About CTF

CTF is a micro-TCG: small decks, quick games, and only 91 unique cards to collect.

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The Story

Ten teams of hackers have gathered to compete in a friendly Capture the Flag event, each trying to gain access to secrets locked away in their opponents’ computers. Each team has mastered two of five critical disciplines:

• Brute Force: applying pressure to overwhelm defenses
• Infiltration: gaining access through clever use of software or social exploits
• Infrastructure: clever use of hardware and software tools for both offense and defense
• Countermeasures: turning your opponent’s own strategies against them
• Disruption: preventing your opponents from executing their game plans

Collecting

CTF Amber Edition starter and booster packs were available at PAX West 2025 in the PNW Tabletop Game Market. Each starter pack contains two preconstructed decks and is fully playable out of the box. Each booster pack contains five randomized program cards, one from each discipline, plus a random foil card. Set the [init] card set for more information on card populations.

Other unlimited CTF editions will be avilable starting early 2027. Follow @ctftcg.com on Bluesky for updates.

Collectibility

Some CTF editions are limited and/or randomized, but every card set with mechanically unique cards will have at least one unlimited, non-randomized edition for players who wish to play without cracking boosters. In addition, the entire [init] set is available for free through the Print and Play page on this site, allowing anyone to play with any cards they want.

The needle I’m hoping to thread is providing a classic TCG experience (opening boosters with exciting alternate card treatments, seeing brand new cards at conventions before public spoilers, and playing limited formats like draft and sealed deck) to those who want that, but without locking the ability to play the game behind randomized products.

Organized Play

CTF is currently purely casual, but there are plans to roll out organized play in Seattle in early 2027.

Special Thanks

I’d like to thank my playtesters, including Andrew, Light Humphreys, L. Gagnon, Francisco Martin, Sarah Outhwaite (long may she reign)