The Martial Way

The Martial Way is a head-to-head martial arts card game where each deck represents a different fighting discipline. Rather than simply applying thematic art and names, the mechanics for each style are designed to reflect the strategies, strengths, and weaknesses of that martial art. The result is a set of decks that each offer a distinct tactical experience while remaining balanced in competitive play.

Players manage a hand of attack and defense cards, a limited ADR resource system, and the risks of exertion — pushing their deck too hard can mean running out of options at a critical moment. Matches are played in short rounds, with victory coming either from reducing an opponent’s health to zero or forcing them into a position where they can’t mount a meaningful response. The system encourages both long-term planning and tactical adaptation, with every style offering a different rhythm of play.

—description from the publisher