Vs. System currently commands this illustrious interest. However, many of the cards that contain the most thrilling visuals are less than optimal in a competitive setting. Therefore, I am introducing an alternate format that can utilize many of the neglected and forgotten beauties that have been stuck in the back of the binder for way too long.

The seeds were planted in Indiana. During Pro Circuit Indianapolis 2006, Adam Prosak and Richard Vaughan were toying with two completely different ways to play Vs. System. Adam’s “Big Deck” format debuted against “The” Ben Seck in the feature match area and included a “singleton” requirement designed to cultivate a wide variety of card choice possibilities. The one-copy limit throws quite a few cards into the mix that don’t get a ride very often. Richard’s casual configuration introduced us to an “effects deck.” All players share a common stack and one card is flipped per turn. Whether it’s a plot twist or a character, the top card affects everyone. I will borrow the best of both buddies’ babies, but branch a bit further out.

Those formats retain the idea of an individual deck. Deckbuilding is the essence of most trading card games, and in many ways it’s the most fun aspect of the hobby. But unfortunately, it does leave some great art in its wake. When each player develops his or her own method of victory and victory is measured in millions of dollars in prize money, many cards are lost. In an effort to find a place for the forgotten and to re-energize the rowdy randomness in our beloved game, I am proud to introduce the “One World” format.

The One World format is strictly casual and totally unofficial. I need your help testing and perfecting it. Please give it a try sometime and contact me with your results. It seems good so far in our house, and we have really enjoyed seeing cards that were collecting dust in the closet returned to the shiny laughter of the kitchen table. Here we go. . .

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Ø       All characters have all affiliations, but they are considered to have only one affiliation and may also be considered to be unaffiliated.

Ø       All characters are considered both Army characters and non-Army characters.

Ø       All characters are considered Mutants and all cards have all Mutant traits.

Ø       No equipment cards or ongoing plot twists are included.

Ø       No cards that include the words “equipment,” “draw,” “search,” “replace,” or “deck” in their text boxes may be used.

Ø       No plot twists or locations may contain the word “willpower,” but all character cards with willpower are eligible if they meet the other requirements.

Ø       Only one copy of each card is allowed.

Ø       All players draw from common piles. There is one location pile and one non-ongoing plot twist pile. There is one character pile for each character cost. It looks like this on the table:

Players roll dice to see who goes first. There is no draw step. The player with initiative draws one location and one plot twist at the beginning of the build phase. That player places one card in the resource row and uses the available resource points to “purchase” character cards from the character piles. For example, if 2 resource points are available on the second turn, then the player could purchase two 1-cost characters or one 2-cost character. The player with the initiative chooses his or her recruits and passes to the left. Each player draws one location and one plot twist at the beginning of his or her build phase, then purchases characters and chooses recruits. Each player has a KO’d pile, but no player has a deck. Combat and recovery phases continue as usual.

The location and plot twist piles can be balanced evenly among all available effects, or they can be skewed toward a faster or slower pace. ATK and DEF pumps, KO and recovery effects, and invulnerability and reinforcement cards all swing the game wildly one way or another. A fairly equal sampling of each effect type is a good starting point. All piles can be adjusted later to accommodate personal taste.

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Some of the coolest paintings and hottest effects in Vs. System are limited by team-stamped and character-typed drawbacks. Try the One World format for a while, and you will be amazed by the insane power of quite a few neglected beauties. You might even be inspired to break them competitively while you’re at it. Since every player gets the random chance to pull the plums from the pile, you could get lucky.

The One World format can customize your game in a whole new way. Our personal piles are dedicated to only the most fabulous art, but yours can become anything you wish. Play exclusively with female characters, force everyone in play to wear at least a little green, or make it a masquerade ball. We are building some One World piles that only contain cards with one-word names that can be announced in a booming voice when they are played. Characters who would never be caught dead together in a competitive deck will now be dancing cheek to cheek. All those twisted, speculative, comic-book scenarios that include mutually exclusive mythoi can now be acted out right in the comfort of your own home. Check it out and get back to me with the results.

Getting back to the official ways to play, let’s reverse the clock just a couple weeks to the Heralds of Galactus Sneak Preview. With 220 pieces of previously unseen cardboard characters and non-characters, these tournaments are a dream. It’s like running into an art gallery and seeing a whole new show for the first time . . . and then putting the paintings in your pocket! I actually won my way into the Top 8 with my own fresh, collectible eye candy. The Silver Surfer shirt on my back is proof.

This was my Sneak Preview deck for Heralds:

Characters

Black Bolt, Illuminati

Morg, Slayer

Silver Surfer, Skyrider of the Spaceways

Tonaja, The Responsible One

Wolverine, Skrunucklehead

Human Torch, Sparky

Crystal, Elementelle

Lunatic Legionnaires

Stardust, Merciless Warrior

Ronan the Accuser, Starforce

Alaris, The Outgoing One

Silver Surfer, Righteous Protector

Mephisto, Lord of Hell

Dr. Doom, Sorcerous Savant

Destroyer, Harbinger of Devastation

Taskmaster, Mnemonic Assassin

Invisible Woman, Flame On!

Mar-Vell ◊ Captain Marvel

Galactus, Devourer of Worlds

Plot Twists

Alien Insurrection

Barbaric Brawl

Cannibal Tech

Extended Family

Pressed into Service

Super Genius

Relentless Onslaught

The Royal Guard

Equipment

Mind Gem

Soul Gem

Time Gem

In my earlier collections of comic myths and their passionate paintings, Thanos commanded a large chunk. Even though my five booster packs did not contain the Titan himself, I am overjoyed to see his massive mug on so many of our new cards. Not only do the Infinity Gems honor and showcase one of my most beloved imaginary friends, but they are also really good in the game. I pulled all three of the equipment cards I used in the tournament from the first pack I opened. My Time Gem was foil.

Combined with Ronan the Accuser, Starforce, Time Gem provides a lock that has never been possible in Sealed Pack play. Opponents are tied up tight and simply cannot play their tricks at all. It is nasty. Especially when it’s followed by Silver Surfer, Righteous Protector or Soul Gem to help clear the board. I won most often by playing Silver Surfer, Skyrider of the Spaceways early and replenishing his cosmic counter with Extended Family when necessary. I was the first person in our tournament to pull the Extended Art Galactus, and seeing his giant non-foil face made us all howl for joy. Seeing him in my hand when Destroyer, Harbinger of Devastation hit the board on turn 6 made my opponents cry out in pain.

I can’t wait to sit down with Nina and choose our favorite artwork from the latest set. We will then include our new masterpieces in the One World format and get random with it. I’ll keep you posted.

Rian Fike is also known as stubarnes. Please share your One World format experiences with the rest of us by sending your report to rianfike@hattch.com.