent at pro-levels will be playing high MP cards). The decision to include Fire Golem or a neutral card, the stronger of the level 14s, in your two level-14s in your hand will exclude you from playing Hunter Master or Leviathan in your two-level 13s, the strongest level 13 cards in the game. In short, you will never be able to use all of the best level/MP values, forcing you to rely on countering for a good part. Sample Hand and Game for Cavalier: Advantages and Disadvantages: To further extend this analysis of cards, let’s look at a sample hand and game, their strengths and weaknesses. This section will sport a sample game and how to win them; this is essentially the mindset of the player in card battle. Analyze it: learning how to think like a card battler will greatly improve your game. Hand: Spicy Dragon Beast Vincento Count Blood Leviathan Hunter Master Analysis: This hand favors level 13 cards over level 14 cards. Although the level 14 cards are easily beaten by other level 14 cards, they can still give a strong fight. Vincento will trump any opposing Count Bloods and tie with Fortuneteller and Count Blood will defeat any level 13 cards. Additionally, Hunter Master is a great asset when you know your opponent is using a Neutral card. It beats any level 13 card, making it very desirable in hands. Don’t be fooled by Leviathan’s relatively low level; this card is key in deciding battles. It can beat every level 13 card but Hunter Master, and is godly for beating Spicy Dragon (which you can assume everyone will have if they’re a pro) and Fire Golem. When formulating this hand, you should always put Leviathan in your back three cards unless you have a specific psychological strategy: that way, it’ll be visible and likely make your opponent think twice before using Spicy Dragon or Fire Golem. This hand in practice Let’s pit the hand mentioned previous against one of Spicy Dragon Fortuneteller Fire Golem Captain Norman Regent Orc How can we open up this battle? Firstly, we can see that our opponent is particularly susceptible to countering. This should be used to your advantage. However, do note that your hand is noticeably weaker than your opponents hand, and special strategies need to be used. It is important to remember that the strategy that I outline below will not guarantee you a win: it is simply the best tack to take, as card battling relies largely on chance (making it very exciting!). You’ll never be able to win 100% of the time in card battle unless you are cheating in some fashion, and that’s what makes card battling the fun game it is; you win some, you lose some. At first glance, our best option seems to be to use Leviathan: we can easily beat 4/5 of the cards listed (everything but Fortuneteller) with this card. However, 3/5 of the time, the card in question will either be Fortuneteller or very likely (as your opponent will be “testing the waters”) Captain Norman or Regent Orc. In this case, you are left virtually defenseless to Spicy Dragon and Fire Golem; Fire Golem will devastate any card you use and Spicy Dragon can only be counted by drawing with another Spicy Dragon, but that’s dangerous as Fire Golem will counter it. There is no backup plan if Leviathan fails. However, assuming that Leviathan is visible, your opponent will likely not take a risk and use a magic card at this point. In this case, then, Hunter Master is a great card to open with; chances are, your opponent will be testing the waters and use a level 13 card, and it will easily counter Fortuneteller. Additionally, you retain your Leviathan to be used against the Magic Cards. Your next options, assuming that either Fortuneteller or one of the 13 cards have been wiped out are: a) to use Leviathan, b) to use a level 14 card or c) to use Spicy Dragon. Option C is highly risky if Fire Golem comes into play now, but you do have the cover of Leviathan to somewhat prevent countering. Option B is risky too: if it is Fortuneteller that has been wiped out, you have a 50% chance of being beaten and a 25% chance of being countered. Option C will demolish any card if Fortuneteller was used, or any card but Fortuneteller if it was not used. However, if your opponent does not use Fire Golem, you become extremely susceptible; not only can he/she use Spicy Dragon at this point, catching you unawares, but you are probably unwise in using Spicy Dragon with Fire Golem still in play. This is quite a dilemma. At this point, it may also be wise to wait before taking your move in case chance comes into play. Your opponent may use chance if Fortuneteller is still in play because he/she has a good chance of winning; therefore, a chance will narrow your options down to Spicy Dragon only. In this case, let’s explore option C: If Spicy Dragon fares up against any non-magic card, you’re in the clear. That’s two wins against you, and assuming that Fortuneteller has been used at this point, Leviathan will net you the third win and the game. However, if it draws with itself, then Leviathan should still come into play (hope to counter Fire Golem). At this point, you should have two wins and one draw, meaning you win the battle no matter what tact you take. (The circumstance is different if Fortuneteller has not yet been used prior to you playing Spicy Dragon; in this case, it comes down to a game of chance. You have to predict when Fire Golem will come into play (counter with Leviathan) and when Fortuneteller will come into play (counter with Beast Vincento)). Guivanni Cards Level 1 Don Cavalier: Very rare level 1 card, you will hardly ever seen this in play. The majority of pros do not own this card (in all my card battling games, I’ve only seen this card owned by 4 people). However, this card is very devastating in the right hands. Endicladus 1: A common level 1 card, utilized by most people. Lower MP value than Don Cavalier. However, using this card restricts you from playing either Alicia, Endicladus 2 or H. Stallone in your level 2 cards, which is potentially disadvantageous. Level 2 Reggae Orc: Highest MP value out of the two monster cards that are level two. Bone Magician: Lower MP value than Reggae Orc or H. Stallone. Easily countered by Queen Odinea or Blue Goblin. H. Stallone: Immensely powerful Neutral card, beats not only any level one card but all level two cards and any non-neutral higher level cards, too. Unfortunately, playing this instead of Endicladus 1 or Don Cavalier forces you to choose a level 4 card in your hand; this is potentially disadvantageous. Endicladus 2/Alicia: Level two cards with low MP values (640). Very rarely used by pros, as there is no point – these cards are relatively weak. Level 3 Sense Predator: Different from Power Predator, has a MP value of 900. Valuable for countering Reggae Orc. Power Predator: Similar to Sense Predator. This card can more or less be considered uncounterable unless your opponent chooses a level 4 power card (very rarely). Because of this, this card is valued for its straightforwardness; you can always rely on this card to beat a level 4 or weaker level 3 without risk of being countered. Queen Odinea: High MP value level 3 card (950 MP). Can easily counter Bone Magician. Funky Orc: Used as a weaker substitute for Power Predator (which is very rare). Level 4 Leader Toy: Rank 4 card used solely for its strength. Its MP value ties with Blue Goblin for highest of all rank 4s, 720 MP. Blue Goblin: Valuable because it a) counters Odinea and Bone Magician and b) ties with Leader Toy for the highest MP value of all rank 4s. However, you cannot use both Odinea and Bone Magician in the same hand as this. Aabon: Rarely seen. Used solely as a counter to Sense Predator, as it’s very weak compared to Leader Toy and Blue Goblin. To be continued later... XD I'm tired and you're probably bored out of your mind by now. Pictures to come later! |
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3 May 2008
| #3 |
| Leviathan Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 346
Current Mood: Trickster Stats Arcade Awards MyTrade: (0) | XD I'm working on those. It's not done yet. I'll also cover bluffs, double-bluffing and how to hide your cards. *stares at the five pages I wrote* Additionally, if by full-counter hands you mean choosing cards solely to counter in a serious match, I am somewhat against that. Firstly, it becomes a dangerous sport because of the chance involved in countering; you have to be extremely good at psychological warfare, a psychic or extremely lucky to net a win. Besides that, a win is a win, even if it does net less points. There's not much other than bragging rights if you win with a bad hand. If you're facing off against a serious opponent, it is wise to a) be prepared to counter, but b) also be prepared to win with brute strength of cards. Just choosing cards to counter can severely limit your choices in a card battle. That being said, it's a fun thing to do if you're just playing for the sake of playing. :3 I sometimes do it... And fail badly. XD But SOMETIMES, I win. ._. Edit: I just noticed I posted this in the wrong guide section. DDDDDDX CARD BATTLING IS NOT A QUEST. Blarrrgh. *moves it* I'M TIIIIREEED. DUN BLAME ME. Last edited by blehnewish : 3 May 2008 at 01:28 AM. |
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8 May 2008
| #7 | |
| eat shit and die, ***got  Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 970
Current Mood:  Trickster Stats Arcade Awards MyTrade: (0) | hate to say this but you can't go through this thought process within the 10 seconds they allow you to place a card in the end it all boils down to luck, too... also with regards to the advantages you posted: "Excellent TM XP from combos: My Coon is 112/105 thanks to card battling." and "Rare Cards won from Card-Battle only, can sell for millions to collectors." is extremely misleading. I've yet so see someone (during this period of the market) to go out and buy a card just for card battle. good writing, though 
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8 May 2008
| #8 | |
| Leviathan Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 346
Current Mood: Trickster Stats Arcade Awards MyTrade: (0) |
Actually, it takes practice. If you've ever played any of the real pros before, you'll realize that they somehow DO go through all that thought process, or have practiced going through that thought process so much that nearly every situation is rehearsed, planned out and easy for them. XD And I beg to differ, I've recently brought a second Spicy Dragon for my sheep so I wouldn't have to switch between the two. Additionally, even if it's not evident, there ARE collectors out there, are there ARE people willing to pay for cards won only by card battling. I've heard of some people paying up to 10m for a Swinger Joey (the rarest NPC out there). Finally, although it may take hundreds of games to get to the TM gap of my coon, I have to say that I highly attribute my high TM level to card battling with combos. Being realistic, you're not going to achieve it overnight; but being persistent, card battling with combos does give a suitable boost to TM. D< You try saying that with MY sleep habits and school habits. If I wrote it when I was not tired, I wouldn't ever write it 'cause such a thing doesn't exist. :3 The best I can go for is when I'm not as tired as usual, which is still pretty tired. Last edited by blehnewish : 8 May 2008 at 07:48 PM. | |
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8 May 2008
| #9 |
| Hula Octopus Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 23
Current Mood:  Trickster Stats Arcade Awards MyTrade: (0) | The time you get to choose a card to play, is 30 seconds. Which is more than enough time to go through the thought process. The only time I use all 30 seconds is either when i''m gonna trap someone with a chance. Or if I'm playing people who like to counter against me(Nana, Nyy and Hazel when she played)
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