In board and card gaming, “deck-building” refers to a gameplay mechanic where players construct their own decks of cards before or during the game. Players start with a small, usually basic, set of cards and gradually acquire new cards from a common pool or through other game mechanics. These newly acquired cards are added to the player’s deck, which reshuffles and redraws cards as needed.

The goal of deck-building is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the player’s deck over the course of the game. This is often done by acquiring more powerful cards or by thinning out less useful ones. Deck-building games often involve a balance between acquiring new cards, managing resources, and using the cards in one’s hand to achieve specific objectives or victory conditions. Popular examples of deck-building games include Dominion, Legendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game, and Ascension.

Author’s note: I remember a game night where my friends and I delved into a new deck-building title. At first, we were all navigating the initial stages with cautious optimism, carefully selecting cards and trying to anticipate each other’s moves. As the game progressed, the diversity of strategies that emerged was fascinating. One player focused on rapid resource generation, while another honed in on a more defensive approach. In the end, it was a close call, and the game illustrated beautifully how deck-building games can offer both intricate planning and exciting unpredictability. It’s moments like these that reaffirm my passion for designing and exploring the world of board and card games.