Quick Answer
Dragon Ball Super Card Game (DBSCG) is based on the Dragon Ball Super anime and manga. It has a unique life-based system where taking damage isn't always bad, and a Leader Card mechanic that evolves during the game. See current prices at /cards/dragon-ball-super.
Dragon Ball Super Card Game (DBSCG) is based on the Dragon Ball Super anime and manga. It has a unique life-based system where taking damage isn't always bad, and a Leader Card mechanic that evolves during the game.
This guide covers the rules you need to play your first game.
The Goal
KO your opponent's Leader Card by dealing enough damage to flip it twice (from the initial side to the powered-up side, then defeat it), or reduce their life to 0 and then KO the Leader.
More specifically: you win when your opponent has no cards left in their life area and their Leader is defeated, or when your opponent can't draw from an empty deck on their turn.
What You Need
Two players. Two 50-card decks. Two Leader Cards (one per player. separate from the main deck). One Energy zone each.
Starter Decks are the recommended entry point and are available from local game stores and online in Australia for around AU$25 to AU$40.
Card Types
Leader Cards: Your main character. Each has two sides: the weaker starting side and the powered-up Awaken side. Your Leader attacks and blocks every turn.
Battle Cards: Your main fighters. Played from hand to attack or defend.
Extra Cards: Special support cards played from an Extra Deck (up to 10 cards).
Dragon Ball Cards: Collectible bonus cards that can be played for various effects when you gather them.
The Energy System
Instead of land cards (like MTG) or energy cards (like Pokemon), DBSCG uses your hand itself as energy.
To play a Battle Card, you place cards from your hand face-down into your Energy Zone. Each card there provides one energy. Most Battle Cards require a certain amount of energy and specific colour energy to play.
This means every card is a resource. you always have to decide between playing it for its effect or using it for energy.
How a Turn Works
- Charge. place one card from your hand face-down into your Energy Zone (it's now active energy)
- Draw. draw two cards
- Main Phase: play Battle Cards, activate abilities, attack
- End of Turn. no automatic hand limit (unlike some TCGs)
How Attacking Works
Declare your attacking card (your Leader or a Battle Card). Name the card's Power value.
Your opponent can choose to block by placing a card from their hand face-down into their Energy Zone. this negates the attack.
If they don't block (or can't), the attack hits. If you attack the opponent's Leader and it hits, they take one life card: the top card of their life deck is added to their hand. When their life deck is empty, a successful attack KOs the Leader.
Cards added to hand from life are immediately playable: this is the "damage is sometimes good" mechanic, because more cards in hand means more options.
Awakening Your Leader
When certain conditions are met (usually related to your life deck getting low), you can Awaken your Leader. flip it to the powered-up side. Awakened Leaders are stronger and often have additional abilities.
What to Buy in Australia
Starter Decks: AU$25 to AU$40. Themed around characters from the anime. Include Leader Cards and are ready to play.
See our Dragon Ball Super booster boxes guide for expansion buying options.
Use the free C3 collection tracker to track your DBSCG cards.
Common Mistakes New Players Make
Forgetting to Charge: Skipping the Charge step (putting a card face-down as energy) is the most common beginner error. Always Charge first, even if it means discarding a card you wanted. Energy is essential.
Over-committing to the board: Dragon Ball Super rewards playing around your opponent's Extra Cards. Don't play your entire hand into a board your opponent can wipe with one Extra Card.
Not blocking: Blocking costs you a card from hand (placed as energy) but prevents damage. In the early game when your life deck is full, taking damage is often fine since you add those cards to hand. In the late game when your life deck is low, blocking becomes critical. Read the game state before deciding whether to block.
Ignoring the Combo mechanic: The Combo system lets you play cards from hand during your opponent's attack step to increase your attacking or defending Power. New players often forget they can Combo. It dramatically affects which attacks land.
Building Your First Dragon Ball Super Deck
Starter Decks are the recommended starting point. They're complete, playable, and already centred on a specific Leader and strategy. Once you've played 15 or 20 games with a Starter Deck, you'll have a clear picture of what the deck is missing and where to focus your card acquisitions.
The format is constructed: 50-card main deck plus one Leader Card plus up to 10 Extra Cards. You can run up to 4 copies of any card. Colour restrictions apply based on your Leader's colour combination.
The most effective way to improve a deck in Australia is buying singles from local game stores or eBay rather than opening booster boxes. Target the 4-of staples your deck needs directly.
Australian Dragon Ball Super Community
Dragon Ball Super Card Game has a smaller organised play presence in Australia than Pokemon or MTG, but dedicated players in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane run regular events. Local game stores hosting One Piece TCG events often also host Dragon Ball Super nights due to overlapping player demographics.
Facebook groups for Australian Dragon Ball Super players are the most active online community. Bandai Card Games occasionally runs Australian events for the game.
What to Buy in Australia to Start
Dragon Ball Super Starter Decks are available through local game stores and occasionally on Amazon AU. Starter Decks retail for approximately AU$25 to AU$40 and include a playable 50-card deck plus Leader Card.
See our Dragon Ball Super booster boxes guide for sealed product options once you are ready to expand your collection.
Use the C3 Card Compare tool to check current AUD prices on specific Dragon Ball Super singles before buying.
The C3 Take
The decisions you make with your TCG collection matter more than most guides suggest. Whether you are buying, selling, or holding, the difference between a good outcome and a poor one almost always comes down to checking current AUD prices before you act. Use the live data at /cards/dragon-ball-super to make price-informed decisions every time.
What to Read Next
- Compare TCG options at /quizzes/which-tcg-extended
- Browse card prices at /cards/mtg
- Calculate booster box expected value at /tools
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start playing Dragon Ball Super in Australia?
The minimum entry cost depends on the game. Most TCGs have starter or preconstructed decks in the AU$20-90 range that give you everything needed for your first games. See the specific cost breakdown in this guide.
Is Dragon Ball Super popular in Australia?
Yes. Australia has active local game store communities for all major TCGs in major cities. Regional qualifier events run regularly and online communities on Facebook and Discord are active. The specific size varies by game.
Where can I find other Dragon Ball Super players in Australia?
Local game stores run regular events. Facebook groups for Australian TCG players are active. Check the C3 Release Calendar for upcoming events near you.