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Gemling Trading Card Game

Gemling Trading Card Game

Official Rules

A collectible trading card game of strategy, power, and discovery set in the world of Gemora.

Starter Rules

Learn in Minutes. Play Anywhere.

Players

2 players

What You Need

• A collection of Gemling cards
• Each player builds a deck of 9 Gemling cards
• Optional: Gemlets (dig specimens)

Players may own more cards than they use.
Choosing which cards go into your deck is part of the game.

Card Power

Each Gemling card has a Power Number from 1 to 10.

Higher power wins the battle.

Deck Building

Before the game begins:

  1. Each player selects 9 Gemling cards from their collection.

  2. Shuffle your deck and place it face down in front of you.

Both decks must contain the same number of cards.

Setup

  1. Shuffle your deck.

  2. Place it face down.

  3. Decide who goes first using rock, paper, scissors.

How to Play

  1. Both players flip the top card of their deck at the same time.

  2. Compare Power Numbers.

  3. The player with the higher power wins the battle.

  4. The winner takes both cards and places them at the bottom of their deck.

Ties

If both cards have the same power:

  1. Each player flips one additional card.

  2. Compare again.

  3. The winner takes all cards played and places them at the bottom of their deck.

If a player runs out of cards during a tie, the other player wins the game.

Using Gemlets

Gemlets can be played to increase power.

When you flip a Gemling card, you may play one Gemlet.

• Any Gemlet adds +2 power
• A matching Gemlet adds +5 power

A matching Gemlet means the specimen matches the Gemling card’s specimen.

Once used, a Gemlet is set aside and cannot be reused during that game.

Winning the Game

The game ends when one player has all the cards.

That player wins.

Why This Is a Trading Card Game

• Players build their own decks
• Collecting gives you more strategy
• Matching Gemlets matter
• Trading improves your deck over time

These are the Starter Rules. Anyone can play right away.

Advanced Rules

Deeper Strategy. More Control.

Use these rules once players are comfortable with the Starter Game.

Advanced Setup

• Deck size increases to 12 or 15 cards
• Each player starts with 3 cards in hand
• Remaining cards form a face down draw deck

Advanced Turn Structure

  1. Both players secretly choose one card from their hand.

  2. Reveal cards at the same time.

  3. Compare Power Numbers and Gemlet bonuses.

  4. Winner takes both cards and places them in a Victory Pile.

  5. Each player draws back up to 3 cards if possible.

This adds choice, bluffing, and timing.

Advanced Gemlet Rules

• Each player may use up to 3 Gemlets per game
• Only one Gemlet may be played per battle
• Used Gemlets are set aside

Optional rule:

  • A matching Gemlet stays attached to that Gemling for the rest of the game

Advanced Victory Condition

When all cards have been played:

• Each player counts cards in their Victory Pile
• The player with the most cards wins

Deck Strategy Rules (Optional)

Players may agree to deck limits, such as:

  • No more than two cards with Power 9 or higher

  • At least one card with Power 3 or lower

This rewards balanced deck building.

Trading and Collecting

• Players may trade Gemling cards freely outside the game
• Strong decks come from smart collecting, not luck alone
• No two decks need to be the same

Expanding the Game

These rules are designed to grow.

Future expansions may include:

  • Special Gemling abilities

  • Team play

  • Classroom modes

  • Story driven challenges

All future rules will build on this foundation.

Final Note

Start simple.
Grow your collection.
Unlock deeper strategy over time.

Gemora rewards curious adventurers.

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