Tournament Rules · v1.2.1
Wonders of the First events consist of one or more tournaments, each classified into one of three tiers and governed by one of three levels of rules enforcement. The overall tier of an event is determined by the highest tier of any tournament included in it.
There are three distinct Rules Enforcement Levels (RELs): Casual, Competitive, and Professional. Each REL has unique expectations, and player infractions are addressed differently depending on the level.
While most tournaments adhere to a single REL, some may transition between levels during the course of the event. For example, an event might begin under Competitive REL on Day 1 and shift to Professional REL on subsequent days.
Tournaments consist of one or more formats. Wonders of the First supports three main categories of tournament formats: Constructed, Limited, and Special.
The official formats currently supported by Wonders of the First include:
Individuals must have a Wonders of The First Collect and Play Network Profile to participate in a tournament. A profile can be created by registering an account on compete.wondersccg.com. Each profile includes a Player ID that serves as a unique identifier for the individual.
Players are allowed only one profile. If an individual has multiple profiles, they must contact help@wondersccg.com to resolve the issue.
Some events may require Players to verify their identity.
The following forms of identification are accepted:
Participation in Wonders of the First tournaments is open to all, subject to specific tournament eligibility rules, with the following exceptions:
Anyone may act as a tournament official, except:
Suspended Individuals:
Banned Individuals:
Each individual at a tournament assumes one or more of the following roles:
Individuals serving as Tournament Organizer, Head Judge, Floor Judge, or Scorekeeper are classified as tournament officials. Additionally, the Tournament Organizer may assign other individuals as tournament officials even if they do not hold a specific tournament role. Both the Head Judge and Floor Judge are categorized as judge roles, while Coverage Members are collectively referred to as coverage.
Tournament officials may transition between roles during the tournament. However, the Tournament Organizer and Head Judge should remain in their designated roles for the entirety of the event.
A Player is any individual actively participating in the tournament. Players are responsible for the following:
An individual is considered a Spectator for any match in which they are not actively participating, except in cases where they are serving as a judge.
Spectators are responsible for the following:
The Tournament Organizer (TO) is the individual designated to oversee and manage the logistics of a tournament. The responsibilities of a Tournament Organizer include:
The role of the Tournament Organizer must be assigned prior to each event and no later than the start of the tournament.
The Head Judge is responsible for overseeing the overall operation of a tournament and ensuring its integrity. In addition to general Judge responsibilities, the Head Judge has the following duties:
The Head Judge may temporarily delegate their responsibilities to another Judge if they are unable to perform them. In exceptional cases where tournament integrity would otherwise be compromised, the Tournament Organizer may assume the role of Head Judge.
In large-scale tournaments, multiple individuals may serve as Head Judges simultaneously. In such cases:
A Floor Judge assists the Head Judge with the general operation of the tournament and ensures that it runs smoothly. The responsibilities of a Floor Judge include:
The Scorekeeper is responsible for collecting and processing tournament information to manage pairings, standings, and records throughout the event. Their responsibilities include:
A Coverage Member is responsible for providing media coverage of the event. Their duties include:
Tournaments are divided into rounds. Each round typically consists of matches between pairs of Players. A Player wins a match by winning a specified number of games.
Round structure and formats may vary across tournaments. A typical tournament will consist of a single format with timed Swiss rounds for all players, followed by untimed single-elimination rounds for the top 8 players (also known as the “top-cut” or “play-off” rounds).
For timed rounds, players compete until one player wins a specified number of games or the round timer expires. For untimed rounds, players compete until one player wins a specified number of games. If a match is still undecided at the end of a round, players complete the end-of-match procedure to determine the match result. Generally, only one game is needed to win a match unless the Tournament Organizer announces otherwise before the tournament begins.
Timed rounds are used to keep the tournament progressing at a reasonable pace and give players a clear understanding of when to be ready for their next round.
Feature matches should be allotted extra time to compensate for the time spent setting up or moving players, or the feature matches should be timed separately from the regular rounds.
A match officially begins with the players performing the start-of-game procedure. The procedure is detailed in the Comprehensive Rules, but the general steps are as follows:
For Step 2, the player is chosen through a random method (e.g., a coin flip or a roll of the dice). The chosen player decides who will take the first turn.
The maximum time allowed for the start-of-game procedure is:
Players who exceed this time limit are considered to have committed slow play.
At the end of a game, players must reveal any cards with hidden information if requested by their opponent or a tournament official.
At the end of a match, both players must agree on the match result and then submit it to the Scorekeeper.
If time is called at the 50-minute mark and a winner of the current game has not been determined, starting with the current turn player, each player may complete up to three additional turns. This includes any actions or free actions that are still resolving.
At the conclusion of these turns, the players are considered to have passed in succession, and the round ends as outlined in the Wonders of the First Comprehensive Rules.
If a player does not have enough actions or free actions to complete their remaining turns, that player is considered to pass for their turn.
If, by the end of these turns, the game has not reached Round 7, the game is considered a draw.
If the game has reached Round 7, the player who controls the most Stones at the end of the final turn is declared the winner.
If the game has reached Round 7 and both players control an equal number of Stones, the player who controls the lowest-numbered Realm is declared the winner.
For elimination rounds, where a draw is not an acceptable outcome (e.g., untimed or timed elimination), use the following procedure to determine a winner:
Step 1: The winner is the player who controls the most Stones. If both players control an equal number of Stones, the player who controls the lowest-numbered Realm is declared the winner.
Step 2: If both players control the same number of Stones and neither player controls the lowest-numbered Realm, the winner of the match is the player who has won more games in that match.
Step 3: If both players control the same number of Stones and neither player controls the lowest-numbered Realm, and neither player has won more games than the other, one additional Realm opens, and the players begin one additional Round. After this Round concludes, repeat Step 1.
Players may mutually agree to an intentional draw only before the start of the first game of a match. Once the start-of-game procedure has begun, intentional draws are no longer permitted, and the outcome of the match must be determined through normal gameplay as defined by the game rules. Intentional draws must be agreed upon solely between the two players involved in the match and may not involve coordination, incentives, external influence, or random methods. Any intentional draw that does not meet these requirements is prohibited.
Players may concede games and/or matches at any time, except during timed rounds. In timed rounds, players may concede up until the time expires, but once a player makes an in-game action after this point (or acknowledges their opponent’s action), they may no longer concede and must continue the game until it reaches its natural conclusion. It is recommended that players call a Judge when they wish to concede.
Players may not concede in exchange for any form of consideration. If players discuss possible considerations based on the match outcome (e.g., prizes), they may no longer concede.
Players are prohibited from asking their opponent to concede at any time. Implicitly suggesting or pressuring a player to concede may be considered as asking for a concession. Discussing player advantages, past or future actions, or potential outcomes in a timed round after the time expires is considered pressuring an opponent to concede.
If a player refuses to participate in a game or match, that player is considered to have conceded. If both players refuse to play, the match result is a loss for both.
When a player concedes a game or match, the result is recorded as a loss for the conceding player. If a player is not allowed to concede at that point, they should be removed from the tournament unless there is a valid reason for stopping the current match. Examples of valid reasons include, but are not limited to:
A player may drop from a tournament at any time by informing the Scorekeeper. Once dropped, a player may only re-enter the tournament at the discretion of the Head Judge.
Players who fail to show up for their match are considered to have conceded that match and should be dropped from the tournament unless they inform the Scorekeeper before the next round’s pairings are generated.
If a player drops before the first pairings are made, they are considered not to have participated and will not be listed in the final standings. If a player drops after the pairings for a round have been generated, they are considered to have conceded that round before being dropped.
If a player drops during a limited format portion of the tournament, they retain ownership of all cards they have legally obtained, including any opened, unopened, and partially-drafted booster packs.
Players who drop early may not be eligible for participation prizes, at the discretion of the Tournament Organizer. If a player drops after being announced as part of the top cut, there will be no replacement for them in the top cut.
Players may not drop from a tournament in exchange for any form of consideration.
Card-pool registration (decklist) refers to the recorded list of cards a player may use or intends to use during a tournament. Decklists are mandatory for all tournaments.
When a player submits their decklist to a tournament official, the decklist and its contents become the property of the Tournament Organizer. Decklists that are illegal, illegible, or improperly formatted may be rejected. Once a decklist is accepted, the player is not permitted to alter it. Players are responsible for submitting all required decklists before the start of the first round (for constructed formats), the end of deck construction (for limited formats), or another time designated by the Tournament Organizer. Late submission of decklists may result in penalties.
Players may request to review their decklist between matches, which should be accommodated when possible.
It is recommended that decklists remain private between the player and tournament officials throughout the tournament, except for use in coverage or sharing with players in the play-offs at a professional REL. If there are any deviations from this, the Tournament Organizer should notify participants before the tournament begins. At professional REL, players in the play-offs of a constructed format should be provided with copies of their opponent’s deck lists as soon as possible, with sufficient time to review them before the first game of the match. This requirement does not apply to limited-format play-offs.
A deck-check is a procedure used to verify a player’s cards against their accepted decklist. During a regular deck-check, the player’s cards are collected when they have presented their deck for a game (before drawing their opening hand) and are returned without any guarantee of the cards being in the same order. The goal of regular deck-checks is to ensure that the cards are not marked and that the player has presented their deck legally.
Regular deck-checks are mandatory at professional REL and recommended at competitive REL. They may be conducted at casual REL at the discretion of the Tournament Organizer. If deck-checks are being performed at a tournament, it is advised that all players in the play-offs have undergone a deck-check during the Swiss rounds before starting the first round of the play-offs. In the case of timed rounds, affected players should be granted additional time to complete their round if necessary.
The Head Judge reserves the right to perform a (non-regular) deck-check for any Player, including during the middle of a game or between rounds. If a deck-check is performed during a game, the deck must be returned to the Player in the exact state it was in before the deck-check was conducted in order to reinstate the game properly.
Players may call a Judge at any time during their match. The recommended procedure for calling a Judge is to pause the game, raise a hand, shout “Judge!”, and wait for the Judge to arrive. Tournament officials can also pause the game and call a Judge on behalf of the Players. Spectators are not allowed to call a Judge in competitive and professional REL, but they can discreetly bring a game issue to the attention of a Judge if needed. Judges should respond to calls in accordance with the official Comprehensive Rules, Procedure and Penalty Guide, and Tournament Rules and Policy.
During a match, Players should immediately call a Judge in the following situations:
Players may also call a Judge if they need assistance with information. During a judge call, Players must answer all questions truthfully and may request to do so away from the match.
In tournaments with both Head Judges and Floor Judges, it is preferable for a Floor Judge to be the first responder to a call. If a Floor Judge is not available in a reasonable amount of time, a Head Judge should respond first. Players are not permitted to request a specific Judge to attend their call or to ask for a different Judge than the first one to respond. If there is a language barrier, Players can request a translator, which should be accommodated if feasible.
Once a Judge has made a ruling, but before any procedures or penalties are applied, either Player has the right to appeal the decision. In the event of an appeal, the Head Judge will review the ruling and make the final decision. If the Head Judge was the first responder to the call, the Player may still request an appeal. In such cases, the Head Judge should consult with another Judge before confirming or modifying the initial ruling.
The Tournament Organizer is responsible for ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to create an environment that is accessible to all Players, allowing them to participate in the tournament.
Players may request assistance from tournament officials regarding accessibility needs. In certain cases, exceptions to specific tournament rules may be made to accommodate individual Players, as long as these exceptions do not provide a strategic advantage. Any such exceptions must be approved by the Head Judge before being implemented.
Wonders of The First reserves the right to release any official tournament information at any time, including during the event. The Tournament Organizer may also publish such information after the tournament concludes. By entering a tournament, players give their consent for their tournament information, including but not limited to their names, decklists, and results, to be used for coverage purposes.
Tournaments may feature live media coverage, such as video streams or replays of matches (feature matches). In these feature matches, the coverage team may manage the gameplay logistics and tournament materials to enhance the recording quality and prevent any strategic advantages. This can include, but is not limited to, using extra markers for better camera visibility, having players wear noise-cancelling headphones, and limiting the use of materials containing non-Wonders of The First intellectual property.
The Head Judge may authorize the use of video replays from the official media coverage to aid in rulings during a match. Additionally, video replays may be reviewed after a match for investigation purposes.
At casual and competitive REL (Regulated Event Levels), players can decline to be featured during Swiss rounds without facing any penalties. However, at professional REL or during play-off rounds at casual and competitive REL, players who decline to be featured will receive a match loss for that round.
Spectators may record matches as long as they do so unobtrusively. If a player or spectator wishes to use an intrusive method of recording, they must request permission from both the Tournament Organizer and the players involved in the match.
Players are responsible for bringing all necessary materials required to participate in the tournament, including:
For formats where players are provided cards to play with, players are expected to take care of these materials once they are in possession. Players are also responsible for safeguarding their belongings at all times during the tournament.
During matches at competitive and professional REL, players must keep their registered cards clearly distinguishable from other card-like objects within their card pool. If there are cards stored near the registered card pool that could potentially be confused with the registered cards, those cards will be considered part of the card pool unless they meet one of the following exceptions:
These cards must not be sleeved in such a way that they can be confused with the actual cards in the registered card pool.
A card is a physical object that represents itself in the game of Wonders of The First. Players may use any official card in a tournament. A card is considered an official Wonders of The First card if it is genuine, published by Wonders of The First, and meets one of the following criteria:
Official cards are game pieces distributed through retail products and promotional programs. Artist proofs, informational inserts, and oversized cards are not considered official cards. The properties of a card are defined by the latest printing of the card, subject to any errata published by Wonders of The First.
A token is a card with the token type.
A double-sided token-rarity card (DST) is a card where both sides represent the faces of two unrelated token-rarity cards. A Player may use only a single side of a DST to represent one card in the game at a time.
A non-English card is a card printed with text translated into a language other than English. A Player may use an otherwise-legal non-English card provided it is clear what card it represents and the Player is not using it to create an advantage, such as by having misleading text or pictures.
A misprinted card is a card that, due to a design or printing error, does not accurately represent its intended form. A Player may use a misprinted card if it is clear what card it represents. However, a Player may not use a misprinted card if it depicts the properties of another card that it does not represent or if it gives a strategic advantage, such as through misleading text or images.
If the printed information on a misprinted card is missing or objectively incorrect (e.g., orbital, power, cost, etc.), the Player must inform their opponent when the misprinted card becomes visible and provide the correct printed information for their opponent to reference.
A damaged card is a card that has undergone physical treatment that ruins its aesthetic quality and/or functionality as a game piece. A Player may use a damaged card as long as the damage was due to wear and tear or was accidental, and does not make the card unrecognizable or provide a strategic advantage.
Intentionally damaged cards, such as those that have been cut, ripped, shredded, or reconstructed, are not allowed. However, this rule does not apply to cards intentionally altered for artistic purposes.
If a Player opens a damaged card from a limited product or a card is damaged by an opponent or tournament official, the Player may be issued a proxy for that card.
An altered card is one that has been intentionally physically modified, often for artistic purposes. Alterations may include painting, signing, foiling, collages, printed inner-sleeves, or any other modification to the card’s visuals.
A Player may use an altered card as long as the modifications do not make the card unrecognizable, contain offensive material, or provide a strategic advantage. The altered card must be originally an official Wonders of the First card and should allow tournament officials to authenticate the original card.
Modifications must not obscure the name, orbital, or numeric properties (such as cost or power) of the card. The Head Judge will determine what alterations are acceptable for the tournament.
At competitive and professional REL, a Player must receive prior approval from the Head Judge before using an altered card in the tournament. Alterations must not drastically change the appearance of the primary subject(s) in the artwork, including modifications to the silhouette, color scheme, or focus.
A proxy card (or “proxy”) is a card used to represent an official Wonders of The First card in a game. Proxies are not allowed unless they are officially issued by the Head Judge of the tournament. The Head Judge may issue or approve a proxy at their discretion in the following situations:
The proxy is used to represent an official Wonders of The First card, and the Player must have the original card or the relevant information about the original card for their opponent to reference during the game involving the proxy.
Proxies are only valid for the duration of the tournament in which they were issued. Proxies issued from previous tournaments or self-made proxies are not permitted.
A token should only be present in the play area if it represents a token that exists in the game.
A counter is an item used to represent a specific type of counter on an object in the game. Players may use any item to represent a counter, as long as it clearly indicates the type of counter it represents, does not provide strategic assistance, is not too small or difficult to see, and is not excessively large or obstructive in the play area.
If two or more counters of the same type are placed on an object, they must be uniform and arranged in a way that clearly shows their quantity and type. Dice or similar counting items may also be used to represent multiple counters of the same type, instead of using a separate item for each individual counter.
A marker is a small item used to optionally represent part of the state of the game. Markers should not be confused with counters, which represent a specific in-game element. Players may use any non-card-like item as a marker, provided it clearly represents the intended information, does not offer strategic assistance, is visible and easy to see, and is not so large as to obstruct the play-space.
Markers may be used to represent visible or public information in the game, but not to track information about cards in a player’s deck, or any private, historical, or assisted information. To prevent abuse, markers may not be used to track cards within a deck. A marker should only be used temporarily to represent information; once that information is no longer relevant, the player must either update or remove the marker.
If two or more markers are used for the same piece of visible or public information, they must be uniform and arranged clearly to make the information they represent easily identifiable. Dice or similar counting items may be used as markers to represent numerical information.
When an action requires the use of dice, any method can be employed to simulate the dice roll, as long as the method can produce a range of results that is correct and ensures all outcomes have an equal chance of occurring. At professional REL, electronic devices are not allowed to simulate dice rolls.
Physical dice must have clearly readable values, be properly weighted so each side has an equal chance of landing, and be of a size that is not disruptive when rolled. High-value dice with values grouped together, such as spindown dice, are not allowed for use.
When physical dice are rolled, they must be rolled from a discernible height and with enough spin to produce sufficiently random results. Dice that leave the playing surface, become mixed with other dice in an unclear way, or fail to come to rest in a stable position on a flat surface are considered void and must be re-rolled.
If the result of a dice roll would have no impact on the game, the Player may choose to skip rolling them. If a Player rolls too many dice at once, those dice are ignored, and the correct number of dice must be re-rolled.
A sleeve is a thin, flexible, card-shaped pocket designed to protect a card during play.
If a Player chooses to use card sleeves, all cards in their deck must be sleeved in the same manner. At Professional REL, the Head Judge may require all players to use sleeves for their deck cards.
Double-faced cards in a Player’s deck must be sleeved in completely opaque sleeves to ensure the faces are not visible.
At Competitive and Professional REL, sleeves with highly reflective or holographic patterns are not permitted. The Head Judge has the final authority on whether any type of sleeve may be used in the tournament.
Players are responsible for ensuring that their sleeves do not cause their cards to be marked during the tournament. A Judge may disallow particular card sleeves if they believe the sleeves are in poor condition or have a design that interferes with shuffling or gameplay. The Judge may choose to delay requiring a sleeve change until the end of a match.
An electronic device is any personal machine capable of recording or presenting strategic notes, communicating with others, or accessing the internet (or similar networks).
In general, Players may use electronic devices during a match as long as the content presented is visible to all Players and is not used to gain strategic advice. If a Player wishes to use a device privately, they must request permission from a Judge. Electronic devices may be used during the start-of-game procedure for taking strategic notes, but they may not be used for communication.
Physical records should be preferred over electronic records when resolving discrepancies in a game.
At Competitive and Professional REL, electronic devices may not be used at all during a draft.
Additional restrictions or exceptions to the use of electronic devices are enforced at the discretion of the Head Judge.
Individuals are prohibited from possessing material that infringes on the intellectual property rights of Wonders of The First, as well as non-Wonders of The First materials that are offensive, disruptive, or negatively impact the enjoyment of others. If an individual is found in possession of such materials, the Tournament Organizer may request that the material be removed, or the individual may be disqualified (or, for non-Players, asked to leave the venue).
The Tournament Organizer has the authority to determine what non-Wonders of The First material is acceptable for use throughout the tournament.
For sealed deck or booster draft formats, product must be supplied directly by tournament officials and cannot be reused for another sealed deck or booster draft event. If the Tournament Organizer permits players to provide their own product, it must be pooled with the rest of the product and then distributed randomly by tournament officials.
Booster packs given to players in a pod for a booster draft should, if possible, come from the same box.
Product must remain sealed until distribution. At Wonders of The First’s discretion, packs may be opened in advance for stamping purposes. When preparing stamped product for a draft, double-faced tokens should be replaced with appropriate proxy cards that indicate the card they are replacing. After the draft, but before the start of the first round, players who drafted proxy cards will be provided with the actual double-faced token cards.
If the product does not contain enough token-rarity cards for the limited format, the Tournament Organizer is responsible for supplying the necessary additional cards or appropriate substitutes. The Tournament Organizer may require that any supplied token-rarity cards be returned at the conclusion of the format. Players may substitute their own cards for token-rarity cards as long as they are the same unique card.
There are five categories of information in a game: Visible, Public, Assisted, Historical, and Private.
Visible Information refers to any aspects of the game state that are physically represented. Players are responsible for maintaining the physical representation of the cards, tokens, and counters they own. Visible Public Information includes:
Public information refers to aspects of the game state that are not physically represented but are known to all players. Players are responsible for recalling public information about the decisions they’ve made, the cards and tokens they own, and the assets they have. There is a shared responsibility among players to recall and keep track of the public information regarding the state of the game and the match. Public information includes:
Assisted information refers to details that are unrelated to the current game state. Players are not required to recall assisted information on their own, but they may request it from a Judge if needed. Assisted information includes:
Historical information refers to details that were once public but no longer affect the current game state. Players are not responsible for recalling this information. Historical information includes:
Private information refers to details that are not accessible or cannot be known by all players. Players are not required to recall private information. Private information includes:
Players are responsible for recalling and accurately providing Visible and Public information. However, they are not required to recall Assisted, Historical, or Private information. Players must answer questions about Visible and Public information completely and honestly. If a Player notices that Visible or Public information is incorrect, they are responsible for pointing it out.
Players are entitled to know Visible, Public, and Assisted information, but not Historical or Private information. Judges are obligated to provide any requested Assisted information when logistically possible.
Players may not misrepresent or intentionally mislead another Player about any Visible, Public, Assisted, or Historical information, nor may they misrepresent one type of information as another.
Players are expected to carefully consider their options, take actions intentionally, and commit to them. In general, players are not allowed to reverse a completed action that has been communicated, whether verbally or nonverbally (commonly referred to as “take backs”). Players may not pressure or coerce their opponent into allowing them to reverse a completed action.
Dexterity errors (such as accidental movements) are not considered as intentional actions taken by a Player.
If a Player realizes they have made the wrong decision regarding an action they have just taken and wishes to correct it, they may request to reverse the action. The Judge may allow this as long as the Player has not gained any additional information since making the decision. If the Judge cannot confirm that no new information was acquired, they should not allow the reversal of the action.
Players are expected to remember and acknowledge the triggered effects they control. While Players are not required to acknowledge triggered effects controlled by their opponent, they may choose to do so.
A triggered effect is considered missed if:
The point at which a triggered effect becomes relevant varies based on the nature of the trigger. A trigger is not considered missed if the following criteria are met:
The play-space is defined as the area consisting of zones owned and shared by the Players during a game. At Competitive and Professional REL, Players are required to adhere to the official Wonders of the First zone layout.
The official layout may be reasonably adjusted to accommodate a Player’s physical needs. If a Player wishes to deviate from the standard layout, approval must first be obtained from a Judge. Tournament officials and coverage teams may adjust or enforce layout guidelines as necessary to maintain clarity in the representation of the game. The Head Judge has the final authority on what constitutes an acceptable game layout for the tournament.
Players may rearrange cards in zones to ensure clear communication and facilitate efficient gameplay. However:
Players are expected to maintain a reasonable pace of play to ensure fairness and the timely progression of the tournament. This includes respecting their opponent’s time for decision-making and contributing to the overall smooth flow of the event. The expectation to play at a reasonable pace applies regardless of whether:
A Player exceeding the time limit for the start-of-game procedure is committing slow play and should receive the appropriate penalty.
Intentionally playing slowly to gain an advantage is considered Stalling.
Note-taking refers to the use of aids to record information related to the game. Players, Spectators, and Judges must adhere to the following guidelines regarding note-taking during a tournament. Players are generally not allowed to take notes during a game.
Notes regarding assisted, historical, or private information are strictly prohibited.
Recording misleading or misrepresented visible or public information is not allowed.
Players may take notes between games, but these notes cannot be referenced during games.
Spectators may take notes at any time, but these notes must not influence gameplay or be communicated to Players during a match.
Players may record specific elements of the game state to ensure clarity and accuracy:
During a match, draft, or any time as directed by the Tournament Organizer or Head Judge, Players may not seek advice from Spectators or refer to personal notes made before or during the event. Spectators are also prohibited from providing play advice to Players during a match or draft. However, Players are allowed to take and refer to personal notes during the start-of-game procedure before each game. Electronic devices may also be used during the start-of-game procedure, as long as they are not used to communicate with Spectators or to gain advice.
Players may receive assistance from Spectators, notes, or electronic devices if it is necessary to make the tournament accessible to them. Such accommodations must be approved by the Tournament Organizer or Head Judge to ensure they are appropriate and do not disrupt the integrity of the event.
At Competitive and Professional REL, both Players and Spectators are required to remain silent during a draft. This policy ensures a fair and focused environment for all participants.
A Player may identify a card by its full name or by providing a description or partial name that could reasonably apply to only one specific card. If a Player or Judge believes that the description or partial name is ambiguous, they must request further clarification before providing any card information.
The official text for any card is the English text from the most recent printing of that card, including any published errata. Players have the right to request the official text for a card, and such requests should be honored if it is logistically possible.
Players may not exploit errors in the official card text to manipulate or abuse the rules. The Head Judge serves as the final authority for card interpretations and has the discretion to overrule official card text if an error is discovered.
Shuffling is the act of sufficiently randomizing a set of cards so that no Player has any information regarding the order of the cards within that set. Players must shuffle their decks at the start of every game and whenever directed to do so. Once a Player has shuffled their deck, they are required to present it to their opponent. While it is recommended that the opponent cuts the deck, they also have the option to shuffle it themselves. If an opponent believes the deck has not been sufficiently shuffled before being presented, they should call a Judge.
There are various methods to shuffle a deck. Players are encouraged to use a combination of riffle and overhand shuffles, followed by a cut, to ensure the deck is adequately randomized. Methods like pile counting or other deterministic techniques are not acceptable on their own as shuffling methods. Players are expected to shuffle their decks both sufficiently and efficiently.
If a Player has had the chance to see the faces of any of the cards while shuffling, the deck is not considered randomized and must be shuffled again.
Dice may be used to determine random values. If a specific type of die is specified in the card text, that type must be used.
When a Player is instructed to select one or more random cards from a set of cards, dice should be used to determine the selection. The Player must announce beforehand which values on the dice correspond to which cards in the set. If the number of possible dice values does not match the number of cards in the set, the Player may, within reason, assign certain values to represent a reroll. It is essential that all cards have an equal likelihood of being selected.
Alternatively, if none of the face-down cards in the set are considered marked, the Player may shuffle the set and have their opponent select the card(s) while the cards remain face-down.
A card or set of cards is considered marked if it can be distinguishable from other cards without seeing the front of the card. Players are responsible for ensuring that none of their deck-cards are marked during a tournament. If a Player suspects that their opponent’s cards are marked in a way that could give them an advantage, they may alert a judge.
If the cards are sleeved, the distinction is based on whether the cards are distinguishable while they remain in their sleeves. It is recommended that players shuffle their cards or sleeves before sleeving to reduce the likelihood of creating a distinguishable pattern. Players should also be mindful that sleeves may need to be replaced during the tournament if they become worn from use.
The Head Judge has the final authority in determining which cards are marked. If any issues are found, Judges may request that a Player sleeve or resleeve their deck immediately or before the beginning of the next round.
Players are expected to behave respectfully towards all individuals within the tournament area. While players are not required to display exemplary sportsmanship at all times, they should avoid unsporting behavior.
Generally, unsporting conduct includes negative, offensive, or disruptive behavior that harms the safety or enjoyment of others and/or undermines the integrity or organization of the event. The Head Judge has the final authority in determining what constitutes unsporting conduct.
Players are required to determine the outcome of games, matches, and tournaments only through normal gameplay as defined by the game rules, a legal concession, or a legal intentional draw declared in accordance with tournament policy.
Players may not attempt to influence or determine the outcome of a game, match, or tournament through agreements, coordination, incentives, or random methods. Any action that undermines the integrity of the competitive process is prohibited.
The following actions are not permitted:
Players may offer and accept a prize split with their opponent, provided that it does not influence the outcome of the game or match (e.g., a player conceding). The prize split does not have to be equal in value. Prize splits are arranged and facilitated by the players themselves, and tournament officials are not responsible for ensuring that the prize split occurs.
Players are expected to adhere to the rules of the game and the tournament, and cooperate with tournament officials to the best of their knowledge and ability. Cheating occurs when a player intentionally breaks these rules, ignores another player breaking the rules, or lies to a tournament official in order to gain an advantage in the tournament.
Players are not allowed to intentionally play at a pace that deliberately avoids completing a game before the round time expires or disrupts the organization of the tournament.
Individuals are prohibited from wagering, anteing, or betting on any portion or result of a game, match, or tournament.
Individuals are expected to follow the floor rules regarding buying, selling, and trading products and services. If the event is held in a local game store, the store sets the rules regarding buy, sell, or trade activity. If the event is held in a public venue, the Tournament Organizer sets the rules regarding such activities.
At events run by Wonders of the First or Wonders of the First partners, individuals may buy, sell, and trade Wonders of the First single cards in the venue, unless otherwise stated in the event information published by Wonders of the First or Wonders of The First partners. Buying and/or selling goods or services other than Wonders of the First single cards at the event venue without permission from Wonders of the First or Wonders of The First partners is strictly prohibited. Individuals caught engaging in unauthorized transactions may be asked to leave the venue and/or subject to further penalties.
Each player brings a main deck with 50 cards.
Tiers determine how many copies of a card are allowed in a 50-card deck.
DBS stands for Dynamic Balance Score, which is a point cost assigned to every card.
When you build a deck, add up the DBS points of every card in that deck, and all token cards in its token deck, if any. The total deck DBS score is used for matchmaking and similar uses.
DBS numbers are not found on the card. They’re available in the official card database, available at compete.wondersccg.com.
DBS is also a way of balancing overpowered cards and changing the metagame, so the values are expected to change on a regular basis.
Using DBS for matchmaking is optional for casual play.
You can start the game with a token deck in addition to your main deck. A token deck starts with a minimum of 1 token and maximum 50 tokens.
When you create a token you can choose to select a printed one from your token deck or use a stand-in piece to represent it. If you don’t have any printed tokens that meet requirements in your token deck, you must use a stand-in.
The token deck is face up, generally visible to all players, and is not shuffled or kept in any particular order. It’s used mainly as a pool of cards to select from. Tokens have DBS points and their points are added to the DBS of the entire deck.
In the Sealed Deck format, each player opens 6 booster packs.
A player’s card pool includes every card and token they’ve opened from their packs. No additional cards may be added to the player’s card pool.
The sealed deck format ignores the core requirement to play core cards. Core cards can be played regardless of whether the player has the corresponding orbital links.
The sealed deck format ignores card tier restrictions. Players may include any number of copies of each unique card in their card-pool.
Players may include token lands in their starting decks.
Each player’s deck must contain exactly 30 cards at the start of the game.
Players may make changes to their deck in between rounds using cards from their card pool.
If card-pool registration is required: Players must register their card-pool before constructing their deck.
If card-pool registration is required, players must complete their registration before starting deck construction. The recommended registration process is as follows:
Players are seated randomly or alphabetically, with half designated as Side A and the other half as Side B. A Judge may sit in place of a missing player if there’s an odd number of participants.
Each player receives their sealed product but does not open it immediately. Players complete the “player using pool” section of their registration sheet.
Players on Side A open their booster packs one at a time, counting the cards face-up while Side B observes. Once all packs on Side A are opened, those cards are stacked into a single pile.
Repeat this process with Side B opening their packs while Side A observes.
Players exchange their card-pool and registration sheet with their opposite-side partner.
Each player completes the “player registering pool” section of the registration sheet.
Players sort the received card-pool by orbital, then by name (or optionally by set code). They then record every card in the pool on the registration sheet.
Once finished, players return the registered card-pool and registration sheet to its original owner.
Each player verifies their sorted card-pool against their registration sheet. If a mistake is found, the player must call a Judge to review the error and approve any corrections.
Most Wonders of The First tournaments use the Swiss pairing system during preliminary rounds.
Swiss tournaments consist of a fixed number of rounds. Players are paired each round against opponents with the same or similar match record. Players are not eliminated during Swiss rounds.
Match results award points as follows:
| Result | Match Points |
|---|---|
| Win | 1 |
| Loss | 0 |
| Draw | 0 |
| Bye | 1 |
The Tournament Organizer may adjust the number of rounds based on event needs.
| Players | Swiss rounds | Top cut |
|---|---|---|
| 4–8 | 3 | — |
| 9–16 | 4 | Top 4/8 |
| 17–32 | 5 | Top 8 |
| 33–64 | 6 | Top 8 |
| 65–128 | 7 | Top 8 |
| 129–256 | 8 | Top 8 |
Elimination matches are untimed.
| Format | Category | Deck | Match | Time | Build Time | DBS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vagabond | Constructed | 50 cards | BO1 | 50 min | None | 750 | DBS + Tier limits |
| Seeker | Constructed | 50 cards | BO1 | 50 min | None | 1000 | DBS + Tier limits |
| Master | Constructed | 50 cards | BO1 | 50 min | None | 1250 | DBS + Tier limits |
| Immortal | Constructed | 50 cards | BO1 | 50 min | None | Unlimited | DBS + Tier limits |
| Sealed | Limited | 30 cards | BO1 | 50 min | 30 min | — | No tier/core limits |
Initial port from PDF (Wonders-of-The-First-Tournament-Rules-v1.2.1.pdf, updated 2026-03-24).