The Basics
What is a TCG?
TCG is an acronym for Trading Card Game. In a TCG, players collect cards and build their own decks to play against each other. Each deck has its own strategy, which is shaped by the cards a player chooses to include in his or her personal deck.
Why a World of Warcraft TCG?
World of Warcraft (WoW) is the most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game (or MMORPG) in the world. We translated that universe to the card table, and we’re confident that hardcore MMO players and TCG veterans alike won’t be disappointed. We’ve done our best to stay true to the MMO in design, so in the TCG, players will find that Paladins are still hard to kill and Shamans still have powers relating to damage, healing, and Totems. Many aspects of the TCG’s strategy will be familiar to players of the MMO.
Additionally, by playing the TCG, you can get exclusive items in the online game! (See details below about Loot cards and the UDE Points program.)
I've played TCGs in the past, but I quit for one reason or another. Is this game for me?
Absolutely. The evolutionary game engine of the WoW TCG plays very smoothly and is easy to pick up and enjoy. We spent a lot of time maximizing the fun aspects of TCGs and cutting out the frustrating and clunky elements, such as unnecessary phases and not drawing your resources. The result is a game that is easy to understand, yet fun and challenging to play.
How do I get started?
To learn the game, check out our How to Play section. This page features an online demo, which teaches the basics of the game right away. After you read the rulebook, download and print out the demo decks to play your first WoW TCG games! The next step is to go straight to your local hobby store to pick up a starter and some boosters to begin building your own deck.
How often will new WoW TCG products be released?
Our plan is to have about three WoW TCG booster sets and two to three other releases per year. There will be plenty of new cards available to keep both tournament and casual environments fresh.
Product Details
What kinds of products are available?
There are several different types of products:
- Expansions: Three expansions are released per year and can be purchased as Booster packs. Expansion sets each offer new abilities, allies, loot, and themes from the MMO, adding a huge amount of replay value with each new set that comes out! Each expansion also brings three new Loot cards with it, giving players more ways to customize their online characters!
- Raid Decks: One of the hallmarks of the World of Warcraft TCG are the Raid Decks—3 to 5 players can square off against the likes of Onyxia, Ragnaros, Magtheridon, or Illidan the Betrayer. PvE fans from the MMO will enjoy the cooperative play while trying to take down legendary encounters from the online world. Raid Decks also come with Treasure Packs that include exciting equipment and other cards based on the encounter!
- Starter Decks: Players new to the game can jump in with the exciting Drums of War Starter Deck. You’ll get two pre-constructed decks that feature some exclusive cards and you can start playing without having to worry about building your first deck.
- And More: Throughout the year we also have other great products that offer a fun look at an in-game event (like the Feast of Winter Veil Collector’s Set), or offer a new game variant (like the multiplayer Arena Grand Melee).
What do I get in a booster pack?
Our current booster pack configuration contains the following:
- 13 commons
- 4 uncommons
- 1 rare or epic
- 1 hero
- 1 UDE Points card / Trade Good
What is a Raid Deck?
A Raid Deck simulates the raids players go through in the WoW MMO. The product provides you with everything you need to play as a major dungeon boss. The heroes in the raiding party will need to supply their own decks. In a raid game, one player plays as the raid boss while all other players try to take him or her down. These games are a cooperative effort, and they're some of the most fun you'll have playing a TCG.
Where can I find details on all released products?
Head over to the official World of Warcraft Trading Card Game Product Page, and check back at WoWTCG.com often for updates about upcoming releases!
What are the UDE Points / Trade Good cards used for?
Each pack contains a UDE Points/Trade Good card. UDE Points can be redeemed for in-game items and other items from the UDE Points Store. After you’ve redeemed the code, you’ll also be able to save up the cards to use in the Crafting Redemption Program!
Loot Cards
What are Loot cards?
We pick three cards in each set release and make a version of each with a scratch-off code. If you’re lucky enough to find one, you can redeem the code for an exclusive cosmetic upgrade for your WoW MMO character!
What rarity are Loot cards?
Loot cards are legendary, but within each set’s Loot offerings, there will be a common, uncommon, and rare Loot card. Beginning with Servants of the Betrayer, the common Loot cards appear several to a box, and offer a stack of consumable items. Uncommon items appear one every few boxes, while the rare Loot cards are the most sought after and hardest to get, but offer fun items like exclusive mounts!
How do the Loot cards work?
Loot cards are special versions of cards in booster packs, as well as other select products. Each one has a unique code and a website address where you can redeem it. When you enter this code into the website, you get a unique in-game item for the World of Warcraft MMO. To learn more about how to redeem Loot cards, visit www.WoWTCG.com/loot.
What unique in-game items can I get from WoW TCG Loot cards?
Each booster set release has a unique set of Loot cards. For a full summary, head to www.WoWTCG.com/loot.
UDE Points
How does the UDE Points program work?
Each WoW TCG booster pack includes a UDE Points code. These codes are worth 100 points each. You log into your account at www.ude.com/points and register these codes to accumulate points.
How do I redeem UDE Points?
Log into your account at www.ude.com/points to redeem the points you’ve accumulated. Different items will have different values.
What can I redeem my UDE Points for?
UDE Points are redeemable primarily for exclusive in-game items for your World of Warcraft MMO characters, but we also offer things like J!NX gift certificates and other offers as we’re able to arrange them with partners.
Can I enter the in-game codes I purchase from the UDE Points Store into Landro Longshot?
The in-game codes you purchase from the UDE Points Store must be redeemed in the same fashion as Loot card codes. Instructions can be found at www.WoWTCG.com/loot. After getting your code from the Blizzard site, head to Landro and look for the item under “Point Store” in his list of offerings.
Do UDE Points expire?
No. You can save up for items as long as necessary, so don’t worry about losing points if you’re saving up for that Ogre Disguise Trinket!
Are these items bound to an account or one specific character?
All items are Bind-on-Pickup for the character you choose to redeem them with.
Can I redeem my UDE points for the Loot card items?
No, those items are exclusive to Loot cards. Similarly, the in-game items earned through the UDE Points program (the tabards, fireworks trinket, and ogre trinket) are not available through Loot cards. The two programs are separate.
Crafting Redemption Program
Click here for full information on the Crafting Redemption Program!
What are recipes?
Each Crafted card offered through the Crafting Redemption program has its own recipe. You send us the Trade Goods that a recipe calls for, and we’ll send you the result of your labors—an exclusive card that you won’t find anywhere else!
How many recipes are available?
New cards and recipes are released for each expansion. At the moment we have over twenty different cards that can be crafted through the program!
What are Trade Goods?
Trade Goods are found on the UDE Points cards included in every WoW TCG booster pack starting with the Fires of Outland expansion.
How many Trade Goods do I need to complete a recipe?
Each recipe requires about twenty to thirty Trade Goods to craft a single card.
How do I redeem my Trade Goods?
You can redeem your Trade Goods via our mail-in redemption process. Crafting is also available at our Darkmoon Faires and other premier events!
Can I still use the UDE Points codes?
Yes! Trade Goods are printed on UDE Points cards so that you can get even more mileage out of every booster pack you open. Don’t forget to register the codes on your UDE Points cards before you redeem them via the Crafting Redemption program. Visit the UDE Points Store to find out more about the exciting promotions that are available through that program!
Organized Play
What is Organized Play?
Organized Play makes sure you always have opponents to face and that you can find a game at any level. From local tournaments up through the World Championship, there are many ways to get involved and participate in tournaments.
Additionally, Organized Play sets standards for game rules and tournament sanctioning, ensuring that all tournaments adhere to the highest standards of play and fairness.
Which regions have access to WoW TCG tournaments?
Organized Play is currently offered in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
What kinds of tournaments are offered for WoW TCG?
There are events for every type of player in the World of Warcraft TCG Organized Play program:
- Darkmoon Faire: This event stops in North America and Europe throughout the year, and is a celebration of all things WoW. The Darkmoon Faire features three days of gaming and fun, whether it’s playing the WoW TCG or Minis. Every Darkmoon Faire features a main event Championship tournament, where the winner can get their hands on a high-end computer, home entertainment system, or travel package. Top 8 finishers also go home with the elusive Spectral Tiger Loot card! Side events with prizes such as iPods, Loot cards, and booster packs are ongoing all weekend.
- Battlegrounds: This local program usually runs at hobby shops. These tournaments provide a casual but organized place in your neighborhood to play the WoW TCG. This program often offers exclusive Extended Art cards just for participating, as well as additional exclusive Extended Art cards as prizes.
Sneak Previews: These tournaments offer you a chance to play with a new set before it’s released. Players receive booster packs from the new set to build decks for Sealed tournaments. Everyone who participates in the tournament gets an exclusive Extended Art card from the new set. Prize support includes deck boxes, playmats, and booster packs. - Release Celebrations: Just like Battlegrounds and Marquee Events, Release Celebrations take place at your local hobby shop. These tournaments give you a chance to play with the new set right after it’s released, and the program provides exclusive Extended Art cards.
- National & Continental Qualifiers: Top finishers at Regional tournaments qualify for their countries’ National Championships. The National Championships are an annual event that feeds into the WoW TCG World Championship.
- Nationals Championships: This is where you can compete for the honor of National Champion. You can also qualify here for Worlds! Prizes vary by region, but some have been known to include high-end electronics and flights to the World Championship.
- North American Continental Championships: Held at Gen Con Indy, this event is second only to worlds in size and attendance. Players who aren’t qualified for the main event will be able to take part in the Darkmoon Faire and a huge assortment of side events taking place all weekend.
- World Championship: The biggest event of the year with the biggest prize pool to match! Players can only get here by performing well in their National or Continental Championship, or by maintaining a high Honor Ranking or Rating. Only the best will get here, and only one will win!
Are side decks allowed in tournaments?
In some Constructed tournament formats, a ten-card side deck is allowed. In some Limited formats, a side deck can consist of all the remaining cards not used in a player’s main deck. In other tournament formats, a side deck is not used.
Is there a judge certification program for this game?
Yes. You can take a judge test by clicking here.
How does the Honor Ranking system work?
A player gains honor through his or her participation and success in tournaments. These points provide rewards, such as qualification for major tournaments and exclusive WoW TCG materials in the mail.
What is an event like?
Traveling to a big WoW TCG event like a Darkmoon Faire or Championship event is a great experience. You’ll meet players from all over the world that love the game, and also have plenty of chances to win cool prizes. Check out our coverage of past events to see what you’ve been missing!
Click Here to Find out More About Organized Play!