Vantage Masters (ヴァンテージマスターズ) is a minigame introduced in Trails of Cold Steel III. It is also available in Trails of Cold Steel IV and Trails into Reverie.
Background[]
Vantage Masters is a turn-based collectible card game that has become increasingly popular around the continent. It serves as a replacement for the formerly popular game Blade. A game of strategy, each player forms a deck from the many cards available and plays until their Master card is defeated. Cards can be bought in shops or earned from defeating other opponents as the games progress.
Trails of Cold Steel III[]
Rean Schwarzer is first introduced to the game in Leeves in the Carnegie Books & Games store. The owner and inhabitants of the town are fond of the game and Rean compares its popularity with that of Blade, which he used to play in his own days as a student. He is soon given a starter deck and plays against some of the children within the store, and begins his own Vantage Master Journey. As Rean and new Class VII travel around, he gradually builds his deck and meets many more opponents introduced to the game.
Vantage Masters is used to try and win some information about the Palatinate Knight by means of a wager against Rutger Claussell. Rean, Claire Rieveldt and Sara Valestein play against Rutger, Leonidas and Xeno on the top floor of Raquel's Casino Alisha. Following their instructor, new Class VII enter the casino and Musse Egret and Ash Carbide take over from Claire and Sara, seeing the state of the game. Restarting, They each take on one of Zephyr's members, With Rean facing off against Rutger. Rean manages to win, and obtains some information, but less than he hoped for as Rutger reveals he had the means to win in his original hand through three 'Vanish' cards which would allow him to instantly kill Rean's Master.
Rean's Vantage Master progression comes to a temporary conclusion after defeating Aurier Vander, an incredibly proficient player during the Heimdallr Summer festival.
Opponent | Availability | Reward |
---|---|---|
Zach | Chapter 1: "Reunion" (4/16) - Leeves | Magic Crystal ×3 |
Rachel | D-Arma ×3 | |
Sidney | Hepitas ×3 | |
Juna Crawford | Chapter 1: "Reunion" (4/21) - Derfflinger | Ranger |
Celestin | Chapter 1: "Reunion" (4/22) - Saint-Arkh | Guene-Foss ×3 |
Clover | Chapter 1: "Reunion" (4/22) - Parm | Zamilpen ×3 |
Michael Irving | Chapter 2: "Conflict in Crossbell" (5/13) - Leeves | Wall ×3 |
Louise | Chapter 2: "Conflict in Crossbell" (5/14) - Leeves | Dullmdalla ×3 |
Munk | Uptide ×3 | |
Kurt Vander | Chapter 2: "Conflict in Crossbell" (5/19) - Derfflinger | Knight |
Wendy | Chapter 2: "Conflict in Crossbell" (5/20) - Crossbell City | Da-Colm ×3 |
Xin Lu | Kyria-Bell ×3 | |
Maya | Chapter 3: "Pulse of Steel" (6/10) - Leeves | Ae-Ferrion ×3 |
Stark | Chapter 3: "Pulse of Steel" (6/11) - Leeves | Thief |
Randy Orlando | Oonvievie ×3 | |
Altina Orion | Chapter 3: "Pulse of Steel" (6/16) - Derfflinger | Vanish ×3 |
Mimika | Chapter 3: "Pulse of Steel" (6/17) - Raquel | Gia-Bro ×3 |
Setsuna | Chapter 3: "Pulse of Steel" (6/18) - Ordis | Amoltamis ×3 |
Musse Egret | Chapter 4: "Radiant Heimdallr" (7/8) - Leeves | Tarbyss ×3 |
Rosine | Chapter 4: "Radiant Heimdallr" (7/9) - Leeves | Fifenall ×3 |
G. Schmidt | Witch | |
Ash Carbide | Chapter 4: "Radiant Heimdallr" (7/15) - Derfflinger | Greon ×3 |
Fred | Chapter 4: "Radiant Heimdallr" (7/15) - Heimdallr | Neptjuno ×3 |
Jingo | Chapter 4: "Radiant Heimdallr" (7/16) - Heimdallr | Swordsman |
Aurier Vander | Chapter 4: "Radiant Heimdallr" (7/17) - Heimdallr Must collect all cards first |
Chevalier |
Trails of Cold Steel IV[]
In the chaos at the Gral of Erebos, New Class VII's decks are mostly mixed up, forcing them to almost start their collections anew. They once again build their decks, facing ever-increasing difficult opponents, earning more powerful cards, and increasing their skills. Rean takes over upon his return. Eventually, he comes face to face with Victor S. Arseid, the strongest opponent in the game.
Rean also has the chance to introduce Crow Armbrust to the game, after his long absence from card games during his time as Azure Siegfried. Even though he did not play during this time, it was revealed he picked up many of the strategies and tactics used by observing Zephyr and others play it in the Black Workshop. Expecting to hustle Rean after he offers to teach him the game, Crow did not anticipate Rean was in turn expecting it and was outplayed. Stark also later plays against him to show how far he has come along, and to wager the old deck of cards belonging to Crow's grandfather against Crow promising to have a meal with him and Rean in Jurai, following the Great War. Despite this being a seemingly impossible proposition, Stark nevertheless states that Crow would never settle for giving in to his fate, and eventually gets through to him and wins the game. Crow also goes up against Pablo, betting his favorite pin-up magazine featuring girls in swimsuits. He plays under the impression that Pablo is betting the same, not realizing that Pablo's "pin-up magazine" actually features pictures of trains.
Opponent | Availability | Reward |
---|---|---|
Pablo | Act 1: "The Trials of Class VII" (8/7) - Parm | Dullmdalla ×3 |
Elliot Craig | Act 1: "The Trials of Class VII" (8/9) - Eryn | Requ ×3 |
Sister Olfa | Act 1: "The Trials of Class VII" (8/10) - Raquel | D-Arma ×3 |
Tilia | Act 1: "The Trials of Class VII" (8/10) - Alster | Kyria-Bell ×3 |
Fie Claussell | Act 1: "The Trials of Class VII" (8/13) - Eryn | Blaze ×3 |
Shanshan | Act 1: "The Trials of Class VII" (8/15) - Crossbell City | Bard |
Mishy | Act 1: "The Trials of Class VII" (8/15) - Mishelam Wonderland | Uptide ×3 |
KeA | Fragment: "A Shattered Blade" (8/17) - Eryn | Fifenall ×3 |
Roselia | Act 2: "Guiding Starlight" (8/19) - Eryn | Reduce ×3 |
Laura S. Arseid | Knight | |
Juna Crawford | Act 2: "Guiding Starlight" (8/20) - Merkabah | All droplets ×3 |
Anton | Act 2: "Guiding Starlight" (8/20) - Parm | Gia-Bro ×3 |
Vincent Florald | Act 2: "Guiding Starlight" (8/21) - Ordis | Tarbyss ×3 |
Kurt Vander | Act 2: "Guiding Starlight" (8/22) - Merkabah | All droplets ×3 |
Angelica Rogner | Amoltamis ×3 | |
Alisa Reinford | Act 2: "Guiding Starlight" (8/24) - Merkabah | Oonvievle ×3 |
Marquis Ballad | Act 2: "Guiding Starlight" (8/24) - Saint-Arkh | Transmute ×3 |
Josette Capua | Act 2: "Guiding Starlight" (8/25) - Milsante | Shadow |
Ash Carbide | Act 2: "Guiding Starlight" (8/26) - Merkabah | All droplets ×3 |
Celine | Expel ×3 | |
Lloyd Bannings | Act 2: "Guiding Starlight" (8/26) - Pantagruel | Da-Colm ×3 |
Duvalie | Act 3: "Seekers of the Dawn" (8/27) - Courageous II | Paladin |
Jusis Albarea | Neptjuno ×3 | |
Kaela MacMillan | Act 3: "Seekers of the Dawn" (8/27) - Avon Hills | Regna-Croix ×3 |
Scherazard Harvey | Act 3: "Seekers of the Dawn" (8/27) - Leeves | Vanish ×3 |
Sara Valestein | Act 3: "Seekers of the Dawn" (8/28) - Courageous II | Beast |
Sharon Kreuger | Act 3: "Seekers of the Dawn" (8/29) - Courageous II | Ma-Gorb ×3 |
Cao Lee | Act 3: "Seekers of the Dawn" (8/29) - Crossbell City | Greon ×3 |
Crow Armbrust | Act 3: "Seekers of the Dawn" (8/30) - Courageous II | Disaster ×3 |
Altina Orion | All droplets ×3 | |
Toval Randonneur | Eventide: "Night of Promises" (8/31) - Mishelam Wonderland | Mishelam Ticket Quick Caliber V |
Millium Orion | Spirit | |
Cassius Bright | Tentarch ×3 | |
Musse Egret | Finale: "Scattered Petals, Dying Flames" (9/1) - Courageous II | All droplets ×3 |
Joshua Bright | Finale: "Scattered Petals, Dying Flames" (9/1) - Hamel Must complete Ghosts of Hamel first |
Xenofiend ×3 |
Viscount Arseid | Finale: "Scattered Petals, Dying Flames" (9/1) - Courageous II | Tyrant Woden |
Trails into Reverie[]
Vantage Masters returns as a playable game in the True Reverie Corridor with new opponents including Sonya Baelz, Michael Irving and Matteus Vander.
Opponent | Availability | Reward |
---|---|---|
True Reverie Corridor | ||
Elie MacDowell | Initial | Tarbyss ×3 |
Ash Carbide | Shadow | |
Claire Rieveldt | Uptide ×3 | |
Alfin Reise Arnor | After joining the corridor | Spirit Elixir |
Agate Crosner | After unlocking 2F | Oonvievle ×3 |
Musse Egret | Amoltamis ×3 | |
Rixia Mao | High Ranger | |
George Nome | After joining the corridor after unlocking 2F | Shield Elixir |
Wazy Hemisphere | After unlocking 3F | Ma-Gorb ×3 |
Elise Schwarzer | Holy Sister | |
Lechter Arundel | Zenofiend ×3 | |
Nadia Rayne | Reduce ×3 | |
Aurelia Le Guin | After joining the corridor after unlocking 3F | Power Elixir |
Noel Seeker | After unlocking 4F | Disaster ×3 |
Estelle Bright | Tentarch ×3 | |
Crow Armbrust | Crown Thief | |
Zeit | Greon ×3 | |
Vita Clotilde | After joining the corridor after unlocking 4F | Magic Elixir |
C | Must collect all cards first except Regna-Croix Lloyd must be controlled |
Regna-Croix ×3 Zeram Capsule |
McBurn | After joining the corridor | Tyrant |
Flaming VM Dojo | ||
Wald Wales | After unlocking the dojo | Power Elixir ×3 |
Fran Seeker | Spirit Elixir ×3 | |
Michael Irving | Soul Fighter True Steel Bell | |
Shizuku MacLaine | Buy with fragments, clear 5F, and defeat previous opponents | Magic Elixir ×3 |
Alex Dudley | Shield Elixir ×3 | |
Sonya Baelz | Elder Spirit True Allure | |
Sergei Lou | Buy with fragments, clear 6F, and defeat previous opponents | Life Elixir ×3 |
Erika Russell | Master Swordsman | |
Matteus Vander | Ark Paladin True Solar Gyre |
Gameplay[]
Vantage Masters is a turn-based game of strategy. There are three types of cards, Master, Magic and Natial. The information, skills, abilities and attributes of a card are all listed on it during play.
- Master cards are the focus in the game. Each deck has one master which may have an ability and/or skill it can use at a cost of mana. each Master has a fixed mana starting value which will increase by one each turn. The objective of the game is to reduce your opponents' Master's HP to zero.
- Magic cards can be summoned at a mana cost to produce a certain effect, after which they are used up and cannot be used again. Magic cards may affect different attributes of cards in different ways.
- Natial cards can be summoned to the board via a mana costs. They come in four elemental varieties and can be used to attack other Natials or masters. Each Natial has a ATK and HP score of their own. If their HP is reduced to 0, they are removed from play.
Actions and Summoning[]
- On your turn, each of your cards can perform move, skill and attack options. There are some cards which do not have a skill.
- When summoning a Natial, you can choose any open space on your side of the field. If there are no open spaces, you cannot summon. Most cards cannot perform actions in the same turn they are summoned. they'll be able to take actions starting the turn after. However, Natials with the Flying trait are able to ignore this rule.
Movement and Attacking[]
- You can only move to spaces in your side of the field. If you choose a spot that already has a card in it, the two cards will swap places. After using an attack or skill, you cannot move for the rest of the turn.
- There are three types of attacks, all of which have different areas of effect and damage. Normal attacks can only be performed from the front row and target a single enemy. The enemy will then counterattack for damage equal to their ATK -1. Ranged normal attacks can target any space on the opponent's side of the field. If your attacker is more than 1 row away from their target, the target can't counterattack. Skill attacks are offensive skills. They can target any space and cannot be counterattacked.
Attributes and Magic Crystals[]
- There are four different attributes: Earth, Water, Fire and Heaven. Damage dealt will differ depending on the matchup. An attack against a weaker elements deals +1 damage. An attack against a stronger element deals -2 damage. Master cards have no attribute.
Earth -> Water -> Fire -> Heaven -> Earth
- The player who goes second will have a Magic Crystal appear on their side of the field on the first turn. Additionally, a Magic Crystal will appear on a random open space for each player every three rounds. (if there are no open spaces, it will not appear.) These Magic Crystals have the same effect as the Magic Crystal Spell card. Moving a summoned card on top of them grants this effect.
Skills and Abilities[]
- Some cards have skills. There are two different types of skills. Natial card skills can only be used once per card. However, they cost no mana and can be restored with a Magic Crystal. Master card skills have unlimited uses but each use costs mana.
- abilities are different from skills in that they activate automatically. There are many different types of abilities. For example, some cards automatically protect the two cards adjacent to them from enemy attacks (this does not work on cards that grant a similar effect), whereas others allow you to draw an additional card upon their death.
Getting Cards and Building Decks[]
- When you win a Vantage Masters duel, you'll receive a card from your opponent. You may also purchase cards from the store. Whenever you get new cards, you can add them to your deck via the deck building screen, either before the match on on the Cards section of the notebook. Master cards are especially powerful and the game encourages you try them out with a new deck.
Starting a Game[]
Vantage Masters can be played by pressing a specific button near an eligible NPC, which brings up the game menu. It is a game between two players, who must first choose a deck made up of up to 20 cards. This deck can be managed and altered from the Class Notebook, and up to three separate decks can be saved. The player is prompted to choose one of these decks prior to the game starting. It is a turn based game, with a random coin flip being used to decide who will have the first turn. If Rean flips Mishy, he will go first, whereas he will go second if Evil-Mishy is flipped. You are then shown three cards for your starting hand of which you can choose up to three which can be randomly exchanged with other cards in your deck. This action cannot be undone. Each turn, mana is refreshed an additional card from your deck is drawn. The game will continue even if no cards are left to be drawn. Wins and losses are recorded in the notebook.
Icons[]
Icon | Meaning | Icon | Meaning |
---|---|---|---|
Mana - available mana. | Earth - the card carries Earth attribute | ||
ATK - the card's ATK Strength | Water - the card carries Water attribute | ||
HP - the card's remaining HP | Fire - the card carries Fire attribute | ||
Flying - the card may act immediately | Heaven - the card carries Heaven attribute | ||
Ranged - the card can attack from afar | Skill - the card has a skill that may be activated (greyed out if used) |
List of Cards[]
Masters[]
Magic[]
Magic Crystal | ||
---|---|---|
Description | ||
A brilliant crystal brimming with magical power. It is said battles are won by the Master who can collect the most magic crystals. | ||
Effect: | ||
Target gains HP / ATK +1 and you receive Mana +1. if the target is a Natial, its Skill can be used again. | ||
0 |
Medic | ||
---|---|---|
Description | ||
Healing magic that contains the power of the heavens. Said to be the byproduct of alchemical research into reanimation. | ||
Effect: | ||
Restores 2 HP to the target and removes seal. If the target is a Heaven attribute card, it also gains ATK +1 | ||
1 |
Transmute | ||
---|---|---|
Description | ||
Support magic that transforms enemies into pure gold. Said to contain the essence of a Natial that posesses humans and brings misfortune. | ||
Effect: | ||
Seals an enemy's actions for 2 turns. If your master is the Witch, the enemy is sealed for 3 turns instead. | ||
4 |
Vanish | ||
---|---|---|
Description | ||
Offensive magic that cuts through enemies like a deadly blade. Contains the essence of a savage Natial. Used primarily by medieval assassins. | ||
Effect: | ||
Deals 6 damage to the target. If your Master is the Paladin, deal 7 damage instead. | ||
4 |
Uptide | ||
---|---|---|
Description | ||
Support magic with the power of water. Said to contain the essence of a Natial that could manipulate gravity. | ||
Effect: | ||
All Water attribute cards gain HP/ATK +1, and the enemy's Earth, Fire and Heaven attribute cards each take 1 damage. | ||
3 |
Blaze | ||
---|---|---|
Description | ||
Support magic with the power of fire. Contains the essence of a Natial that could manipulate flames, and grant fires protection to a target. | ||
Effect: | ||
Target gains ATK +2. if the target is a Fire attribute card, it gains ATK +3 instead. | ||
2 |
Wall | ||
---|---|---|
Description | ||
Support magic with the power of earth. uses the essence of a Natial who controls the soil to raise the earth into a defensive barrier. | ||
Effect: | ||
Puts a barrier on the target that negates damage once. if the target is an Earth attribute card, it also gains +2 HP. | ||
2 |
Expel | ||
---|---|---|
Description | ||
Support magic that uses the power of a Natial that can control time and space to revert an enemy Natial to its state before being summoned. | ||
Effect: | ||
Returns an opponents Natial to their hand. | ||
3 |
Reduce | ||
---|---|---|
Description | ||
Support magic that grants heavenly blessings. Calls upon the power of a fiery angel who fills the user with miraculous power. | ||
Effect: | ||
Halves the mana cost of one card in your hand. | ||
1 |
Disaster | ||
---|---|---|
Description | ||
Offensive magic that calls down a ruinous storm using the power of a weather-controlling Natial. Tears through all in its path without mercy. | ||
Effect: | ||
Deals 4 damage to a row of enemies. | ||
5 |
Natials[]
Earth[]
Water[]
Fire[]
Heaven[]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- This game is based upon an older property of Falcom by the same name.