hololive TCG Complete Guide | How to Start the hololive OFFICIAL CARD GAME and Key Points to Watch
holive OFFICIAL CARD GAME, the first things you want to decide are “which language version to look at” and “whether your purpose is to play or to collect.” Once this is clear, it becomes much easier to understand what to buy and which points to emphasize when choosing. The charm of the hololive card game is that you can enjoy building a deck centered around your favorite talent (“Oshi”). There is an entry point both for people who want to learn the rules and play, and for people who want to collect their favorite cards, featuring a system that balances visual fun with smooth card game flow.
Which version to look at: Japanese or English?
The first thing to consider is whether you want to collect the Japanese version or play with the English version. Those who want to own their favorite cards in the original language will easily choose the Japanese version, while those who want to follow the rules in English or look at products aimed at English-speaking regions will find the English version easier to enter. Depending on the language, not only the visual impression but also the marketplaces where it is easy to buy and the products that are easy to collect will change. You can think of it as collecting the Japanese version for fan activities (“Oshi-katsu”), or prioritizing the ease of playing and understanding with the English version.
If it’s your first time, the Start Deck is easy to enter
If you are touching it for the first time, it is easiest to start with a Start Deck. Since it comes in a form that allows you to play right out of the box, it is easy to enter even for people who are not used to card games, making it easy to grasp the feel of the deck. On the other hand, a Booster Pack is suitable for people who want to increase their favorite members, expand their deck configurations, or collect cards with different appearances. The product you choose first changes depending on whether you want to play immediately or also enjoy fan activities and collection. It is a natural flow to grasp the overall picture with a Start Deck first, and then expand with Booster Packs.
Start Deck
4 Types of Cards
The hololive OFFICIAL CARD GAME is broadly divided into 4 types of cards.
Oshi Holomem Card
The Oshi Holomem card is a special card that forms the centerpiece throughout the game. It represents your favorite talent and is placed on the field from the very start of the game. Each card has a different “Oshi skill” and a once-per-game “SP Oshi skill,” which also heavily influence the direction of the deck.
Oshi Holomem Card
Cheer Card
Cheer cards are the cards that support Holomem to use their “Arts.” Since they are used during the flow of each turn, they play an important role in creating the tempo of the game.
Cheer Card
Holomem Card
Holomem cards are the main character cards that actually move on the stage. They have different abilities and roles, and the way you fight changes depending on the combination. Even for people who collect with an emphasis on appearance, they will be the center of searching for favorite talents and members.
Holomem Card
Support Card
Support cards are cards used to help the Holomem. They influence the usability of the deck by adjusting movements or helping with development on the field.
Support Card
Flow of 1 Turn
Each turn in the hololive OFFICIAL CARD GAME basically proceeds in the following flow:
- Reset Phase
- Draw Phase
- Cheer Phase
- Main Phase
- Performance Phase
- End Phase
Within this flow, you draw cards, send Cheer, line up Holomem, and use Arts. The conditions to win are to completely deplete the opponent’s life, make it impossible for the opponent to maintain their field, or make the opponent unable to draw cards.
Basics of Deck Building
The deck is composed of Holomem cards and Support cards, and is built with exactly 50 cards. Up to 4 copies of the same card number can be included in a single deck, though there are exceptions depending on the card. In addition, the Cheer Deck is composed separately of 20 cards. Since its role is different from the regular deck, it is easy to organize if you understand it as a card game where the “main deck” and the “Cheer Deck” are separated.
Highly enjoyable as a fan activity (“Oshi-katsu”)
The charm of this card game is not just competing in matches, but being able to enjoy it centered around your favorite members. A major point is that you can collect cards starting from your favorite Holomem, choose cards whose appearance you like, and play while feeling the strong presence of your Oshi. Since there is an entry point both for people starting as a card game and for people entering as a fan activity, it is easy to enjoy for either type.
Things to check before buying
When buying hololive cards, it is important first not to mistake the language version. Buying the English version when you wanted to collect the Japanese version, or vice versa, is an accident that happens surprisingly often. On top of that, it becomes easier to choose if you organize whether the product is an unopened item, a single card, for competitive play, or for collection. If you just want to collect your favorite cards, it can sometimes be faster to search for singles from the start. For high-specification cards or cards of popular members, you want to choose by carefully looking at the photos, condition, and specification descriptions.
Advantages of searching in the Japanese market
For hololive related products and cards, the Japanese market often provides a wider range of choices. Especially when you want to search for single cards of your Oshi, products of specific members, or unopened items, it is easier to compare if you look at listings on the Japanese side. Due to the release timing and the depth of the lineup, the probability of “finding what you wanted” can increase if you look down to the Japanese market.
Summary
If you are unsure where to enter, it is easiest to first decide on the language version and try touching a Start Deck. From there, if you expand to Booster Packs or single cards, it will be easier to continue whether your purpose is playing or fan activities.
If you want to expand your search to the Japanese market, using a purchase support service like Neokyo makes it easy to collectively view Japanese shops and flea market listings. It is a convenient method for people who want to collect their favorite cards and related products.
