Overview

Dark Force is a collectible card game (CCG) based on the German RPG Das Schwarze Auge (The Dark Eye / DSA). Published in the mid-1990s, the game saw two editions plus expansions. Players construct decks and compete against each other in tactical card battles set in the Dark Eye fantasy universe. The game had two major expansions: Attack Pack (1995) and Captains Pack (1996), the latter introducing naval warfare rules. The complete card pool consists of 491 regular cards plus 4 promotional cards.

Components

• Starter decks (preconstructed decks for each player)
• Booster packs (13 cards each) from:
  • Base set
  • Attack Pack expansion (1995)
  • Captains Pack expansion (1996)
• Total card pool: 491 regular cards + 4 promos

Setup

1. Each player constructs a deck from their card collection following deck-building rules (minimum/maximum deck size, card limits).
2. Shuffle decks.
3. Each player draws their starting hand.
4. Place life/resource tracking markers.
5. Determine the first player.

Turn Structure

Each turn typically follows a CCG structure:

1. Draw Phase: Draw cards from your deck.
2. Resource Phase: Play resource or mana cards to fuel other cards.
3. Main Phase: Play creatures, spells, equipment, and other cards.
4. Combat Phase: Declare attacks and resolve combat.
5. End Phase: Discard excess cards, resolve end-of-turn effects.

Actions

Playing Cards

• Spend resources to play creature, spell, and equipment cards from your hand.
• Cards have costs, power values, and special abilities.

Combat

• Attack your opponent with creature cards.
• The defending player can block with their own creatures.
• Damage is calculated from attack/defense values and special abilities.

Naval Warfare (Captains Pack)

• The Captains Pack expansion adds rules for ship-based combat.
• Ships can engage in naval battles with distinct mechanics from land combat.

Spells and Abilities

• Cast spells for direct effects (damage, healing, card draw, etc.).
• Activate creature and equipment abilities for tactical advantage.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Reduce your opponent’s life total to zero to win. Alternatively, some cards may provide alternative victory conditions.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Das Schwarze Auge Setting: Cards are themed around the Dark Eye RPG universe, featuring characters, creatures, and locations from that setting.
• Two Editions: The second edition refined the rules and card balance from the first.
• Captains Pack Naval Rules: The final expansion shifted focus to naval warfare, introducing ship cards and sea combat mechanics.
• Defunct: The game is no longer in production; no new cards have been released since the 1990s.
• Collectible: As a CCG, deck construction from a personal card collection is a core part of the game.

Player Reference

Turn: Draw → Resources → Play cards → Combat → End

Win: Reduce opponent’s life to 0

Expansions: Attack Pack (1995), Captains Pack (1996, naval rules)

Card Pool: 491 regular + 4 promo cards across all sets