Have you ever found yourself in a debate over who would win in a fight between Chun-Li and a Titan from Attack on Titan? Or perhaps pitting the heroes of Critical Role against the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? For nearly two decades, one trading card game has been dedicated to answering these ultimate fan questions. This guide will introduce you to one of the most exciting and enduring TCGs on the market and answer the core question: what is the UniVersus TCG?
The Ultimate Crossover TCG
First launched in 2006 as the Universal Fighting System, the game was rebranded to UniVersus in 2021. It’s a character-driven, multi-IP fighting card game that brings an incredible roster of heroes and villains from different franchises together for battle. Its tagline, “Where Worlds Collide!” – is the perfect summary of its appeal. The game gives players the chance to prove once and for all who the superior fighter is, drawing from a massive pool of characters from anime, video games, and pop culture.
How Does It Play?
The Fighting Game TCG
UniVersus stands apart from other TCGs because it plays like a classic arcade fighting game. You don’t summon monsters; you are your character, and you use attack and ability cards to deal damage directly to your opponent. The gameplay is built on a few unique mechanics that create a fast-paced, strategic experience.
- Zone-Based Combat: Attacks target one of three zones: High, Mid, or Low. To avoid damage, your block must match the attack’s zone, creating a dynamic dance of reads and counters.
- Control Checks: Instead of a traditional resource system like Mana or Energy, you play cards by passing “control checks.” This involves discarding the top card of your deck, creating a tension between the power of your cards and the risk of running out of options.
- Momentum: Landing successful attacks builds Momentum, a special resource you can spend to fuel your most powerful abilities, much like a super meter in Street Fighter.
Here’s a link to the official playbook – Universus: How to Play Guide
The Worlds of UniVersus: An Incredible Roster
The list of licensed properties in UniVersus is a dream for any pop culture fan. The game allows full cross-compatibility, meaning you can mix and match cards and characters from any of its featured universes. Major franchises include:
- Video Games: Featuring iconic fighting game legends from Street Fighter.
- Anime & Manga: With huge series like Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Cowboy Bebop.
- Western Pop Culture: Including the heroes and villains from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and both campaigns from Critical Role.
How to Start Playing: UniVersus Products at WLC
Getting into UniVersus is simple, with several products designed for different types of players. At WLC, we stock a range of options to help you jump straight into the fight.
Challenger Series Decks
These are the perfect entry point for experienced TCG players. Each Challenger Series box contains a complete, tournament-ready 60-card deck and a booster pack with exclusive foil cards. They offer a powerful, focused experience right out of the box. We recommend starting with one of these iconic matchups:
- Street Fighter 6: Challenger Series – Chun-Li + Jamie: Control the fight with two of Street Fighter’s most stylish and technical martial artists.
- Street Fighter 6: Challenger Series – Ryu + Luke: Unleash a flurry of powerful attacks with the original World Warrior and the future of fighting games.
- Critical Role Challenger Series – Mighty Nein & Vox Machina: Bring the legendary adventurers from Critical Role’s beloved campaigns to your gaming table.
Starter & Clash Decks
Designed specifically for new players, Starter and Clash Decks offer a more straightforward way to learn the game’s core mechanics. They are a great way to get a feel for a character before building a full deck.
- Attack on Titan Starter Decks: Choose between the lightning-fast attacks of Levi or the tactical prowess of Mikasa and join the fight for humanity.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Starter Deck: Lead the four heroes in a half-shell and use their unique teamwork abilities to overwhelm your opponent.
Booster Boxes & Packs
Once you’ve mastered a starter deck, you can expand your collection and customise your strategy with booster packs. Each pack contains a random assortment of cards to power up your existing decks or build entirely new ones.
- Attack on Titan Booster Boxes: Dive deep into the world of the Survey Corps with sets like Origins of Power, Battle for Humanity, and the grand finale, Apocalypse.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Booster Box: Add more of the Turtles’ allies and enemies to your collection and unlock powerful new combos.
What's Next for UniVersus?
The game is constantly expanding with new properties. With major upcoming releases featuring franchises like Solo Leveling and Guilty Gear -Strive-, the roster of potential fighters is only going to get bigger and more exciting.
At WLC we’ll be sure to be stocking the latest sets depending on interest – so feel free to let us know what you’d like to see on our shelves, and on our website!
Get More From Every Game with WLC Rewards!
With so many exciting sets to collect, there’s never been a better time to join the new WLC Rewards Programme. Earn points on every purchase, both online and in-store, and convert them into discounts on your next order.
Test Your Skills: Play Pokemon and Lorcana at WLC!
Ready to put your new deck to the test? Our Margate store is a community hub for TCG players of all kinds. Keep an eye on our brand new Events Calendar for the latest schedule of our casual play nights and upcoming tournaments, as well as ticketed pre-release vents – book it all it one place. It’s the perfect place to find a game and meet other players.
Shop Your Way
Discover our full range of singles and sealed products online, or visit us in-store for the ultimate treasure hunt!
Our Address: Unit 101, Westwood Business Park, Margate CT9 4JJ.
Store Hours:
- Monday: 10am – 4pm
- Tuesday – Saturday: 10am – 6pm
- Sunday: 11am – 4pm
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