**SteemMonsters** is a new digital card game that is going to live on the Steem blockchain.  Still in its infancy (it was first revealed 5/27/2018) SteemMonsters has already developed a cult like following in the Steemit community.  A handful of users have already collected a full set of the  59 currently available cards using STEEM or SBD as currency.  This article is going to summarize what I've gathered so far from various posts and my own experience.

![Steem-Monsters-Alpha-Released-696x449.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmboeV4ugxTeFnSi7S9qsLo79Kaai5ftSMbzfasthRK9CW/Steem-Monsters-Alpha-Released-696x449.jpg)

Developers [@aggroed](https://steemit.com/@aggroed) and [@yabapmatt](https://steemit.com/@yabapmatt) have been working to get SteemMonsters off the ground.  I recommend following them and [@steemmonsters](https://steemit.com/@steemmonsters) to stay up-to-date.  Their current milestones include: July 2018 to see a card trading environment and Fall 2018 to see the fighting component.  After this they plan on developing the game play more and adding more creatures, items and summoners.

### Card Info (so far) ###
So far you can purchase a starter pack and some booster packs that you can hold and view in your inventory.  The starter pack contains 30 cards and the booster packs contain 5 cards each. 

Cards come in 1 of 4 different rarities including:
* Common
* Rare
* Epic
* and Legendary

Each card is also associated with 1 of 6 different elements including:
* Fire
* Water
* Earth
* Life
* Death
* and Gold

For now, each card is 1 of 2 types:
* Monster
* or Summoner

![goblin-shaman-card.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYzRbNZv2vjDQfVJaMmW22auQMqTha2gRS1Qc3km6yH9f/goblin-shaman-card.jpg)

Currently the cards have a name, level and cool picture associated with them.  In the future, per [@aggroed's post](https://steemit.com/steemmonsters/@aggroed/steem-monsters-alpha-release-a-collectible-trading-card-game-with-rpg-elements-comes-alive-on-the-steem-blockchain), the cards will contain the attributes of the creature such as Attack Strength, Health, Shield, Movement and others.  The cards will also include special abilities such as First Strike, Blast, Rejuvenation, Trample, Poison, Stun and others not yet revealed.  

### What can I do with these cards now? ###
So far you can't really do anything with the cards aside from admire them, level them up and brag about the Legendary you got...I have yet to see a Legendary.  :sad face:  When you buy booster packs of cards there is a chance you get duplicates.  Duplicate cards can be combined to create a higher level of that particular card.  As your cards level up, by combining them and winning experience, the cards abilities could increase in power and more abilities may appear.

![steemonsters-screen.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdGeVYNRfQueV68ztPsmBnJfF3WcgJmzn5ob7CBtAguMB/steemonsters-screen.jpg)

### What can I do with these cards in the future? ###
In the future you will be able to vanquish foes and be on the path to world domination!  Hmm...well, in the future you will be able to trade cards and go to battle with them.  How you battle with those cards sounds interesting. First, you will create your deck from the cards in your inventory at the [SteemMonsters Website](https://steemmonsters.com/).  Then you will see what tournaments are available for that day.  When you find a tournament you like you will submit your deck to that tournament.  The battle will happen at the pre-determined time.  When the battle concludes you will get a report of how your deck did against the various opponents.  So far there's no hint that there will be any graphical representation of your cards battling which may be disappointing for people looking for mind spinning action in their games.  But if you've played any table top card games like Magic the Gathering, SolForge, Pokemon, etc.; you should be used to it.

### Can I win anything? ###
When the battling gets off the ground it appears the plan is to offer rewards to participants and winners.  Prizes could include SBD, Steem, booster packs, high level cards and experience (XP).  I love that the rewards can both increase your Steem investment but also increase your enjoyment of the game.

### What should I do now? ###
If I were you I'd keep a close eye on this project.  It seems like it's going to be a great way to have fun on the Steem blockchain and also has the potential to make you some additional cryptocurrency.  I already invested a few SBD into the starter pack and a few boosters.  I've also started a strict training regimen with my cards; feeding them the blood of their potential foes and propaganda that feeds their hatred of said foes.  Looking forward to seeing you on the battle field.

Thanks for reading and feel free to correct me in the comments if you have better information.

*All graphics from @steemmonsters and https://steemmonsters.com/*