Class Critters
Class Critters are collectible cards designed specifically as behavior incentives - once the ‘Bond Track’ on the front is filled, the back can be scratched off the reveal the critter’s adult form. Each critter can grow into multiple adult forms, making each card a unique surprise.
Series Beta is currently available in non-scratchoff form. Both 16-card, two-player draft packs and 72-card Classroom Boxes can be purchased through Game Crafter.
Game Rules
On each turn, the active player plays one Critter from their hand to an empty space on the board. Critters are normally played Basic-side-up (The side with a description of the Critter). However, each player may play two Critters per game Adult-side-up instead. Many Adult Critters have effects, which are only active when they are Adult-side-up on the board. If an ability starts with “On Play:”, resolve that effect when the Adult Critter is played. Each player plays Critters face-up relative to themselves, so each player’s Critters will be upside-down to their opponent. Once a player has played a Critter and resolved all relevant challenges and effects, play passes to their opponent.
Playing Critters
Strength and Challenges
Each Critter has four Strength values listed in its top right-hand corner. These indicate its Strength in each cardinal direction. Adult Critters also have the Strengths of their Basic side listed beneath their own Strength values. When a Critter is played to the board, it challenges each adjacent enemy Critter. In a challenge, compare the matching Strengths to determine the victor. For example, if a new Critter is placed to the left of an enemy Critter, compare the challenger’s right-hand Strength to the defender’s left-hand Strength. If the challenger’s Strength is higher, its controller gains one Prestige (though the defender is not removed).
Victory
When the game ends, the player with the most Prestige wins. Players gain Prestige mainly by playing Critters, which will challenge their opponent’s Critters already in play.
Setup
Each player sets out the eight cards of their deck, Adult-side up. The players flip a coin to determine who will play first. Starting with the first player, each player chooses two cards from their opponent’s deck to remove. These become their owner’s Removed cards. Then each player picks up their remaining six cards, which become their hand. Once each player has their hand, place the coin in the center space of the board to indicate its location.
Board
Class Critters is played on a 3x3 grid. At the beginning of play, a coin will be placed on the center space to indicate its location (When a Critter is played to the center space, move the coin on top of it). Unless otherwise specified, only one Critter can be played to each space. When all spaces contain a Critter, the game ends.
Elemental Bonuses
Each Critter has an element, indicated by an icon in the top left-hand corner of the card. Most also have an Elemental Bonus against another element, indicated by a smaller icon beneath their own Element. During a challenge, if one Critter has an Elemental Bonus against the other, the Critter with the bonus has +1 to their Strength.
Prestige and Victory
If a player’s turn ends with no empty spaces on the board, the game is over. Whichever player has more Prestige at this point wins the game. Prestige is mostly gained through challenges, but some Adult Critters also grant bonus Prestige under certain conditions. In the case of a tie, each player checks the highest Strength among Critters in their hand. The player with a higher Strength in their hand wins.
Basic Critters
Rakiran: The fur shed by this friendly and curious animal is often used to make fireproof sweaters.
Turtik: Turtik's living flames are actually no hotter than a warm day, only consuming what it finds tasty.
Kirkai: Kirkai is naturally skittish, preferring to avoid confrontation whenever possible.
Palchir: This creature often acts aloof at first but forms strong bonds with the proper attention.
Tilboo: Born from drifting seeds, this small creature follows the sun during the day and buries itself in soil to sleep.
Smee: Travelers walking through flower fields might be surprised by a curious Smee clinging to their ankle to see where they are going.
Shishan: Shishan loves to wander at night, rustling in strange gentle rhythms to anything that might be listening.
Keshet: Although many are frightened by its appearance, this sinuous creature is surprisingly social.
Chikiree: Named for its distinctive cry, Chikiree can be seen in canyons and ravines pecking for pebbles.
Gurda: Gurda prefers to be high up, wandering across mountains and ridges to find the most beautiful views.
Dori: This small creature is typically shy, hiding away in caves and singing softly to itself to hear the echoes.
Eechik: Eechik can find its way into the most surprising of places, often collecting hidden trinkets.
Kulish: Kulish loves to ride the waves and tides, looking for new beaches and coves it has never seen.
Chim: Making its home in swamps and lakes, Chim uses its drifting leaves to snare food.
Sooshil: Sooshil searches the bottom of lakes and waterways for shiny objects and collects them for its nest.
Obur: Preferring hidden coves and tide pools, Obur spends its days pouncing on crabs and chasing small fish.
Oleeri: Originally built as a companion to cyber wizards, this robot owl loves studying whatever it can find.
Moe: This intimidating robot actually serves as a guardian for small animals and humans around it.
Amiram: No one knows where this mysterious creature came from, but its gentle voice sings the music of the stars.