The collectible card game landscape is seeing increased competition, with several titles vying for attention. Among them, World of Kylia's Ascendant, which recently marked its second anniversary, presents a unique blend of TCG strategy and the uncertainty of Dungeons & Dragons-style dice battles.
Ascendant was developed by iQ Pictures, a local Washington company. The game is set in the world of Kylia, an inhabitable planet in a distant galaxy known for its valuable plasma-like substance called Genki. Kylia is populated by various native and alien species across seven nations, originally conceived as the setting for a series of animated productions.
Unique Resource System and Dice Combat
Ascendant can be played in one-versus-one, two-versus-two, or battle royale formats. The game introduces a distinct resource system: the cost indicated on each card corresponds to the number of copies of that card required to put it into play. For instance, a card with a cost of '2' necessitates two copies of that card, while a cost of '8' requires eight. While hands have no upper limit and players draw a card each turn, this system encourages rapid card cycling.
Some cards also require the generation of additional resources through Generators, which can be tapped each turn to produce Genki. This resource can then be used to fuel various card abilities. Alternatively, players can construct decks that do not rely on Genki at all, focusing instead on other mechanics.
Combat in Ascendant involves a D20 roll for both attacker and defender. The player with the higher roll wins the combat. If the attacker is successful, the target takes damage equal to the difference between their rolls. Players begin with 70 life, and the last one standing wins. The complexity arises from the various ways players can modify their dice rolls through cards on the field, each offering potential bonuses or penalties.
The late game of Ascendant can see significant damage dealt in a single turn, with strategies involving card abilities and passive effects. Despite some mechanics, like 'Speed,' requiring initial study and frequent manual consultation, the game is relatively easy to pick up. The inherent randomness of the dice rolls allows newer players a chance to succeed, making Ascendant a compelling option for those seeking a new collectible card game.
