Universal Fighting System

GAME SYSTEM This entry is to allow for discussion/rating of the game system as a whole. It is not for a specific product or release. Versions will appear on the individual item pages. The UniVersus Collectible Card Game (UVS) / Universal Fighting System (UFS) is a collectible card game originally designed by Sabertooth Games. The themes of the cards are drawn from a multitude of licensed gaming universes, especially fighting game licenses. In UniVersus, you can create decks featuring your favorite characters from anime and manga, video games, animation, and more. The first thing you'll need to play UniVersus is your own deck, and there's a number of ways to get one(Starter Decks / Clash Decks / Challenger Decks / Booster Packs etc) you'll need 1 Character card + a 60+ card deck! Types of cards: CHARACTER Your Character card is who you play as in UniVersus, and a key component of your deck's strategy. Every character has unique abilities and deck-building symbols that change the way you play, making every card in your deck that much more useful. Choose a character because they're cool, but also take a look at their individual properties so you know how best to use them! FOUNDATION You can easily recognize Foundation cards by the grey text box. Foundations are your main resource in UniVersus, allowing you to help check/play higher-difficulty cards, defend against faster and harder attacks, or use their unique abilities to give yourself an edge while attacking or defending. ATTACK You can't win if you don't use your Attack cards, which are identified by the orange text box. Attacks are exactly what they sound like: cards that deal direct damage or cause negative effects to an opponent or their resources. Attacks also feature unique bonuses and costs, so be sure you're picking the right move for the right situation! ASSET Identified by the green text box, Asset cards are essentially "tools and equipment" used by your character—while they cannot be used/committed to pass checks to play a card–they can be used for a variety of different effects, whether it's to heal from damage, boost an Attack's speed or damage, or to tighten up your defense. ACTION If your card has a blue text box it's an Action card! Actions must be played from your hand on the specific step they show: for example, an Action card that says "Enhance" must be played during the Enhance step, whether it's yours or your opponent's. Action cards work great as "surprises" that can shift the flow of combat in your favor. BACKUP Some characters specialize in bringing their whole crew along, which you'll see in Backup cards with pink text boxes. Acting as "support characters," Backups form a small army for your main Character card, adding another target for your Rival to focus on while also sometimes having individual benefits of their own! ANATOMY OF A TURN Start Phase Ready Step Ready all cards in your stage Review Step Before drawing, the turn player may discard 1 card from their hand Draw Step Draw up to your hand size Combat Phase Play Cards/Form Abilities until: You choose to stop You fail to pass a check while playing a card Attack Sequence Play Card After card/attack is played response window* Enhance Step Blitz Abilities played by attacker Enhance abilities played by each player, alternating after each player has an opportunity to play an ability (regardless of whether they play one or not) Block Step The defender may play a block Block status assigned based on zone of block relative to the attack Damage Step Damage assigned based on block status Attack Resolution End Phase Turn player moves card in their card pool to the appropriate zone Cards move from right to left Attacks go to the discard pile If the attacker chooses, an attack that dealt damage may be placed face down in their momentum Foundations, assets, and backups go to the stage Actions go to the discard pile The rival then repeats this process The turn passes to the other player and they begin their Start Phase There are many other response windows, but we call this one out as it is a very common time to play response abilities. Where Worlds Collide and Heroes Rise! Our flagship property is the UniVersus Collectible Card Game (CCG) —a character-driven, multi-IP fighting card game that’s unlike anything else out there. UniVersus is the only CCG that lets you step into the shoes of your favorite characters from the franchises you know and love, bringing iconic heroes and villains face-to-face in battles that are as strategic as they are exciting. Originally launched in 2006 as the Universal Fighting System, UniVersus has become a cornerstone of the tabletop gaming world. With nearly 20 years of continuous publication, it’s one of the longest-running CCGs in the industry—a testament to its rich mechanics, passionate community, and timeless appeal. Throughout our journey, we've partnered with some of the most beloved IPs in fighting games, anime, and beyond, delivering epic showdowns and unforgettable gameplay experiences. But UniVersus is more than just a game—it’s a community. Over the years, players have fallen in love not just with the deep strategy and diverse worlds we explore, but with the friendships and bonds forged at kitchen tables, local game stores, and championship tournaments around the globe. At UVS Games, we live and breathe this passion. We’re industry veterans, professional gamers, and, above all, fans—just like you. We’re excited to see you at your next local game store event or tournament! — The UVS Games Team UniVersus is a one-of-a-kind collectible card game that brings the most legendary moves from your favorite fighting video games, anime, manga, and pop culture to life in fast-paced, strategy-driven battles. Every match is a test of skill, wit, and timing, as you harness the power of beloved characters from across a vast universe of fan-favorite IPs. With a rich history of strategic gameplay and unforgettable crossovers, UniVersus continues to evolve, offering new ways to play, compete, and connect. Curious about how we got here? Explore our journey below and see how UniVersus became the game that unites fans and fighters! 2024 was a powerhouse year for UVS Games and UniVersus, with epic releases shaking up the tabletop scene. From sold-out sets to unforgettable events, 2024 continues to show that UniVersus is at the forefront of fandom and gameplay. 2023 Jasco Games rebrands to UVS Games, signaling a fresh chapter for the company. Alongside this transformation, the UniVersus logo and cardback gets a modern makeover, reflecting the game's ongoing evolution. 2021 Jasco Games launches the latest version of UniVersus with the My Hero Academia Collectible Card Game, captivating fans with new content. UFS is officially renamed to UniVersus, and POW! Interactive acquires the rights to the card game system, setting the stage for future growth. 2019 The UFS system expands with Seventh Cross, inspired by the popular board game. Additionally, Yu Yu Hakusho, the iconic manga by Yoshihiro Togashi, joins the lineup, bringing beloved characters into the mix. 2018 The UFS system welcomes several fan-favorite franchises. Cowboy Bebop becomes the first anime license added to UFS, launching with a Booster Set and Turbo Box. Mortal Kombat X introduces its brutal kombat, and Street Fighter vs. Darkstalkers brings together iconic fighters and supernatural rivals. 2016 World of Indines, an original IP from Level 99 Games, is added to the UFS system, introducing unique characters and gameplay mechanics. 2014 Capcom's Mega Man powers up the UFS system with Rise of the Masters. A special Mega Man Collector’s Tin is also released, creating a nostalgic collectible for fans. 2012 SNK’s The King of Fighters returns to UFS with The King of Fighters XIII, reintroducing legendary characters and battles to a new generation. 2010 Jasco Games, based in Lubbock, Texas, acquires the publication rights to UFS. They introduce Red Horizon, an original IP that adds fresh stories and characters to the system. 2009 Soulcalibur IV, TEKKEN 6, and ShadoWar, an original IP from Fantasy Flight Games, are added to UFS, bringing new fighters to the table. 2007 UFS expands with the release of the Street Fighter Battle Pack: Ryu vs. Akuma and Higher Calibur, our fifth Soulcalibur III set. SNK’s Fortune & Glory set and Capcom’s Darkstalkers are introduced, alongside the sixth Street Fighter set, Fight for the Future. 2006 UFS officially launches with simultaneous releases of Street Fighter and Soulcalibur III card sets. A new partnership with SNK introduces cards from The King of Fighters 2006 and Samurai Shodown V. 2005 The Universal Fighting System (UFS) is created by Sabertooth Games, a Memphis-based publisher. The first official product featuring a battle box inspired by the online comic Penny Arcade, marks the beginning of a new era in card gaming.