Naruto has returned to the trading card game scene with Naruto TCG: Konoha Shidō. If you’re curious how to play, this guide breaks down the basics in a simple, scannable way. Whether you’re brand new to TCGs or a veteran of Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, or Magic, you’ll see how Naruto’s new game mixes familiar rules with unique twists.
The Goal of the Game
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Matches last exactly four rounds.
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At the end of the 4th round, the player with the most Mission Points wins.
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Mission Points are earned by winning missions during each round.
👉 Think of it like Pokémon’s prize cards or Magic’s life points — missions are the main win condition.
What You Need to Play
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Deck: 30 cards (max 2 copies of the same version of a character).
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Mission Cards: 3 chosen before the game.
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Tokens: Used for Chakra, Mission Points, Power, and Edge.
Each player builds their own ninja squad, then battles across a shared field of missions.
Game Setup
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Each player chooses 3 mission cards. These are shuffled with the opponent’s to form the mission deck.
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Draw 5 cards into your opening hand. You may mulligan once by reshuffling.
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Decide who goes first. That player starts with the Edge token.
Round Structure
Each round follows four clear phases:
1. Start Phase
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Reveal a mission from the mission deck.
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Gain 5 Chakra +1 per character already in play.
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Draw 2 cards.
2. Action Phase
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Players take turns placing characters on missions.
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Ninjas can be played:
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Face-up: pay full Chakra cost.
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Hidden: face-down for 1 Chakra, revealed later.
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First player to pass gains (or keeps) the Edge token.
3. Mission Evaluation
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Compare Power at each mission.
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The player with more Power wins that mission’s points.
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Ties go to the Edge token holder.
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Trigger any SCORE effects from missions or characters.
4. End Phase
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Discard leftover Chakra and Power tokens.
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If it’s Round 4, count total points to determine the winner.
Key Mechanics to Know
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Hidden Characters: Play face-down for bluffing, reveal later for effects and surprise swings.
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Upgrades: Replace a character with a stronger version by paying the Chakra difference.
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Edge Token: Breaks ties and grants turn priority.
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Power Tokens: Temporary boosts to a character’s strength.
These mechanics give Naruto TCG a mix of strategy, bluffing, and timing unlike most other anime TCGs.
How It Feels Compared to Other TCGs
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Pokémon: Similar resource growth (Chakra each round), but with more bluffing through Hidden.
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Yu-Gi-Oh: Upgrades echo the evolution/fusion feel, but cost balancing is stricter.
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Magic: Missions act like objectives, closer to capturing territory than reducing life.
Naruto TCG sits somewhere between the tactical pace of Lorcana and the explosive plays of Yu-Gi-Oh.
Strategy Insights
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Manage Chakra carefully. Overspending early can leave you stuck when you need to reveal Hidden ninjas.
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Use Hidden for mind games. Even a weak card can force your opponent to overcommit.
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Upgrade at the right moment. Waiting too long wastes potential, but upgrading too early drains Chakra.
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Edge matters. Sometimes passing early is better than overextending — winning ties can swing the game.
FAQ: Naruto TCG – How to Play
Q: How many cards are in a deck?
A: 30, with up to 2 copies of each version of a character.
Q: How do you win?
A: Score more Mission Points than your opponent after 4 rounds.
Q: What happens in a tie?
A: The Edge token holder wins.
Q: Can I play advanced characters without upgrading?
A: Yes, by paying their full Chakra cost.
Q: Is the game only in Europe?
A: Currently yes, but future distribution may expand.
Final Thoughts
Naruto Mythos TCG blends missions, bluffing, and legendary upgrades into a system that feels fresh but still familiar. It rewards smart timing, resource management, and psychological play. If the developers support it well, this could be one of the most exciting anime TCGs in years.
Want more Naruto TCG updates, deck guides, and strategy tips? Sign up for my newsletter to stay ahead of every release. You can find more about the game at the NarutoTCG website.
