FC TCG - OFFICIAL RULES - FOOTBALL CLUB TRADING CARD GAME

Isthmus City's FC Trading Card Game: 

FC TCG: THE OFFICIAL RULEBOOK

"The Beautiful Game, In Your Hands" Created by Isthmus City FC - March 2026

1. THE OBJECTIVE

The goal of FC TCG is to be the first player to score 3 Goals. A Goal is scored by successfully defeating your opponent’s Active Player (the Goalkeeper) or by depleting their Energy Deck.

2. DECK CONSTRUCTION

To play a standard match, each player needs:

• The Squad Deck (60 Cards): Must include at least 11 Player Cards (Forwards, Midfielders, Defenders).

• The Energy Deck (20 Cards): Contains "Stamina" or "Momentum" cards used to power attacks.

• The Bench: A maximum of 5 cards can be on your "Bench" at any time.

3. CARD TYPES

Based on the Isthmus City FC cards (e.g., Syrcuse Lomambe, Elpidio Placca), there are four primary categories:

Card Type	Role in Game
Goalkeeper (GK)	Your "Active Player." If their HP hits 0, the opponent scores a Goal.
Field Players	Defenders (DF), Midfielders (MF), and Forwards (FW) who reside on the Bench to provide support or swap into the Active slot.
Trainer/Tactic Cards	One-time use "Playbook" cards (e.g., "Squad Goals") that provide instant buffs or disrupt the opponent.
Energy Cards	Attached to Players to enable their specific skills (e.g., "Divine Brick Wall").

4. GAME SETUP

1. Kick-Off: Flip an ICFC Coin. The winner chooses to go first or second.

2. The Formation: Place 1 Goalkeeper in the Active Slot. Place up to 5 Players on the Bench.

3. Opening Hand: Draw 7 cards from your Squad Deck.

4. Energy: Both players place their 20-card Energy Deck to the side.

5. THE PITCH (FIELD LAYOUT)

• Active Slot (The Goal): This is where your Goalkeeper (or current primary defender) sits.

• The Bench (The Field): Where your supporting players live. They can use "Abilities" from here, but generally cannot attack unless moved to the Active Slot.

• The Discard Pile (The Locker Room): Where used Tactics and defeated Players go.

6. TURN STRUCTURE

Each turn follows these phases:

I. Draw Phase

Draw 1 card from your Squad Deck and 1 card from your Energy Deck.

II. Action Phase (In any order)

• Play Players: Put a Player card from your hand onto your Bench.

• Attach Energy: Attach 1 Energy card to a Player (Active or Bench).

• Use Abilities: Activate "Once per turn" abilities (e.g., Elpidio Placca's Rapid-Clutch Shift).

• Tactics: Play as many Trainer/Tactic cards as you wish.

III. Attack Phase

Declare an attack from your Active Player.

• Check the Energy cost.

• Calculate damage (e.g., Sky-High Goal Kick does 120 damage).

• Apply Weakness/Resistance (e.g., Cleats x2 damage).

• Scoring: If the opponent's Active Player's HP reaches 0, they are "Sent Off" (Discarded). You score 1 Goal. Your opponent must immediately move a player from their Bench to the Active Slot.

7. KEY MECHANICS & TERMINOLOGY

"First Session" Cards: In the ICFC set, these are limited edition cards that often have higher HP or lower retreat costs, signifying the club's founding era.

• Retreat/Substitution: You may pay the "Retreat Cost" (discarding Energy) to swap your Active Player with a Benched Player.

• Special Conditions:

  • Yellow Card (Paralyzed): The player cannot attack or retreat for 1 turn.

  • Red Card (Knock Out): The player is discarded; the opponent scores a goal.

• Abilities vs. Attacks: Abilities (like Settle & Fake) do not end your turn. Attacks end your turn immediately.

8. UNIVERSAL ADAPTABILITY

While Isthmus City FC uses the Madison State Capitol and Wisconsin Map icons, any club can adapt this by:

1. Regional Icons: Replacing the map with their own city/state outline.

2. Club Lore: Using local landmarks in the Trainer/Tactic card backgrounds.

3. The "Merit" System: To align with ICFC's mission, "Elite" rarity cards are earned by players through on-field performance or community milestones, ensuring the game reflects the real-world club.

9. THE ASCENSION MECHANIC (CAREER PROGRESSION)

To fulfill the Isthmus City FC mission of merit-based professional growth, the FC TCG features a unique Legacy Power system. As a player moves up the professional ladder (e.g., from ICFC to a higher-tier league or national team), their early-career cards gain "Veteran Status."

The "Pro-Buff" Damage Multiplier

If a player featured on a card moves to a higher-level professional league (as verified by the official FC TCG Global Registry):

• The Origin Bonus: All attacks on that player's "First Session" or "Academy" cards receive a permanent +20 Damage boost for every level of professional ascension achieved.

• Collector Rarity: This ensures that "Early Era" cards (like the current Syrcuse Lomambe or Elpidio Placca prints) become significantly more powerful in gameplay than later "Veteran" prints, making them the most sought-after assets in the game.

The "Scout" Strategy

Players are encouraged to collect "First Session" cards of young prospects. If that prospect becomes a global star, your deck becomes mathematically superior to newer decks, rewarding the "Early Believers" and local fans who supported the club from the start.

10. REVISED RULEBOOK (SUMMARY)

1. THE OBJECTIVE

Be the first to score 3 Goals by defeating the opponent's Active Player or depleting their Energy Deck.

2. DECK CONSTRUCTION

• Squad Deck (60 Cards): Minimum 11 Players.

• Energy Deck (20 Cards): Powers your attacks and abilities.

• The Bench: Max 5 players who support the Active Player.

3. CARD TYPES

Card Type	Role
Goalkeeper (GK)	The primary "Active Player." If HP hits 0, a Goal is scored.
Field Players	DF, MF, FW cards. Use abilities from the bench or swap into the Active Slot.
Trainer/Tactics	Instant "Playbook" moves (e.g., Squad Goals).
Energy Cards	Attached to players to unlock attacks like Divine Brick Wall.

4. TURN STRUCTURE

1. Draw Phase: Draw 1 Squad card and 1 Energy card.

2. Action Phase: Play players to the bench, attach Energy, and use non-attack Abilities (like Rapid-Clutch Shift).

3. Attack Phase: Use your Active Player’s attack. Apply Ascension Bonuses if the player has moved to a higher-tier pro team. Attacking ends your turn.

5. KEY TERMINOLOGY

• "First Session" Cards: Founding-era prints with unique holographic foils.

• Red Card (KO): Player is discarded; opponent scores a Goal.

• Yellow Card (Paralyzed): Player cannot attack or retreat for one turn.

• Substitution: Discard 1 Energy to swap your Active Player with a Benched Player.

11. UNIVERSAL CLUB ADAPTABILITY

The FC TCG is an "Open Engine" designed to sustain any club's top-flight aspirations:

• Local Lore: Replace the Madison Capitol or Isthmus Lakes backgrounds with your own city's landmarks.

• Merit-Based Proceeds: 100% of TCG secondary market fees and pack sales can be funneled directly into player salaries and facility upgrades, keeping the club's talent strictly merit-based.

This Ascension Chart serves as the official power-scaling guide for the FC TCG. It bridges the gap between a player's real-life career milestones and their in-game utility.

For collectors, this chart is the "Economic Engine"—it explains why a First Session card of a teenager playing in Madison, Wisconsin, could eventually become the most powerful (and valuable) card in the global game.

THE FC TCG ASCENSION & DAMAGE CHART

Applicable to all "First Session," "Origin," or "Academy" prints.

Professional Tier Reach	Real-World Example	Damage Bonus (Stackable)	HP Buff
Tier 1: Semi-Pro / State	UPSL, NPSL, Local State Leagues	+0 (Base)	+0
Tier 2: Regional Pro	USL League One, NISA, MLS Next Pro	+20 DMG	+10 HP
Tier 3: National Pro	USL Championship, MLS, Liga MX	+40 DMG	+30 HP
Tier 4: Global Elite	English Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga	+60 DMG	+50 HP
Tier 5: International Icon	FIFA World Cup Cap / Olympics	+80 DMG	+70 HP
Tier 6: Ballon d'Or Level	Winning a Golden Boot or Major Trophy	+100 DMG	+100 HP

How to Calculate "Legacy Power"

When a player moves up, you do not throw away the old card. You apply the Legacy Power formula to their original stats.

$$Total Damage = Base Damage + Ascension Bonus$$

Example: The "Syrcuse Lomambe" Effect

• Base Card: Syrcuse (Goalkeeper) has Sky-High Goal Kick at 120 DMG.

• The Move: If Syrcuse signs with a Tier 4 Global Elite club (e.g., in the Premier League), his "First Session" card from Madison suddenly hits for 180 DMG ($120 + 60$).

• The Result: The original ICFC card becomes a "Boss Card," far more efficient than a standard card printed later in his career.

Why This Matters for Football (Soccer) Clubs

1. True Meritocracy: Proceeds from these cards directly fund the "Top Teams," ensuring that if a player is good enough to ascend the chart, the club has the capital to support the next prospect in line.

2. The "Hometown Hero" Premium: Fans are incentivized to buy packs now to find the "Next Big Thing." A $5 pack today could contain a card that, through the Ascension Chart, becomes a $500 competitive masterpiece in three years.

3. Global Licensing: Any club (from Sunday League to Pro) can issue "Tier 1" cards. If their players are scouted, the original club's TCG ecosystem grows in value alongside the player