The Game: Rules, Strategy & Wave 1 Roster

A fast, simultaneous-reveal card game built for collectors and stream moments. Learn how it plays, how to win, and who’s in Wave 1.

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Afterglow Quick Start

Goal

Win 2 rounds in a best-of-three match.

Game Setup

  • 30-card deck per player (max 3 copies per card name; 1 for Legendaries).

  • Shuffle, draw 7. One mulligan: send to bottom of deck any number of cards, redraw to 7 in starting hand.

  • Flip a coin: winner is the Starting Active Player for Round 1.

Strategy Tips

  • Own the top: The top of your Wave Pile resolves first, protect your top two cards or disrupt theirs.

  • Answer the buff: Dispel beats Empower; Swap/Siphon beat Fortify walls.

  • Mulligan for role: Aggro wants early On Reveal pressure; Control wants Fortify + removal.

Round Flow ( each round )

Play Actions ( ×3 )

  • Both players secretly choose 2 cards, place face-down, then reveal together.

  • On Reveal abilities trigger (Starting Active Player resolves all of theirs first).

  • Stack revealed cards on your Wave Pile (newest played cards on top).

  • Draw from top of deck until you have 7 cards in hand again.

The showdown ( ×1 )

  • Activate both Wave Piles top → down, players alternate (Active Player first). Alternating one card at a time.

  • Resolve abilities trigger when player activates card from Wave Pile.

  • Then Tally: Your Total DEF − Opponent’s Total ATK = your Final Health. Higher Final Health wins the round.

Winner

  • First to 2 showdown round wins takes the match. If tied Final Health, the round is a Draw.

  • Two consecutive Draws → Sudden Showdown (1 Play Action, then resolve/tally).

Timing Windows

On Reveal ( during Play Actions ): After the simultaneous flip. Active Player resolves all of their On Reveal effects first.

Resolve ( during Showdown ): Players alternate resolving from the top of each Wave Pile, moving top → down (Active Player first).

Modifier order ( to avoid rules clashes ): Nullify → Dispel → Swap → Multiply (Empower/Fortify) → Add/Subtract.