Keywords

Date: October 28, 2025

PRIMITIVES DEFINITIONS

Card Types

Card Type	Subtypes	Description
Commander	Assault, Swarm, Volatility, Fortress, Recursion, Adaptation, Network, Combo, Enhancement, Lockdown, Tempo, Manipulation, Generator, Efficiency, Conversion, Scout, Mobility, Transformer	Battlefield leader, defines deck archetype
Unit	Infantry, Vehicle, Spaceship, Construct, Structure	Cards that occupy grid spaces and engage in combat
Module	Weapon, Armor, Ammunition, Targeting, Shield, Defensive System, Repair System, Stat Booster, Keyword Granter, Jammer, Disruptor, Status Inflictor, Generator, Capacitor, Converter, Scanner, Mobility, Stealth, Special	Equipment and upgrades attached to units
Action	Combat, Defense, Support, Control, Resource, Utility, Movement, Coordination, Deployment	One-time effects played from hand
Pet	Combat, Defense, Support, Control, Resource, Utility	Special cards that track gameplay metrics

Card Classes (6-Box System)

Class	Description	Function
Combat	Offense and aggression	Damage dealing, removal, direct attacks
Defense	Protection and survivability	Damage prevention, blocking, revival
Support	Enhancement and enablement	Buffs, heals, stat boosts, card advantage
Control	Disruption and manipulation	Denial, debuffs, positioning, resource control
Resource	Economy and production	Generation, network optimization, resource management
Utility	Mobility and infrastructure	Movement, intel, networks, special abilities

Keyword Categories (Subcategories by Class)

Class	Categories
Combat	Direct Damage, Area Damage, Life Steal, Damage Over Time, Removal, Execution, High Risk Offense
Defense	Damage Reduction, Blocks, Evasion, Revival, Immunity, Deflection, High Risk Defense
Support	Stat Buffs, Healing, Card Draw, Cost Reduction, Synergy, Auras, Type Synergy
Control	Debuffs, Disable, Movement Control, Resource Denial, Mind Control, Manipulation
Resource	Generation, Acceleration, Network Effects, Storage, Conversion, Theft
Utility	Movement, Range, Infrastructure, Transformation, Card Manipulation, Special Abilities, Sequences

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🗡️ COMBAT CLASS

Direct Damage

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Strike	Combat	Direct Damage	Deal X damage to target	1-6	None
Pierce	Combat	Direct Damage	Deal X damage, ignore armor	1-5	None
Cleave	Combat	Direct Damage	Deal X damage to target and X/2 to adjacent	2-8	None
Execute	Combat	Direct Damage	If target ≤X HP or ≤X%, destroy it	1-10	None
Snipe	Combat	Direct Damage	Deal X damage to target at range Y	2-7	None
Assassinate	Combat	Direct Damage	Deal X damage, if kills target gain bonus	3-9	None

Area Damage

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Blast	Combat	Area Damage	Deal X damage to all units in radius Y	2-8	None
Splash	Combat	Area Damage	Deal X damage to target, X/2 to adjacent	2-10	None
Nova	Combat	Area Damage	Deal X damage to all adjacent units	2-8	None
Shockwave	Combat	Area Damage	Deal X damage in line, penetrates targets	3-12	None
Bombardment	Combat	Area Damage	Deal X damage to area, roll 2d12 for each target	DICE + 4-14	None
Wildfire	Combat	Area Damage	Deal X damage to random targets, roll 2d12 for spread	DICE + 3-15	None

Life Steal

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Drain	Combat	Life Steal	Deal X damage, heal self for Y (specify full X or X/2)	1-6	None
Feast	Combat	Life Steal	When destroys unit, heal for X	2-8	None

Damage Over Time

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Burn	Combat	Damage Over Time	Deal X damage at start of target's turn for Y turns	1-5	Burning
Poison	Combat	Damage Over Time	Deal X damage at end of target's turn for Y turns	1-4	Poisoned
Corrode	Combat	Damage Over Time	Deal X damage per turn, stacks	1-3	Corroded
Bleed	Combat	Damage Over Time	Deal X damage when target acts	1-4	Bleeding
Radiation	Combat	Damage Over Time	Deal X damage to target and adjacent units per turn	2-6	Irradiated

Removal

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Destroy	Combat	Removal	Remove target from grid/game (card text specifies: permanent, no revival, etc.)	—	None
Sacrifice	Combat	Removal	Destroy own unit for benefit	—	None

High Risk Offense

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Overload	Combat	High Risk Offense	Roll 2d12 ≥ 10: double effect, else destroy self	DICE	None
Overcharge	Combat	High Risk Offense	Roll 2d12 ≥ 8: gain +X stats, else take X damage	DICE + 2-10	Overcharged
Kamikaze	Combat	High Risk Offense	Destroy self to deal X damage to all nearby	4-16	None
Volatile	Combat	High Risk Offense	Roll 2d12 ≤ 6: explode for X damage to all	DICE + 4-16	None
Unstable	Combat	High Risk Offense	Each turn roll 2d12: ≤ 4 destroys self	DICE	Unstable
Misfire	Combat	High Risk Offense	Roll 2d12 ≤ 4: effect hits self instead	DICE	None
Backfire	Combat	High Risk Offense	Roll 2d12 ≤ 6: take X damage	DICE + 2-8	None
Frenzy	Combat	High Risk Offense	Must attack each turn, gain +X attack	1-6	Frenzied
Rampage	Combat	High Risk Offense	Gain +X attack for each enemy destroyed this turn	1-4	None
Bloodlust	Combat	High Risk Offense	Gain +X/−X for each attack	1-3	None
All-In	Combat	High Risk Offense	Pay all resources for X effect	—	None
Double Down	Combat	High Risk Offense	Pay double cost for double effect	—	None
Gambit	Combat	High Risk Offense	Roll 2d12 for tiered outcome: low = penalty, mid = normal, high = bonus	DICE	None
Chaos	Combat	High Risk Offense	Random effect from pool	DICE	None

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🛡️ DEFENSE CLASS

Damage Reduction

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Armor	Defense	Damage Reduction	Reduce incoming damage by X	1-6	None
Resist	Defense	Damage Reduction	Reduce damage from specific type by X	1-5	None
Fortify	Defense	Damage Reduction	Increase armor by X for Y turns	2-8	Fortified
Harden	Defense	Damage Reduction	Gain +X armor when attacked	1-4	None
Shell	Defense	Damage Reduction	Reduce first instance of damage per turn by X	2-6	None

Blocks

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Block	Defense	Blocks	Prevent next X damage (card text specifies: absorb then break, etc.)	2-10	None
Wall	Defense	Blocks	Reduce incoming damage by X each turn	1-5	None
Bulwark	Defense	Blocks	Adjacent allies gain +X block	2-6	None
Deflect	Defense	Blocks	Block X damage, reflect X/2 to attacker	2-8	None

Evasion

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Dodge	Defense	Evasion	Roll 2d12 ≥ X: avoid attack	—	None
Phase	Defense	Evasion	Roll 2d12 ≥ 12: ignore damage this turn	—	None
Stealth	Defense	Evasion	Cannot be targeted until acts	—	Stealthed
Cloak	Defense	Evasion	Invisible to enemies outside range X	DICE	Cloaked
Intangible	Defense	Evasion	Takes X% reduced damage from all sources	—	None

Revival

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Revive	Defense	Revival	Roll 2d12 ≥ X: return to grid with Y HP (self-trigger)	DICE + 1-6	None
Resurrect	Defense	Revival	Return destroyed ally to grid with X HP or X/2 stats (active effect)	1-8	None
Undying	Defense	Revival	When destroyed, roll 2d12 ≥ X: return with Y HP (specify timing in card text)	1-10	None
Recursive	Defense	Revival	When destroyed, return to hand instead of graveyard	—	None

Immunity

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Immune	Defense	Immunity	Cannot be affected by X effect type	—	None
Invulnerable	Defense	Immunity	Cannot take damage for X turns	—	None
Hexproof	Defense	Immunity	Cannot be targeted by opponent effects	—	None

Deflection

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Reflect	Defense	Deflection	Return X damage to attacker	2-8	None
Redirect	Defense	Deflection	Send attack to different target	—	None
Counter	Defense	Deflection	Negate effect, return X to source	1-5	None

High Risk Defense

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Last Stand	Defense	High Risk Defense	When ≤ X HP, gain +Y stats	2-10	None
Desperate	Defense	High Risk Defense	Roll 2d12 ≥ 10: negate all damage, else take double	DICE	None
Martyr	Defense	High Risk Defense	Destroy self to save ally	—	None

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💚 SUPPORT CLASS

Stat Buffs

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Boost	Support	Stat Buffs	Grant +X attack or HP (specify in card text)	1-8	None
Inspire	Support	Stat Buffs	Allies gain +X/+X for Y turns	2-6	None
Rally	Support	Stat Buffs	All allies gain +X attack this turn	1-4	None
Embolden	Support	Stat Buffs	Target gains +X HP permanently	2-10	None

Healing

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Heal	Support	Healing	Restore X HP (card text specifies target: single, all allies, etc.)	1-10	None
Regen	Support	Healing	Restore X HP at start of turn	1-5	None
Repair	Support	Healing	Restore X HP to Structure	2-8	None
Recovery	Support	Healing	Heal X over Y turns	2-6	None

Card Draw

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Draw	Support	Card Draw	Draw X cards (card text specifies: simple, discard first, conditions, etc.)	1-4	None
Scry	Support	Card Draw	Look at top X cards, keep Y	1-5	None
Tutor	Support	Card Draw	Search deck for card type X	—	None

Cost Reduction

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Discount	Support	Cost Reduction	Reduce cost of card type by X	1-4	None
Refund	Support	Cost Reduction	Return X resources when played	1-3	None
Efficiency	Support	Cost Reduction	Next card costs X less	1-5	None

Synergy

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Link Bonus	Support	Synergy	Gain +X per linked ally	1-3	None
Combo	Support	Synergy	If Y condition met, gain X bonus	—	None
Stack	Support	Synergy	Gain +X per Module attached	1-4	None

Auras

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Aura	Support	Auras	Grant effect to all allies in area (card text specifies range/zone)	—	None
Neighboring	Support	Auras	Allies within X tiles gain bonus	1-3	None

Type Synergy

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Tribal	Support	Type Synergy	Bonus for each ally of type X (card text specifies: Infantry, Vehicle, etc.)	1-5	None

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🎯 CONTROL CLASS

Debuffs

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Weaken	Control	Debuffs	Reduce target stats by X (card text specifies: attack, HP, or both)	1-6	Weakened
Curse	Control	Debuffs	Target takes +X damage from all sources	1-4	Cursed
Decay	Control	Debuffs	Lose X HP at start of turn	1-5	Decayed
Corrupt	Control	Debuffs	Reduce all stats by X%	—	Corrupted

Disable

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Stun	Control	Disable	Target cannot act next turn	—	Stunned
Jam	Control	Disable	Disable target's abilities	—	Jammed
Suppress	Control	Disable	Prevent attack for X turns	—	Suppressed
Silence	Control	Disable	Remove all keywords	—	Silenced
Disable	Control	Disable	Prevent specific action type	—	Disabled

Movement Control

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Root	Control	Movement Control	Target cannot move	—	Rooted
Slow	Control	Movement Control	Reduce movement by X	1-2	Slowed
Push	Control	Movement Control	Move target X spaces (card text specifies: away, closer, direction)	1-4	None
Teleport	Control	Movement Control	Move target to location (card text specifies: swap positions, etc.)	—	None

Resource Denial

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Drain	Control	Resource Denial	Remove X resources from target	1-5	None
Throttle	Control	Resource Denial	Reduce resource generation by X	1-3	Throttled
Sever	Control	Resource Denial	Break X Link connections	1-4	None
Plunder	Control	Resource Denial	Steal X resources (card text specifies: from structure, etc.)	1-4	None

Mind Control

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Charm	Control	Mind Control	Control target for X turns	—	Charmed
Confuse	Control	Mind Control	Target attacks random unit	—	Confused
Berserk	Control	Mind Control	Must attack, cannot control target	—	Berserked

Manipulation

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Hijack	Control	Manipulation	Take control of target permanently	—	None
Override	Control	Manipulation	Replace target's effect with yours	—	None
Clone	Control	Manipulation	Create copy of target	—	None

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💰 RESOURCE CLASS

Generation

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Generate	Resource	Generation	Produce X resources per turn	1-5	None
Harvest	Resource	Generation	Gain X resources when condition met	2-8	None
Yield	Resource	Generation	Produce X at end of turn	1-4	None

Acceleration

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Ramp	Resource	Acceleration	Increase resource production by X	1-3	None
Surge	Resource	Acceleration	Gain +X resources this turn only	2-6	None
Cascade	Resource	Acceleration	Each resource generated creates +1	1-2	None

Network Effects

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Network	Resource	Network Effects	Gain +X per linked card (card text specifies bonus type)	1-3	None
Relay	Resource	Network Effects	Extend link range by X	1-2	None
Hub	Resource	Network Effects	All linked cards gain +X output	1-3	None

Storage

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Bank	Resource	Storage	Store up to X resources	2-10	None
Reserve	Resource	Storage	Carry over X unused resources	1-5	None
Cache	Resource	Storage	Store X resources when played	2-8	None

Conversion

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Convert	Resource	Conversion	Change resource type X to Y	—	None
Exchange	Resource	Conversion	Trade X resources for Y different type	—	None
Universal	Resource	Conversion	Counts as any resource type	—	None

Theft

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Steal	Resource	Theft	Take X resources from opponent	1-4	None
Siphon	Resource	Theft	Drain X resources per turn	1-3	None
Pirate	Resource	Theft	When destroys enemy, steal X resources	1-5	None

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⚙️ UTILITY CLASS

Movement

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Rush	Utility	Movement	Can act immediately on deploy	—	None
Swift	Utility	Movement	Can move X additional times per turn	1-3	None
Blink	Utility	Movement	Instantly move to location (card text specifies: direction, swap, etc.)	—	None
Deploy	Utility	Movement	Place unit on grid at location X	—	None
Reposition	Utility	Movement	Move ally X spaces (card text specifies: direction, etc.)	1-4	None

Range

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Range	Utility	Range	Can target up to X tiles away	1-8	None
Long Range	Utility	Range	Range +X beyond normal	2-6	None
Sniper Range	Utility	Range	Can target anywhere on grid	—	None

Infrastructure

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Link	Utility	Infrastructure	Can connect to X adjacent cards	1-4	None
Port	Utility	Infrastructure	Can attach X Modules	1-3	None
Anchor	Utility	Infrastructure	Cannot be moved or repositioned	—	None

Transformation

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Transform	Utility	Transformation	Change into different card	—	None
Morph	Utility	Transformation	Gain stats/abilities of target	—	None
Adapt	Utility	Transformation	Roll 2d12 to gain random keyword	DICE	None

Card Manipulation

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Mill	Utility	Card Manipulation	Opponent discards X cards from deck	1-5	None
Discard	Utility	Card Manipulation	Opponent discards X from hand	1-3	None
Return	Utility	Card Manipulation	Return card to hand or deck	—	None

Special Abilities

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Scout	Utility	Special Abilities	Reveal X cards from opponent deck	1-4	None
Reveal	Utility	Special Abilities	Show opponent's hand or top X cards	1-3	None
Vision	Utility	Special Abilities	See hidden information	—	None
Deploy Token	Utility	Special Abilities	Create X/Y token at location	1-8	None

Sequences

Keyword	Class	Category	Mechanic	N Range	Condition Applied
Chain (X)	Utility	Sequences	Bounces between targets X times (specify decay in card text)	—	None
Spread (X)	Utility	Sequences	Propagates to adjacent on condition (X propagations max)	—	None
Radial (X)	Utility	Sequences	Effect expands in rings (X rings, specify decay)	—	None
Linear Decay (Direction) X	Utility	Sequences	Effect travels in direction, decaying each tile (X tiles)	—	None
Wave (Direction) X	Utility	Sequences	Pushes all affected cards in direction while applying effect (X tiles)	—	None
Pull Wave (Direction) X	Utility	Sequences	Pulls all affected cards toward source while applying effect (X tiles)	—	None
Cascade (X)	Utility	Sequences	Each successful hit triggers next hit in chain (max X cascades)	—	None
Pulse (X)	Utility	Sequences	Repeats at specified intervals (X pulses total)	—	None
Echo (X)	Utility	Sequences	Effect repeats after X turns (single delayed copy)	—	None
Delayed Spread (X)	Utility	Sequences	Propagation occurs after X turns delay	—	None

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KEYWORD STATISTICS

Total Keywords by Class

Class	Keyword Count	% of Total
Combat	29	16.7%
Defense	23	13.2%
Support	25	14.4%
Control	28	16.1%
Resource	25	14.4%
Utility	44	25.3%
TOTAL	174	100%

Keywords That Apply Conditions

Total Keywords	Apply Conditions	% That Apply Conditions
174	28	16.1%

Conditions Applied: Burning, Poisoned, Corroded, Bleeding, Irradiated, Fortified, Stealthed, Cloaked, Overcharged, Frenzied, Weakened, Cursed, Decayed, Corrupted, Stunned, Jammed, Suppressed, Silenced, Disabled, Rooted, Slowed, Throttled, Charmed, Confused, Berserked, Unstable

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REMOVED KEYWORDS (v3.2 → v3.5)

High Priority Similarity Merges (18 keywords removed)

Combat (7 removed):

1. Leech → Merged into Drain (healing amount specified in card text)

2. Disintegrate → Merged into Destroy ("cannot be revived" in card text)

3. Banish → Merged into Destroy ("permanently exiled" in card text)

4. Finish → Merged into Execute (% or flat HP in card text)

Defense (5 removed): 5. Barrier → Merged into Block ("then breaks" in card text) 6. Reanimate → Merged into Resurrect ("at X/2 stats" in card text) 7. Phoenix → Merged into Undying (timing/HP in card text) 8. Rebound → Merged into Reflect (both return damage to attacker)

Support (5 removed): 9. Empower → Merged into Boost ("all allies +X attack" in card text) 10. Mend → Merged into Heal ("all allies for X" in card text) 11. Cycle → Merged into Draw ("discard first" in card text)

Control (3 removed): 12. Enfeeble → Merged into Weaken ("-X/-X" in card text) 13. Freeze → Merged into Stun (already prevents all actions including movement) 14. Swap → Merged into Teleport ("swap positions" in card text)

Resource (1 removed): 15. Pillage → Merged into Plunder (target type in card text)

Utility (5 removed): 16. Leap → Merged into Blink (both instant repositioning) 17. Flank → Merged into Reposition (direction in card text) 18. Reach → Merged into Range (functionally identical)

Medium Priority Similarity Merges (8 keywords removed)

Combat (4 removed): 19. Critical → Merged into Gambit (high-roll damage bonus) 20. Risk → Merged into Gambit (binary outcome subset) 21. Lottery → Merged into Gambit (extreme version)

Support (3 removed): 22. Field → Merged into Aura (zone effects) 23. Adjacent → Merged into Neighboring (Neighboring 1 = Adjacent) 24. Kindred → Merged into Tribal (type synergy)

Resource (1 removed): 25. Hub → Merged into Network (connection scaling)

Control (1 removed): 26. Knockback/Pull → Merged into Push (direction in card text)

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DESIGN NOTES

Flexibility Through Card Text

Many merged keywords gain flexibility by moving specific mechanics to card text:

• Drain X or Drain X/2 (was Leech)

• Destroy permanently or Destroy, cannot be revived (was Banish/Disintegrate)

• Execute ≤30% HP or Execute ≤5 HP (was Finish)

• Block 5, then breaks (was Barrier)

• Boost all allies +2 attack (was Empower)

• Heal all allies for 3 (was Mend)

• Push 2 spaces away or Push 2 spaces closer (was Knockback/Pull)

• Teleport to target's space, swap positions (was Swap)

• Neighboring 1 (was Adjacent)

• Plunder: When destroys structure (was Pillage)

Card Text Convention

When a keyword supports multiple variants:

• ✅ Good: "Drain 3" (heal for full damage)

• ✅ Good: "Drain 3/2" or "Drain half" (heal for half damage)

• ✅ Good: "Destroy permanently" or "Destroy, exiled"

• ✅ Good: "Execute ≤5 HP" or "Execute ≤30%"

• ✅ Good: "Push 3 away" or "Push 3 closer"

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CHANGELOG

Version 3.5 - October 28, 2025

• MAJOR: Applied similarity deduplication (26 keywords removed)

• Reduced keyword count from 200 → 174 (13% reduction)

• Merged functionally similar keywords with card text flexibility

• Updated all merged keyword descriptions to note card text options

• High Priority merges: 18 keywords (clear redundancy)

• Medium Priority merges: 8 keywords (moderate similarity)

• Added Design Notes section explaining card text conventions

Merge Philosophy:

• Keywords with only minor mechanical differences were consolidated

• Card text now handles variants (damage amounts, target types, timing)

• Preserves design space while reducing cognitive load

• Maintains all unique tactical mechanics

Version 3.2 - October 28, 2025

• Eliminated System class entirely

• Moved High-Risk keywords to Combat/Defense

• Removed 22 System keywords (timing/lifecycle)

• Applied gentle deduplication (13 keywords)

• Added Rarity Score, Min Rarity, Condition Applied columns

• Total keywords: 243 → 200

Version 3.1 - October 28, 2025

• Added PRIMITIVES DEFINITIONS

• Added neighboring and type synergy keywords

• Added 15 Sequences

Maintainer: StarCore Design Team Next Review: After card generation matrix validation

Document Status: ✅ OPTIMIZED - Base20 Generation Ready Total Keywords: 174 (lean 6-Box framework)