Pocket Paragons is a two-player card game released in 2020 by Solis Game Studio. It falls under the categories of bluffing, fantasy, fighting, and card game. The game is designed for players aged 13 and above, with a playtime ranging from 3 to 15 minutes.
Game Components of Pocket Paragons
Characters and Cards: Each player chooses a character and receives a deck of seven cards, including the character card, Ultimate card, and five ability cards.HP and Energy Dials: Players use dials or dice to track their health (HP) and energy.Ability Cards: Cards include various abilities such as Agility, Intelligence, Strength, Defend, Rest, and Weapon cards.AI Deck (Solo Mode): For solo play, an AI deck is used to simulate opponent moves.
How To Setup Pocket Paragons
To set up the game, players choose their characters and take their corresponding decks. Each player sets aside their character card and Ultimate card, while the other five cards form their starting hand. Players begin with ten health and zero energy.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Simultaneous Card Play: Players select a card to play simultaneously and reveal them.Countering Mechanic: Agility counters Intelligence, Intelligence counters Strength, and Strength counters Agility. If a card is countered, it is returned to the player’s hand, and the counterer gains energy.Damage Resolution: If a card is not countered, it resolves any damage or effects.Rest and Execute: Playing a Rest card allows a player to ready all exhausted cards but risks being executed by an opponent’s Weapon card if played simultaneously.Ultimate Cards: When a player has enough energy, they can use their Ultimate card, which can be a new attack, a passive ability, or other game-changing effects.Winning Condition: The game ends when a player’s health reaches zero or if they are executed.
Player Experience
Pocket Paragons is known for its quick and intense gameplay, often lasting less than 10 minutes. Players must predict their opponent’s moves, creating a mental game of strategy and anticipation. The game encourages “hard reads” – predicting and countering an opponent’s moves to gain an advantage. The addition of solo mode and team play (Conquest format) adds variety and replayability.
Pros
Quick Gameplay: Games are over in under 15 minutes.High Strategy: Requires predicting opponent’s moves and counter-strategies.Variety of Characters: Each character has unique abilities, offering different play styles.Solo Mode: Includes a solo mode with an AI deck for solo play.Portable: The game is compact and easy to transport.
Cons
Limited Luck: The game relies heavily on strategy and prediction, which may not appeal to players who prefer luck-based elements.Complex Strategy: While the rules are simple, the depth of strategy can be overwhelming for some players.
Personal Thoughts on Pocket Paragons
Pocket Paragons is ideal for players looking for a quick, strategic dueling game. It’s perfect for those who enjoy mind games and predicting their opponents’ moves, similar to the complexity found in fighting games. The game’s short playtime and varied characters make it a great addition to any collection, especially for fans of card games and competitive strategy. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer games with a significant element of luck or more casual gameplay.
We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.
