There are a whole lot of fantasy novel properties battling for pop culture supremacy right now, and that includes the incredibly lucrative world of collectible card games. The Wheel of Time novels by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson have captivated millions of readers, and its Amazon Prime TV show earned millions more fans. Now you can decide which faction prevails in this world with the Battle for Randland digital card game.
Beta registrations are now live at battleforrandland.com. Diehard fans of this property are probably asking, wait, didn't they try this already? You'd be correct. Cards of Eternity: The Wheel of Time was the first crack at this, but in July, they announced a "new beginning," with a new studio, new systems, and entirely upgraded visuals and gameplay.
The announcement also said all Cards of Eternity assets would be fully transferable to the new game. If it's a brand-new system, I am completely unclear on how any of that is going to work. I think the only card game I've seen successfully launch multiple incarnations is Dragon Ball Z, which seems to spawn a new CCG system every 3-4 years.
But hey, it's fitting that a game based on Wheel of Time is having multiple rebirths.
At launch, players can choose from four distinct starter decks that reflect the eternal clash between Light and Shadow:
- Children of the Light (Light) – Survive early threats, control the battlefield, and dominate late game with unyielding Whitecloak discipline.
- Flame of Tar Valon (Light) – Aes Sedai channeling the One Power with damage spells, battlefield control, and synergistic spellcasting.
- Will of the Forsaken (Shadow) – Forsaken schemes of corruption and domination, turning enemies into thralls to crush them with their own forces.
- Horde of the Blight (Shadow) – Trollocs and Myrddraal swarming from the Blight, overwhelming foes with brutal coordinated assaults.