What is Altered TCG?
Altered TCG is a modern trading card game that combines classic deckbuilding with a living fantasy universe and groundbreaking digital integration. The game was developed by the French studio Equinox, known for innovative titles such as Dixit and Mysterium, and is backed by Asmodee. In Altered TCG you choose one of six unique factions, build a 40-card deck led by a Hero, and compete against your opponent in intense expeditions across three regions: Forest, Mountain and Ocean. Each card has a phygital QR code that lets you organize, register and even replace damaged cards digitally — a feature that makes Altered stand out among collectible card games.
Format and expansions in Altered
Altered TCG offers several product formats that appeal to both collectors and active players. The most popular are booster boxes, such as Beyond the Gates, Trial by Frost and Whispers from the Maze. Each booster box contains packs with a mix of card types: Characters, Spells and Landmarks, each with its own role in the deck and on the Tumult path. Expansions bring new factions, mechanics and lore into the game, keeping the metagame fresh and challenging. For collectors, special editions like Beyond the Gates KS Edition are especially interesting, as they can include exclusive prints and alt-art Hero cards.
Whether you collect or play, it can be helpful to protect your cards with accessories such as sleeves and deck boxes to keep your collection in top condition.
Deckbuilding and factions in Altered
One of Altered's major strengths is its strategic deckbuilding system. Each deck is led by a Hero card from a single faction — you cannot mix factions in the same deck. That demands careful strategy and makes the choice of faction decisive for your playstyle. There are six different factions, each with their own strengths, weaknesses and lore. Decks consist of exactly 40 cards, with a maximum of three copies of any card, up to three Unique and 15 Rare cards. The game plays out over several "Days," where you move Expedition tokens through the regions via the Tumult path. It's not just about building the strongest deck, but also about timing, region control and making the most of cards' Reserve and Fleeting effects.
Phygital QR codes on each card make it easy to track your collection digitally, build decks in the app and even print proxies if a card is damaged. It's a unique feature that bridges physical and digital collecting culture.
Collector value and strategy in the Altered card game
Altered TCG is not only for players — it's also a natural choice for collectors who value innovation and quality. Special chase cards like Unique Hero cards, full-art variants and exclusive prints from Kickstarter editions are especially sought after. The rarity system is well considered: Common, Rare and Unique, with Unique and alt-art faction leaders carrying particularly high collector value. Additionally, the phygital integration makes it easier to track and protect your collection over time.
If you want to compare Altered with other popular trading card games, it may be relevant to take a look at Magic: The Gathering or Disney Lorcana. Altered stands out especially for its digital integration and its fresh take on deckbuilding and region control.
How to choose the right Altered products
Your choice of Altered TCG products depends on whether you are primarily a collector or a player. Booster boxes like Beyond the Gates or Trial by Frost are ideal for those who want to expand their collection or chase specific cards. If you are new to Altered, it can be helpful to focus on expansions that match your favorite faction or introduce new mechanics you want to explore. Also consider whether you want special editions like the KS Edition for extra collector value. For players, it's important to pay attention to deckbuilding rules and choose cards that strengthen your strategy on the Tumult path.
Choose booster boxes for wide selection and the hunt for rare cards
Focus on expansions that match your favorite faction
Protect your cards with sleeves and deck boxes
Use phygital QR codes for digital collection and deckbuilding
Whether you're an experienced TCG enthusiast or new to the hobby, Altered TCG offers a unique combination of strategy, collector value and digital innovation, making it an exciting choice for any collector and player.
