Deadlock Duel™️ — Game #1

A fast-paced, competitive card duel game set in a space western frontier. High-stakes, simultaneous showdowns where every decision matters. Matches are quick (~5–8 minutes), tactical, and highly replayable.

Core Objective

Reduce your opponent's Reputation (health) from 10 to 0 by winning rounds and dealing damage based on power differences.

Core Gameplay Loop (6-Phase Turn)

1. Draw Phase — Each player draws 1 card.
2. Play Phase — Players secretly select up to 2 cards from hand.
3. Reveal Phase — Simultaneous cinematic reveal.
4. Resolution Phase — Card effects resolve and Total Power is calculated.
5. Damage Phase — Higher Power wins the round; opponent takes damage equal to the difference.
6. Cleanup Phase — Played cards go to the graveyard.

Key Systems

• Deck Size: 20 cards (single archetype)
• Starting Hand: 5 cards | Max Hand: 7
• Card Structure: Power (1–10), Type Tags (Ballistic, Energy, Tech, Salvage, Support), Modifiers
• Archetypes:
  • Gunslingers — high power / precision
  • Outlaws — disruption / deception
  • Prospectors — resource / scaling

Strategic Depth

• Simultaneous play creates tension and bluffing
• Multi-card turns enable combos and mind games
• Graveyard system supports long-term strategy and recursion
• Archetype asymmetry encourages diverse playstyles

Unique Selling Points

• Cinematic reveal moment every turn
• Simple rules with deep strategy
• Fast matches ideal for mobile and competitive play
• Strong thematic identity (space western duels)

Status

Core mechanics defined and locked for MVP. Initial card set designed (20 cards across 3 archetypes). Ready for prototype implementation and playtesting. Next: in-engine prototype, playtesting/balance, expanded card pool and progression.