POWER BLOWS UPDATE

In the August 2025 rulebook update for Highlander: The Card Game 2nd Edition, we added a new game term: Residual Damage. This wasn’t just a cosmetic tweak. It was a targeted fix to resolve one of the oldest, weirdest, and most debated contradictions in the game’s combat system — how Power Blows, Head Shots, and blocks interact.

Let’s break it down.

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The Problem We Had

Under the previous rules, when blocking a Power Blow with a non-Power Block:

• Block is successful

• Attack is also successful

• Defender takes 2 Attack Damage

• Effects on both the attack and block resolve

Beyond the contradictory logic of treating both the attack and block as successful while still taking damage, the old system also allowed simultaneous resolution of mutually exclusive “If successful” effects. This created corner cases where it was unclear how to resolve immediate triggers from both the attack and the defense.

But a bigger issue was with Head Shots. We all know what happens if you land a successful Head Shot in this game. You die, game over.

All Head Shots are Power Blows. See where this going?

You block a Head Shot with a non-Power Block:

• The block is successful

• The attack is successful

Girl. No.

If the attack is successful shouldn't I have lost my head? But the defense was also a success so what happens now? Well I think we had a situation where the Head Shot was successful but I didn't lose my Head?

When we spoke to players, game designers, my nephew who doesn't know what Highlander is, they all agreed that this was confusing, but it was just one of the quirks of Game.

Challenge accepted.

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The Fix

To address this issue, we needed to introduce a new type of damage. After careful consideration, we realized that because the damage taken for blocking a Power Blow with a non-Power Block was classified as Attack Damage, we could never find a way to logically say the attack is NOT successful.

Enter Residual Damage.

Now, when you block a Power Blow with a non-Power Block:

• The block is successful.

• The attack is unsuccessful.

• The defender takes 2 Residual Damage — a new type of damage that isn’t Attack Damage and doesn’t trigger any “If successful” effects for the Attack.

• Only effects that specifically increase Power Blow Damage or Residual Damage increase Residual Damage.

This also closes pain points and loop holes around how much damage was taken if the attack damage was increased by cards like the Kurgan Q etc.

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The Benefits of Residual Damage

The introduction of Residual Damage has several advantages that we feel elevates the gameplay experience for players.

1. Clarity in Combat

With the new rules, players can easily understand the results of their actions. No corner cases of 2 opposing successes at the same time.

2. Thematic Consistency

Residual Damage fits seamlessly into the narrative of Highlander. It captures the raw reality of combat where even a successful defense can result in some injury. It emphasizes that battles are about more than just winning or losing; they are also about the marks left behind.

3. Improved Game Balance

By ensuring that effects from “If successful” only occur when an attack is genuinely successful, we’ve enhanced the balance of the game. This adjustment allows players to engage in battles without the fear of unintended outcomes, contributing to a more enjoyable experience for everyone.

Final Thoughts

Head Shots are an iconic part of this game. They need to feel right. And Power Blows are a high-risk/high-reward mechanic that should be dangerous, but fair.

With the new rule:

• There’s no longer a case where both players get “successful” outcomes from the same exchange.

• Residual Damage offers new game design options.

• And most importantly, the game is easier to teach and play without bending logic to fit the old system.

This is the kind of update we love making: one that stays true to the game’s DNA while clearing out a long-standing headache. If you’ve ever asked, “Wait, how did my successful head shot succeed and my opponent still has their Head?” — this one’s for you.

So, gather your friends, shuffle those decks, and immerse yourself in the thrilling world of Highlander. The battles await, and they now make a lot more sense!