Myth Busting: Are Fantasy and Sci-Fi Deck Builders Fundamentally Different?

Quick answer

No, fantasy and sci-fi deck builders are not fundamentally different. The core mechanics are nearly identical; only the theme and a few minor tweaks change. Star Realms and Hero Realms prove this—both are deck builders at heart, with theme being the main differentiator.

Many players assume that choosing between a fantasy and a sci-fi deck builder means choosing between fundamentally different games. But is that really true? We put this myth to the test using two popular deck builders from Wise Wizard Games: Star Realms (sci-fi) and Hero Realms (fantasy).

By comparing the actual contents and gameplay of these games, we'll see whether the genre label changes the experience or if it's just a coat of paint on the same engine.

Claim: Fantasy and sci-fi deck builders are completely different games

The claim suggests that the underlying mechanics, strategy, and player experience are so distinct that they appeal to different types of players. But when you look at the facts, both Star Realms and Hero Realms are deckbuilding games at their core. They share the same fundamental loop: acquire cards, build your deck, and use it to defeat your opponent.

Star Realms Core Set is a spaceship combat deckbuilding game where you play powerful ships, destroy enemy bases, or blast your opponent directly. Hero Realms, while not detailed here, is known to follow the same deckbuilding structure with a fantasy theme. The mechanics of deckbuilding—drawing cards, gaining resources, and attacking—are identical in principle.

• Both games require you to manage your deck composition and make tactical decisions with each card you play.
• The win condition in both is to reduce your opponent's authority/health to zero.

Claim: The theme dictates the mechanics

Another common myth is that the theme (fantasy vs sci-fi) dictates how the game works. In reality, the theme is often just a narrative wrapper. For example, Star Realms: Frontiers is a deckbuilding game for 1-4 players that is both standalone and fully compatible with Star Realms and its expansions. It offers solitaire and cooperative modes, which are mechanical features not tied to the sci-fi theme.

Similarly, Hero Realms Dragon Boss Deck allows you to play as a ferocious dragon, but it still functions as a deckbuilder: it replaces your personal deck and lets you play against 1-5 players. The fantasy setting doesn't change the fact that you're still building a deck and using cards to defeat opponents.

• Mechanics like solo play, cooperative modes, and boss battles exist in both genres.

Claim: You need to buy both to experience different gameplay

Some players think owning both a fantasy and sci-fi deck builder doubles the variety. However, if you already own Star Realms, adding Hero Realms might not give you a fundamentally new experience—just a new theme. This doesn't mean it's not worth it; some players enjoy the theme change. But it's not essential for gameplay variety.

Instead, consider expansions that add new mechanics. For example, Star Realms Crisis: Fleets & Fortresses adds more ships and bases to shuffle into your Star Realms game, introducing new card synergies. This can be a more meaningful change than switching from sci-fi to fantasy.

• If you're looking for new mechanics, expansions are often a better investment than a new theme.

The Verdicts

• Claim: Fantasy and sci-fi deck builders are fundamentally different: Based on the facts, the core mechanics are the same: deckbuilding, resource management, and combat. The theme is a cosmetic difference. Verdict: False
• Claim: Theme dictates mechanics: Mechanics like solo play, cooperative modes, and boss battles exist across genres. The theme does not determine how the game plays. Verdict: False
• Claim: You need both genres for variety: Variety comes from mechanics, not theme. Expansions within a single game often provide more new mechanics than switching themes. Verdict: False

Product facts

• Star Realms Core Set: Star Realms is a spaceship combat deckbuilding game designed by Magic: the Gathering Pro Tour Champions and Hall of Famers Darwin Kastle and Rob Dougherty. The game offers all the thrills of traditional trading card game style combat, combined with the fun of a deckbuilding game. Play powerful ships, destroy enemy bases or blast your opponent directly on your way to victory! Shows that the sci-fi theme is just a setting for the same deckbuilding mechanics found in fantasy games like Hero Realms.
• Star Realms Frontiers: Frontiers is a deckbuilding game for 1-4 players, that is both a standalone game and fully compatible with Star Realms Deckbuilding Game and all of its expansions! Star Realms Frontiers raised over $1,100,000 on Kickstarter! This Box Set Features: Great gameplay for 1-4 players. Solitaire and Cooperative mode! Plays on its own, or combined with any other Star Realms set. An all-new 80-card trade... Demonstrates that mechanics like solo and cooperative play are not exclusive to fantasy themes; they are part of the deckbuilding genre.
• Hero Realms Dragon Boss Deck Display of 6: Play as a Ferocious Dragon! Rain fire down on those who would dare plunder your treasure hoard! The Boss Deck replaces your personal deck in the Hero Realms Deckbuilding Game. With it, play against 1-5 players using Hero Realms Character Pack or against another Boss Deck. The Dragon Boss Deck contains 30 cards: 18 starting deck cards, 9 Treasure Hoard cards, 2 score cards, and the Dragon boss card. Even in a fantasy setting, the game follows the same deckbuilding structure, proving that theme does not change the core mechanics.

In the end, the myth that fantasy and sci-fi deck builders are fundamentally different doesn't hold up. Whether you're commanding a star fleet in Star Realms or leading a dragon's hoard in Hero Realms, you're still playing a deckbuilder at heart. If you're deciding between the two, let your theme preference guide you—but know that the gameplay experience will be familiar. For those seeking new challenges, look to expansions that introduce fresh mechanics rather than a new coat of paint.