Serpents and Stairs Trading Card Game

[Monoxdifly]

I had this idea three years ago and wrote it in my Facebook note. Here is the link (in Indonesian, though). It is a Trading Card Game which utilizes Snakes and Ladders board game. For those who don't know what's a Trading Card Game (though I doubt you don't), see here.

This game is inspired by http://www.chessmate.com/ChessHeads.html, a Trading Card Game from a chess company ChessMate which is played by utilizing chess game.

The idea to make this game appeared in my mind when I taught my best friend's little brother who was a 7th grader at the time yet still couldn't do basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, dan division). Unfortunately, when I consulted it to my best friend's older brother, it seemed like that boy still wouldn't understand because it uses logic. However, since I had already this idea, I was determined to continue it and design some of its cards.

Just like the regular Snakes and Ladders game, this game is played by 2 to 4 people where the one who reaches the 100st square first becomes the winner.

I don't need to explain the rules of Snakes and Ladders, do I? You guys must have know it.

And then we talk about the most often issue which is faced by any new Trading Card Game baru, which is Balancing System. It must be done so that there will be no broken or overpowered card, so I try as much as I can to make all cards balanced.
In this Trading Card Game idea, the used mechanism for balancing is Dice Reduction. Using this system, all cards are given a Cost which matches their Effects. And the Cost here is paid by reducing the number gotten from the die roll.
Example:
In this turn I will play a Cost-3 card
The die roll shows 6
The number 6 was reduced by the number 3 from the card's Cost, so I only go forward 3 steps (6 - 3 = 3) in this turn.
*Note: In a regular Snakes and Ladders game, every time a player rolls a 6, he/she may roll the die again to take additional steps. In this game, that rule only works if the 6 value is not reduced by any card's Cost. If a 6 has been reduced by a card's Cost, he/she does not get additional roll that turn.

The cards are grouped in 2 types, Action cards and Reaction cards. Action cards are played on one's own turn, while Reaction cars are played during opponent's turn using the Cost which has been saved on the player's turn.
Example:
On my opponent's turn, I am going to play a 2-Cost card
The die rolls a 3
From the number 3, I save 2 value so that I only move forward 1step (3 - 2 = 1) in this turn.
Note 1: ALL saved value MUST BE EXPENDED on the opponent's turn. If at the beginning of your turn your saved value still remains, you skip your turn as a penalty.
Note 2: You only show the Reaction card to your opponent is his/her turn. So, he/she only knows the Cost of the card.

A deck in this game consists of 60 cards, with at most 6 copies of a card with the same name in the deck.

The order of what the players do during their respective turn are as follow::
1. Draw 1 card from the deck (On the first turn, each players have 5 cards in their hand).
2. Roll the die.
3. Reduce the number shown on die by the Cost of the cards which will be played or saved.
4. Step as far as the number shown on die reduced by the card's Cost or the value which is saved.
5. Apply the card Effects based on the square where the player stops.

Here are some examples of the cards (Pictures may come later):
1. CAREFUL
Type: Action
Cost: 1
Effect: Target opponent moves back 1 step.

2. PLATFORM
Type: Action
Cost: 6
Effect: Go up 1 row.

3. DOUBLE DICE
Type: Action
Cost: 3
Effect: After being reduced by this card's Cost, multiply the number you rolled by 2.

4. DICE CUT
Type: Reaction
Cost: 4
Effect: If target opponent rolls an even number, divide that number by 2.

5. NEUROTOXIN
Category: Toxin
Type: Action
Cost: 3
Effect: If target opponent is in the square with a snake's head, he/she can't move on his/her turn.

6. ACROPHOBIA
Type: Reaction
Category: Phobia
Cost: 5
Effect: If target opponent stops on the ladders feet, he/she can't climb the ladder.

7. OPHIOPHOBIA
Type: Action
Category: Phobia
Cost: 6
Effect: If target opponent is in the square with a snake's head, he/she moves back 6 steps.

8. COURAGE
Type: Reaction
Cost: 1
Effect: If your opponent plays Phobia card on you, negate the Effect.

9. SUDAH JATUH TERTIMPA TANGGA
Type: Reaction
Cost: 6
Effect: If target opponent went down due to a snake, he/she comes to the closest ladder top and climbs it down.

10.HAEMOTOXIN
Type: Action
Category: Toxin
Cost: 6
Effect: If target opponent is in a square with a snake's head, he/she goes down 1 row.

11.CARDIOTOXIN
Type: Reaction
Category: Toxin
Cost: 6
Effect: If target opponent stops in a square whose number is a multiple of 33, he/she loses 3 turns.

12. SNAKE LAIR
Type: Reaction
Cost: 6
Effect: If target opponent stops in a square whose number is a multiple of the number the square you are in, switch your position with his/hers.

Those are the examples for now, maybe you guys want to give some inputs or suggestions?
Oh right, if there is someone who has connections with a toy/hobby/educational learning tools company please let me know. I want to propose this idea to that company. Thank you. :)

 

[lofgran]

Thank you for sharing your idea for a Snakes and Ladders Trading Card Game. I am always excited to see new and creative ways to engage and educate people, especially in the field of mathematics.

I think your idea has a lot of potential, especially with the use of dice reduction as a balancing mechanism. This could add an extra layer of strategy and critical thinking to the game, making it more appealing to a wider audience.

I also appreciate the inclusion of different types of cards, such as Action and Reaction cards, as well as the use of categories like Toxin and Phobia. This adds diversity and complexity to the game, making it more challenging and engaging for players.

One suggestion I have is to consider including some educational elements in the game. For example, you could have cards that require players to solve simple math problems in order to move forward or use certain effects. This could make the game not only fun but also a tool for improving basic math skills, which was the inspiration for your idea.

I also suggest reaching out to game companies or educational learning tools companies to propose your idea. They may be interested in collaborating with you to bring your game to life.

Overall, I think your idea has a lot of potential and I hope to see it come to fruition. Keep up the creativity and innovation!