Overview

The City of Heroes Collectible Card Game is a two-player CCG based on the City of Heroes MMORPG. Players build decks around hero archetypes (Blaster, Scrapper, Defender, Controller, Tanker) and battle each other using an alternating action structure. The game uses a unique system where players take turns performing single actions rather than taking full turns, leading to fast, interactive play.

Components

• Hero cards (5 archetypes)
• Power cards (attacks, buffs, debuffs)
• Villain cards
• Location cards
• Equipment cards
• Clock track
• Damage tokens

Setup

1. Each player selects a hero card with an archetype.
2. Shuffle your draw deck and place it face down.
3. Draw starting hand (5 cards for the first active player, 7 for the other).
4. Set up the clock track.

Turn Structure

The game uses alternating actions rather than full turns:

1. Active player performs one action.
2. Opponent performs one action.
3. Repeat until both players pass consecutively.
4. Advance the clock and reset for the next cycle.

Actions

Play a Power Card

Play a power card from hand, paying its cost. Powers include attacks, defenses, buffs, and debuffs.

Activate an Ability

Use your hero’s innate archetype ability.

Draw Cards

Draw additional cards from your deck.

Pass

Choose to do nothing. If both players pass consecutively, the current engagement ends.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Reduce your opponent’s hero to 0 health to win. Heroes have varying health totals based on archetype:

• Tankers have the highest health
• Blasters have the lowest but deal more damage
• Defenders can heal and support
• Controllers manipulate the battlefield
• Scrappers deal consistent melee damage

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• The alternating action structure means you can react to your opponent’s plays immediately.
• Archetype abilities are unique and define the core strategy.
• Some cards have timing restrictions (can only be played in response to attacks, etc.).
• The clock track creates time pressure and can trigger special events.
• Villain cards may appear as third-party threats both players must deal with.

Player Reference

Archetype	Specialty
Blaster	High damage, low health
Scrapper	Consistent melee damage
Defender	Healing and support
Controller	Battlefield manipulation
Tanker	High health, damage absorption