I spoke with the creator of Astria Legends- here are her answers to my questions:
Q: Please describe your trading card game!
A: Challenge your fellow Astrians to see who is stronger. Build your Ensemble with other Astrians and the variety of creatures who dwell in Astria. BEWARE, though, as the temptation of SIN always lingers and can change the tide in an INSTANT! Will you resist the temptation or fall to it’s beckon calls?
The ALCG is a 2 to 4 player Collectable Card game where you form an ensemble of up to 3 members from Astrians and a variety of fun creatures that all dwell in my own original world of Astria. Challenge your opponent to see whose Ensemble is better all while being tempted by Astria's darkest entities, the Sentient Influences of Negativity (SINs).
The first player to succeed in beating all three of their opponent's ensembles wins the game.
Q: What inspired you to create your own TCG?
A: I grew up with card games, from pokemon to Magic the Gathering, to Sailor Moon and Neopets, I'm one of those crazy card collectors. I also love strategy games, role-playing games and the fun you get from all the different card games out there. I also love character design and wanted my game to reflect the character development you'd find in fantasy stories and be very customizable. So you can take a base character and attach weapons, new powers, and passives in order to mix and match how that character performs on the field.
Q: What TCGs did you grow up playing as a kid?
A: Pokemon, MTG, Sailor Moon CCG, Neopets CCG, Phantasy Star Online TCG.
Q: What sets Astria Legends Card Game apart from other TCGs?
A: There are three major differences that really set ALCG apart.
First is the very fluid turn system. I wanted players to be able to have more interaction during challenges (combat) than just blocking. In ALCG, every challenge allows the target player the ability to attack in response even though its not their turn. A player can also have multiple challenges in one turn and change their board state between those challenges.
The second is the RPG-like random mechanics that are built in. For example, a deck must have 5 possible Ensemble leaders in it, but you only play 3 in a game, and those three are chosen at random at the start of the game. You won't know what leader you have until it is placed on the field. So while you can play the same deck multiple times, you can get different gameplay each time.
The third is the SIN mechanic. There are a lot of games that have arena or field effects that benefit the player who plays it and hinders their opponents, but this is the first game that can give negative arena effects to everyone through the SINs. These cards sit just outside the game and have a chance of becoming active at the start of each players turn. Their effects change the way the game is played while they are active and those who attempt to conquer those SINs can reap very good benefits! The neat thing is these cards play "by themselves" through dice rolls and offer another level of strategy to the game.
Q: How did you come up with the name Astria Legends?
A: Astria comes from "Astral" meaning connected with the stars. Astria is a crystalized world where the main inhabitants, the Astrians, reside high above the clouds. The Astrians are color personified angels,
Representing everything their color stands for, both good and bad. Their stories tell of them learning to work together, because not all colors get along but IT TAKES ALL COLORS TO MAKE A BEAUTIFUL WORLD. These stories become the Legends of Astria or Astria Legends!
Q: How long have you been working on the game?
A: I started working on the first iteration of this game in 1999. This is the 4th iteration and the first to be officially released. Its been a long and wonderful journey!
Q: What is the illustration/design process like?
A: Most of the illustrations come from the ongoing ChromaSphere comic that the TCG follows. Highlighting the major events in the story, each illustration is picked to showcase the colorful world that is Astria. I illustrate the majority of the art using Clip Studio Paint. I want players to really be able to get lost in the world and even get glimpses into the extensive lore through the cards.
Q: What are your future plans for Astria Legends?
A: This year will bring the second set as well as introduce the next color spectrum into the game alongside Red and Green. (which one is a secret!.) I'm hoping to stream more game play and start getting other players into some virtual multiplayer games. The second set should release enough cards to allow players to really start experimenting and customizing their own decks!
Also looking into getting the TCG into some local game stores and hosting some local gameplay sessions.
Q: Will you be at any upcoming conventions?
A: Not yet but I hope to start appearing at some. I will be at Funky Finds in March which is a large arts and crafts fair that I LOVE participating in. The starter set premiered at this event back in November and was a HUGE success.
Q: Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own TCG?
A: My greatest advice is to just do it... even if you have no artistic skills, create your concept with text and test it out. Keep the mechanics simple to start, and get a solid foundation that you can build on with later sets and expansions. Remember that you don't have to come up with EVERYTHING to start. There is nothing wrong with starting small and leaving room to grow. But most of all, have fun! Part of the fun is the journey of creation!
For more, follow @astrialegends on Instagram and check out www.astrialegends.com
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