Formats

Formats are the different ruleset and card pool in which Future Card Buddyfight can be played at tournament level. Each fight format introduces different rules for deck construction and gameplay.

Currently, the Formats only applies to Thai Buddyfight, and regulated by Kidz & Kitz, the game's licensor in Thailand. For international Buddyfight, these rules do not apply (unless agreed to otherwise by participants).

New Universal Rules[]

New rules were added that apply to both New Drive and Overdrive formats.

1. Buddy Calls per Game[]

A player may Buddy Call any number of times in a fight as long as the cards in their Buddy Zone are [Stand].

Synergy with the following rule that allows players to repeatedly use the BuddyGift keyword, replacing the original "Heal 1 life" BuddyGift which had become less relevant/beneficial to players during the game's later lifespan.

2. [Stood] Cards in Start Phase[]

When players [Stand] all cards on their field (Start Phase), they also [Stand] all cards in their Buddy Zone.

Synergy with the previous rule that allows players to Buddy Call multiple times in one game.

3. Using [Counters] in Start Phase[]

Players can use [Counter] abilities during the Start Phase ('Stand', 'Draw', and 'Charge and Draw').

4. Gauge Charging[]

When charging gauge (putting cards from the top of the deck into the gauge), players must put them on the top of the gauge pile.

5. Gauge Paying[]

When paying gauge, players must pay gauge in the order that they are placed in the gauge pile.

Slightly further hindering players from indirectly sending specific cards from their hand to their drop zone by charging such cards using 'Charge and Draw' and sending them to the drop zone when paying costs.

6. Hand Size[]

At the end of each player's turn, if they have more than 8 hand cards, they must discard hand cards until they have 8 cards.

Likely done in order to regulate the excessive amount of card drawing made possible by cards that existed during the game's later lifespan.

7. Sideboard Limit[]

Players' sideboard/side deck must have 10 or less cards, and must use the same card sleeves as their main deck.

8. Mulligan (Overdrive-Only)[]

The player going second may perform a mulligan.

1. Decide which player goes first.
2. Both players draw their opening hands (or an amount specified by their flags).
3. The player going second may perform a mulligan if they choose to.
- 3.1 If a mulligan is performed, all cards from their hand must be shuffled back into the deck.
4. The player going second draws their opening hand again.
5. Then, both players put the top cards of their deck into their gauges (or an amount specified by their flags).
6. Both players declare "Raise the Flag," and the game begins.

New Drive[]

Only cards from New Drive can be used in this format. This format follows standard deck construction rules where the deck must consist of 50 or more cards, one Buddy card, and one Flag card. Thai-limited editions to the game such as Dual Flags, BuddyGifts, 12 Zodiacs, amongst others, can all be used in this format. Cards for this format continue to be supported, and this format is played at official tournaments.

Overdrive[]

Both original and New Drive cards can be used in this format. This format also follows standard deck construction rules where the deck must consist of 50 or more cards, one Buddy card, and one Flag card. Thai-limited editions can also be used in this format. Cards for this format (in the form of new Revival Buddy cards) continue to be supported, and this format is played at official tournaments.

Historical Formats[]

One-for-All[]

Only original cards can be used in this format. Deck construction rules are different, as players are only able to include 4 copies of their chosen Buddy in their main deck. Any card that is not the Buddy can only played at one copy in the main deck, and this rule would have presumedly also applied to cards such as Shadow Dragon which allowed any amount to be played in the deck. Likely due to the negative reception from the player base, this format was removed and replaced with the Overdrive format before it was officially played in tournaments.