Gwent: A Legendary Card Game Review

"A standard game of Gwent is played with one opponent facing off against another. Each player will choose a faction and a leader card with a special ability, then create a deck using that faction's cards, or they can use a pre-set deck. A typical deck will contain about thirty cards, but it may include more, and each faction has a specific style of play, although the card selection does have some crossover."

"Once players have assembled their decks, they draw ten cards to form their hand, potentially redrawing up to two. This hand of cards is all they will have for the entire game (some abilities do allow for additional cards to be drawn or played). On their turn, a player can either play a card from their hand, activate their leader's once-per-game ability, or pass."

"Cards are played to three rows on the player board, depending on their type, and each card has a listed strength value. The goal is to have a higher strength value than your opponent at the end of the round. Some cards also have special abilities that can affect you and/or your opponent. A game lasts until one player has lost two rounds, at which point the other player immediately wins."

Gwent is a short, primarily two-player card game adapted from the Witcher franchise, with options for multiplayer and about a 20-minute playtime. Each player selects a faction and a leader with a once-per-game ability, then builds or selects a deck typically around thirty cards. Players draw ten cards and may redraw up to two; that initial hand is usually the primary resource for the entire game. On each turn players can play a card, use their leader ability, or pass; passing ends their play for the round. Cards occupy three rows, carry strength values, and often include special abilities. Rounds are won by having the higher total strength, and the match ends when one player loses two rounds.

Read at Board Game Quest