Official Game Rules
The objective of the game is to defeat your opponent’s Jarl.
Cards Types
Each player starts with a Jarl (1), Shield Deck (24) & Ritual Deck (45)
Jarl Cards
Your Jarl is the fearless leader of your Nordic Glory shield walls. Choose wisely which abilities best fit your shields and style of play.
Place your Jarl directly in front of you at the back of the battlefield. Your Jarl is safe from direct attacks, however there are ways for damage to be dealt through ritual cards and battle phases.
Each Jarl has 3 unique abilities that can be activated by attaching Element Cards to your Jarl. Activate your Jarl’s abilities by attaching one element card per turn during the ritual phase. This can be done by simply placing it under/near your Jarl. Abilities are unlocked with 1, 2, or 3 of the same element cards. These abilities are only activated for shields with the corresponding Base Element to the attached Element Cards. Multiple abilities can be active simultaneously. Matching Sub Elements do not count towards the ability bonus.
Element Cards
Element Cards represent the energetic connection between your Jarl and their loyal shield walls. Each player’s Element Cards are shuffled with their Ritual Cards in their Ritual Deck.
When an Element Card is attached to a Jarl, it activates the ability for all shields on your side of the battlefield with the respective base element. These abilities can give you a great advantage.
There are 16 unique element cards that correspond to each shield cards’ base element.
Shield Cards
Your Nordic Glory Shield Cards represent the Einherjar that make up your shield walls. You must have 24 Shield Cards in your Shield Deck and meet the following requirements:
1. Max 6 shields with the same Base Element. (Snow, Sand, etc.)
2. Max 3 shields with the same Shield Enhancement. (Arrows, Daggers, etc.)
Each Shield Card has the following attributes:
Attack Value:
This is your shield’s base attack when calculating your attack totals.
Attack Gem:
Increase your attack total by aligning shields in row 1 with the same Attack Gem.
Defense Value:
This is your shield’s base defense when calculating damage dealt. Defense also acts as the health of each shield. Use damage counters to track the reduction of defense as the game progresses.
Defense Gem:
Gain Damage Resistance by aligning shields in row 1 with the same Defense Gem.
Rune:
Runes have a special ability or bonus that are activated by the Rune Die each turn.
Base Element:
The Base Element is determined by the background art and larger element icon. Attach matching Element Cards to your Jarl to activate new abilities. Earn attack bonuses by aligning shields with the same Base Element in row 1.
Sub Elements:
Each Shield Card can have 2-5 Sub Elements. They are displayed by small icons at the bottom of the card. Earn attack bonuses by aligning shields with the same Sub Element in row 1.
Shield Symbol:
Each shield bears a Norse symbol that can be associated to various Ritual Cards. This is displayed on the shield itself as well as the icon in the bottom right corner of each shield card.
Shield Enhancements:
Shields with an enhancement will have an identifying icon at the top of the card. Max of 3 shields of the same enhancement in your Shield Deck.
Arrows
Shields that bear Arrows add +2 attack if they are in row 3.
Daggers
Shields that bear the daggers add +2 attack if they are in row 1.
Sword
Shields with a large sword strapped to it gain +2 attack if they are in row 2.
Ravens
Shields with Ravens perched on axes can swap with an adjacent shield once per movement phase.
Ice
Shields frozen in ice prevent an opponent’s shields movement if positioned directly across in row 1.
Ritual Cards
Ritual Cards represent the magic and chaos that is taking place on the battlefield.
Each player can have up to 45 Ritual cards in their Ritual Deck. Remember, Element Cards count towards the max total count of 45 cards in your Ritual Deck as well.
Follow the instructions on each card as it is played during the Ritual Phase of each turn.
Attachable Ritual Cards:
Some ritual cards can be attached to 1 of your shields.
These are noted by a chain icon in the top left corner of the card.
Only 1 card can be attached to each shield.
Gameplay
Starting the Game
Additional Items to Utilize:
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6: 6-sided die
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1: 8-sided/Rune die
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1: Game Board
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1: Battle Pawn
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Damage Counters
Each player places their Jarl on the battlefield and greets their opponent. Players shuffle their Shield Deck and Ritual Deck separately and offer their opponent to cut both decks.
From your Shield Deck, draw the top 6 shield cards laying them face-up on the battlefield, left to right, top to bottom in the order drawn (Spots 1-6 on the gameboard).
Each player then draws 7 cards from their Ritual Deck and 3 cards from their Shield Deck to their hand.
Roll a die, flip a coin, or play Rock, Paper, Scissors to choose who goes first on the first turn.
Turn Phases
1. Draw
2. Movement
3. Rituals
4. Runes
5. Battle
6. Resolution
Draw
At the start of each turn, players draw 1 card from either their Shield Deck or their Ritual Deck and add it to their hand.
Movement
The player determined to go first will move first on the first turn. From the second turn on, the most recent player who won the battle phase will go first.
The Movement phase consists of two parts, adding a shield to the battlefield and moving any shields with the ability to move during this phase.
You may add 1 Shield Card from your hand to an open spot on the battlefield during each movement phase. Shields must remain on the battlefield for 1 turn before they can be moved. The first 6 shields drawn for each player do not have to wait a turn before they can be moved.
The only shields that can initiate a move during the movement phase are those with the Ravens Shield Enhancement, or those granted the ability through a Jarl Effect or Ritual Card.
If a shield in row 1 is face-to-face with a Shield Card with the Ice Shield Enhancement, it is unable to move regardless of any effects or cards.
Rituals
During the Ritual Phase each player can play 1 Ritual Card per turn in the same order as the movement phase.
Once used, the ritual card is placed in the discard pile.
Element cards do not count as playing a Ritual Card. You can attach 1 Element Card per turn to your Jarl to activate their abilities during the Ritual Phase.
Runes
The player who goes second rolls the d8 rune die each turn.
The Runes assigned to each shield are only active for the turn they are rolled for both players.
The effect of a Rune Ability is optional and may have no effect due to the shields’ position.
The Luck Rune is activated by rolling the same rune as the previous turn.
Rune Abilities:
1 - Courage
If activated, shields in row 2 with the Courage Rune can add their attack to the total attack this turn.
2 - Energy
If activated, shields with the Energy Rune can swap places with any shield in front of them.
3 - Grace
If activated, shields with the Grace Rune can swap places with any shield behind them.
4 - Healing
If activated, shields with the Healing Rune can heal an adjacent shield up to 6 damage.
5 - Love
If activated, shields in row 1 with the Love Rune gain 6 damage resistance for this turn only.
6 - Peace
If activated, shields in row 1 with the Peace Rune negate the alignments of their opponent's shield directly across from them.
7 - Protection
If activated, shields with the Protection Rune can choose to absorb any damage taken this turn.
8 - Strength
If activated, shields in row 1 with the Strength Rune can roll an additional attack die.
00 - Luck
Activated by rolling the same rune as the previous turn, each shield with the Luck Rune gives you the option to reroll 1 battle die.
Battle
Use the Battle Slider to calculate the change in advantage for each variable. Compare each player’s Base Attack, Jarl Abilities, Ritual Bonuses, Shield Enhancements, Alignment Bonuses, and Battle Die to determine which player deals damage and how much.
Alignment Bonuses
Alignment Bonuses grant players additional attack and defense points based on the alignments of the shields in row 1.
In addition to any Jarl, Ritual and Shield Enhancement attack bonuses, Alignment Bonuses grant players additional attack and damage resistance based on the alignments of the shields in row 1.
Apply the following bonuses to your shields with matching attributes in row 1:
Attack Gem:
2 Shields with matching Attack Gems = +2 Attack
3 Shields with matching Attack Gems = +4 Attack
Defense Gem:
2 Shields with matching Defense Gems = +2 Damage Resistance to each matching shield
3 Shields with matching Defense Gems = +4 Damage Resistance to each matching shield
Sub Element:
2 Shields with matching Sub Elements = +1 Attack per Sub Element matching
3 Shields with matching Sub Elements = +2 Attack per Sub Element matching
Base Element:
2 Shields with matching Base Elements = +4 Attack
3 Shields with matching Base Elements = +8 Attack
Attack Roll
Each player rolls 1 d6 for each shield in row 1 on their side of the battlefield. The dice totals are compared using the Battle Slider to determine the final attack advantage.
Resolution
The player who has the attack advantage chooses which shield in their opponent's 1st row that they would like to deal the damage to for this turn.
Dmg Res reduces the attack before it is dealt. Subtract the attack dealt from the targeted shield’s defense. Use damage counters to keep track. Once the shield’s defense reaches 0 it is defeated and sent to Valhalla (shield discard pile) located to the left of your shield deck.
If damage is dealt beyond the remaining defense, then the additional damage is dealt to the opponent’s Jarl.
If a shield was defeated and sent to Valhalla, the shields remaining in the same column will move forward 1 row. If it was the last shield in that column, a shield in the back row with a clear path must slide over and up to row 1.
The player who lost the shield as a result of battle may draw 1 Shield Card. This does not apply to shields that were destroyed due to the effect of a Ritual Card.
The game ends if a player’s Jarl has had its defense drop to 0, or all their shields have been defeated. Congratulate your opponent, feast, and prepare for the next battle!
Beta Decks
Nordic Glory TCG Testing
It is with great excitement that the Nordic Glory Trading Card Game Official Beta Box has reached your hands! The general gameplay has bet established, but it is through journey and experiences playing the beta that will refine the flow and function of the game to make for a one-of-a-kind player experience.
We did our best to come up with two test decks that would help achieve two goals. To give players an easy introduction to the format of the game in a somewhat fair playing field, and to allow for variations to be created by swapping some of the cards from one deck to the other to experience different scenarios.
Please use the deck lists below to sort your beta box into the proper decks, and then after you have played a few games refer to the swapable card list to make alterations for new experiences.
Be sure to scan the survey QR code on your gameboard after each game to fill out a short google form that will provide valuable information about your experience and potential improvements that can be made. Community experience and input is at the heart of our game development, although not all input will be executed, it is highly valued and respected.
Beta Deck
Jarls
Jarl
Einar Frostbane
An ancient druid who has harnessed the ability to control the ice and cold of the Nordic tundra. A snowy air follows his path.
Jarl
Katja Stormfeather
A mystic seid practitioner with a deep connection to Odin the All-Father through his Ravens thought and Memory.
Jarl
Haldor Nightbow
A skilled archer who utilizes stealth to attack from unknown locations deep within the Nordic woods.
Jarl
Liza Bladewind
A youthful and scrappy warrior who faces all conflict with courage and confidence. Utilizes the smallest blades to defeat foes of all sizes.
Both players can take turns trying the 4 Jarls introduced with the Official Beta Box. Try each Jarl in a variety of ways to learn and report their strengths and weaknesses you find with each character.
There are 2 full player decks in the Official Beta Box. Each deck includes 70 cards.
Deck Lists are dropping soon!