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Getting Started

Highlander the Card Game

This page will cover a lot of what you need to know to get started with Highlander the Card Game 2E

The Concept of the Game

Welcome to Highlander the Card Game 2nd Edition. You’re about to discover why thousands of people have played this CCG over the last 30 years: Its deep strategy, varied and unique playable characters based on the Immortals found in the Highlander franchise, the use of the ground breaking Swordmaster game system, and its richly rewarding deck building experiences make for some of the most fun you'll ever have playing a CCG.

Highlander the Card Game simulates a battle or duel between two characters or Immortals from the Highlander franchise. The Swordmaster game system makes attacking a defending fun and easy to understand. Attacks and Defenses use the SwordMaster grid system to show you where an attack is aimed and where a defense defends.

The goal of the game is to reduce your opponent’s Ability to zero or to take their Head with a Head Shot before your opponent does the same to you. If either player plays a successful Head Shot, they immediately win the game regardless of who has the higher Ability.

During the course of a game, players will Attack, Defend, and play Special Cards that can control other aspects of the game.

What you'll need to play

Making a Highlander Deck - The Basics

A Highlander deck is made up of two types of cards that are chosen by you when designing and building your deck.

Your Pregame Cards + your In Game Cards = Your Deck

1.) Pregame Cards (Collectively referred to as your “Pregame”) These cards do not have the standard card back. They do not count toward the total number of cards in your Endurance. Pre-Game cards can’t be placed into a player’s Hand, Endurance or Discard Pile. You cannot use more than one copy of any Pregame card.

2.) In Game cards (This is known as your “Endurance”) - These cards all have the standard card back. These are the cards you will play from your Hand (attacks, defenses, special cards, and edge cards). During the course of the game you will draw cards from your Endurance to replace the cards you play from your Hand. There a few different types of In Game Cards:

•Generic Cards - any Immortal can use these

•Persona Specific/Faction Specific Cards - To use these you must include a matching Pregame card of that Immortal or Faction.

•Weapon of Choice

Each player needs a constructed Deck of a minimum of at least 50 In Game Cards and at lest 1 Persona Pregame card.

You may have up to 6 total Pregame Cards if you so choose. You may find it useful, for example, to add extra Pregame cards beyond your Persona Pregame to make your deck more potent or give you more options when constructing your Deck.

Of the 50 In Game Cards, each Deck is required to have 6 Basic Blocks and 9 Basic Attacks. Outside of those 15 cards, the remaining In Game cards you use is up to you.

Pregame Cards

Persona Pregame Cards

Your Persona Pregame card represents the Immortal from Highlander that you are playing as during the duel. This card is referred to as your "Persona".

Each Persona Pregame card has a unique Power and mix of Attribute Gems. An Immortal’s Attribute Gem scores as well as their unique power listed on the back of their Persona are based on the character and the skills, traits, and fighting style/prowess he or she displayed in the Highlander franchise

Persona Card Front

[PRE GAME] Steven Keane - Persona Front.jpg

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Persona card Back

[PRE GAME] Steven Keane - Persona Back.jpg

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Older Versions of Persona Cards

When 2E initially came out, the back of Personas looked a little different from the more current releases.

The Attribute Gems were displayed in single digits and you have to multiply them by 3 to get the total gem allotment for that Persona.

*You do not multiply the Master Gem number by three on the older Personas.

Old School Persona Back

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The Attribute System in Highlander the Card Game 2nd Edition (The "Gems")

The scores for each Attributes (Gems) will effect your deck building experience with a given Immortal/Persona.

Each Immortal has a unique blend of Attributes based on their character and skills they posses as an Immortal. As seen in the above example, the Attributes listed on the back of a Persona Pregame card represent the maximum amount of each Attributes an Immortal can include in their Deck/Endurance.

Attribute Gems are allotted to most In Game cards to represent the skills needed to include that card in your deck to perform the action of that card.

The Attribute Gems form the the acronym MASTER and represent the following traits:

MASTER - This score sets the limit of how many Master Cards you are allowed to have in your Deck. A Master Card is a type of In Game card that usually has a powerful upside that simply has the word “Master” included in the title. Older Immortals or ones who have become experts in a specific area of combat (as portrayed in the TV Show, Movies, etc.) will have a higher Master score than younger, less experienced Immortals.

AGILITY - This score sets the limit for how many Agility Gems you may have in your Deck. The Agility score represents how agile and athletic an Immortal is. For example, playing multiple attacks per turn may require the use of cards with the Agility Gem, so using a Persona that can move quickly and has a higher Agility score might make your deck building go more smoothly. Many Immortals who have a high Agility Score may also have better In Game Evades or Counters and maybe even a Master’s Dodge.

STRENGTH - This score defines how strong an Immortal is. An Immortal with a high strength score, for example, may be able to use a Two Handed Weapon with only one hand. Or they may have an easier time making Power Blows. Or maybe, their attacks do more damage to due their strength.

TOUGHNESS - This score represents the mindset of an Immortal and how much punishment they are willing to take. Some Immortals revel in the Game and fighting other Immortals in their quest to the the "One".

EMPATHY - This score depicts how well your Persona relates to other people and whether they are generally a good Immortal or bad Immortal. Immortals with a higher Empathy scores may have Persona Specific Allies that they can use to help them win the battle. These are In Game cards that depict characters from the Highlander franchise that were friends, loved ones, or even mentors. Immortals who were loaners and or evil generally have a lower Empathy score, making it harder for them to build around In Game cards with the Empathy Attribute.

REASON - This is a measure of a Persona’s intelligence. Immortals with a high Reason score will usually have Persona Specific In Game cards that can help the Immortal control other aspects of the game beyond simple attacks and defenses.

Generic Pregame Cards

In Highlander the Card Game, players can use "Generic" Pregame cards meaning that any Immortal can use them in their Pregame. These include pregame cards like Weapon of Choice, Quickenings, Arms and Tactics, and Crystals to name just a few. You can use these types of Pregame cards to bolster your deck strategy or to extend the abilities of an Immortal you enjoy playing as.

Hover over each image to read the back of the card.

Quickenings are a unique Pregame card in Highlander the Card Game. A Quickening gives you the added ability of another Immortal. Think of it as having 2 Persona Powers. But use these at your own risk. If your opponent takes your head, you must give them your Quickening card at the end of the game.

Every Immortal in Highlander the card game begins the game with a default, basic sword to fight their duel. Players can choose to use a dedicated Weapon Choice in their Pregame. WOC cards give you an extra power, but they do have a downside. Each WOC does have its own In Game cards you can use if you are using the associated Pregame card.

The Gathering Pregames allow you to search for a specific card in your Endurance and put that card into play. These can be really helpful if your Immortal needs to use Special cards to reach their full potential.

1.) In Game Cards

Lets get familiar with the anatomy of an In Game card for Highlander the Card Game.

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In Game Card Designs

Persona Specific In Game Cards

In Game cards in Highlander often have different visual backgrounds and themes. Each Immortal has their own unique design and theme. Here's a few examples of the unique designs of various Persona Specific cards for certain Immortals. You can explore every Persona Specific card for Highlander the card game 2nd Edition HERE.

Generic In Game Cards

Many of the generic In Game cards in Highlander the card game have unique designs as well.

GEN -_0001_055 - Generic - Time of the Gathering - Illusion - U.png

In Game Card Types In Highlander The Card Game

Illusion Icon

Illusions are unique to 2nd Edition of Highlander and are not found in 1st Edition. They are not considered Special Cards. Illusions, like Events or Edge cards, are swept from play during your next Sweep Phase.

Illusions are cards that typically depict some form of trickery or in some cases magic. Immortals that have magical abilities like The Sorcerer Nakano has their own Persona Specific Illusions.

Illusions are cards which can only enter play through a Hard Exertion.

Whenever you make a Hard Exertion, you may choose to play 1 Illusion card found in that Exertion. This does not count as playing a Special Card.

If you have a way of making more than one Hard Exertion during your turn, you may play an Illusion card from those Exertions as well. You may make a Hard Exertion during your turn expressly for an Illusion card if you choose.

If an Illusion is drawn into your Hand, it will remain stuck there until you find a way to Discard it.

James Coltec - Containing the evil 1.jpg

Basic Attack &

Attack Icon

Special Attack Icon

There are different types of attacks in Highlander the Card Game. You use attacks to inflict combat based damage to your opponent. Some attacks can be made into Power Blows which do extra damage. Each immortal generally has at least one unique attack. Many Weapons also have unique attacks.

Basic Attacks: These Red Grid attacks do -2 damage by default and can be made a Power Blow by making an Exertion. In the Card Type/Card Subcategory you will see the text, "BASIC ATTACK". You are required to include the 9 basic attacks (UL,UC,UR,ML,MC,MR,LL,LC,LR) in your deck.

Attacks: Like Basic Attacks, these attacks have a Red Grid. The difference between this type of attack and a basic attack is that non-Basic red gridded attacks usually have an extra effect due to the card text or could be subset of attacks like Dirty Tricks. Dirty Tricks are attacks that are carried out without your main weapon.

Special Attacks: Special Attacks have a gold/yellow grid icon. Special Attacks cannot be made a Power Blow by making a Hard Exertion but can often be Power Blows due to card text. Special Attacks may not be played Hidden, and may not be pulled from an Exertion when searching for an attack. There are a few sub-types of Special Attacks you'll come across, things like Ranged Attacks (an attack using a firearm) or Martial Arts attacks.

[MASTER] Steven Keane Master's Attack.jpg

Dodge Icon

Dodges are defenses with a green grid icon. The colored squares of the grid show the area the dodge avoids. There are 2 main types of Dodges:

1.) Evades - Covers all 9 grids - usually effects how you can attack next.

2.) Counters - Usually covers only 6 grids. Often times gives you an added benefit for your next attack.

Each type of dodge has few subtypes, this is not a complete:

list, it's just a few examples.

Evade: Escape - If you play this type of dodge you usually lose your next attack slot as you were more concerned with avoiding your opponent's attack, you are no longer in position to attack.

Evade: Back Away - If you play this type of dodge you will usually only be able to make Ranged Attacks during your turn.

Counter: Duck - The card text will vary based on which immortal you're using that has a Counter: Duck, but some may allow your next attack to be played Hidden or your next attack may be a Power Blow without an Exertion.

Counter Jump - The card text will vary based on which immortal you're using that has a Counter: Jump, but some may allow your next attack to be played Hidden or your next attack may be a Power Blow without an Exertion.

Block Icon

There are different types of blocks in Highlander the Card Game. You use blocks to defend yourself from combat based attacks. Generally, you cannot attack to areas you just blocked. Blocks have blue grids. Some immortals have their own unique blocks that have added benefits.

Basic Blocks: You generally must include the 6 Basic Blocks in your deck. Basic Blocks usually only cover 4 grids. You may make a Hard Exertion to make a Basic Block a Power Block to block a Power Blow.

Blocks: Like Basic Blocks, these also have blue grids. Non Basic Blocks may have an added benefit that Basic Blocks do not.

Guards: A Guard is a type of block that is also a Standing Defense. You can leave it in play and block with it again next turn. If you make your Guard a Power Block, it is only a Power Block for that turn. You must remove your Guard from play in order to play a new defense or make an attack to an area covered by the guard. You may drop a guard you have in play at any time during your turn, but must still adhere to attack restrictions if it was the last successful defense you defended with during your turn.

Event Icon

Events are one of the 5 Special Cards in Highlander the Card Game. You may only play one Special Card per turn and only during your Defense or Attack Phases. There are both Generic Events as well as non-Generic Events.

Events can be used to quickly change the course of the battle in your favor. You can use Events offensively as well as defensively, depending on the Event.

Their effects either occur Immediately or are ongoing while the card is in play. Events are removed from play during your next Sweep Phase.

One of the most important card's in the game is an Event.

Head Shot - You play this card in conjunction with an Upper Attack that can be made a Power Blow to make that attack a Head Shot. Remember, if a Head Shot is successful, you win the game.

[EVENT] Connor MacLeod - I Am Connor MacLeod.jpg

Edge Icon

Edge cards are cards that don't stay in play for more than a turn. They are meant to give you the edge to help beat your opponent.

Edge cards come in many different varieties. There are Generic Edge cards that any Immortal can use. Some Immortals have their own persona specific Edge cards as well.

Unlike Special cards, you may play as many Edge cards per turn as you want.

You may play Edge Cards during your May Do/Must Do, Defense and Attack Phase. Some Edge cards must be played in conjunction with another card, adding to or enhancing the effects of that card.

Object Icon

Objects are one of the 5 types of Special Cards in Highlander the Card Game.

Objects are a permanent Special Card, meaning they do not get swept from play during the next Sweep Phase (like Events). They remain in play until a player plays a card or uses an effect that removes Objects from play.

Objects includes things like hilts, armor, extra weapons, firearms, and vehicles.

Most Immortals have an Object: Hilt card (unless they have a custom WOC Pregame card). Most Immortals in Highlander make use of a custom or often times unique weapon and the Persona Specific Hilts represent this.

Location Icon

Locations are one the of 5 Special Cards in Highlander the Card Game.

When a player plays a Location, the duel is now taking place at that location and both players are effected by the card.

Locations are a permanent Special Card, meaning they do not get swept from play during the next Sweep Phase (like Events). They remain in play until either a player plays a card that removes a Location from play or a player plays another Location.

There can only ever be one Location in play at a time. Playing a new Location bumps the previous Location from play and takes it place.

Other than specific card effects activated by the player having a location on their side of the board, neither player controls the effects of the location.

Situation Icon

Situations are one of the 5 types of Special Cards in Highlander the Card Game.

Situations are a permanent Special Card, meaning they do not get swept from play during the next Sweep Phase (like Events). They remain in play until a player plays a card or uses an effect that removes the Situation from play.

The effects of Situations are usually ongoing. Some Sitauations depict people known as Allies.

[SITUATION] Nick Wolfe Private Detective.jpg

Plot Icon

Plots are one of the 5 types of Special Cards in Highlander the Card Game.

Plots are a permanent Special Card, meaning they do not get swept from play during the next Sweep Phase (like Events). They remain in play until a player plays a card or uses an effect that removes the Plot from play.

There are two main types of Plot cards in Highlander the Card Game.

1.) Persona Specific Episode/Movie Plots - Most Immortals have a Persona Specific Plot named after the episode or movie they appear in. These Plot cards usually play into that Immortal's Persona power and gives them a slight boost or opens up a new angle of deck building.

2.) Sequential Plots - These type of Plot cards can be either generic or Persona Specific. These Plot cards are part of a sequential series where you must play each part of the plot in order (card 1, then card 2, then card 3 etc.). These take time to get out in play but the payoff is usually worth it.

[PLOT] Xavier - Necessary Evil Joining Forces.jpg

Resources

Play formats

More Info

Getting Started

Highlander the Card Game

The Concept of the Game

What you'll need to play

Making a Highlander Deck - The Basics

Pregame Cards

Persona Pregame Cards

Persona Card Front

Persona card Back

Older Versions of Persona Cards

Old School Persona Back

The Attribute System in Highlander the Card Game 2nd Edition (The "Gems")

Generic Pregame Cards

1.) In Game Cards

In Game Card Designs

Persona Specific In Game Cards

Generic In Game Cards

In Game Card Types In Highlander The Card Game

Resources

Play formats

More Info

Getting Started

Highlander the Card Game

The Concept of the Game

What you'll need to play

Making a Highlander Deck - The Basics

Pregame Cards

Persona Pregame Cards

Persona Card Front

​Persona card Back

Older Versions of Persona Cards

Old School Persona Back

The Attribute System in Highlander the Card Game 2nd Edition (The "Gems")

Generic Pregame Cards

1.) In Game Cards

In Game Card Designs

Persona Specific In Game Cards

Generic In Game Cards

In Game Card Types In Highlander The Card Game

Persona card Back