WHAT IS A RAPPER CARD? 

A Rapper Card represents an underground hip-hop rapper who takes part in battles during a VARCHAS match. Rapper Cards are the primary units used to attack, defend, and apply pressure on the opponent. 

At any time, a Rapper Card can be in one of two positions: 

Only the Active Rapper may attack. Rappers on the Bench cannot attack unless moved into the Active Spot through a card effect. 

Each Rapper Card has specific Power Moves and abilities printed on it. Many of these moves require: 

Any such requirement is clearly indicated on the Rapper Card itself through text and symbols. 

A Rapper placed on the Bench remains passive and cannot attack until it is moved to the Active Spot. A Rapper can only switch positions if a Power Move, Passive Ability, or Producer effect specifically allows it. 

Once a Rapper Card is placed in the Active Spot, it remains Active until one of the following occurs: 

Rapper Cards do not switch freely. Switching is always the result of a defined effect. 

When a Rapper’s HP is fully depleted, that Rapper is Knocked Out and discarded along with any attached Beat Energy and Producer cards, unless a card effect states otherwise. 

WHAT IS AN INFLUENTIAL CARD?  

An Influential Card represents an influential figure who have helped shape Indian hip-hop culture outside of the mic. These may include critics, journalists, YouTube content creators, podcasters, managers, curators, or cultural voices whose presence can shift narratives and outcomes.  

Unlike Rapper Cards and Producer Cards, Influential Cards do not remain on the battlefield. They represent one-time, high-impact moments that can alter the state of the game instantly. 

Influential Cards have a single, unique ability that affects the battlefield in a powerful or strategic way. These effects may include: 

Influential Cards are played directly from the hand during your turn. They are not placed in the Active Spot or Passive Area. 

Each Influential Card: 

Once the ability of a Influential Card is resolved, the card is immediately discarded into the Discard Pile. 

Influential Cards do not have HP, Burnout, or attachment rules. They cannot be targeted, damaged, or removed by opponent effects unless a card specifically interacts with Influential Cards.

POWER MOVES AND ABILITIES 

 Power in VARCHAS is expressed through Power Moves and Passive Abilities. 
These define how Rapper Cards attack, how Producers influence the battlefield, and how chance can shift the flow of a battle. 

POWER MOVES 

Power Moves are the primary way Rapper Cards engage in battle. A Power Move represents an attack, technique, or decisive action performed by an Active Rapper. Most Power Moves are designed to deal damage to the opponent’s Active Rapper by reducing their HP, but some may also apply additional effects such as stunning a rapper, discarding cards, or altering the flow of the game. 

Every Power Move is written directly on a Rapper Card, along with its requirements and effects. A Power Move can only be used when all of its listed requirements are fulfilled. These requirements are an essential part of the game’s strategy and must be checked before the move is declared. 

Power Moves may require: 

Some Power Moves require only Beat Energy, some require a Producer, and others require both. If even one requirement is not met, the Power Move cannot be used. 

During a turn, an Active Rapper may normally use only one Power Move, unless a card effect explicitly allows an additional action. Once a Power Move is declared and resolved, the turn proceeds according to the normal turn structure. 

PASSIVE MOVES 

Passive Abilities influence the battle without directly dealing damage. 

Passive Abilities are most commonly found on Producer Cards, though other card types may reference them. Unlike Power Moves, Passive Abilities are not declared as attacks. Instead, they remain active as long as the card providing them stays in play and meets its conditions. 

A Passive Ability represents background influence — production support, strategic pressure, protection, or disruption — rather than direct confrontation. These abilities can enhance a Rapper’s attacks, reduce incoming damage, interfere with an opponent’s setup, or modify how certain rules behave during the game. 

Passive Abilities activate automatically when their conditions are met. Some remain continuously active, while others trigger in response to specific events, such as: 

All activation conditions and limits are written clearly on the card itself. 

COIN FLIP 

Some abilities in VARCHAS depend on chance, represented through Coin Flips. 

A Coin Flip is used whenever a card instructs a player to flip a coin. The result of the flip determines whether an effect succeeds, fails, or produces a specific outcome. 

When a card instructs you to flip a coin, follow the exact wording of the effect. For example: 

If multiple Coin Flips are required, resolve them one at a time in the order stated on the card. 

Some abilities may modify Coin Flips by allowing reflips, forcing outcomes, or altering success conditions. These effects apply only when explicitly written on a card. If no modification is stated, Coin Flips are resolved normally. 

Coin Flips introduces uncertainty, risk, and momentum swings into the game, reflecting the unpredictable nature of live battles and underground competition