The Vision

When I first imagined OPedia, I saw it as a sort of giant electronic notepad, something simple, yet powerful. My vision included access points functioning like digital sticky notes, helping players to find the information they need, when they need it. Since my days as a core developer are far behind me, I needed a platform that wouldn’t require writing lines of code to bring this concept to life.

Though people see the iOS Notes app as a basic note-taking tool, it’s capable of so much more. Behind its simplicity is surprising depth, including a macro programming language that can automate many tasks. That is why I chose iOS Notes as the foundation for OPedia. It’s accessible, easy to use, and aligns with the following principles that have shaped the direction of OPedia:

• Unify Legacy and Modern in a single format
• Include all card sets sanctioned by the North American OverPower League
• Designed for mobile devices
• Provide intuitive navigation and filtering interface
• Prioritize text over images
• Support keyword searches
• Offer the community an easy-to-use tool without a cost barrier
• Start small but scale gracefully in response to community needs

Buildout

I started the project by exporting the card texts from my old deck builder database and experimenting with different visual layouts in iOS Notes. The navigation went through several iterations, but developing hyperlinks between the various elements was a game-changer. I also yearned for a tool I could control with my voice through my phone, something that could read OverPower information back to me on command. The Notes layout in OPedia and a “Memorize Cards” Shortcut was designed and refined with Siri and text-to-speech in mind: Activate Siri, say a character’s name, and Siri would read out the character’s grid stats, threat level, inherent ability, associated battlesites, and all special cards.

The most significant challenge, and the one that would provide the greatest benefit to players was finding a way to present both the Legacy and Modern cards in a single, unified format. I was brainstorming one day with my son, Tyler, when he mentioned how he was planning to use tags on images for the new NAOL website. I knew iOS Notes supported tags, but I hadn’t previously explored them. They were the silver bullet; an OPedia-specific tagging system could be applied across the entire database! After assigning Legacy and Modern cards with tags, the Notes search function or Tag Browser (which I particularly love) could be used to quickly find thematic information. 

A New Collaborator

Testing Phase

Marcel “The GOAT” Lojet and my son Tyler joined the testing phase, helping to identify data inconsistencies and offering suggestions to improve the formatting of our notes, particularly to enhance Siri’s text-to-speech playback. Their feedback was invaluable in refining the user experience. By mid-March, we wrapped up active development and began introducing OPedia to the NAOL community through Facebook and Marcel’s OverPower Mountain podcast.

For those who remember, the Shadow King made a mysterious appearance in the OverPower scene a few years back. I enjoyed the schtick and the intrigue it created in our community. I thought creating an incognito, Robin Hood-style character as a nod to the ERB World Legends set would stir curiosity and build some buzz around OPedia. Let’s just say… it didn’t quite catch fire the way I had hoped. Sometimes you win, sometimes not so much.

Preview Release Program Feedback

Feedback from our Preview Release Program was very positive, and most consider OPedia an essential tool for competing in upcoming mixed Legacy and Modern events. Players found the tagging system particularly helpful for navigating the vast card library. Suppose you would like to know all characters across the Overpower universe with an 8 Combat, and a Threat Level of 20, you simply tap on the #8C and #TL20 tags, and the result set immediately appears in alphabetical order showing Batman Avenger, Captain America, Wonder Woman, Zealot and Zorro. 

At the request of our Preview Release Program volunteers, we added the following Tags that align with different deck building strategies. They include: #JZJW, #Lockout, #Remove, #GridBump, #Reveal, #Pin, #TeamD, and #Negate. Suppose you are looking for a character with 7 Intelligence, with team defense, lockout potential and a reveal card. Now, that’s a tall order!! Choose the #7I, #TeamD, #Lockout, and the #Reveal tags and immediately Victory Harben appears in the display window as the only character in the game meeting those selection choices.

The Venture Phase

Written by Howard Bertrand (aka Robyn Hode)

Come join our band!

The post OPedia: Bridging the Gap Between Legacy and Modern OverPower appeared first on Overpower CCG.

The Print and Play versions feature a reduced number of cards, designed to give you a taste of the game’s mechanics and help you determine if it’s the right fit for you. They’re perfect for learning the basics, testing out strategies, and just having fun with friends.

To get started, simply click on the PDF links provided in this article, print the decks at home, and enjoy a game of OverPower. While these decks are streamlined compared to our official sets, they provide an introduction to the game’s dynamic play style.

With these small decks, we recommend ignoring the discarding of duplicate rules for Power cards. These decks are meant only to give you a flavor of gameplay.

Gather your team, set your strategies, and let the battles begin!

Deck #1 – Horror Menagerie
Brute Force Deck

Deck #2 – Ungodly Powers
Energy Deck

Deck #3 – The Resistance
Combat Deck

Deck #4 – Time Detectives
Intelligence Deck

The post OverPower Print and Play Decks appeared first on Overpower CCG.

At Lazarus Rising Games, our journey into the world of collectible card games (CCGs) is deeply rooted in a childhood passion shared by our team. As lifelong players of tabletop games, we’ve woven our experiences and ideals into OverPower, crafting a game built around play balance and creating a “meta” where you will see a FAR greater variety of decks being competitive than normal CCG’s.  Our innovative coalition model means we do not have to design within the Industry’s standard “pay-to-win” model used by most every other game on the market.

OverPower is designed to be accessible to everyone. All playable cards are available at the common and uncommon levels, making them easy to collect from packs and ensuring that players can easily build any deck they wish for a fraction of the cost of traditional CCG models. This allows us to design the game with the opposite mentality of the trading card industry, and make every single card playable. 

We at Lazarus Rising Games have adopted the moniker of Ron Peraza, Co-Creator of Overpower, “Every Character is Somebody’s Favorite.” We design our character from the start by immersing ourselves in their lore and learning what it is that people love about them.  THEN we work backwards to align and balance the card mechanics to not only respect the lore, but also keeps power creep in check. This methodology ensures that every expansion and new card introduced to the game enriches the player experience without disrupting the game’s balance.

Understanding that CCG players often feel overwhelmed by rapid and continuous expansions, we have consciously decided to release no more than three expansions per year. This measured approach allows players to fully explore and enjoy each set without the pressure of constant new releases, making the game more enjoyable and less burdensome financially.

Our rare chase cards are based purely on cosmetics, featuring artwork drawn by both legendary and emerging extraordinary talent. Players can pursue these beautiful cards, however, their value is aesthetic rather than game-altering. This strategy supports a healthy singles market at local game stores (LGS), empowering them to thrive while reassuring players that their success in the game hinges on the choices they make, not what they spend.

Community Engagement and Player Incentives

To further foster a passionate community of players, we are excited to introduce a player incentive program. This initiative will soon offer players the opportunity to collect alternative uncommon, rare, and ultra-rare cards by hosting ‘learn to play’ events, judging sanctioned events, playing in, and winning events, and earning Power Points to redeem on our online rewards shop. This program is designed to drive community engagement and support our players in a meaningful way, rewarding their involvement and achievements within the OverPower community.

Why OverPower is Your Ideal Second CCG

We recognize that investing in a new CCG can be a significant commitment. That’s why we’ve designed OverPower as an ideal second CCG to play. It’s built to be affordable, fair, and extremely well play-balanced,  providing a fresh yet familiar experience that respects both your time and wallet.

By choosing OverPower, you’re joining a community where skill and creativity are rewarded, narratives are cherished, and fun is the primary goal. Whether you’re a seasoned CCG player or looking for a new challenge, OverPower invites you to enjoy what all CCG’s should be.

The post Designing OverPower appeared first on Overpower CCG.

These promotional cards, including sets yet to be unveiled at the Boston tournament in November 2024, will be produced in a foil finish and will never be reproduced, ensuring their rarity and collectability. This exclusive offer underlines our commitment to providing our backers with truly special and unique items that are not just playable but are also collectible gems within the OverPower universe.

For our backers, this stretch goal represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of the game’s legacy—beautiful, rare, and exclusive. This is our way of thanking the community that has supported OverPower through its revival. For those who have not yet backed the campaign, there is still time to participate and claim your exclusive promotional cards, ensuring you don’t miss out on this limited offer.

Promo 2023

*Note the images from the 2023 promo were sourced from our artists existing portfolio. Our design ethos, for all our commissioned work for the 2024 promos and upcoming sets, is more clothed.

Promo 2024

Note* Two more Promos will be added for the Seattle Valhalla and Battle for Boston tournaments.

The post OverPower’s Foil Promo Cards for Kickstarter Backers appeared first on Overpower CCG.

This rulebook covers everything from basic setup and winning conditions to detailed explanations of each card type and game phases. Whether you’re learning about Character Cards, Universe Cards, or the strategic use of Special and Power Cards, this guide has you covered. It also introduces players to the different Modes of Play such as Constructed Play and Limited Play, which include exciting formats like Draft and Sealed Deck.

Key sections include detailed explanations of the game’s phases, from drawing cards to executing strategic battles, ensuring you understand the flow of play and how to optimize each turn. The rulebook also emphasizes the importance of strategic card placement and the use of the Astral Plane, a new  element that adds depth and strategy to the game.

Ideal for those hosting game nights or participating in local tournaments, this rulebook is crafted to ensure clarity and fairness in gameplay, providing players with the knowledge needed to learn and Play Overpower immediately OverPower.

For a detailed understanding of the game mechanics, tips on strategic play, and to become well-versed in the rules that will govern tournament play, download the full “2025 Learn to Play Rulebook” here.

The post  Introducing the 2025 Learn to Play Rulebook appeared first on Overpower CCG.

At Lazarus Rising Games, we’re committed to creating a fair, competitive, and enjoyable tournament environment for all players of OverPower. Our newly released tournament guidelines are designed to clarify the rules and ensure that every match is played with integrity and sportsmanship. Here are some key points from our official tournament guide:

Key Aspects of Tournament Play

• Deck Building and Legality: All decks must comply with the tournament rules from the start and throughout the event. Illegal decks can lead to penalties ranging from game forfeits to disqualification, depending on the severity and level of competition.

• Match Conduct: Players are expected to shuffle their decks thoroughly and allow opponents to cut them. Any manipulation of deck order beyond standard shuffling procedures is strictly prohibited and subject to penalties.

• Handling Misplays: The guide outlines procedures for handling various types of misplays, from drawing cards incorrectly to playing out of order. Players are encouraged to resolve minor misplays among themselves when possible; however, judges are available to make rulings when needed.

• Tardiness and Forfeits: Players are expected to arrive on time for their matches. Penalties for lateness include moving missions from the player’s reserve to their defeated pile, and can escalate depending on the delay’s length.

• Ethical Gameplay: The guidelines emphasize sportsmanship and fair play. Abusive behavior, collusion to manipulate outcomes, or intentional rule-breaking will lead to strict penalties.

• Post-Match Procedures: After each match, players must reveal their remaining hand cards to ensure no discrepancies in play. Failure to do so can lead to penalties, ensuring the game’s integrity is maintained.

Learn More and Download the Full Guidelines

To ensure all players and judges are on the same page, we encourage everyone involved in OverPower tournaments to read the full tournament guidelines. These rules help maintain a level playing field and enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the game. You can learn more about the specifics and download the complete PDF of the guidelines here.

The post OverPower Tournament Guidelines appeared first on Overpower CCG.

A Nostalgic Approach to Modern Gaming

Reflecting on the days when the internet was a novelty and each game release brought with it the joy of unexpected discoveries, we wanted to recreate that excitement for the players of today. This decision has sparked a wonderful wave of community engagement, with fans eagerly sleuthing through every Q&A session, artwork reveal, and video media we’ve published. The results have been phenomenal, with the community compiling a nearly perfect list of the characters included in the upcoming set. Want to know more or argue with Joe, Keith, David and Shawn why your favorite character was excluded and SHOULD be included in the next release of World Legends? Join us at www.discord.gg/overpowerlives.

Here are the characters that fans can look forward to encountering in the “Edgar Rice Burroughs and World Legends” expansion:

• Angry Mob
• Anubis
• Billy the Kid
• Captain Nemo
• Carson of Venus
• Count of Monte Cristo
• Cthulhu
• Dejah Thoris
• Dr. Watson
• Dracula
• Headless Horseman
• Hercules
• Invisible Man
• Jane Porter
• Joan of Arc
• John Carter
• King Arthur
• Korak
• Lancelot
• Leonidas
• Merlin
• Mina Harker
• Morgan la Fay
• Mr. Hyde
• Poseidon
• Professor Moriarty
• Ra
• Robin Hood
• Sheriff of Nottingham
• Sherlock Holmes
• Sun Wukong
• Tars Tarkas
• Tarzan
• Three Musketeers
• Time Traveler
• Wicked Witch
• Zeus
• Zorro
• Victory Harben
• The Mummy

The enthusiastic participation from our community in piecing together this list exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and engagement we cherish. This journey of discovery not only makes the gameplay more engaging but also strengthens the bonds within our community, as players share theories and insights. Be a part of the conversation at www.discord.gg/overpowerlives.

What’s Next?

As the release date approaches, we invite everyone to continue the quest for clues and prepare for the strategic depths these characters will bring to the game. Stay tuned for more surprises, and thank you for being a part of this thrilling adventure.

The post Discover OverPower’s Character Set List appeared first on Overpower CCG.