Gameplay Basics

The Scape combines GPS-based exploration with tactical card battles. Players, known as The Traveler, navigate the world map to encounter Beasts and Faction NPCs, then engage in PvE card combat using their Action Deck.

Overview

• Player Role: The Traveler
• Core Loop: Explore → Engage → Card Battle → Rewards
• Exploration System: GPS-based location tracking
• Combat System: Turn-based card game with deck management and status effects

Exploration

• The Scape’s map is tied to the player’s real-world location.
• Encounters appear as:
  • Beasts — roaming monsters of the Scape.
  • Faction NPCs — soldiers and champions of the Scape’s factions.
• Selecting an encounter within range initiates a PvE card battle.

Combat

Turn Structure

Combat alternates between the Traveler’s turn and the enemy’s turn:

1. Traveler Turn
   • Draw 2 cards at the start of the turn.
   • Play Action Cards (Attack, Block, Heal, Special).
   • Playing an Action Card ends the turn (unless the card is Fast).
   • Cards can be Channeled for stronger effects.
2. Enemy Turn
   • Enemies automatically take their actions.
   • The Traveler can view an enemy’s upcoming move by tapping its portrait.
3. Rewards Phase
   • Defeating enemies grants Experience (EXP), Gear, and Materials.

Action Deck

• At the start of a battle, the Traveler draws 5 cards.
• At the beginning of each turn, draw 2 additional cards.
• Cards are played to attack, defend, heal, or trigger special effects.

Card Types

• Attack – Deal direct damage.
• Block – Reduce incoming damage. Blocks typically absorb more damage than Attacks deal, but some attacks bypass Block.
• Heal – Restore health.
• Fast – Can be played without ending the turn. Cannot be Channeled but may pay for Channel costs.
• Special – Cards with hybrid or unique effects (e.g. attacks that also heal).

Channeling

Channeling increases the power of a card beyond its base effect.

• A card can be Channeled up to 2 times:
  • Base – normal effect.
  • Channel x1 – enhanced effect.
  • Channel x2 – maximum effect.
• To Channel, move cards from your hand into the Channel Bar.
• Channeled cards are sent to the Channel Stack, placed at the bottom of the deck for later use.
• Fast Cards cannot be Channeled but can be used as payment for Channeling.

Status Effects

Debuffs

• Burn – Target takes 1 damage per stack at the start of turn, then loses 1 stack.
• Shock – Target deals damage to allies equal to the number of stacks when hit. Shock does not expire.
• Disrupt – Target takes +1 damage per stack. Applied only by Arcane Element actions.
• Entomb – Reduces the damage dealt by the target.
• Freeze – At 5 stacks, the target is stunned and loses its next turn. Freeze stacks are then cleared.
• Stun – Target skips its next turn.

Buffs

• Some cards apply positive effects such as increased damage, regeneration, or extra defense.
• Certain buffs can remove debuffs.

Combat Flow

1. Draw 2 cards from the Action Deck.
2. Play Action Cards (ends the turn) and/or Fast Cards (instant).
3. Use Channeling to power up cards for future turns.
4. Preview enemy actions to plan strategy.
5. Defeat the enemy and claim rewards.

⚔️ In The Scape, every card is a decision — attack, defend, heal, or prepare. Mastering the balance is the key to survival.