Sakaba Game Report: The Allure of Skyweaver! A Highly-Refined Strategic Trading Card Game
I am @hametaro_bcg, in charge of Sakaba Research. Since encountering Web3 games in 2019, I’ve been joyfully experiencing games every day, particularly appreciating the unique experiences made possible by blockchain and NFTs.
Today, we delve into the allure of the trading card game, ‘Skyweaver.’ It released its private beta in November 2021 and an open beta in February 2022. As of this writing (August 2023), it remains in open beta, but I feel it stands atop the pinnacle of completion among Web3 games. Horizon, the development company, has so far received $53.3M in funding, which has been used for the development of ‘Skyweaver’ and their unique wallet, ‘Sequence Wallet’.
Table of Contents
- Engaging Turn-Based Battles
- Play for Free and Earn
- Array of Game-Enhancing Items
- Possess a Wallet without Knowledge of Cryptocurrency
- Conclusion: Friendly Even for Card Game Beginners
Engaging Turn-Based Battles
One of Skyweaver’s main attractions is its deep, authentic card game mechanics. It’s undoubtedly enjoyable, akin to games like Shadowverse and Hearthstone.
Here’s a brief overview of the battle system:
- Cards are categorized by Prism (Strength, Agility, Wisdom, Heart, Intellect) and each Prism has its distinct traits.
- Choose a hero, then build a deck with 30 unit cards and spell cards.
- Only one copy of a card is allowed in a deck (No need to gather multiple copies!).
- Not only units but also heroes can attack.
- Units possess 6 “Traits” (like defending heroes, boosting hero attacks, restoring hero health based on damage, etc.).
- Units have “Effects” that activate under specific conditions (e.g., damaging enemy units upon death, enhancing ally units upon summoning).
- “Enchants” can be attached to friend or foe units/heroes to enhance/weaken them (e.g., barriers that prevent attacks).
While the card traits and effects are standard, the game’s depth is augmented by the introduction of the Enchants system.
Moreover, while many card games often have modes where players use their constructed decks (Skyweaver has this too), Skyweaver features a ‘Discovery’ mode where players duel using randomly distributed decks. This offers a refreshing change, encouraging the exploration of varied strategies and tactics.
Play for Free and Earn
You can enjoy without spending a dime. By playing diligently, you’ll find your card collection and even your funds increasing over time, emphasizing the Play & Earn experience.
- Play extensively to collect Base Cards (not tradeable), strengthening your deck.
- Continue playing to receive CONQUEST tickets.
- Achieve victory in CONQUEST mode to obtain NFT cards (available in both Silver and Gold).
- Sell your NFT cards.
Skyweaver doesn’t have its own token, which makes its reward system very straightforward. And the market uses the stablecoin ‘USDC’, so there’s no need to worry about fluctuating token prices.
For those wanting to accumulate cards efficiently, consider purchasing NFT cards or the Battle Pass.
Array of Game-Enhancing Items
Beyond cards, Skyweaver has an exciting array of purchasable items!
Though these items aren’t necessary for gameplay, they are tempting to buy. They boost player motivation and foster a deeper connection to the game. Games with such monetization elements tend to retain users better, with core users bolstering the community and ecosystem.
Possess a Wallet without Knowledge of Cryptocurrency
Skyweaver adopts the ‘Sequence Wallet’. It’s simple to set up with just a Google account or an email address. This provides players with numerous benefits, making it easy to enjoy Web3 games without technical complexities.
- No software download required
- No need to manage seed phrases
- No need to worry about gas fees
- Can obtain USDC even if you’ve never dealt with cryptocurrency (Skyweaver’s market settles in USDC)
Conclusion: Friendly Even for Card Game Beginners
How did you find the report? While card games may seem daunting to newcomers, Skyweaver is beginner-friendly with comprehensive tutorials and a Practice Mode against bots. And if you’re unsure about deck building, you can emulate top player decks in Skyweaver.
As you play, you’ll naturally accumulate Base Cards. But if you’re impatient, cards are affordably priced, allowing you to build a strong deck with just a few dollars.
Game Overview
- Game Title: Skyweaver
- Genre: Trading Card Game
- Release Date: November 2021 (Private Beta)
- Official Website: https://www.skyweaver.net/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkyweaverGame/
- Discord: http://discord.gg/skyweaver/
- Operator: Horizon Blockchain Games Inc.
