Digimon Xros Wars Super Digica Taisen

Digimon Xros Wars Super Digica Taisen (デジモンクロスウォーズ超デジカ大戦 Dejimon Kurosu Wōzu Sūpā Dejika Taisen; lit. "Digimon Xros Wars: Super Digica Great War") is the third Digimon card game and a collectible card-based arcade game in the Data Carddass series.
It was launched in Japan on August 5, 2010, as part of the multimedia project surrounding Digimon Xros Wars. Each play cost ¥100 and dispensed one card that could be scanned into the arcade machine to form an army of up to three Digimon. The game supported both single-player battles and two-player matches.
Beginning with the 5th Set, released on April 14, 2011, the game was renewed under the title Digimon Xros Wars Super Digica Taisen: General Strikers (デジモンクロスウォーズ 超デジカ大戦 ジェネラルストライカーズ, Dejimon Kurosu Wōzu Sūpā Dejika Taisen: Jeneraru Sutoraikāzu). This renewal introduced a revised command system and expanded the cast of selectable Generals with characters from previous Digimon anime series, known collectively as the Legend Generals.
Shoutmon serves as the primary navigator, while Dondokomon functions both as an in-game character and as the physical controller built into the arcade cabinet. Seven main sets were released between August 2010 and August 2011, with the 7th Set marking the game's final version.
Development and release[edit]
Super Digica Taisen was developed as the central arcade component of the Digimon Xros Wars toy and card range. Its army-versus-army format reflected the military theme of the anime, with players assuming the role of a General and commanding multiple Digimon rather than controlling a single combatant.
The first version began operation on August 5, 2010, approximately one month after the premiere of Digimon Xros Wars. It was released alongside the first card set and the "Fuse! Digimon Xros Campaign", during which five holographic campaign cards were included among the cards dispensed by the machines.
The game received regular revisions known as "Sets" or "Versions". These added new cards, selectable Generals, stages, enemy armies and gameplay systems. The first four versions retained the original title and individual command system. The 5th Set relaunched the game as General Strikers, placing greater emphasis on General-versus-General battles while substantially revising the battle system and introducing the General Command mechanic.
The arcade game was aimed at players aged five and older. A standard play cost ¥100 and dispensed one card. Players could select a regular battle, a two-player battle or a card-purchase option. Selecting the latter dispensed a card without beginning a battle.
An Asian edition was released in Hong Kong in November 2012. Unlike the Japanese Data Carddass release, its localized cards were sold separately in booster packs and used with dedicated "TV Battle Machines" installed at participating retailers. Players scanned the cards to assemble their Digimon army and play through the arcade battle system. Asian cards omitted the AR code found on the reverse of Japanese cards, as they were not intended for use with the Japanese Digimon X Arena system.
Gameplay[edit]
At the start of the game, the player can choose to play alone, battle another player, or purchase cards. In a two-player game, each player uses a separate scanning and command area attached to the same cabinet. Both players scan and position their own Digimon Cards before issuing commands through their respective controls. Selecting the card purchase option immediately ends the session after dispensing the cards. The player then selects a General, who serves as their commander throughout the battle. The selected General serves as the player's avatar and determines the type of Nanomon accompanying the army, as well as the Digimon with which they have favorable D-Skill compatibility. Beginning with the 5th Set, the selected General also determines the effectiveness of their General Commands.
Next, the player selects a stage. Each stage has a different difficulty level and enemy strength. Before the battle begins, the player scans their cards to assemble their Digimon army. During the scanning phase, the player can also check the rock–paper–scissors attributes of the opposing army, allowing them to choose cards with a favorable matchup. If the player does not have enough cards, substitute Digimon displayed by the machine, such as Shoutmon or Agumon, are automatically deployed.
The battlefield is divided into a sequence of territories occupied by enemy forces. The objective is to advance by defeating these forces and increasing the player's control rate until the opposing army is completely eliminated. Certain stages culminate in an EX Challenge or a battle against an enlarged "Mega" boss.
Most controls are performed using Dondokomon, the drum-shaped controller positioned beneath the monitor. Rotating Dondokomon is used to navigate menus and charge certain battle mechanics, while pressing the button on top confirms selections. During battle, striking Dondokomon with proper timing increases the power of the player's attack.
Beginning with the 3rd Set, DigiMemory cards could also be scanned. Doing so unlocked a special General Command corresponding to the scanned DigiMemory, allowing legendary Digimon to activate unique battlefield effects.
The same set also introduced Flying-type Digimon as part of a new battle system promoted as "3D Xros Battle". Their aerial attacks could target both aerial and ground enemies through Area Attacks. Flying-type Digimon could also participate in Combo Attacks, providing supporting attacks to compatible allies.
Ver. 1–4[edit]
Versions 1 through 4 use an individual command system in which the player's army consists of up to three Digimon deployed in fixed positions: Hidari (Left), Mannaka (Center), and Migi (Right). During each turn, the player selects one of these Digimon to attack the opposing force.
Combat is resolved through a rock–paper–scissors system based on the Janken Attribute assigned to each Digimon Card:
- Goo – Counterattack or Interception stance.
- Choki – Standard attack or Assault stance.
- Par – Quick attack or Fierce Attack stance.
Selecting an attribute with an advantage over that of the opposing army improves the attacking side's combat parameters. If both sides select the same attribute, an Aiko Battle occurs and command selection is repeated until a winner is determined. If the repeated selection also results in a tie, the side with the higher status gauge attacks first.
When multiple allied Digimon share the same Janken Attribute, they can activate a Combo, adding further hits to the attack and increasing the resulting damage.
The initial selection of Generals included Kudou Taiki, Aonuma Kiriha, and Amano Nene. Beginning with the 3rd Set, Tactimon, Blastmon, and Lilithmon, collectively known as the Three Head Officers of the Bagra Army, also became selectable Generals. The same set added Yagami Taichi to the General Select screen and introduced War Greymon and Metal Garurumon cards that could be used together to DigiXros into Omegamon. The 4th Set subsequently expanded the selection with Dark Knightmon.
Ver. 5–7[edit]
Beginning with Version 5, the battle system was significantly revised. At the start of every turn, the player first selects one of three General Commands. Each command is represented by a Janken hand and raises a corresponding ability for the player's team:
- Goo raises Guard
- Choki raises Attack
- Par raises Accuracy
Each command corresponds to one of the three Janken attributes, and the selected General determines the magnitude of the resulting bonus. If a DigiMemory card has been scanned, its exclusive General Command also becomes available.
After selecting the General Command, commands are issued to every Digimon simultaneously rather than individually. A Digimon may either use the attribute selected through the General Command or its own inherent attribute. If both attributes are identical, only that attribute can be selected, making the player's action easier for the opponent to predict.
If the Janken attribute selected through the General Command matches the attribute printed on the Digimon Card, a Critical Command appears. Selecting it and winning the ensuing command battle activates a Critical Hit, dealing heavy damage and preventing the opposing army from counterattacking.
The 5th Set introduced six Legend Generals from previous Digimon anime series alongside Kudou Taiki, Aonuma Kiriha, and Amano Nene. These were Yagami Taichi with War Greymon, Ishida Yamato with Metal Garurumon, Motomiya Daisuke with XV-mon, Matsuda Takato with Dukemon, Kanbara Takuya with Kaiser Greymon, and Daimon Masaru with Shine Greymon.
It also included a campaign featuring ten holographic "General Digimon Cards" with foil-stamped images of their corresponding Generals. Pairing one of these cards with the General depicted on it activated D-Link, increasing the number of attack hits.
The 6th Set expanded the selection with five additional Generals: Amano Yuu with Musou Knightmon, and four additional Legend Generals from previous Digimon series—Takenouchi Sora with Garudamon, Yagami Hikari with Angewomon, Thoma H. Norstein with Mirage Gaogamon, and Fujieda Yoshino with Rosemon.
It also introduced "Terra Rare" (TR), a new five-star rarity positioned above Giga Rare. Terra Rare cards featured a sparkling holographic finish combined with gold foil stamping.
The 7th Set introduced Bagramon as a selectable General, partnered with Darkness Bagramon, and marked the return of the Bagra Army General Dark Knightmon as a selectable General.
It also included D-Link Cards associated with Generals from Digimon Xros Wars, the Legend Generals from previous Digimon series, and the Bagra Army Generals.
Cards and compatibility[edit]
Each standard card represents a Digimon and contains the information required by the arcade game, including its Level, statistics, Janken Attribute, D-Skill and compatible DigiXros combinations. The card number and rarity are printed alongside this information.
The arcade cabinet reads the front of a card through its scanner. Up to three Digimon Cards can be scanned to form the player's army. If fewer than three cards are provided, the machine supplies substitute Digimon for the remaining positions.
An AR code is printed on the reverse of the Japanese cards. This allowed the same cards to be used with other products from the Digimon Xros Wars range:
- In the promotional arcade attraction Digimon X Arena, the code was scanned by a camera to summon the depicted Digimon into an augmented-reality battle.
- With the Digimon Xros Loader, the code could be scanned to load the Digimon or related data into the device.
This cross-compatibility was not limited to standard arcade cards, as AR codes were also printed on selected toys, food products, magazine supplements and other promotional items. Asian editions of the cards omitted the AR code used by the Japanese Digimon X Arena system.
DigiXros[edit]
Terminology[edit]
- General Command 「ジェネラルコマンド」: A command selected at the beginning of each turn in Version 5 onward. The player normally chooses from three standard General Commands, each represented by a Janken hand and increasing a corresponding team ability: Goo increases Guard, Choki increases Attack, and Par increases Accuracy. When attacking, the player may use either the Janken attribute selected through the General Command or the one printed on the Digimon Card. Scanned DigiMemory cards may also provide exclusive General Commands.
- DigiMemory 「デジメモリ」: A support card scanned after the player's regular Digimon Cards. During battle, it can be selected from the Digimon advancement screen to activate a special effect that alters the parameters, abilities or battle types of allied or enemy forces.
- DigiXros 「デジクロス」: Only certain Digimon can perform DigiXros. Compatible DigiXros combinations are listed on the reverse side of supported Digimon Cards. During command selection, players choose the Fusion command to perform the DigiXros. Although the number of Digimon on the battlefield decreases after fusing, the resulting Digimon becomes significantly stronger and rapidly increases the DigiSoul Gauge.
- DigiSoul Gauge 「デジソウルゲージ」: The DigiSoul Gauge fills as damage is dealt and received. Once full, a Special Move Command appears during command selection. Selecting it gives the Special Move priority over normal attacks. During its activation, the player rotates Dondokomon to build up power and activate DigiBlast. Filling the power gauge completely instead activates the stronger DigiStorm, which damages every Digimon in the opposing army. If both players activate DigiBlast or DigiStorm simultaneously, the clash is resolved as an Aiko Battle.
- Aiko Battle 「あいこバトル」: Occurs when both sides select the same command. In Versions 1–4, command selection is repeated until a winner is determined; if another tie occurs, the side with the higher status gauge attacks first. Beginning with Version 5, the battle immediately enters the Aiko Battle phase without repeating command selection. A Critical Hit can still occur during an Aiko Battle, preventing the opponent's counterattack.
- Rarity 「レアリティ Reariti」: The rarity of a standard Digimon Card is indicated by an abbreviation printed alongside its card number and by a corresponding number of stars: Normal (N; ★), Rare (R; ★★), Mega Rare (MR; ★★★), Giga Rare (GR; ★★★★), and Terra Rare (TR; ★★★★★). Campaign and other promotional cards may not possess a standard rarity.
- D-Skill 「Dスキル」: A special ability possessed by a Digimon that activates unique effects during battle, such as raising allies' parameters or lowering those of enemies. There are six D-Skill attributes: Fire, Light, Wind, Water, Earth, and Darkness. If a Digimon's D-Skill attribute is compatible with the selected General, its effect becomes more powerful. Certain D-Skills could broaden a Digimon's compatibility with other cards.
- Piercing Damage 「かんつうダメージ」: When a Digimon is struck by a Special Move, the attack also damages the other Digimon in the opposing army. Beginning with Version 5, attacks instead reduce the army's combined HP ("Total HP"), including normal attacks.
- Combo 「コンボ」: Triggered when multiple allied Digimon share the same Janken attribute. When activated, the attack gains additional hits and inflicts increased damage.
- Critical Command 「クリティカルコマンド」: A special command that appears when the Janken attribute selected through the General Command matches the attribute printed on the Digimon Card. Selecting it provides an opportunity to activate a Critical Hit.
- Critical Hit 「クリティカルヒット」: A powerful attack activated by selecting a Critical Command and winning the ensuing command battle. It deals heavy damage and prevents the opposing army from counterattacking.
- D-Link 「Dリンク」: A feature of certain cards that activates when their Digimon is paired with a compatible General. Activating D-Link significantly increases the number of hits in the Digimon's attack, thereby increasing the damage inflicted. Multiple Digimon from D-Link cards can be deployed together and may also activate a Combo.
- Janken Attribute 「ジャンケン属性」: The rock–paper–scissors attribute assigned to every Digimon Card and General Command. The three attributes are Goo, Choki, and Par. Possessing an advantage over the opposing army's attribute increases the army's combat parameters, and players can inspect the enemy's attributes during the card scanning phase before assembling their team.
- Flying Type 「飛行タイプ」: A card type that allows Digimon to attack enemies positioned both in the air and on the ground through Area Attacks, as well as provide supporting attacks under the appropriate conditions.
- Area Attack 「全体攻撃」: An aerial attack capable of striking both aerial and ground enemies.
- Combo Attack 「コンボアタック」: A supporting attack performed by an allied Digimon. In the example shown on the official website, a Flying-type Digimon with the same Attribute as Shoutmon joins Shoutmon's attack.
- Nanomon 「ナノモン」: Small support Digimon that accompany the player's army during battle. The type of Nanomon deployed depends on the selected General, while their number depends on the Level of the scanned Digimon Card. Four species appear in the game: Pickmon, Bombmon, Monitamon, and Chikurimon. Their weapons change according to the current Janken attribute, and larger groups of Nanomon increase the number of attack hits inflicted during battle.
- Dondokomon 「ドンドコモン」: The drum-shaped controller used to operate the arcade machine. Rotating Dondokomon is used to navigate menus, charge DigiBlast and DigiStorm, and perform other gameplay actions, while pressing its top button confirms selections. Striking the drum with proper timing during attacks increases attack power and can greatly amplify the damage dealt.
Card Sets[edit]
- See also: Full Card List SDT
Seven principal card sets were released between August 2010 and August 2011. The first four were published under the original Digimon Xros Wars Super Digica Taisen title, while Sets 5–7 were released as part of the game's General Strikers renewal.
| Set | Japanese title | Release date | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set 1 | デジモンクロスウォーズ超デジカ大戦 第1弾 | August 5, 2010 | 55 (+5 campaign cards) |
| Set 2 | デジモンクロスウォーズ超デジカ大戦 第2弾 | October 7, 2010 | 60 |
| Set 3 | デジモンクロスウォーズ超デジカ大戦 第3弾 | December 9, 2010 | 60 (+10 campaign cards) |
| Set 4 | デジモンクロスウォーズ超デジカ大戦 第4弾 | February 9, 2011 | 60 |
| Set 5 | デジモンクロスウォーズ超デジカ大戦 第5弾 | April 14, 2011 | 60 (+10 campaign cards) |
| Set 6 | デジモンクロスウォーズ超デジカ大戦 第6弾 | June 9, 2011 | 53 |
| Set 7 | デジモンクロスウォーズ超デジカ大戦 第7弾 | August 4, 2011 | 53 |
Additional compatible cards were released through the Digimon Xros Archive and the two Super Digica Taisen Wafer Chocolate sets. Numerous other cards were distributed through magazines, campaigns, toys and other promotional products. See Super Digica Taisen Promo for a complete list.
Generals[edit]
| General | Partner Digimon | Attribute | Nanomon | Command |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kudou Taiki | Omega Shoutmon Shoutmon DX Shoutmon X7 |
Light Fire Water |
Pickmon | Rock (Guard Up) |
| Aonuma Kiriha | Decker Greymon Zeke Greymon |
Light Fire Wind |
Bombmon | Paper (Accuracy Up) |
| Amano Nene | Mervamon Sparrowmon |
Dark Water Earth |
Monimon | Scissors (Attack Up) |
| Yagami Taichi | War Greymon Omegamon |
Light Fire Earth |
Pickmon | Scissors (Attack Up) |
| Ishida Yamato | Metal Garurumon | Light Water Wind |
Bombmon | Paper (Accuracy Up) |
| Takenouchi Sora | Garudamon | Light Water Wind |
Monimon (Pickmon on Garudamon card) | Paper (Accuracy Up) |
| Motomiya Daisuke | XV-mon Paildramon |
Light Fire Earth |
Pickmon | Scissors (Attack Up) |
| Yagami Hikari | Angewomon | Light Fire Water |
Monimon | Rock (Guard Up) |
| Matsuda Takato | Dukemon | Light Earth Wind |
Pickmon | Rock (Guard Up) |
| Kanbara Takuya | Kaiser Greymon | Light Fire Wind |
Pickmon | Scissors (Attack Up) |
| Daimon Masaru | Shine Greymon | Light Fire Wind |
Pickmon | Scissors (Attack Up) |
| Thoma H. Norstein | Mirage Gaogamon | Light Earth Wind |
Bombmon | Paper (Accuracy Up) |
| Fujieda Yoshino | Rosemon | Light Water Wind |
Monimon | Rock (Guard Up) |
| Dark Knightmon | Bagramon | Dark Fire Water |
Chikurimon (Monimon in Part 1) | Paper (Accuracy Up) |
| Amano Yuu | Musou Knightmon Dark Knightmon Darkness Bagramon |
Dark Wind Light |
Chikurimon | Scissors (Attack Up) |
| Bagramon | Darkness Bagramon | Dark Fire Light |
Chikurimon | Rock (Guard Up) |
Boss Digimon[edit]
Version 1
EX Challenge: Blastmon[2][3][4]
Version 2
Version 3
EX Challenge: Dark Knightmon
- EX Challenge: Mega Dark Knightmon[7][8][9]
Boss: Gran Kuwagamon
Version 4
Boss: Decker Greymon
- Boss: Mega Decker Greymon[12]
Version 5
Boss: Muso Knightmon
- Boss: Mega Muso Knightmon[14]
Version 6
EX Challenge: Darkness Bagramon[15]
Version 7
EX Challenge: Black Shoutmon X7[17]
Related products[edit]
Digimon X Arena[edit]
Digimon X Arena was a free promotional battle machine planned for installation at approximately 200 retail locations beginning in August 2010. Players could scan the AR Codes included with compatible Digimon Xros Wars products to summon Digimon and participate in augmented-reality battles. The machine could also interact with the Digimon Xros Loader through infrared communication and sound.
Super Digica Taisen Wafer Chocolate[edit]
Two Super Digica Taisen Wafer Chocolate series were released. Each package contained one wafer and one card compatible with Super Digica Taisen.
Digimon Fusion Collectible Card Game[edit]
The Digimon Fusion Collectible Card Game was a physical card game released alongside the international broadcast of the Digimon Fusion anime. It reused some card artwork from Super Digica Taisen.
Image Gallery[edit]
Promo[edit]
Generals[edit]
Crossover[edit]
How to Play[edit]
Magazine Scans[edit]
[edit]
Bandai Asia[edit]
Trivia[edit]
- Although most Super Digica Taisen cabinets were blue, a rarer red version was also distributed.
References[edit]
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "EX Challenger Lilithmon"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "Blastmon Challenge Starts!!"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "EX Blastmon Challenge Special Movie Released!"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "EX Challenger Blastmon"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "Second Act Enemy General Tactimon Appears!"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "EX Challenger Tactimon"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "Newsflash! You can battle with a magnified Dark Knightmon!"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "Thank you for this year!"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "EX Challenger Dark Knightmon"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "The Third Act Challenge, a Showdown with a Giant Digimon!"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "Third Act Giant Boss Mega Gran Kuwagamon"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "Fourth Act, Giant Boss Battle Outbreak!"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "Fifth Act in motion report! EX Challenger Mervamon invades!"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "A huge boss in the Fifth Act! MegaMusoKnightmon stands in your way!!"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "Sixth Act in motion report! Crush the EX Challenger DarknessBagramon!"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "Sixth Act Giant Boss, a Showdown with MegaDarknessBagramon!"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "The Seventh Act EX Challenge: Black Shoutmon X7"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "The Seventh Act Latest Information: "Huge Boss" Mega Black Shoutmon X7 Attacks!!!"
- ↑ Super Digica Taisen: "Seventh Act Giant Boss Battle, Defeat Black Shoutmon X7!"
External Links[edit]
- Official website (archived)
- Digimon Xros Wars: Super Digica Taisen promotional videos: 1, 2, 3, 4 (YouTube)
- Digimon Xros Wars: Super Digica Taisen gameplay videos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (YouTube)