Duel Masters

Wizards' and Takara Tomy's Magic-inspired TCG — five 'civilizations', mana-driven summons, and shield-breaking finishes.

🌤indoor

What is Duel Masters?

Duel Masters is a trading card game co-developed by Wizards of the Coast (designers of Magic) and Takara Tomy, launched in Japan in 2002. Its mechanics simplify Magic's for younger players — five civilisations, mana cards played as land-equivalent, and a five-'shield' life system that reveals extra abilities as shields are broken. Enormously popular in Japan, one of the country's top-selling TCGs.

Quick facts

Category

Card Games

Type

Individual

Players

2–2

Where played

indoor

Country of origin

🇯🇵 Japan

Estimated origin

2002, Wizards of the Coast + Takara Tomy — Japan launch 2002

Olympic

No

Popularity

regional

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-24.verified