HOW TO PLAY: OMG RULES OVERVIEW (0.8.2)

Old Mana Game
Jun 10
3 min read

Updated: Jun 30

**OMG - A blend of classic and modern TCG design.**

Version Disclaimer

This is version 0.8.2 of Old Mana Game, currently in active playtesting. Rules, card effects, and archetype mechanics are all subject to change based on community feedback and development insights. This is not a final release. It’s a working prototype being refined through live testing, gameplay iterations, and player input.

Game Vision

Old Mana Game is designed for players who crave strategic depth, flexible resource management, and immersive fantasy combat. It brings back the spirit of early TCGs, where deck identity, sacrifice, and tactical sequencing mattered, while trimming unnecessary complexity. Instead of automatic progression, you build power through smart resource play. Instead of deck limits and filler turns, you get hard decisions and layered timing. The game is built for fast flow, hidden plays, and high replay value.

Inspirations

The system is inspired by old-school fantasy card games and modern design clarity. It uses permanent resource zones, lanes, reactive play, and a classic fatigue system. No gimmicks. Just streamlined mechanics and open-ended tactical freedom.

Current Archetypes

There are 5 fully playable archetypes in the current version (out of a planned 7):

Nature – Beast synergy, healing, slow ramp
Outlaw – Discard, burst, high-risk combo play
Precision – Lane control, buffs, traps
Sorcery – Spell-based gameplay, counters, zoning
War – Heavy weapons, armor stacking, brute strength

All decks can also include Unbound Allies – a neutral unit pool that fits any archetype. All Allies in the game are currently Unbound and flexible across all deck types.

Resource System

Every turn, you may place one card from your hand face-down as a Resource, providing 1 generic mana. You may instead swap an existing Resource with a card from your hand.

No cap on total Resources (e.g. you can have 12, 15... but they thin your deck)
Resources stay in play permanently
1 Resource action per turn (play or swap)

Hero & Deck Structure

Exactly 50 cards per deck.
Singleton rule: Only 1 copy of each card allowed.
One Hero is chosen as your Avatar and starts the game in play (30 life, 0 ATK).
Other Heroes from the same archetype can be included as Allies.
All Allies are Unbound and can be used freely.

Card Types

Main Types

Hero – Your Avatar. Starts with 30 life, 0 ATK
Ally – Summoned units that aid in battle
Weapon – Equip up to 2 (Main-Hand / Off-Hand). Weapons have durability
Armor – Equip up to 2 (no duplicates like 2x Helmet). Grants armor/protection
Ability – Cards played from hand or in reaction

Ability Subtypes

Spell – Normal effects during your turn
Trap – Played face-down, trigger-based
Counter – Reactive; played on opponent’s turn (reduces your next mana)
Zone – Lasting effects, either permanent or timed (duration-based)

Game Board Overview

Party Lane: Max 5 units (1 Hero + 4 Allies).
Equipment Lane: 2 Weapons, 2 Armor.
Trap Zone: Max 3 Traps.
Zone Slot: 1 active Zone per player.

Turn Structure

Start Phase: Resolve start-of-turn effects.
Draw Phase: Draw 2 cards.
Resource Phase: Play 1 card as a Resource or swap 1 Resource with a card from hand.
Main Phase: Play cards, attack, activate effects.
Combat Phase: Declare and resolve attacks.
End Phase: Resolve end-of-turn effects.

Combat Rules

Damage is equal to attack.
Attacking the enemy Hero causes no retaliation.
Attacking an enemy Ally causes both to deal damage.
Units with 0 health are destroyed.

Summary

50-card Singleton decks
Flexible resource system with no cap
Deck-thinning creates real long-term risk
Hidden traps and reactive counters for tactical depth
5 Archetypes + neutral Unbound faction
Classic TCG structure, modern flow

How to Get Involved

Old Mana Game is in active development and welcomes early testers and feedback. If you're interested in tactical card games, strategic combat, and deck crafting with a high skill ceiling:

Join our Discord community
Leave feedback or questions below
Follow us on Instagram for reveals and dev posts

This is Oldschool Fantasy. Reforged.