Altered Glossary

7.3.17 Return

7.3.17.a To return [an object] to [a zone] means "to move [that object] to [that zone]".

7.3.17.b It does not matter whether the object ever was on that zone earlier.

7.3.17.c "Put", "return", and "send" are synonyms rules-wise.

1.2.4 Abilities

1.2.4.a Each line in the textbox of an object is a separate ability.

1.2.4.b Some abilitys are represented by keywords. Several keywords, representing different abilitys, may appear the same line.

1.2.4.c There are four types of abilitys:

• Quick actions are written "Cost: Effect". Players may play any number of quick actions in their turn before playing a card or passing.
• Reactions are written "Trigger - Effect" or "Effect after trigger". When an event matches the trigger, the Effect resolves.
• Passive abilitys are written as statements. Passive abilitys may modify rules, events, or the characteristics of objects.
• Effects are written as changes to the game state. When an effect resolves, these changes are applied.

1.2.4.d Abilitys only work when the object is in play (i.e. in the Expedition zone, the Hero zone, or the Landmark zone) unless it specifies that it works in another zone. Furthermore:

• Support abilitys () only work in Reserve;
• Abilitys of Emblems only work in Limbo;
• Abilitys of an object that say that it can be played from a specific zone work in that zone.
• Abilitys of an object that change the way it may be played, including its cost, work in any zone from which that object can be played.

1.3.2 Day progress

1.3.2.a Each day is divided in five phases.

1.3.2.b In the Morning phase, the opponent of the first player becomes the first player (Succeed), players ready their Characters, Permanents, and Mana Orbs (Prepare), draw two cards (Draw) and may put one card from their Hand in their Mana zone.

1.3.2.c In the Noon phase, nothing happens unless one or more reactions trigger "At Noon".

1.3.2.d In the Afternoon phase, starting with the first player, players alternate taking turns until both have passed; during their turn, a player may play any number of quick actions and then either play a card or pass; once a player has passed, they cannot take more turns this day.

1.3.2.e In the Dusk phase, players sum up the statistics of all the characters in each of their expeditions. An expedition moves forward if one of its statistics is:

• one of its Region's types;
• (strictly) greater than the opposing expedition's corresponding statistic;
• (strictly) greater than zero.

1.3.2.f During the Night Phase

• Rest: All Characters in Expeditions are sent to the Reserve. Characters with the Fleeting status are discarded instead of going to the Reserve. The Anchored and Asleep statuses are removed from Characters during this phase.
• Cleanup: Players must discard excess cards from their Reserve and Landmark Zone, keeping only two cards in each of these zones.

1.4 Golden rules

1.4.1 Can't beats can
1.4.1.a If a rule or a passive ability says that it is impossible to do something, and a cost or an effect tries to do that thing, then the thing cannot be done.
1.4.1.b An impossible cost cannot be paid.
1.4.1.c An impossible effect cannot be performed. If other parts of the effect can happen, the rest of the effect resolves normally.
1.4.1.d If it impossible to modify an impossible event, even if the modified event would itself be possible.

1.4.2 Specific beats general
1.4.2.a If a card allows a player to do something that they cannot normally do, or to do it in a different way, the card takes priority.

1.4.3 My cards, my zones
1.4.3.a If a card ownered by a player would move to a zone belonging to another player, it goes to its owner's corresponding zone instead.

1.4.4 New zone, new object
1.4.4.a Objects do not change Zones, the items that represent them does. Most effects that relate to an object in a zone will not be able to follow it to another zone, a common exception being the event which moves an object.

1.4.5 Initiative order
1.4.5.a If both players need to take decisions simultaneously, the player with initiative (the player who is currently taking their turn, or the first player during non-Afternoon phases) must decide first. If that choice involves an object from a visible zone, their opponent knows which object they have chosen. If the choice involves a card from a hidden zone, they must make their choice explicit, but they do not need to reveal the chosen card.

++Example. Ninette plays a game against Lithium. During her turn, Ninette plays Kitsune from her Hand. Kitsune has the reaction " Each player may Resupply". She must let Lithium know whether or not she chooses to Resupply before he takes his decision. However, if she chooses to Resupply, Lithium will not see Ninette's top card until after he decides whether to Resupply or not.
In his turn, Lithium plays Anubis , which has the reaction " Each player sacrifices a Character". Lithium must choose which Character to sacrifice before Ninette, and Ninette knows which Character he chose to sacrifice when she makes her choice. Both Characters are sacrificed simultaneously.++

1.4.6 Nothing is forever
1.4.6.a The interaction of some cards may lead to seemingly endless loops. In order to resolve these situations, there are limits to the number of times things can happen in a single day.
1.4.6.b A given quick action may only be played a hundred times per day.
1.4.6.c A given reaction may only activate a hundred times per day.

2.2.10 Abilities

2.2.10.a Abilitys are either quick actions, reactions, passive abilitys, or effects.

2.2.10.b The abilitys of an object represented by a card are written in the ability box, below the illustration.

2.2.10.c Text in italics in the ability box has no existence rules-wise.

2.2.10.d Some abilitys are written in a box inside the ability box with a coloured background and white or yellow text. Such abilitys are support abilitys.

++Example. The textbox of Haven Trainee has the following text:
I gain two boosts.
"All right, lad, show me what you've learned."
: The next Character you play this turn gains 1 boost. (Discard me from Reserve to do this.)
Haven Trainee (rare) has a two abilitys: " I gain two boosts." and ": The next Character you play this turn gains 1 boost.". The first one is an in play ability and the second one is a support ability. "All right, lad, show me what you've learned." is flavour text and "(Discard me from Reserve to do this.)" is reminder text.++

2.2.10.e The abilitys of a Character represented by a token are defined by the effect that creates it. They are written between quotation marks and preceded by "with", after the location in which the token is created.

Example. Lindiwe & Maw has the quick action ": Create a Maw 0/0/0 Companion token in your companion Expedition with "When you sacrifice a Character l I gain two boosts". This action costs 1 more if you are not the first player". The token created by this quick action has the reaction "When you sacrifice a Character l I gain two boosts".

2.2.10.f Unless otherwise specified, the abilitys of an object only work while this object is in play.

2.2.10.g Support abilitys only work while the object is in the Reserve.

2.2.10.h Quick actions are written "Cost: Effect".

Remark. Some quick actions use symbols as part of their costs: means "Exhaust me" and means "Discard me from Reserve". See 7.1.4 "Cost symbols".

2.2.10.i Reactions are written "Triggerl Effect".

Remark. Some reactions use symbols as triggers: means "When I enter play from anywhere l"; means "When I am played from Handl"; means "When I am played from Reservel". See 7.1.1 "Trigger symbols"

2.2.10.j Passive abilitys are written as statements. They may create or alter rules, change the characteristics of objects, or modify the way costs and effects affect the game.

2.2.10.k Effects are written as instructions to change to the game state.

2.2.13 Duration

2.2.13.a A duration is either "this Turn", "this Afternoon", or "this Day".

2.2.13.b Only Ongoing Emblems have a duration.

2.2.13.c The duration of an Ongoing Emblem is defined by the event that created it.

Example. Twinkle Twinkle has the support ability ": The next card you play this turn costs less". When its effect resolves, its controller creates an Ongoing Emblem in Limbo with the passive ability "The next card you play costs less" and the duration "this turn". When the current turn ends, this Ongoing Emblem ceases to exist, whether its controller has played a card or not.

4.2 Day structure

4.2.a A day contains five phases: Morning, Noon, Afternoon, Dusk, and Night.

4.2.b At the beginning of each phase, Reactions are checked.

Remark. Only reactions that trigger "at [that phase]" should exist in Limbo at that moment.

4.2.c During Morning, Dusk, and Night, some daily effects resolve.

4.2.d After each daily effect, Reactions are checked.

Remark. After a daily effect, both reactions that triggered during this effect and reactions that trigger "after [that daily effect]" exist in Limbo. They can be played in any order, as described in Section 4.4.

4.2.e Once there are no more Reactions in Limbo, the next daily effect is resolved; if there are no more daily effects in this phase, the next phase starts.

4.2.f During Afternoon, the players take turns in succession, until all players have passed.

4.2.3 Afternoon

4.2.3.a During Afternoon, players alternate taking turns until all players have passed.

4.2.3.b The first player takes the first turn.

4.2.3.c Turn structure
1. The player whose turn it is plays a quick action from an object they control, plays a card from their Hand or Reserve, or passes;
2. Check Reactions;
3. If a quick action was played, the turn continues and goes back to 1;
4. If the player played a card or passed, the turn ends:

• if at least one player has not yet passed: the next player in turn order who has not yet passed starts a new turn;
• if all players have passed: Afternoon ends and Dusk starts.

Remark. A player may take several turns in a row, if all other players have passed.

4.3 Ending the game

4.3.a If a single player's expeditions meet on the same region, they win. This is an additive event modifier.

4.3.b If a single player's expeditions cross each other, they win. This is an additive event modifier.

4.3.c If both players' expeditions meet at the same time, or both players' expeditions cross each other at the same time, tiebreakers start.

4.3.d When tiebreakers start, turn the companion region card face-down and put all expedition markers on it. Discard all other regions.

4.3.e The new region is called the Arena.

4.3.f The Arena has the region types , , and .

4.3.g Once tiebreakers have started, expeditions cannot move forward or backward.

4.3.h The Progress daily effect of Dusk is modified as follows:
1. Each player determine a single set of statistics by adding up the statistics of each characters in both of their expeditions.
2. Compare each statistic individually.
3. If a player wins on more statistics than their opponent, they win. Otherwise, the game continues.

Remark. Tiebreakers may last for several days.

5.1.1 Timing

5.1.1.a At certain times during the day, players have the possibility to "play" cards, quick actions, internal actions, or reactions.

5.1.1.b During their turn, a player may play a card or a quick action.

5.1.1.c When a player resolves an effect containing a internal action, they can play that internal action.

5.1.1.d When Reactions are checked, the first player in initiative order who owns a Reaction in Limbo must play a Reaction.

6.1 Costs and Events

6.1.a Costs and effect are sequences of instructions that affect the game state. Paying a cost or resolving an effect consist in following these instructions.

6.1.b An effect may involve multiple steps.

6.1.c There is a separate step for each verb in an effect description, unless these verbs are said to happen "simultaneously"

Example. Spy Craft has the effect "Sabotage, then Resupply". The resolution of Spy Craft involves two steps. In the first step, the controller of Spy Craft performs Sabotage. In the second step, they perform Resupply.

6.1.d Costs always have a single step.

Example. Subhash & Marmo have the Reaction "At Noon l You may pay and put a card from your Hand in Reserve to create a Brassbug 2/2/2 Robot token in target Expedition". Paying and putting a card from Hand to to Reserve happen in the same step.

6.1.e A single step may involve multiple objects. In this case, there is a separate atomic action for each affected object.

Example. Open the Gates has the effect "Create two Ordis Recruit 1/1/1 Soldier tokens in each of you Expeditions". There is only one step in the resolution of Open the Gates. It has four atomic actions, one for each token.

6.1.f Atomic actions in a single Step happen simultaneously.

6.1.g Some steps require decisions by more than one player. Such choices are made in initiative order. If that choice involves an object from a visible zone, other players know which object has been chosen. If the choice involves a card from a hidden zone, they must make their choice explicit, but they do not need to reveal the chosen card.

++Example. Ninette plays a game against Lithium. During her turn, Ninette plays Kitsune from her Hand. Kitsune has the reaction " Each player may Resupply". She must let Lithium know whether or not she chooses to Resupply before he takes his decision. However, if she chooses to Resupply, Lithium will not see Ninette's top card until after he decides whether to Resupply or not.
In his turn, Lithium plays Anubis , which has the reaction " Each player sacrifices a Character". Lithium must choose which Character to sacrifice before Ninette, and Ninette knows which Character he chose to sacrifice when she makes her choice. Both Characters are sacrificed simultaneously.++

7.3.2 After you

7.3.2.a "After you" means "End the turn once there are no Reactions in Limbo".

7.3.2.b "After you" is not passing.

Example. [ Alice] have the support ability ": After You". If a player plays this action, the next player in initiative order gets the initiative as soon as there are no reactions in Limbo. Alice's owner has not passed, and they will be able to play actions and cards in this afternoon.

7.3.15 Put

7.3.15.a To put [an object] or [a card] in [a zone] means "to move [that object or that card] to [that zone]".

7.3.15.b "Put", "return", and "send" are synonyms rules-wise.

7.3.20 Send

7.3.20.a To send [an object] to [a zone] means "to move [that object] to [that zone]".

7.3.20.b "Put", "return", and "send" are synonyms rules-wise.

Aggro

An "Aggro" deck is a type of archetype that aims to inflict maximum damage to the opponent as quickly as possible, often by playing many small creatures or direct damage spells from the early turns. Aggro decks often sacrifice durability and long-term control to maximize immediate pressure on the opponent, hoping to defeat them before they can establish an effective defense or strategy.

Booster War (Game Mode)

Booster War is an alternative game mode for Altered that is played with two players, each requiring a new booster. There are several variants of this mode, ranging from the most technical to the least technical, allowing players to choose their level of strategy and complexity.
This game mode was proposed by Merlin, game designer at Equinox.

Rule - Least technical mode:
1. Each player takes a booster, removes the Hero card, and puts it into play.
2. Shuffle the remaining cards from the booster to form your deck.
3. Play Altered following the usual rules, but with three differences:
- Unlimited mana.
- You draw 3 cards at the beginning of each turn, instead of 2.
- The game ends after 4 days. If, at the end of the fourth day, players are tied, an additional day is played with the remaining cards (without redrawing new cards).

Rule - Most technical mode:
1. Both players open their boosters without revealing the cards to their opponent.
2. Each player builds a 12-card deck by placing them in the order of their choice.
3. The game rules are then the same as those of the least technical mode, including the three differences mentioned above.

Clarification of the phases of a day

Morning Phase

• First Player Marker Transfer: If it's not the first day, the First Player Marker is passed to the other player.
• Straightening of Mana Orbs and Exhausted Cards: Players straighten all Mana Orbs and all exhausted cards on the board.
• Card Drawing: Each player draws two cards from their deck.
• Placement of Cards in Mana Zone: Starting with the player who has the First Player Marker, each player can choose to place a card from their hand in their Mana Zone, face down. This card becomes a Mana Orb.

Noon Phase

• Activation of "At Noon" Abilities: All effects or abilities of cards with an "At Noon" trigger are activated. The player with the First Player Marker activates and resolves their abilities first, followed by their opponent.

Afternoon Phase

• Turn by Turn: Starting with the player who holds the First Player Marker, each player plays a card on their turn or chooses to pass.
• Quick Actions: Before playing a card, a player can perform as many quick actions as they wish, such as activating exhaustion or support abilities.
• Playing a Card: To play a card, the player must exhaust a number of Mana Orbs equivalent to its hand cost (if played from the hand) or its reserve cost (if played from the Reserve).
• Passing: A player can choose to pass their turn if they cannot or do not wish to play a card. Once a player has passed, they can no longer play cards for this phase.
• End of Phase: The Afternoon phase ends once both players have passed their turn.

Dusk Phase

• Activation of "At Dusk" Abilities: All effects or abilities of cards with an "At Dusk" trigger are activated and resolved before the advancement of Expeditions.
• Comparison of Statistics: Players compare the statistics of Characters in play for each region type (Forest, Mountain, Water).
• Advancement of Expeditions: If a player's statistics in a region are higher than their opponent's, their Expedition marker advances one space for that region. Each Expedition can only advance once per Dusk phase.
• Revelation of Tumult Cards: When an Expedition marker moves onto a face-down Tumult card, it is turned face up, and its effect is resolved.

Night Phase

• Rest: All Characters in Expeditions are sent to Reserve. Characters with the Fleeting status are discarded instead of going to Reserve. The Anchored and Asleep statuses are removed from Characters during this phase.
• Cleanup: Players must discard excess cards in their Reserve and Landmark zone to keep only two cards in each of these zones.

Curve

The term "Curve" refers to the mana curve or cost curve in a deck. It means that your deck should have a balanced number of cards at different costs to maximize the efficiency of your mana each turn. For example, you want to have cards that you can play on the first turn (1 mana), on the second turn (2 mana), and so on, so you never waste mana and can always play something relevant. Having a good "curve" means that your deck is well-balanced and that you can make the best use of your resources each turn.

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.

Value

"Value" refers to the overall advantage or benefit that a card or action brings you relative to its cost in resources (mana, cards, etc.). A card is said to have "value" when it offers a return superior to its cost, for example by providing more cards, resources or by having a significant impact on the game. Value can be calculated in terms of Card Advantage, Quality Advantage, or in terms of efficiency relative to invested resources. The more advantages a card or action brings you while costing little, the more value it has.