Spellfire
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Spellfire is a collectible card game created by TSR and based on their popular Dungeons & Dragons role playing game. The game first appeared in 1994, shortly after the introduction of Magic the Gathering. It has since been discontinued, yet as of 2004, still enjoys popularity among a loyal fan base.
History
The first edition of Spellfire was fairly simple and featured artwork recycled from Dungeons & Dragons products. Nonetheless, it was fairly popular among D&D fans. Initially, the only products available were the 110-card starter packs (which drew from a selection of 400 cards), and 15-card booster packs which drew from essential the same cards as the starter packs, although they contained more of the rare cards, and in addition some very rare, or "chase", cards.
The second edition starter pack fixed some misprints and replaced about 20 cards, but was essentially the same game as the first edition. Most players got more out of the Ravenloft, Dragonlance, and Forgotten Realms booster packs.
The third edition starter made some significant changes to many of the cards, but kept most of the same names and artwork. The Artifacts, Powers, Underdark, Runes & Ruins, and Birthright boosters added many new dimensions to the game, and it was at this time the game enjoyed its highest popularity.
By the time the fourth edition starter pack made its debut, the game's popularity was already on the decline. At this time, the future of TSR was uncertain. Three more boosters, Draconomicon, Nightstalkers, and Dungeons, were released. None of these sold very well, and when it became clear Wizards of the Coast was buying out TSR, Spellfire went out of production.
Currently, the Spellfire Council is keeping the game active by producing unofficial boosters available online. Some of these are legal for tournament play. These so-called sticker boosters are to be printed on sticker paper and attached to the front of normal cards.
Spellfire has still a rather big fan base contributing to the game in form of various Fan Card Boosters. Even a Spellfire Community Site exists to help if need be.
Gameplay
The object of Spellfire is to put 6 realm cards into play. Only one realm can be played per player per turn, and it is common for a player's opponents to attack his realms or destroy them by other means.
Once a player has played at least one realm, the player may play champions, magic items, artifacts, and allies into his "pool". Champions are probably the most important cards in the game as they are used to attack and defend realms. The types of champions in the original game were heroes, monsters, clerics, and wizards; later, psionicists, regents, and thieves were added.
External links
- Spellfire "official" website (http://www.spellfire.net)
- Spellfire Community Site (http://www.moddi.com/php/nuke/html/index.php)pt:Spellfire