What Are Living Card Games?

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By Monica Bates

Living card games, or LCGs for short, are a unique type of collectible card game that have gained popularity in recent years. Unlike traditional collectible card games, LCGs offer a more controlled and predictable way to build your collection and play the game. In this article, we will explore what exactly living card games are, how they differ from other types of card games, and why they might be the right choice for you.

What are Living Card Games?

Living card games are a type of collectible card game (CCG) that were first introduced by Fantasy Flight Games in 2008 with their popular game “Android: Netrunner”. The basic idea behind LCGs is that they provide players with access to all the cards in the game without having to buy random booster packs or individual cards.

In an LCG, new expansions are released regularly and each expansion contains a fixed set of cards that can be purchased as a complete package. This means that players always know exactly what they are getting when they purchase an expansion and don’t have to worry about the randomness of booster packs.

How do Living Card Games differ from other types of Card Games?

There are several key differences between living card games and other types of collectible card games:

No Randomness: As mentioned earlier, LCGs eliminate the randomness associated with traditional CCGs by providing players with complete sets of cards in each expansion.

No Rare or Ultra-Rare Cards: Since there is no rarity system in LCGs, players don’t have to worry about spending large amounts of money trying to obtain rare or ultra-rare cards.

More Control: With LCGs, players have more control over their collection and can choose which expansions to purchase based on their own preferences.

Easier Entry Point: Since players can start playing an LCG with just a core set and don’t have to worry about buying individual cards or booster packs, it’s easier for new players to get into the game.

Why should you consider playing a Living Card Game?

If you’re looking for a collectible card game that provides more control and predictability over your collection, then living card games might be the right choice for you. Here are some reasons why you should consider playing an LCG:

More Affordable: Since there are no random booster packs or rare cards, living card games can be more affordable in the long run than traditional CCGs.

More Strategy: With complete sets of cards available in each expansion, players have more strategic options when building their decks and playing the game.

Easier to Collect: With no need to hunt down rare or ultra-rare cards, collecting an LCG is much easier and less stressful than collecting other types of CCGs.

New Content Regularly: Since new expansions are released regularly, LCGs offer a fresh and constantly evolving gameplay experience.

In Conclusion

Living card games offer a unique and refreshing take on collectible card games. By eliminating randomness and providing complete sets of cards in each expansion, LCGs provide players with more control over their collection and gameplay experience. If you’re looking for a collectible card game that is more affordable, strategic, and easy to collect than traditional CCGs, then living card games might be the perfect choice for you.