In WarCry the opposing players become generals of vast armies and wage battles for control over the Old World. Each game is divided into three segments called battles. The outcome of each battle is determined after both players pass consecutively. Their Victory Points totals are compared and the player with the highest total wins the battle. The player who wins two out of the three battles is the winner. To begin playing the game each player needs two decks - the Army Deck and the Action Deck - containing a minimum of 30 cards each. The Army Deck consists cards representing units that will fight for you, the heroes that may fight alongside a given unit and magical weapons, armor or other items that can somehow help swing the tide of battle in your favour. The Action Deck has cards that represent special strategies, powerful attacks and other tricks that every leader has to know in order to win. Each battle is divided into two phases: the muster phase and the combat phase. In the muster phase players take turns placing unit or equipment cards on the table. Each such card has a cost in Gold points. In the first battle both players can muster units for up to 20 Gold, in the second - up to 25, and in the third - up to 30. When both players are done mustering units the combat phase begins. The opponents take turns issuing commands. After they both pass successively the battle ends. The player with the most Victory Points wins.
Card types
WarCry includes cards for the Grand Alliance, the Hordes of Darkness, and neutral cards. The cards are further broken down into the following types:
Units - Unit cards represent small armies or soldiers on the battlefield, including infantry, cavalry, and flying units.
Attachments - Attachment cards are attached to units, where they generally remain until the unit is destroyed. They can confer bonuses or additional abilities.
Actions - Action cards are used during combat to help friendly units or punish the enemy. They represent things such as strategies, tactics, or unexpected events.
Card sets
WarCry cards are released in sets each containing 120 unique cards. They can be purchased in randomized booster packs of 9 playable cards and one redeemable "Gold Piece" card. On July 1, 2006, the Sabertooth Games redemption program officially ended, with newer boosters no longer containing any redeemable cards. On December 12, 2006, Sabertooth announced that Veterans of Battle would be the final WarCry product release.
Standard card sets
WarCry
Winds of Magic
Siege of Darkness
Dogs of War
Path of Glory
Legions of Chaos
Siege of Middenheim
Harbingers of War
Bringers of Darkness
Bearers of Redemption
Swords of Retribution
War of Attrition
Hand of Fate
Marks of Power
Veterans of Battle
Special pre-constructed decks of 2x60 cards ("battle boxes")
Chivalry and Deceit - Bretonnia vs. Skaven
Death and Honour - Imperial Vampire Hunters vs. Vampire Counts
