Get Started With Flesh And Blood - Beginner's Guide

What Is Flesh and Blood?

Within the trading card game (TCG) community, Flesh and Blood is quite a special gem.

Unlike games like MTG, Yu-Gi-Oh, or Pokémon, which are associated with external IPs and popular franchises, Flesh and Blood was created by an independent studio in New Zealand. Since 2019, it has grown into a tight-knit, dedicated community that always welcomes new members with open arms.

Flesh and Blood’s strategic gameplay is designed to reward good decisions over good luck. One thing is certain - this game was designed by gamers, for gamers.

Flesh and Blood also comes with its own rich, detailed world lore, although you don’t need to know it to play. Still, it shows just how much heart and soul the creators pour into their game.

What Makes Flesh and Blood So Popular?

If you’ve never played TCGs, but love the one-on-one combat aspect of fighting games like Street Fighter or Tekken, then Flesh and Blood is for you. A game of Flesh and Blood is dynamic and tense, a real battle of wits and strategy, making it popular among gaming enthusiasts.

The stunning art and fantasy lore might also appear to fans of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and other fantasy media.

For those with previous TCG experience, Flesh and Blood brings forth some unique mechanics not seen in other games. In Flesh and Blood, every card has dual attack and block values, making every decision strategically important from the very first turn. The hero pool has also grown massively over the years - with over 20 heroes available, you have plenty of different play styles to choose from.

How To Get Started Playing Flesh and Blood

Thousands of single cards, booster decks, starter packs - it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer range of products available before you’ve even started. At Thistle Tavern, we encourage you to test the game out before you buy. Check out our schedule for local Flesh and Blood events and come round!

Many people will loan decks to local stores and game nights so newcomers can test them out, so just ask around and surely you’ll find something to try.

We do, however, recommend familiarising yourself with some of the core elements of the game, such as:

How To Play Flesh and Blood

While you can definitely learn by playing, it’s good to at least have an idea of what the game is all about.

Gameplay-wise, Flesh and Blood is quite straightforward. You and your opponent are playing as heroes fighting to the death, exchanging attack actions and defense reactions as you whittle down each other's life total.

What sets Flesh & Blood apart from most other TCGs is that it offers a high skill ceiling. Other games have a higher level of luck and randomness involved in each game, meaning that even a skilled player might be defeated due to a bad draw. In Flesh and Blood, playing more directly translates into being better, due to the strategy involved. Skilled players consistently outperform those who are just getting started.

Flesh and Blood Expansions

Since the very first expansion, “Welcome to Rathe”, Flesh & Blood has seen numerous updates, including the most recent 2025 release, “High Seas”! Currently, there are 18 expansions for you to choose from, each with its own lore, aesthetics, and unique mechanics.

If you’re a beginner building your first deck, we advise that you focus on the latest sets to get a better grasp on all the existing mechanics and possible builds. Here are the latest six expansions available:

High Seas	The Hunted	Rosetta
Part the Mistveil	Heavy Hitters	Bright Lights

Flesh and Blood Card Rarities

Card rarity in Flesh and Blood usually reflects two things:

• Power level - the rarer a card is, the stronger or more unique its effect will be.
• Frequency - when buying booster packs, higher rarities will appear less often, making them more desirable for collectors.

You can easily tell the rarity of your Flesh and Blood cards by the letter in the card code:

• C (Common)
• T (Token)
• R (Rare)
• S (Super Rare) - discontinued in newer sets
• M (Majestic)
• L (Legendary)
• F/MV (Marvel Cards)

Flesh and Blood Starter Kit - What Do You Need?

Flesh and Blood is usually perceived as having a high cost of entry, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Some of the most common Flesh and Blood products for beginners are:

Armory Decks

With the new addition of Armory Decks (pre-constructed 60-card decks) priced around £40, you can get into the game straight away without needing to track down every single card on your own.

Here are our top three Armory Decks for beginners:

Pleiades	Ira	Boltyn

Single Cards

If you’d like to enrich your collection or experiment with new deck builds, you can do so by browsing our collection of single cards, all authentic and in top condition. This is a simple, surefire way to get the cards you want and build a deck you are comfortable with.

Flesh and Blood's current card pool contains over 3000 cards - plenty for you to choose from.

Booster Packs & Boxes

Booster packs and boxes are great for those who value the collectible aspect. Each pack provides random cards of various rarity levels, which means you could score a Majestic or even Legendary card when you least expect it!

Playmats

While not absolutely necessary for gameplay, Flesh and Blood playmats can enhance your overall experience when battling friends. Playmats can provide a clean, adherent surface for you to place your cards on while playing. It can keep the battlefield organised, without the danger of cards slipping away during intense moments.

Card Sleeves

Every TCG player will agree that card sleeves are a must. Quality plastic sleeves protect your cards from any stains or bending, especially when you bring them out into the world at local events or tournaments.

Does Flesh and Blood Have An Active Community?

Luckily for beginner players, Flesh and Blood has a vibrant and friendly community ready to welcome you in. In fact, the very name “Flesh and Blood” highlights the concept behind the game - a fun activity that you can play “in the flesh” with friends and other TCG enthusiasts.

Where Can I Play Flesh And Blood?

Local shops like our very own Thistle Tavern regularly host Flesh and Blood casual play nights - check out our events page to see the next dates.

Other upcoming Flesh and Blood events in the UK include:

• Battle Hardened (8th of November)

  A competitive event aimed at moderately experienced players, with plenty of side activities available for beginners.

• A Pro Quest (9th of November)

  A competitive event where you can qualify for Pro tours.

Flesh and Blood vs. Magic: The Gathering (MTG)

TCG enthusiasts often compare the two games, but in reality, there are several core differences between Flesh and Blood & MTG:

• Gameplay - While Flesh and Blood prides itself on requiring lots of strategy from the very first turn of combat, MTG involves a bit more luck of the draw, with a bad turn potentially influencing the outcome of the match.
• Resource mechanics - MTG features a five-colour mana system, allowing you to build your deck around each type. In Flesh and Blood, your cards serve both as play and resources, allowing you to make meaningful moves each turn without worrying about mana overload or lack of it.

The skill-based nature of Flesh and Blood has made it stand out even in competitions. For example, Germany allows monetary prizes for Flesh and Blood tournaments, recognising the strategy behind each match.