Altered Glossary

2.2.3 Name

2.2.3.a The name of an object is a series of words and symbols.

2.2.3.b An object has only one name, even if it contains several words.

2.2.3.c The name of an object is its English name, even if it is represented by a card printed in a different language.

Example. Fée Clochette is the French version of Tinker Bell. The name of an object represented by that card is Tinker Bell.

2.2.3.d The name of an object represented by a Permanent card is written in the middle of the card, below the rarity gem and above the type line.

2.2.3.e The name of an object represented by a non-Permanent card is written on the top of the card, below the rarity gem.

Remark. Cards with the same name may have different characteristics, if they have different raritys, different factions, or they are unique.

2.2.3.f The name of a token is defined by the effect that creates it. It is composed of the words written before its statistics.

Example. Ordis Cadets has the reaction " Create an Ordis Recruit 1/1/1 Soldier token in my Expedition". The name of the token created when this Reaction resolves is "Ordis Recruit".

2.2.3.g Emblems have no name.

1.1.4 Constructed play

1.1.4.a In constructed play, a player may use any card from their collection to build their deck.

1.1.4.b A constructed deck must include exactly 1 Hero.

1.1.4.c A constructed deck must include at least 39 other cards.

1.1.4.d A constructed deck can only include cards of the same faction as its Hero.

1.1.4.e A constructed deck can include at most 3 cards with the same name.

Remark. In Altered, contrary to many other collectible card games, cards with the same name may have different characteristics, rarity, and faction. A player in a constructed event should make clear which version of a card they play.

1.1.4.f A constructed deck can include at most 15 rare () cards.

1.1.4.g A constructed deck can include at most 3 unique () cards.

1.1.5 Limited play

1.1.5.a In limited play, players must build their deck from a restricted pool of cards provided to them for a specific event, plus any number of Mana Convergence.

1.1.5.b A limited deck can include at most 1 Hero.

1.1.5.c A limited deck must include at least 29 other cards.

1.1.5.d A limited deck can include cards from at most 3 factions; if that deck include a Hero, that Hero's faction counts as one of the three.

Remark. Limited decks have no restrictions in terms of name or rarity.

1.1.7 Material

1.1.7.a Each player start the game with a deck of Altered cards. They should be officially printed Altered cards with a valid QR code pointing to https://www.altered.gg. For the purpose of the rules, the text of a card is the English text appearing on the Altered website. Note that the text appearing on the physical card may differ, if the card is printed in a different language or without text. It may also have received errata since it first printing.

1.1.7.b Tokens are used to represent Characters which are created by the game rather than represented by Cards. Players must have a way of representing the tokens that their deck can create in a way that makes clear their characteristics and status. It is possible, but not mandatory, to use the official tokens published by Equinox.

1.1.7.c Counters are markers put on cards by events in the game. Players should have a way of representing counters which make clear which counters are on which objects. Counters with the same name are indistinguishable.

1.1.7.d If a player's deck has cards that ask them to "roll a die", they should have fair six-sided dice numbered from 1 to 6.

1.1.7.e Players should have a way to represent the status of their objects in all visible zones. The Exhausted status is usually represented by laying the object in a vertical or horizontal direction. Other statuses may be represented by printed or coloured markers.

1.1.7.f Between the two of them, players need a Hero Region Card, a Companion Region Card, and three different Tumult cards (one |, one |, and one |) to represent the Adventure.

1.2.2 Objects

1.2.2.a Objects are the game pieces of Altered.

1.2.2.b Most things in a game of Altered are either objects, properties of objects or sets of objects.

1.2.2.c Objects have characteristics:

• Type (Character, Emblem, Hero, Permanent, Region, Spell)
• Sub-type
• Name
• Rarity (common , rare , unique )
• Version
• Hand Cost
• Reserve cost
• Faction (Axiom , Bravos , Lyra , Muna , Ordis , Yzmir )
• Statistics (one number for each of , , )
• Abilities
• Reserve limit (only for Heroes)
• Landmark limit (only for Heroes)
• Duration (only for Emblems)

1.2.2.d An object may lack some of these characteristics.

2.2.1 Type

2.2.1.a A type is one of the following: Character, Emblem, Hero, Permanent, Region, Spell.

2.2.1.b Each object has a single type.

2.2.1.c The type of a card is written on the type line, just below the name of the card. It is the first word of the type line, before the dash.

2.2.1.d The type of a token is Character.

Remark. The tokens printed by Equinox have the word "Token" in their type line. This is for clarity and has no rules implications.

2.2.1.e The type of an object represented by an Adventure card or half a Tumult card is Region.

2.2.1.f The type of an object represented by a face-down card in the Mana zone is Mana Orb.

2.2.1.g The type of an emblem is Emblem.

Remark. The type Emblem does not appear on cards. It is reserved for temporary objects in Limbo created by reactions or effects whose impact on the game lasts longer than their own resolution.

2.2.1.h When a cost or an effect refers to "a [type]", it refers to an object in play with the appropriate type, unless it specifies a specific zone.

Example. Banishing Gate has the effect "Discard target Character or Permanent". When that Spell is played, its controller must choose a Character or Permanent in play. They cannot choose a Character or Permanent from another zone, such as the Reserve.

2.2.1.i When a cost or an effect checks whether a specific card or object is "a [type]", it checks whether that card or that object has the appropriate type, regardless of its location.

Example. Ada Lovelace has the reaction " You may put a card from your hand in Reserve. If it's a Permanent, draw a card". If a player choses to put a Permanent card in Reserve during the resolution of this reaction, they draw a card.

2.2.2 Subtypes

2.2.2.a Characters, Spells, Permanents, Regions, and Emblems may have sub-types.

2.2.2.b Heroes have no sub-types.

2.2.2.c An object may have any number of sub-types.

2.2.2.d The list of character sub-types is: Adventurer, Animal, Apprentice, Artist, Bureaucrat, Citizen, Companion, Deity, Dragon, Druid, Elemental, Engineer, Fairy, Leviathan, Mage, Messenger, Noble, Plant, Robot, Soldier, Scholar, Spirit, Titan, Trainer.

2.2.2.e The list of permanent sub-types is: Landmark.

2.2.2.f The list of region sub-types is: Forest (), Mountain (), Water ().

2.2.2.g The list of spell sub-types is: Boon, Conjuration, Disruption, Maneuver, Song.

2.2.2.h The list of emblem sub-types is: Reaction, Ongoing.

2.2.2.i The sub-types of a card are written on the type line, just below the name of the card. They are to the right of the dash; if there is more than one sub-type, they are separated by commas.

2.2.2.j The sub-types of a token are defined by the effect that creates it. They are written after the statistics of the token, separated by commas.

Example. Foundry Armorer has the reaction " Create a Brassbug 2/2/2 Robot token in target Expedition". The sub-type of the token created when this reaction resolves is "Robot".

2.2.2.k The sub-types of the hero region, companion region, and the arena are Forest (), Mountain (), and Water ().

Remark. Regions represented by face-down Tumult cards have no sub-types.

2.2.2.l The sub-types of regions represented face-up Tumult cards are described by symbols on the side of the regions.

2.2.2.m The sub-type of an emblem created as a reaction triggers is Reaction. The sub-type of an emblem created by an effect that lasts longer than its own resolution is Ongoing.

Example. Aloe Vera has the reaction "At Noonl Resupply". As the Noon phase begins, Aloe Vera's controller creates an Emblem-Reaction in Limbo with the text "Resupply". When that Reaction is played, its effect resolves, then it ceases to exist.

Example. Celebration Day has the effect "Expeditions can´t move forward this Day". When that effect resolves, an Emblem-Ongoing is created in Limbo with the passive ability "Expeditions can't move forward" and the duration "this Day".

2.2.2.n When a cost or an effect refers to "a sub-type", it refers to an object in play with the appropriate sub-type.

Example. Three Little Pigs has the reaction " If you control two or more Landmarks, I gain 1 boost". When that Reaction resolves, it only counts the Landmarks in the Landmark zone, not those in Reserve or in the Discard pile.

2.2.2.o When a cost or an effect checks whether a specific card or object is "a [sub-type]", it checks whether that card or that object has the appropriate sub-type, regardless of its location.

2.2.2.p Some effects have objects gain or lose types. These effects actually mean gaining or losing sub-types.

Example. The Kraken has the ability "All regions are and lose their other types". When the Kraken is in play, regions keep the type Region and lose the and sub-types.

2.2.4 Rarity

2.2.4.a The rarity of an object is one of the following: common, rare, or unique.

2.2.4.b The rarity of a card is indicated by a gem just above the card's name. A gray gem $cmomon indicates a common card; a blue gem indicates a rare card; an orange gem indicates a unique card. It is also written as a letter (C, R, or U) on the legal line at the bottom of the card.

2.2.4.c Heroes, regions, tokens, and emblems have no rarity.

2.2.9 Statistics

2.2.9.a Statistics are numbers.

2.2.9.b There are three statistics: Forest (), Mountain (), and Water ().

2.2.9.c Only Characters have statistics.

2.2.9.d The statistics of a Character card are represented on the left of the card, with on top and in green, in the middle and in orange, and on the bottom and in blue.

2.2.9.e The statistics of a token are defined by the effect that creates it. They are written between the name and the sub-types of the token, separated by forward slashes, with the statistic first, the statistic second, and the statistic third.

Example. Kojo & Booda has the reaction "At Noon, if you are the first player-Create a Booda 2/2/2 Companion token in your companion Expedition". The statistics of this token are 2, 2, and 2.

2.5 Counters

2.5.a Objects may have counters on them.

2.5.b Counters have names.

2.5.c Counters with the same name on the same object are indistinguishable.

2.5.d Some Heroes start the game with counters. Such counters are on the Hero from the moment it is revealed and placed in the Hero zone.

2.5.e Some steps have an object "gain [X] [name] counters". After the resolution of such a step, that object has [X] more [name] counters than before.

2.5.f Some steps "remove [X] [name] counters". After the resolution of such a step, if that object had [X] or less [name] counters, it has now zero [name] counters; if it had more than [X] [name] counters, that object has now [X] less [name] counters than before.

2.5.g Some objects have quick actions whose costs include "spending [X] of their [name] counters". In order to pay such costs, the object in question must have at least [X] [name] counters. Once the cost is paid, it has [X] less [name] counters.

2.5.h Most counters have no intrinsic impact on the game.

2.5.i When an object leaves the Expedition zone or the Landmark zone, it loses all its counters.

2.5.j When an object leaves the Discard pile, the Reserve, or the Limbo, it keeps its counters.

7.3.3 Create

7.3.3.a To create a token is to put a new character token in the Expedition zone.

7.3.3.b Costs and effects that create tokens use the following template: "create a [name] [x/y/z] [sub-types] token with [abilitys] in [expedition]".

Example. Open the Gates (common) has the effect "Create two Ordis Recruit 1/1/1 Soldier token in each of your Expeditions". When Open the Games resolves, four tokens are created. They all have the name "Ordis Recruit", the type "Character", the sub-type "Soldier", all three statistics equal to 1, and no abilitys.

7.3.7 Gain (counters)

7.3.7.a When an object "gains X [name] counters", X [name] counters are put on that object.

7.3.7.b Counters with the same name on the same object are fungible: they do not need to be distinguished from one another.

7.3.21 Spend (counters)

7.3.21.a When an object "spends X of its [name] counters", X [name] counters that were on that object are removed from it.

7.3.21.b An object cannot spend more counters with a given name that it has on it.

Booster Draft (Game Mode)

Booster Draft is played 1 vs 1, and the recommended number of players is 8. Each player receives 4 Altered boosters. Players open their first booster, remove the Token/Foil card, choose one card and pass the rest of the booster to the person on their left. The process is repeated until all cards are selected. The same steps are followed for the other boosters, alternating passing directions (left-right-left-right). Decks must contain at least 30 cards following the deck construction rules.

Deck construction:
Decks built from the Booster Draft must follow these guidelines:

• A deck must contain a minimum of 30 cards.
• Token cards do not count towards the deck minimum. If you have Token cards to accompany your deck, they start outside your deck.
• You can play cards from up to three different factions.
• A deck may include one Hero card. If so, it counts towards the 30-card minimum.
• Your Hero must belong to one of the factions in your deck.
• You can choose not to play a Hero card.
• There is no restriction on the number of cards with the same name you can play in your deck.
• There is no restriction on the number of rare or unique cards you can play in your deck.

Structure: Best of one game
Number of rounds: 3
Time for drafting and deck construction: 40 minutes
Round time: 30 minutes
Number of players: 8

Should I play a Hero card in my deck?
It is not mandatory to play a Hero card in limited formats like Booster Draft, but it is often preferable to play one in one of the factions of your deck rather than not playing one at all.

Can I change my deck between games?
Players can freely modify their deck using their pool of drafted cards between games when playing in limited formats.

When should I scan my cards and add them to my digital collection?
After the draft phase, during deck construction, unless otherwise indicated by the draft organizer.

What happens if I don't have enough cards for a 30-card deck, and I don't have enough Mana Convergence tokens?
Check with the tournament organizer if they have additional tokens. If you are unable to find any, use other tokens as substitutes.

Free for All

The Free for All mode is a four-player mode, where each player faces the others.

Setting up an Altered Multiplayer Free for All game
The setup for an Altered Multiplayer Free for All game is the same as for a Multiplayer 2v2 game, except that the placement of players around the table doesn't matter.

Victory conditions
The first player whose Hero and Companion Expeditions meet in the same Region wins the game.
If multiple players fulfill the victory conditions at the same time, first check if a player has advanced further than necessary. If so, that player wins the game. Otherwise, play a tiebreaker day in the Arena with only the players who have advanced the furthest.

Tiebreaker
Play an additional day with the following rule modifications:

• Players who didn't qualify for the tiebreaker leave the game. All other players keep their Hero and Companion Expeditions at their current position.
• From a rules perspective, Expeditions that were facing one of these players now face the other (you can then have a Companion Expedition facing a Hero Expedition).
• During Dusk, each player totals the statistics of their Characters for each type of Region in the Arena (Forest, Mountain and Water).
• For each of these regions, check if a player has a total higher than all others.
• The player who surpasses all others in the most region types wins the game.
• In case of an additional tie, play a new tiebreaker day with only the players having the best totals, until a player is declared the winner.

++Example
In this example, the fact that Bob and Camille did better than Alice in Forest and Mountain doesn't matter, because neither of them has the highest score in Mountain or Forest. Alice wins.++

First player effects
Effects that activate "if you are the first player" (Akesha & Taru, Kojo & Booda, Lindiwe & Maw) only activate if you have the first player token.

Interactions with other players
It is forbidden to show your hand of cards to another player.
Communication between players (and its limits) may vary depending on the context. A tournament may prohibit any form of communication, while another table may allow any information, as long as it is transparent and understandable by all players, and others may still allow coded messages. Players should ensure agreement at the beginning of the game.

Clarifications
When a card mentions "targeted expedition" or "targeted character", this can refer to any Expedition or Character.

When a card mentions "targeted opponent", choose one of your opponents.

When a card mentions "your opponent", it refers to all your opponents.

Multiplayer 2v2 (Game Mode)

Multiplayer mode is a fun and more social way to play Altered, where you can play with more than 2 players. It is a constructed format, which means you need to build a deck in advance and bring it to the game.

Multiplayer mode can be played in several ways:

In 2v2, you and your teammate face another team, and the team whose Hero and Companion meet first wins the game.
Free for All, you face all other players, but you can only race with two of them: the player on your right and the player on your left.

You win when you are the first to make your Hero and Companion meet.
Deck building rules in multiplayer mode
Multiplayer decks in Altered follow the standard deck building rules. Players can play with any Hero of their choice, which means that two players can choose the same Hero.

• A deck must contain a minimum of 39 non-Hero cards plus exactly 1 Hero card.
• Token cards do not count towards the deck minimum. If you have Token cards, they start outside your deck.
• All cards in your deck must belong to the same faction as your Hero card.
• You can have a maximum of 3 copies of a card with the same name, regardless of its rarity.
• You can have a maximum of 15 Rare cards in your deck.
  You can have a maximum of 3 Unique cards in your deck.

2v2
The 2v2 mode is a four-player mode, with two teams of two players.

Setting up an Altered multiplayer game in 2v2

• Form two teams, with players from the same team sitting opposite each other.
• Then randomly determine the first player.
• Place two Hero Region cards facing each other. Do the same with the Companion Region cards.
• Take two sets of Tumult cards. Form three piles, each containing two identical Tumult cards, then shuffle the three piles.
• Take the first pile: place one card next to the Hero card, and the other next to the other Hero card. Do the same with the second pile next to the Companion cards. Place the last two cards in the center, side by side.

You can now start the first day. Players take turns clockwise until everyone has passed.
Each player faces a different opponent for each of their Expeditions.
When a player reaches one of the central Tumult cards, turn both cards face up. Place the second card in the opposite direction to the first, so that the two unique region types are on each side.
The Expedition markers continue to move towards each other, following the indicated path.

Victory conditions
The first player whose Hero and Companion Expeditions meet in the same Region wins the game for their team.
If two players from different teams fulfill the victory conditions at the same time, first check if one of the players has advanced further than necessary. If so, their team wins the game; otherwise, play a tiebreaker day in the Arena.
If three players fulfill the victory conditions, the two allied players win the game.
If all four players fulfill the victory conditions and one team has at least one additional advance over the other, that team wins the game; otherwise, play a tiebreaker day in the Arena.

Tiebreaker
Play an additional day with the following rule modification: during Dusk, each team totals the statistics of its Characters for each type of Region in the Arena (Forest, Mountain and Water). The team that beats its opponent in the most region types wins the game.
In case of an additional tie, play a new tiebreaker day until a team is declared the winner.

First player effects
Effects that activate if you are the first player (Akesha & Taru, Kojo & Booda, Lindiwe & Maw) activate if one of the team members has the first player token.

Interactions with your teammate
It is forbidden to show your hand of cards to your teammate.
Communication between players (and its limits) may vary depending on the context. A tournament may prohibit any form of communication, while another table may allow any information as long as it is transparent and understandable by both teams. Some may still allow coded messages. Players should ensure agreement at the beginning of the game.
It is not possible to directly play a card in your teammate's Expedition or Landmark Zone. However, some effects or abilities may allow creating tokens, for example.

Clarifications
When a card mentions "targeted expedition" or "targeted character", this can refer to any allied or enemy Expedition or Character.

When a card mentions "in your Expedition" or a Character "you control", this only applies to your side of the board, not your teammate's.

When a card mentions "targeted opponent", choose one of your opponents.

When a card mentions "your opponent", it refers to each of your opponents.

You can only sacrifice cards you control, not those controlled by your teammate.

Standard (Game Mode)

The Standard format is a game mode in which players build a deck in advance and bring it to the game. Players choose their favorite Hero or faction and build a deck following the strategies they like best. Standard is the classic Altered experience, recommended for new players and tournaments. This format requires players to bring their own deck to any event.

Standard format is played 1 vs 1. A Standard event can accommodate any number of players. Both players must have a deck that respects the deck construction rules specific to this format.

Standard decks in Altered must follow these guidelines:

• A deck must contain a minimum of 39 non-Hero cards plus exactly 1 Hero card. (Token cards do not count towards the deck minimum. If you have Token cards to use with your deck, they start outside your deck.)
• All cards in your deck must belong to the same faction as your Hero card.
• You can have a maximum of 3 copies of a card with the same name, regardless of its rarity.
• You can have a maximum of 15 Rare cards in your deck.
• You can have a maximum of 3 Unique cards in your deck.

Recommendations for Standard tournament structure:
Structure: Best of three
Round time: 50 minutes
Number of rounds: 3
Advantages: More competition-oriented, fewer rounds in total/more time in play.

Structure: Best of one
Round time: 30 minutes
Number of rounds: 4

Sealed Format (Game Mode)
Sealed Decks are played 1 vs 1 but can accommodate any number of players. Each player receives 7 Altered boosters. Players must build their decks using only the cards contained in these boosters. Sealed decks must contain at least 30 cards. After deck construction, players compete in a series of Swiss rounds.

Decks built for the Sealed format must follow these guidelines:

• A deck must contain a minimum of 30 cards.
• Token cards do not count towards the deck minimum. If you have Token cards to accompany your deck, they start outside your deck.
• You can play cards from up to three different factions.
• A deck may include one Hero card. If so, it counts towards the 30-card minimum.
• Your Hero must belong to one of the factions in your deck.
• You can choose not to play a Hero card.
• There is no restriction on the number of cards with the same name you can play in your deck.
• There is no restriction on the number of rare or unique cards you can play in your deck.

Recommendations for Sealed Deck Tournament Structure:

• Structure: Best of one game
• Number of rounds: 4
• Time for deck construction: 30 minutes
• Round time: 30 minutes
• Number of players: Any number

Should I play a Hero card in my deck?
It is not mandatory to play a Hero card in limited formats like Booster Draft or Sealed, but it is often preferable to play one in one of the factions of your deck rather than not playing one at all.

When should I scan my cards and add them to my digital collection?
During deck construction, at any time before playing against your first opponent, unless otherwise indicated by the event organizer.

Can I change my deck between games?
Players can freely modify their deck using their pool of opened cards between games when playing in limited formats.