🌅 Early Game Strategy

Set yourself up for success from the very first card

🎴 Opening Hand Evaluation

Your opening hand sets the trajectory for your entire round. Evaluate it against your Chaos card's strategy before committing.

Keep Criteria

✅ Synergy Match

Cards that directly synergize with your Chaos card's type (Link Chaos → Link Actions)

✅ Element Match

Same-element cards trigger element bonuses and matching effects

✅ Energy Curve

Mix of costs (0-1-2-3) lets you play smoothly across turns

✅ Draw/Energize

Early Draw or Energize cards enable bigger plays later

Mulligan Triggers

❌ Cost Clump

All high-cost (3+) or all 0-cost cards leave you inflexible

❌ No Synergy

Zero cards matching your Chaos type or element is a red flag

❌ Dead Finishers

Multipliers without setup cards are useless early

❌ Sabotage Only

All reactive cards with no proactive plays stalls you out

💡 Mulligan Rule of Thumb

If your hand can't execute a coherent 3-card sequence that scores 15+ points, consider a mulligan. A focused hand beats a scattered one.

🎯 First Play Priorities

What you lead with signals your strategy and sets up your turn sequence. Choose wisely.

  1. Draw cards — See more options before committing. A Turn 1 Draw can reshape your entire strategy.
  2. Energize cards — Generate energy for bigger mid-game plays. Early investment pays dividends.
  3. Low-cost setup — 0-1 cost cards that enable combos (Auras, early Links) without heavy commitment.
  4. Information plays — Cards that reveal opponent hands or deck state help you plan ahead.
  5. Element matchers — If your Chaos rewards element matching, establish your element presence early.

What NOT to Lead With

  • Multipliers — Nothing to multiply yet
  • Push effects — Base score is too low
  • Sabotage — No threats to counter yet
  • High-cost finishers — Strands your energy

👁️ Reading the Table Early

Opponents reveal information from the start. Watch for these early signals.

Signal What It Means Your Response
🔥 Fire Chaos revealed Expect aggressive, high-tempo plays Prepare Sabotage or defensive Auras
💧 Water Chaos revealed Draw-heavy, reactive strategy incoming Pressure early before they set up
💨 Air Chaos revealed Combo chains and tempo swings likely Disrupt their sequencing
🌍 Earth Chaos revealed Slow scaling, late-game power Race them or match their value
Player hoarding cards Big combo brewing Save Sabotage for their turn
Player spending fast Aggressive/rush strategy Focus on efficiency, not reaction

📋 Early Game Checklist

Run through this mental checklist before your first play:

  • Checked Chaos card type and element
  • Identified 2-3 cards that synergize with Chaos
  • Planned first 2 plays in sequence
  • Noted opponents' Chaos cards
  • Identified potential threats at the table
  • Reserved energy for reactive plays if needed