Learn How To Play ANIMAL TCG

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Goal

You win by reaching 15 EP points or above on your field.

On Your Turn

Each turn you draw → play cards → resolve effects → attack → end

What You Need

Start with 60 cards per player

game components

1 Custom Deck: Includes Animal, Resource, Event, and Role cards.

Playmat/Battlefield: To organize your habitats and battle formations.

how to read a card

Gameplay Info: Check the EP(Cost) on the top left, ATK / HP on the bottom, and Skills in the text box.

Collection Info: While enjoying the artwork, don't miss the Animal Fact, IUCN Status at the bottom, and the Set/Card Number on the bottom left.

setup & goal

Goal: Be the first to reach 15 total EP with animals on your field!

Set Up: Both players shuffle and draw their starting hands.

Field: Know your zones—5 Active Slots, 1 Sanctuary, and a Resource Zone.

turn structure & combat

Start Phase: Untap all your rested cards and draw 1 card.

Main Phase: Play resources, summon animals, use skills, or attack. Do these in any order!

End Phase: Turn ends, and all animals on the field recover to full HP.

habitat & resource

The number of resource cards on the field determines the maximum number of EP animals you can place, therefore powerful animals are often only placed in the late game. After you summon animals using these resource cards, they remain on the field and can be used again in the next turn.

want to know more?

Play video

rulebook

Join our discord to get the RULEBOOK. pdf

deckbuilding basics

1

Deck Size:  Exactly 60 cards

2

Card Copy Limit: Except for Resource Cards, you can have no more than 4 copies of the same card in your deck.

3

Resource Type: Focus on 1 to 2 resource types

4

Recommendations: Resource Cards 10~12, Action Cards 24~34, Animal Cards 18~22.

deckbuilding (quick start)

1

Deck Size:  Exactly 30 cards

2

How It Works: When using the simplified rules, you only need to focus on the combat between animals and do not need additional action cards or sanctuary slot.

3

Resource Type: Focus on 1 resource types

4

Recommendations: Resource Cards 8~10, Animal Cards 20~22.

Frequently asked questions

Have questions? We’re here to help

How do I win the game?

There are two ways to win:

  1. Eco Points Victory: The total Eco Points (EP) of your animals on the field reaches 15.
  2. Deck Out Victory: Your opponent has no cards in their deck at the beginning of their turn and cannot draw a card.

Can an animal attack on the exact same turn it is played?

No. By default, an animal cannot attack on the turn it enters the field. The only exception is if the animal card has the First Strike keyword, which allows it to ignore this rule and attack immediately.

Why do animals "Tap" (turn sideways) after attacking, and what does it mean?

Tapping an animal shows that it has acted this turn. A Tapped animal cannot deal counterattack damage if it is attacked by your opponent!
It will "Untap" (stand upright) at the start of your next turn. Once Untapped, it is fully restored and can attack again on your turn, or deal counterattack damage during your opponent's turn. Choosing the right time to attack is crucial!

Does combat damage on animals stay permanently?

No. At the end of each player's turn, all animals on the field automatically recover to full HP (all damage is removed), unless a specific card effect states otherwise.

Are my Resource cards discarded when I use them to play an animal?

No, they are not discarded, but they are "consumed" for the current turn. Think of them as a renewable pool. For example, if you have 6 Resource cards on your field and you summon an animal that requires 4 EP, you will only have 2 resources left to spend for the rest of this turn. However, at the start of your next turn, all 6 of your resources will refresh and be available to use again!

Can animals in the Sanctuary slot use or trigger their skills?

No. The Sanctuary is a protected safe zone. Animals there cannot attack or be attacked, and all of their skills (including "When Enter Play" and "In Play" effects) are completely inactive until they leave the Sanctuary.

How do I move an animal from the Sanctuary to an Active slot (Jump-Out)? Are there conditions?

You can "Jump-Out" during your Main Actions.

  • If your 5 Active slots are completely empty, the Jump-Out is free.
  • If you have at least 1 animal in your Active slots, you must pay the animal's normal resource cost to Jump-Out (just like playing it from your hand).
  • Note: An animal only counts as "Entering Play" (and triggers Enter Play skills) when it Jumps-Out into an Active slot.

What is the maximum number of animals I can have on my field?

You can have a maximum of 6 animals (& 6 resources) on your field at any time: up to 5 in the Active slots and 1 in the Sanctuary slot.

Can I have multiple Role cards or Event cards in play at the same time?

No. You may only have 1 Role card and 1 Event card active on your field at a time. If you play a new Event card, it immediately replaces the previous one.

If my animal is in "Stealth" status, when does it wear off?

An animal in Stealth cannot be targeted by opponent attacks. However, the Stealth status is immediately broken as soon as the animal takes any action, which includes declaring an attack or using an Active skill.

 

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