Deck-building game

A deck-building game is a game that uses building a deck as part of the gameplay. It is similar to collectible card games in that each player has their own deck. However, unlike CCGs, the cards are not sold in randomized packs, and the majority of the deck is built up over the course of the game. Typically, the cards provide a type of currency which allows a player to buy more cards to add to their deck.

The original deck-building game was Dominion, whose popularity spurred the creation of many others: notably Thunderstone (a fantasy dungeon crawl), Ascension: Chronicle of the Godslayer (also fantasy), and Legendary (based on Marvel superhero comics). Others, such as Mage Knight and Copycat, use deck-building as one mechanic among many, instead of the main focus of the game.

Deck-building games have inspired similar games, which focus on collecting things other than cards. (These are sometimes referred to as "pool-building games".) For instance, Quarriors! players collect dice, and Puzzle Strike players collect cardboard chips.