Summary
“Living Card Games,” coined by publisher Fantasy Flight Games, are essentiallycollectible card gamesthat use a different model for distribution. They still involve cycles of content in the form of expansion packs but lack the infamous blind-purchase model associated with CCGs. Furthermore, every LCG has a “Core Set” that acts as a standalone experience that allows players to fully experience the game without any further purchases.
The issue with LCGs and other games that follow its structure (often referred to as “expandable card games”) is that it can be hard to jump into one after its initial launch cycle unless it’s heavily supported. In most cases, missing a cycle of expansions makes it hard to come back later down the line and get a hold of more content. However, many LCGs are supported by fans after they are discontinued, while other LCGs often get second editions.
Updated on August 04, 2025, by Harry Ted Sprinks:Living Card Games may have been pioneered by Fantasy Flight Games as a way to package and market their deck-building card games, but the genre of LCGs has evolved dramatically over the years. This is evident with the release and continued support of games such as Ivion, which takes the release structure and card-based gameplay of LCGs and ports them into faster-paced experiences that are generally more accessible to newcomers.
6Doomtown: Reloaded - Fighting For Control In The Weird West
BGG Rating: 7.1
Based on the trading card gameDeadlands: Doomtown, which was based on theDeadlandsRPG,Doomtown: Reloadedis classed as an “expandable card game,” likely due to the fact that the term “Living Card Game” is a trademark of Fantasy Flight Games.
Doomtown: Reloadedsees players control decks packed with various gunslingers andWild West equipment and locations, playing cards in and around a town square in order to have more “Control” than their opponent has “Influence,” the two key resources of the game. AlthoughDoomtown: Reloadedproducts are currently sparse, sets and expansions can be found on the Pine Box Entertainment website.
5A Game Of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) - Control Iconic Factions With Well-Crafted Cards
BGG Rating: 7.5
This second edition, released in 2015, has managed to keepA Game Of Thrones: The Card Gamealive and supports two to four players. This game isa competitive versus gamethat has players controlling factions, battling against each other in combat challenges, and using various “plot cards” that decide the structure of each round.
A Game Of Thrones: The Card Gamehas eight playable factions to choose from, all of which will be recognizable to fans of the books and/or hit television shows. The game also includes “neutral” cards that are available to all factions and can be used for deck-building. The game is fairly straightforward, being played over several rounds made up of seven phases until someone manages to gain fifteen power, mostly done by defeating opponents in challenges. For fans ofGame Of Throneslooking for a card game to play with a friend, this game is worth a shot.
4Ivion - A Game About Crafting Heroes
BGG Rating: 7.9
This card game is arguably best with just two people.Iviontasks players with crafting their own heroes and fighting each other in head-to-head duels. The game features a variety of boxes, allowing players to play the game in a variety of ways. This consistent content allowsIvionto be a healthy LCG.
Ivionisn’t the most complex LCG, but its easy-to-learn rules make it great for beginners. Its emphasis on deck-building before the start of a game also allowsIvionto cater to more strategic players. The various ways in which decks can be constructed allow for high replay value and an abundance of strategic depth.
3Marvel Champions: The Card Game - A Thematic Co-Operative Experience
BGG Rating: 8.1
One of the most recent LCGs from Fantasy Flight Games and one of the most supported,Marvel Champions: The Card Gameis a thematic cooperative game for one-to-four players, though it’s arguably better when played with at least two. The game has players control various heroes (the core set includes Iron Man, Captain Marvel, She-Hulk, Spider-Man, and Black Panther)battling against various villains, who act as the scenario suggests.
Unlike most other cooperative LCGs,Marvel Champions: The Card Gamedoesn’t have a campaign and instead takes the more accessible approach of skirmish scenarios where the only goal is to take the villain down and live to tell the tale. These villains also have “Master Plans” that essentially act as a timer to the game, which results in an eventual game-over. Furthermore,Marvel Champions: The Card Gameadds extra immersion by giving each hero their own “Obligation” (such as She-Hulk’s job as a lawyer) and Nemesis (like Spider-Man’s nemesis, the Vulture), which makes the heroes feel like more than just a deck of cards. For fans of Marvel who are looking for a fast-paced, action-packed card game they can play with a friend,Marvel Championsis a great choice.
2The Lord Of The Rings: The Card Game - A Co-Operative Adventure
BGG Rating: 8.5
This cooperative gamebased on the legendaryLord Of The Ringsfranchise received a revised edition in 2022, helping to keep the now-classic game alive. This revised edition adds a campaign mode that has players adventuring over several scenarios, as well as support for four players in the core box alone.
Although it’s one of the more tedious games to set up and pack away,The Lord Of The Rings: The Card Gameis a grand adventure that brings players together through dangerous encounters. Players will build up their decks over the course of a scenario, gathering strength and sending their heroes on quests, adventuring to locations, and encountering various enemies. For fans of both LCGs andThe Lord Of The Rings, this game is a must-try.
1Arkham Horror: The Card Game - A Dark And Unforgiving Co-Operative Adventure
BGG Rating: 8.6
Perhaps Fantasy Flight’s most popular LCG,Arkham Horror: The Card Gametakes the cooperative card game structure and wraps it in grim-dark Lovecraftian horror.Arkham Horrorhas players control investigators, represented by their own unique (and customizable) decks, searching for clues and upgrades across a campaign of scenarios, with several expansions furthering the story and providing plenty of content for fans.
However, players should be warned thatArkham Horroris not for the faint of heart. This gamecan be brutally difficultdespite the fact that players can’t technically lose. They will instead mark their failures down, potentially gaining various traumas. Players looking for something lighter or more accessible might want to take a look atMarvel Championsinstead.
