Elder Scrolls: Legends is an upcoming digital card game developed by Bethesda. I got to play a match in this new card game at E3. Immediately because of the style of game that it is it can draw comparison to similar card games such as Hearthstone. After playing the demo some distinctions between Elder Scrolls Legends and other games in this style can be seen.
Playing the demo version of the game immediately I noticed that the decks seem to be comprised around different play styles and each deck having a certain race within the Elder Scrolls series associated with it, e.g. undead, Argonian etc. The game almost works as like an Elder Scrolls greatest hits, as far as its cards go. The game is turn based with players steadily building up magicka every turn by 1. Every time a player plays a creature they must wait one turn before they are able to attack with the summoned creature. The field is split into 2 plains allowing the player to place 4 creatures on each side of the plain. Like most games of this variety some cards are equipped with activation effects or permanent effects. This is where the split field allows an interesting dynamic. Since a player can only put 4 cards on one side at a time, they are able to sacrifice one of their cards in order to use another card’s buff on their other creatures, since the buffs are exclusive to the side that the effect card is placed. Elder Scrolls: Legends also has a feature where every 5 health lost activates a rune, the rune releases a “guard” card. The guard cards have a sort of taunt system on them where a player is forced to attack the card rather than the opposing player. Some of these “guard” cards are also granted an ability where they can be summoned immediately, rather than waiting on the next turn when they player has the necessary magicka. Each player is granted 5 ruins. The game is won once one player is completely out of health.
Once you complete the demo versus match you are greeted by a screen allowing you to sign up for the beta. The beta is currently closed.