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{{Short description|Collectible card game}}
[[Image:Universal_Fighting_System_SC023.jpg|right|thumb|240px|Sample card image from the Universal Fighting System]]
{{More citations needed|date=March 2024}}
The '''Universal Fighting System''' is a [[collectible card game]] from [[Sabertooth Games]]. The system is composed of cards from different gaming universes, including [[Street Fighter]] and [[Soul Calibur]]. While the official product launch was in April 2006, the first set released in February 2006 was a special "[[battle box]]" based on the [[Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Penny Arcade]] online comic.
{{Italic title}}
{{notability|product|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox card game
| designer = Ryan Miller
| publisher = {{Plainlist|
* UVS Games
* [[Sabertooth Games]]
* <small>(2006–2008)</small>
* [[Fantasy Flight Games]]
* <small>(2008–2010)</small>
}}
| date = {{Start date and age|2006|04|14}}
| type = [[Collectible card game|Collectible]]
| players = 2
| ages = 13+
| playing_time = 10-30 minutes
| random_chance = Some
| website = {{URL|https://uvsgames.com/universus}}
| footnotes =
}}
The '''''Universal Fighting System''''' (''UFS''), released in 2006<ref name=old>{{cite web |title=Welcome to the Street Fighter® Collectible Card Game |url=http://www.sabertoothgames.com/ufs/streetfighter_default.asp |website=Sabertooth Games Universal Fighting System |publisher=Sabertooth Games |archive-date=July 21, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060721195611/http://www.sabertoothgames.com/ufs/streetfighter_default.asp |url-status=dead}}</ref> and rebranded as '''''UniVersus''''' in 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About UVS Games - Creators of UniVersus Collectible Card Games |url=https://uvsgames.com/about-us |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=uvsgames.com |language=en}}</ref> is a [[collectible card game]] published by UVS Games. Games of ''UFS'' represent a fight between two characters in hand-to-hand combat. Characters are drawn from original properties as well as a number of licensed ones, such as [[Mega Man (original series)|''Mega Man'']], ''[[Street Fighter]]'', ''[[The King of Fighters XIII]]'' and ''[[Darkstalkers]]''. The sets are cross-compatible&nbsp;– cards from multiple licenses can be included in the same deck, and characters from different universes may face each other in a match.


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
Players begin a game of ''UFS'' with the character they are fighting as in play. The character determines a player's hand size, starting vitality, and each has unique abilities for a deck to make use of. The main object of the game is to reduce the opponent's vitality to 0.
A game in the Universal Fighting System represents a battle between two adversaries. Each player controls one of the two characters, with the objective being to defeat the opponent (typically through loss of vitality). The two characters need not be from the same universe; for example, [[Chun-Li]] from Street Fighter could battle [[Cassandra Alexandra|Cassandra]] from Soul Calibur.


Unlike most CCGs, ''UFS'' does not have monsters, creatures or similar. Damage is dealt by playing attack cards, which the opponent may try to block with using a card from their hand. Each attack has stats for speed (how hard it is to block), the damage it will deal, and a zone (high, mid or low) that the opponent's block must match to avoid taking damage. Attacks often have abilities on them, and may be enhanced by abilities on other cards.
Players take turns, with each turn consisting of multiple actions. With each additional action a player takes in a turn, the difficulty of successfully completing that action increases. Players can continue to take actions until they choose to stop or until they fail an attempt. The game structure typically involve players building up ''foundations'' over successive turns, which then allows a greater number of actions before failure. Management of these becomes crucial, as players must strike a balance between using their resources for offense and defense; going "all out" for a series of attacks can leave one vulnerable to retaliation during the opponent's turn. The system relies heavily on card combinations, where one card enhances the effect of another.


Also unlike other CCGs, the cost to play a card in ''UFS'' is not a set number of some resource. To play a card in ''UFS'', players must pass a "control check". A player discards the top card of their deck, and compares its control value (in the lower right) to the difficulty of the card he or she is trying to play. If the control is equal to or above the difficulty needed, the card is played at no cost. If the control is lower, the player must "commit" (turn sideways) foundation cards equal to the difference, or else the attempt to play a card fails and the card is discarded.
As with many of Sabertooth's games, the Universal Fighting System is an advanced or expert level product (owing in large part to the fact that every card has at least one special ability), primarily aimed at older or more experienced gamers.


Attempted cards get +1 difficulty for each card before it, and the turn player may continue trying to play cards until one of them fails, ending the turn. So the effective "cost" of a card can vary from zero to several resources, depending on its base difficulty, when it is played, and the value of the control check (which is not known until the card is attempted).
==Card types==
The '''Universal Fighting System''' has five different types of cards:


Players draw up to their character's hand size at the start of each turn, and with most cards being low in effective cost early in a turn, a typical turn of ''UFS'' involves around 3 to 5 cards played by the turn player, plus any blocks or other defensive cards played by the opponent if they are attacked.
* '''Characters''' - A card which represents the combatant whose role the player is currently assuming. Character cards contain information about the character's hand size, special abilities, symbols/alignment, and starting vitality.


Due to the large number of cards drawn and played, (nearly all of which have an ability or two) the risk-reward nature of the control check system, and the importance of guessing at and playing around the opponent's hand, ''UFS'' is generally considered to be one of the more complex and skill-intensive CCGs currently active.
* '''Attacks''' - Orange-bordered cards which represent attempts to directly inflict damage on an opponent.


===Deck construction===
* '''Actions''' - Blue-bordered cards played from the hand which allow the character to perform some non-attack action or maneuver.
''UFS'' has multiple formats, but most events are standard. Draft and sealed is used for release events, side events, or local change of pace, and there is also a smaller constructed format called Turbo.


A standard ''UFS'' deck consists of a minimum of 60 cards (including the character), and no more than four copies of a given card may be in a deck. Due to the large number of cards drawn during a typical game, it is common for decks to exceed the 60 card minimum in order to increase the variety of cards available. For turbo, a deck consists of exactly 41 cards (including the character) with the same restrictions of no more than four copies of a given card. In draft and sealed, players build decks out of random booster packs they either draft, or are given respectively. Draft and sealed decks are also a minimum of 41 cards, but any number of copies of cards may be used.
* '''Foundations''' - Grey-bordered cards which signify intensive training and reserves of inner strength upon which a character can draw to power attacks or abilities.


Deck building in ''UFS'' is driven by the resource symbol system. Each card has 3 symbols on it, representing various elements or concepts. Cards can only be played if they share a symbol with the character, and only if that symbol is on all prior cards played that turn. Therefore, it is normal when building a deck to choose one symbol on the character, and include in the deck only cards that have that symbol.
* '''Assets''' - Green-bordered cards which represent places or objects which are in play.


==Card rarity and distribution==
===Card types===
There are five different card types in ''UFS'', indicated by the color of their border and other traits:
Each card has rarity information printed on the card in order to help determine how rare a given card is, without having to resort to checking a separate card list. The rarity is denoted by the number of small dots appearing at the bottom of the card, according to the following legend:


* Characters&nbsp;– A card representing the combatant a player is fighting as. This is the centerpiece of a deck.
{| cellpadding="5"
* Attacks&nbsp;– Attacks have an orange border. They represent punches, kicks, weapon strikes, and other moves used to deal damage to the opponent.
|'''•''' || '''Common'''
* Foundations&nbsp;– Foundations have a grey border. They represent a character's training and background, and are the primary resource used to help pass control checks to play cards.
|-
* Assets&nbsp;– Assets have a green border. They represent locations or objects, and provide abilities more powerful than those on foundations.
|'''••''' || '''Uncommon'''
* Actions&nbsp;– Actions have a blue border. They represent various maneuvers and have immediate effects when played, allowing a player to use abilities that were kept secret in their hand.
|-
|'''••• (non-foil)''' || '''Starter deck exclusive'''
|-
|'''••• (foil)''' || '''Rare'''
|-
|'''••••''' || '''Super rare'''
|}


== Reception ==
[[Starter pack|Starter decks]] are semi-random, with 29 fixed cards and 31 random cards. This includes some exclusive cards which are only available through that starter and not available in booster packs. In each 10-card [[booster pack]], there are 6 commons and 3 uncommons. The remaining card will be a rare or super rare card. There are also, very rarely, so-called "god packs", which are boosters made up entirely of rare and super rare cards. Lastly, each box of starter decks or booster packs contains a single "box topper", which is a super rare promotional card (and hence not part of the standard card set).
In 2008, Scott Jon Siegel reviewed the game for [[Engadget]], noting that his "play experience with the game was not the most positive one", but stressing the subjectivity of his opinion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siegel |first=Scott Jon |date=2008-01-31 |title=Off the Grid reviews Universal Fighting System |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-01-31-off-the-grid-reviews-universal-fighting-system.html?_fsig=h9HYxsyM.fg.utwOInqsUA--~A |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref>


The release of the [[Street Fighter]]-themed expansion was covered by the British gaming website ''Tabletop Gaming'', in 2017 and the next year, the website also reviewed the game's [[Cowboy Bebop]]-themed expansion. The reviewer of the latter noted that "Once you slog your way through the rules, UFS can offer highly strategic and intriguing gameplay."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-26 |title=Get ready to hadoken in the Street Fighter collectible card game, out next month |url=https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/get-ready-to-hadoken-in-the-street-fighter-collectible-card-game-out/ |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=Tabletop Gaming}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-09 |title=Cowboy Bebop CCG: Spike vs Vicious review |url=https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/reviews/cowboy-bebop-ccg-spike-vs-vicious-review/ |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=Tabletop Gaming}}</ref>
The 120 cards provided in the Penny Arcade "battle box" follow a fixed distribution, without any element of randomness.


In 2024 the [[Attack on Titan|Attack On Titan]]-themed expansion was reviewed for the [[Comic Book Resources]] by Jenny Melzer, who gave the game 8/10, praising its artwork and multi-franchise nature, but criticizing the complexity of the rules.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melzer |first=Jenny |date=2024-08-14 |title=UniVersus Attack On Titan: Battle for Humanity Review |url=https://www.cbr.com/attack-on-titan-universus-ccg-review/ |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref> Same year, [[TheGamer]] covered the release of several of the UniVersus releases related to the [[Suicide Squad]], [[Godzilla]] and [[My Hero Academia]] franchises;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coulson |first=Josh |date=2024-07-22 |title=Suicide Squad Isekai's Joker And Harley Quinn Join UniVersus |url=https://www.thegamer.com/suicide-squad-isekai-joker-harley-quinn-universus-cards/ |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parlock |first=Joe |date=2024-05-03 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Godzilla And Mothra Stomp Into UniVersus With The Godzilla Challenger Series Deck |url=https://www.thegamer.com/universus-godzilla-mothra-challenger-series-deck-reveal/ |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parlock |first=Joe |date=2024-05-02 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Check Out UniVersus' Godzilla Challenger Series: King Ghidorah And Rodan Deck |url=https://www.thegamer.com/universus-godzilla-challenger-series-king-ghidorah-rodan-deck-reveal/ |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parlock |first=Joe |date=2024-04-23 |title=Take A Look At 23 Cards From UniVersus' My Hero Academia: Girl Power |url=https://www.thegamer.com/universus-my-hero-academia-girl-power-exclusive-cards/ |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref> the website covered the release of the [[Critical Role]]-themed expansion in the prior year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parlock |first=Joe |date=2023-12-20 |title=Exclusive: Take A Look At The First Eight Cards From UniVersus' Critical Role Decks |url=https://www.thegamer.com/universus-critical-role-reveals/ |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref>
==Card symbols==
Cards in the Universal Fighting System include small symbols or graphics representing attributes of the card. There are 12 symbols in total, with 3 symbols appearing on most cards, however some have one and another has four. These are used as a game mechanic to determine which characters are able to use which moves or powers. In order to play a card, at least one of the symbols on the card being played has to match a symbol on all of the other cards previously played during the turn, as well as matching a symbol on the player's character card. Hence, this prevents characters from using abilities which are not a match for their character, and prevents mixing abilities (in a single turn) which do not fit together. The symbols and their meanings are defined as follows:


== See also ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Element (description)
! Attributes
|-
|'''[AIR]''' (A white whirlwind) || Intelligence, Deliberateness
|-
|'''[ALL]''' (A red circle) || Existence, Fullness
|-
|'''[CHAOS]''' (Three arrows pointing out) || Disorder, Instinct
|-
|'''[DEATH]''' (A white skull) || Destruction, Finality
|-
|'''[EARTH]''' (A grey mountain) || Stalwart, Strength
|-
|'''[EVIL]''' (A red pitchfork) || Ruthlessness, Villainy
|-
|'''[FIRE]''' (An orange flame) || Passion, Speed
|-
|'''[GOOD]''' (A yellow halo) || Compassion, Heroism
|-
|'''[LIFE]''' (A growing plant) || Beginning, Creation
|-
|'''[ORDER]''' (A golden justice scale) || Law, Structure
|-
|'''[VOID]''' (A dark-grey vortex) || Emptiness, Space
|-
|'''[WATER]''' (A blue wave) || Adaptation, Fluidity
|}


* [[Weiß Schwarz]] - a Japanese game with a similar, multi-franchise concept
==Card sets and products==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ '''Announced Universal Fighting System card sets'''
! Name of set / game universe
! Release date
! Unique cards
! Starter deck characters
! Booster characters
|-
| '''Street Fighter''' || April 2006 || 143 || [[Chun Li]], [[Dhalsim]], Ken, [[Ryu]] || [[Sagat]], [[Zangief]]
|-
| SF: World Warriors || July 2006 || 126 || (none; boosters only) || Balrog, Blanka, E. Honda, Guile, M. Bison, Vega
|-
| SF: The Next Level || December 2006 || 90 || (none; boosters only) || [[Akuma]], Cammy, Dudley, [[Fei Long]]
|-
| '''Soul Calibur III''' || April 2006 || 143 || Astaroth, Nightmare, Taki, Voldo || Cassandra, Mitsurugi
|-
| SC3: A Tale of Swords & Souls || July 2006 || 126 || (none; boosters only) || Ivy, Kilik, Raphael, Setsuka, Tira, Zasalamel
|-
| '''SNK Playmore''' || December 2006 || 144 || Haohmaru, Mai Shiranui, Terry Bogard, Ukyo || Alba Meira, Athena, Charlotte, Galford, Gaira, Hanzo Hattori, Iori Yagami, Kyo Kusanagi, Lien Neville, Nagase, Nakaruru, Yoshitora
|}


==References==
{| class="wikitable"
{{Reflist}}
|+ '''Other Universal Fighting System products'''
! Name of product
! Release date
! Total cards
! Unique cards
! Characters
|-
| '''Penny Arcade Battle Box''' || February 2006 || 120 || 45 || Gabe, Tycho
|-
| '''Soul Calibur III Battle Pack''' || November 2006 || 120 || 44* || Sophitia, Siegfried
|}
*16 of these cards are reprints from previous Soul Calibur III sets.


==External links==
The number of cards listed above for each set indicates the number of unique, non-promotional cards. Additional promotional cards are available in various ways, including for placing favorably in a tournament or other event. These promotional cards include character cards which in many cases are not otherwise available (although expansion sets do generally include additional characters).
* [https://uvsgames.com/universus Universus website]


[[Category:Card games introduced in 2006]]
In terms of number of cards of each rarity level, each set generally consists of an equal number of common and uncommon cards, with a slightly fewer number of rare cards. There are roughly half as many super rare cards as rare cards. As an example, ''Soul Calibur 3: A Tale of Swords & Souls'' has 41 commons, 39 uncommons, 32 rares, and 14 super rares.

==See also==
*[[List of collectible card games]]
*[[The King of Fighters]]
*[[Samurai Shodown V]]
*[[Soul Calibur 3]]
*[[Street Fighter]]

==External links==
*Sabertooth Games' [http://www.sabertoothgames.com/ufs/default.asp Universal Fighting System homepage]
**[http://www.sabertoothgames.com/ufs/soulcalibur_rules.asp Rules]
**[http://www.sabertoothgames.com/ufs/demo.htm Online Demo]
*{{bgg|19474}}
*[http://www.ufscards.com UFSCards.com]: Fan site
*[http://cbdojo.navistudios.net/ Cardboard Dojo]: A UFS E-Zine
[[Category:Collectible card games]]
[[Category:Collectible card games]]

Latest revision as of 05:28, 18 September 2024

Universal Fighting System
DesignerRyan Miller
Publisher
Release dateApril 14, 2006; 18 years ago (2006-04-14)
TypeCollectible
Players2
Age range13+
Playing time10-30 minutes
ChanceSome
Websiteuvsgames.com/universus

The Universal Fighting System (UFS), released in 2006[1] and rebranded as UniVersus in 2021,[2] is a collectible card game published by UVS Games. Games of UFS represent a fight between two characters in hand-to-hand combat. Characters are drawn from original properties as well as a number of licensed ones, such as Mega Man, Street Fighter, The King of Fighters XIII and Darkstalkers. The sets are cross-compatible – cards from multiple licenses can be included in the same deck, and characters from different universes may face each other in a match.

Gameplay

[edit]

Players begin a game of UFS with the character they are fighting as in play. The character determines a player's hand size, starting vitality, and each has unique abilities for a deck to make use of. The main object of the game is to reduce the opponent's vitality to 0.

Unlike most CCGs, UFS does not have monsters, creatures or similar. Damage is dealt by playing attack cards, which the opponent may try to block with using a card from their hand. Each attack has stats for speed (how hard it is to block), the damage it will deal, and a zone (high, mid or low) that the opponent's block must match to avoid taking damage. Attacks often have abilities on them, and may be enhanced by abilities on other cards.

Also unlike other CCGs, the cost to play a card in UFS is not a set number of some resource. To play a card in UFS, players must pass a "control check". A player discards the top card of their deck, and compares its control value (in the lower right) to the difficulty of the card he or she is trying to play. If the control is equal to or above the difficulty needed, the card is played at no cost. If the control is lower, the player must "commit" (turn sideways) foundation cards equal to the difference, or else the attempt to play a card fails and the card is discarded.

Attempted cards get +1 difficulty for each card before it, and the turn player may continue trying to play cards until one of them fails, ending the turn. So the effective "cost" of a card can vary from zero to several resources, depending on its base difficulty, when it is played, and the value of the control check (which is not known until the card is attempted).

Players draw up to their character's hand size at the start of each turn, and with most cards being low in effective cost early in a turn, a typical turn of UFS involves around 3 to 5 cards played by the turn player, plus any blocks or other defensive cards played by the opponent if they are attacked.

Due to the large number of cards drawn and played, (nearly all of which have an ability or two) the risk-reward nature of the control check system, and the importance of guessing at and playing around the opponent's hand, UFS is generally considered to be one of the more complex and skill-intensive CCGs currently active.

Deck construction

[edit]

UFS has multiple formats, but most events are standard. Draft and sealed is used for release events, side events, or local change of pace, and there is also a smaller constructed format called Turbo.

A standard UFS deck consists of a minimum of 60 cards (including the character), and no more than four copies of a given card may be in a deck. Due to the large number of cards drawn during a typical game, it is common for decks to exceed the 60 card minimum in order to increase the variety of cards available. For turbo, a deck consists of exactly 41 cards (including the character) with the same restrictions of no more than four copies of a given card. In draft and sealed, players build decks out of random booster packs they either draft, or are given respectively. Draft and sealed decks are also a minimum of 41 cards, but any number of copies of cards may be used.

Deck building in UFS is driven by the resource symbol system. Each card has 3 symbols on it, representing various elements or concepts. Cards can only be played if they share a symbol with the character, and only if that symbol is on all prior cards played that turn. Therefore, it is normal when building a deck to choose one symbol on the character, and include in the deck only cards that have that symbol.

Card types

[edit]

There are five different card types in UFS, indicated by the color of their border and other traits:

  • Characters – A card representing the combatant a player is fighting as. This is the centerpiece of a deck.
  • Attacks – Attacks have an orange border. They represent punches, kicks, weapon strikes, and other moves used to deal damage to the opponent.
  • Foundations – Foundations have a grey border. They represent a character's training and background, and are the primary resource used to help pass control checks to play cards.
  • Assets – Assets have a green border. They represent locations or objects, and provide abilities more powerful than those on foundations.
  • Actions – Actions have a blue border. They represent various maneuvers and have immediate effects when played, allowing a player to use abilities that were kept secret in their hand.

Reception

[edit]

In 2008, Scott Jon Siegel reviewed the game for Engadget, noting that his "play experience with the game was not the most positive one", but stressing the subjectivity of his opinion.[3]

The release of the Street Fighter-themed expansion was covered by the British gaming website Tabletop Gaming, in 2017 and the next year, the website also reviewed the game's Cowboy Bebop-themed expansion. The reviewer of the latter noted that "Once you slog your way through the rules, UFS can offer highly strategic and intriguing gameplay."[4][5]

In 2024 the Attack On Titan-themed expansion was reviewed for the Comic Book Resources by Jenny Melzer, who gave the game 8/10, praising its artwork and multi-franchise nature, but criticizing the complexity of the rules.[6] Same year, TheGamer covered the release of several of the UniVersus releases related to the Suicide Squad, Godzilla and My Hero Academia franchises;[7][8][9][10] the website covered the release of the Critical Role-themed expansion in the prior year.[11]

See also

[edit]
  • Weiß Schwarz - a Japanese game with a similar, multi-franchise concept

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Welcome to the Street Fighter® Collectible Card Game". Sabertooth Games Universal Fighting System. Sabertooth Games. Archived from the original on July 21, 2006.
  2. ^ "About UVS Games - Creators of UniVersus Collectible Card Games". uvsgames.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  3. ^ Siegel, Scott Jon (2008-01-31). "Off the Grid reviews Universal Fighting System". Engadget. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  4. ^ "Get ready to hadoken in the Street Fighter collectible card game, out next month". Tabletop Gaming. 2017-04-26. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  5. ^ "Cowboy Bebop CCG: Spike vs Vicious review". Tabletop Gaming. 2018-08-09. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  6. ^ Melzer, Jenny (2024-08-14). "UniVersus Attack On Titan: Battle for Humanity Review". CBR. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  7. ^ Coulson, Josh (2024-07-22). "Suicide Squad Isekai's Joker And Harley Quinn Join UniVersus". TheGamer. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  8. ^ Parlock, Joe (2024-05-03). "EXCLUSIVE: Godzilla And Mothra Stomp Into UniVersus With The Godzilla Challenger Series Deck". TheGamer. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  9. ^ Parlock, Joe (2024-05-02). "EXCLUSIVE: Check Out UniVersus' Godzilla Challenger Series: King Ghidorah And Rodan Deck". TheGamer. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  10. ^ Parlock, Joe (2024-04-23). "Take A Look At 23 Cards From UniVersus' My Hero Academia: Girl Power". TheGamer. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  11. ^ Parlock, Joe (2023-12-20). "Exclusive: Take A Look At The First Eight Cards From UniVersus' Critical Role Decks". TheGamer. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
[edit]
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