Hey Cards Ahoy! Fam, the Snowball Showdown Test kicks off on January 15th! Before we dive in, we’ve already dropped the ‘Snowball Showdown Test Events and Rewards Guide’ and the ‘Snowball Showdown Tess FAQ’. But to ensure you smoothly ride the wave of gaming fun, we’ve got a special treat for you — a beginner’s guide!

1. Test Information

• Test Period: From January 15th, 9:00 am (UTC), to January 29th, 12:00 am (UTC)
• Test Platforms: Available on Android and IOS (TestFlight)
• Test Format: Wipeout test — progress reset, but NFTs preserved. Supports trading with CAC test coins and USDT.

2. Download and Installation

2.1 Downloading the Installation Package

• Visit the Cards Ahoy! official website on your mobile device. Click on the iOS or Android installation package in the popup to download and install.

• Join the Cards Ahoy! Discord server. Head to the [Test Package] channel to grab the iOS and Android installation package links. Download the required package based on your phone’s system.

2.2 Installation Package Size
For this test, the Android package is around 230MB, and the iOS package is approximately 131MB. It’s recommended to have at least 500MB of free space to ensure smooth gameplay.
2.3 Device Requirements
To guarantee a seamless gaming experience, it’s advisable to use the following configurations for testing:

• Android phones: 2GB RAM or more, Android 8.0 or higher.
• iOS phones: 2GB RAM or more, iOS 15.0 or higher.

3. Logging into the Game

• Before logging into the game, please ensure that you have an Ice Key.

To check your Ice Key: https://cardsahoy.metalist.io/iceKey
Learn more about Ice Keys: https://medium.com/@cardsahoymeta/introduction-of-ice-keys-760baeccb727

• Open the game client and log in by entering your email address or clicking on the wallet icon.

• Input your Ice Key to access the game.

4. Getting Started with the Game

4.1 Game Basics
4.1.1 Cards
Cards Ahoy! is a collectible card and battle game, where every card is in NFT form, making each one unique and exclusively yours.
4.1.1.1 Types of Cards
Cards are the core NFTs in the game, divided into two types: Leaders and Members.

• Leader Cards: Identified by the red-bordered frame, these cards provide bonuses to member cards.
• Member Cards: Lined up and ready for action, these cards directly participate in battles.

(1) Leaders
Leaders guide their members into battle and possess powerful leader skills. Leaders themselves do not directly engage in combat.





(2) Members
Members are units that directly participate in battles, and some of them have their own exclusive combat skills.




4.1.1.2 Card Factions

• Each card belongs to a specific faction, and different faction cards have their own unique combat styles. Faction leaders can lead members of the same faction to form teams for battles. It’s worth noting that the Neutral faction doesn’t have leaders, but their members can join battles with leaders from any faction.

• The primary factions include Animals, Plants, Zombies, and Neutrals:

(1) Animal Faction
Comprising various animals, this faction’s skills often trigger during attacks, making it straightforward and easy to pick up.


(2) Plant Faction
Consisting of plants, this faction’s skills often activate when damaged, excelling in defensive counterattacks.



(3) Zombie Faction
Composed of zombies, this faction’s skills often trigger after being defeated, preferring group tactics.



(4) Neutral Faction
Made up of various gear and items, these mercenaries of the card world can cooperate with leaders from any faction.



5) Other Factions
More new factions will be introduced gradually after the open beta.
4.1.1.3 Card Details



(1) Armor
Enemies must deplete a character’s armor before inflicting damage.
(2) Power
Power represents a card’s attack and health. When cards collide, their powers offset each other. When power reaches zero, the card is destroyed.
(3) Level
The higher a card’s level, the stronger its attributes. You can increase a card’s level by synthesizing identical cards.
(4) Cost
The more powerful the card, the higher the cost. Cost affects your team-building decisions.
(5) Faction
Each character belongs to a specific faction. Characters from the same faction can fight side by side in a team. Neutral faction characters can be paired with any faction.
(6) Name
The character’s name.
4.1.1.4 Card Skills
Most characters come with unique skills that can help you gain an advantage in battles.


4.1.2 Gameplay
Different from other TCG card games, battles in Cards Ahoy! are fast-paced and simple, typically taking only a few minutes for a ladder match.
4.1.2.1 Team Formation

• Before the battle, you need to assemble a team. Click the “Collection” button to enter the interface.

• Start by selecting a faction leader, capable of leading members from the same faction and neutral members. Leader levels limit the levels of members, temporarily suppressing higher-level members to match the leader’s level.
• Then, based on the attributes and skills of different members, position them strategically. Note that the total cost of all cards should not exceed the team’s cost limit.

4.1.2.2 Matchmaking Opponents

• Next, select a suitable Booster, and you’re ready to start matchmaking. The system will automatically find a suitable opponent for you.

• Boosters provide additional assistance to your battle. Choose your Booster wisely based on your team’s needs.

• After reaching the bronze rank, the energy system unlocks. Each battle consumes 1 energy, and players need at least 1 energy to participate.

4.1.2.3 Preparation Phase

• While searching for an opponent, players can click the close button in the top right corner to end matchmaking.

• Both players have a 60-second preparation time during which they can see each other’s battle teams. Players can strategically rearrange their formation once based on the opponent’s team. When both players click the ready button, the battle phase begins.

4.1.2.4 Battle Phase
The battle process is automatic, requiring no player input. Focus on character combinations, positioning, and the impact of skills on the outcome. Enjoy the thrill of strategic battles!



4.1.3 Battle Settlement
4.1.3.1 Basic Settlement

• The victorious side earns ladder points and doesn’t consume carried Boosters and clovers.
• The defeated side loses ladder points and consumes carried Boosters and clovers.

4.1.3.2 Earnings Settlement

• Players who purchase Ahoy Tickets unlock the play-to-earn access, with rewards only available for victorious battles.
• Starting from the bronze rank, winners earn reward points and CAC (Cards Ahoy! Coins).
• Reward points help accumulate progress for daily and seasonal tasks, unlocking more ladder chests. Ladder chests can yield rare rewards like Season Cards.
• CAC is the in-game token dropped during play-to-earn activities.
• If there are trial cards in the battle, rewards are proportionally reduced by 20% for each trial card.

4.2 Beginner Guide Introduction
(1) To help players quickly grasp the Cards Ahoy! game, we’ve designed introductory tasks with rich rewards.


(2) Upon completing these tasks, players earn Bootcamp Points. Accumulating points allows them to exchange for eight highly versatile neutral card NFTs. These cards become essential assets during gameplay, strategically utilizing their skills significantly improves win rates.


(3) Main tasks include participating in ladder rankings, trying different lineups, and joining the DC community. These tasks are designed to guide players to better understand Cards Ahoy!



4.3 Season Gameplay Introduction
4.3.1 Ladder Tournament Overview
The ladder tournament is the main gameplay mode, allowing players to continuously challenge and enhance their ladder points and rankings for substantial rewards.





4.3.2 Ladder Tournament Rules
The test Season 1 lasts for 10 days. Participating in the ladder tournament costs 1 energy point. The system matches players with similar strengths for 1v1 duels. Victorious players gain ladder points, while defeated players lose ladder points. Ladder points determine the player’s rank and position.
4.3.3 Daily Cost
The team cost limit for the novice rank is fixed at 20. After reaching the bronze rank, players unlock daily expenditure. The server randomly refreshes the daily team cost limit once a day. Players can adjust their team lineup according to the daily cost.




4.3.4 Ladder Tournament Rewards
(1) Victory Rewards
Winning ladder battles provides a chance to earn ladder points, chest points, and a certain amount of CAC (Cards Ahoy! Coins).

• Bonuses: Using gold cards, meeting daily quest requirements for factions, or achieving consecutive victories increases rewards.
• Reductions: Using trial cards decreases reward earnings.

(2) Daily Tasks

• Daily tasks refresh each day. The type of ladder chest rewards depends on the player’s rank when claiming tasks. Winning ladder battles accumulates chest points to progress tasks. More points mean more chests. On the next day’s task refresh, players can claim accumulated chests and reset task progress.

• The daily task will offer bonus chest points when using cards from the featured faction. For instance, using zombie faction cards in battles today grants additional chest points.

(3) Season Tasks

• Each season resets seasonal task progress. Winning ladder battles accumulates chest points to progress seasonal tasks. More points mean more chests.

• At the start of a new season, players can claim chests accumulated from the previous season and reset task progress.
• The higher the rank in the previous season, the richer the rewards from season chests!

4.4. Common Card Combinations
For most players, building decks around the following cards can be effective. If you haven’t acquired them, consider buying them from the Marketplace:
4.4.1 Animal Faction: Fox + Bull

• Cunning Fox: After each attack, swaps combat power and armor, boosting combat power. Initially high combat power on the first attack; ideal for targeting high-threat enemies. Effective synergy with characters that increase armor, such as Bull or Helmet.

• Angry Bull: Utilizes the characteristic of adding armor after attacking. Adds armor to armored animals like Turtle and Fox for enhanced durability.

4.4.2 Plant Faction: Watermelon + Red Chili

• Watermelon: Boosts Chili’s combat power when taking hits.

• Red Chili: Triggers combat power increase on its own and can cultivate into Super Chili. Combining Watermelon with Garlic, Tomato, and other trigger cards enhances the overall effect.

4.4.3 Zombie Faction: Bomb Zombie + Pirate Zombie

• Bomb Zombie: Deals significant AOE damage at the beginning of the match. Inflicts massive damage on the enemy camp, creating a substantial impact.

• Pirate Zombie: Innate skill damage with a +2 effect. Amplifies the power of Bomb Zombie, leading to a substantial increase in its effectiveness.

4.4.4 Neutral Faction: Great Complement for Power
Starving Mimic, Frying Pan Combo: The Starving Mimic summons two Frying Pans upon defeat. The key is to maximize the spatula’s attacks to trigger increased combat power for the pans.




4.5. Core Season Cards
4.5.1 Animal Faction
Master Panda: Boosts the combat power of the highest combat power character after defeating an opponent. Versatile and effectively enhances the team’s power.




4.5.2 Plant Faction
Garlic: A versatile trigger, deals 1 damage to units behind and grants 3 combat power. Can be paired with any plant with on-hit trigger skills.


4.5.3 Zombie Faction
Super Zombie: Deals damage to the enemy when an ally with the last words effect dies. Ideal for frequent trigger skill setups. Combining with Pirate Zombie increases damage output.