Welcome back to our indie TCG series! Today, we shine the spotlight on Mana Source Evolved, a captivating game created by the talented Blayne Dickerson. With over 20 years of experience in designing and theory-crafting tabletop games, Dickerson is now ready to bring his visionary projects to life.

  

Currently, the Kickstarter campaign for Mana Source Evolve is in full swing, and you don’t want to miss out. Take a moment to visit the campaign page here, where you can learn more about this exciting game and show your support. As a bonus, invite a friend to back the campaign with you, and both of you will receive an exclusive Morlac promo. Hurry, the campaign ends on June 14!

The game itself embraces a captivating premise: “You’re a god.” In Mana Source Evolve, your deck consists of Mortals or resources, whichever you choose. Divinities rest on Shrines, summoned to aid you in combat. Additionally, the Event pile provides further assistance throughout gameplay.

Embark on a strategic journey as you embody the role of a god, wielding a deck of 50 mortals and utilizing three divinities on shrines. Rounds are divided into setup, combat, and end phases. Players engage in simultaneous card play, with each round determining the attacker based on priority. Mortals deliver powerful attacks to deplete the opponent’s life, their effectiveness determined by attack and defense values. Combat unleashes the potential of actions and divinities. The game concludes when a player’s life reaches zero. Beware of the ever-changing landscape—shrines can be destroyed and restored, while constructs are discarded upon leaving play. At the start of each round, players draw cards, enhancing their strategic options. Victory lies in the skillful deployment of cards to overcome your opponent.

The journey of creating Mana Source Evolve has been both demanding and rewarding for Dickerson. With six different templates, the process of perfecting the game’s design proved to be a challenging endeavor. Throughout the years, numerous adjustments to the rules have been made, meticulously fine-tuning the mechanics and ensuring cohesive gameplay interactions. As a solo creator, Dickerson faced the constraints of time and resources, unable to dedicate extensive hours to art development. However, an unexpected solution arose when his brother, a talented graphic designer, introduced him to AI-generated art. Initially hesitant, Dickerson gave it a shot, and the results were impressive. The rendering process demanded careful consideration of word placement, phrasing, weighting, style, sizing, effects, and an expansive vocabulary. Even with post-editing, which consumed additional hours, the creator discovered joy in crafting new and unique prompting ideas. Additionally, the creation of the game’s lore has been an ongoing source of fun and creativity.

What truly sets Mana Source: Evolve apart from other TCGs is its ten-year journey in the making. Driven by a deep passion for mortal combat and unhindered gameplay, this game offers a distinctive experience like no other. The commitment and dedication poured into its development have created a truly remarkable gem that stands out in the world of trading card games.

Looking ahead, the future of Mana Source: Evolve rests in the hands of the community. The creator’s love for their projects is undeniable, but the ability to continue focusing on them depends on the interest and support received. Nevertheless, Mana Source: Evolve holds a special place in the creator’s heart as their “perfect baby.” They are determined to gradually push its boundaries and nurture its growth over the years to come.

If you want to learn more about Mana Source: Evolve, you have several options to choose from. You can check out their Discord or Instagram pages for additional information. For an even better experience, you can try the game in Tabletop Simulator (TTS). Explore these platforms to immerse yourself in the world of Mana Source: Evolve and discover all it has to offer.

As always, stay tuned to our magazine and YouTube channel for short videos and content on the world of indie TCGs. Until next time, keep playing!

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