♦A
Ancestral Metal
Pyrococcus furiosus
The heaviest biological metal. P. furiosus wields tungsten enzymes that predate molybdenum life, forging bonds in boiling volcanic pools.
Beats Mo cards when temperature >80°C. Draw 1 extra from deck.
♦A
♦K
Double Role
Sulfolobus acidocaldarius
Sulfur serves both sides of the electron ledger. Sulfolobus oxidizes it AND reduces it, thriving in acid hot springs at pH 2.
Plays as electron donor OR acceptor. Choose when played.
♦K
♦Q
Methane Bomb
Methanopyrus kandleri (122°C)
At 122°C, the hottest known life reduces CO₂ to methane. The simplest molecule fuels the most extreme metabolism.
Pair with any CO₂ card for +3 energy bonus.
♦Q
♦J
Cofactor Lock
Methanogens (Cofactor F430)
Cofactor F430 is the only biological nickel tetrapyrrole. No substitution exists—without Ni, methanogenesis halts entirely.
Cannot be replaced by wild cards. Immune to substitution effects.
♦J
♦10
Electron Highway
Aquifex aeolicus (90°C)
Iron-sulfur clusters form an electron superhighway through Aquifex, one of the deepest-branching bacteria, oxidizing H₂ near boiling.
+1 energy for each other Fe card in play.
♦10
♦9
Vitamin Broker
Thermophilic anaerobes
Cobalt sits at the heart of vitamin B12, the most complex non-polymeric biomolecule. Thermophiles trade it like currency.
Trade this card with any player for one of theirs (their choice).
♦9
♦8
21st Amino Acid
Pyrobaculum arsenaticum
Selenocysteine is genetically encoded as the 21st amino acid. P. arsenaticum uses it in enzymes that handle arsenic at volcanic temps.
Counts as a wild element in enzyme combos.
♦8
♦7
Metalloenzyme Core
Thermophilic enzymes
Zinc fingers, zinc proteases, zinc structural sites. The most versatile metal in biology stabilizes protein folds even at extreme heat.
+1 to any enzyme card played alongside it.
♦7
♦6
Reverse Citric Acid
Deep vent autotrophs
The reverse TCA cycle runs the Krebs cycle backwards, fixing CO₂ into biomass without sunlight. Likely the oldest carbon pathway.
Generates 1 energy per turn in no-sunlight conditions.
♦6
♦5
Membrane Anchor
Ether-lipid archaea
Archaeal ether-linked lipids with phospho-headgroups resist hydrolysis at temperatures that would shred bacterial membranes.
Protects one adjacent card from heat-damage events.
♦5
♦4
Heat Stabilizer
Thermophilic proteases
Calcium ions crosslink thermophilic protein surfaces, adding salt bridges that hold tertiary structure intact above 80°C.
Prevents one card from being discarded by heat events.
♦4
♦3
Dual Extreme
Halothermophiles
Potassium accumulation is the universal salt-in strategy. Halothermophiles pump K⁺ to balance both osmotic and thermal stress.
Can be played in FIRE or BRINE tableau.
♦3
♦2
RNA World Relic
Ribozymes
Magnesium stabilizes RNA tertiary structure and is essential for ribozyme catalysis—a molecular fossil of pre-protein life.
Draw 1 when no protein-enzyme cards are in your tableau.
♦2
♠A
hν
Retinal / Bacteriorhodopsin
Purple Membrane
Halobacterium salinarum
Retinal-based light harvesting predates chlorophyll. The purple membrane pumps protons with sunlight, no photosystem required.
Passive: gain 1 energy at the start of each of your turns.
♠A
♠K
Cl⁻K⁺
Chloride + Potassium
Acidic Proteome
Salinibacter ruber
Every protein is negatively charged. The entire proteome is redesigned for saturated brine—it denatures in fresh water.
+3 energy in high-salt environment. −3 in low-salt.
♠K
♠Q
pH Immunity
Natron lake alkaliphiles
In soda lakes at pH 12, sodium carbonate would dissolve most life. Alkaliphiles use Na⁺ antiporters to maintain a neutral interior.
Immune to all pH-shift events.
♠Q
♠J
Gravity Anchor
Diplonemid protists (42,000×)
These protists concentrate barium and strontium 42,000-fold above seawater, forming dense intracellular crystals that act as ballast.
Cannot be moved or stolen. Anchors this tableau slot.
♠J
♠10
Osmotic Shield
Compatible solute strategy
The salt-in strategy floods the cytoplasm with KCl to balance external NaCl. Cheaper than synthesizing organic osmolytes.
Negate one osmotic-stress event targeting you.
♠10
♠9
Quorum Call
AI-2 quorum sensing
Boron stabilizes the AI-2 signaling molecule, the only known inter-species quorum signal. When boron speaks, all bacteria listen.
All same-suit cards in your tableau get +1 energy.
♠9
♠8
Halide Forge
Vanadium haloperoxidase marine
Marine haloperoxidases use vanadium to oxidize iodide into reactive halogen species—chemical warfare at the cellular level.
Destroy one opponent card with ≤4 defense.
♠8
♠7
Cold Surprise
V-nitrogenase
Vanadium nitrogenase works better in the cold than its Mo counterpart—an evolutionary backup that becomes primary below 10°C.
Reverses cold-penalty events into +2 energy bonus.
♠7
♠6
Mineral Crust
Nodule-forming bacteria
Manganese-oxidizing bacteria build layered mineral crusts over millennia, creating deep-sea nodules worth billions in metal resources.
+1 defense. Stacks with other defense cards.
♠6
♠5
Unknown Function
Ascidians (10mM intracellular)
Sea squirts accumulate vanadium to 10 million times seawater concentration. After a century of study, nobody knows why.
Effect determined by coin flip: +3 or −1.
♠5
♠4
Salt Photon
Halophile chlorophyll analog
Halophilic phototrophs modify their magnesium-centered chlorophyll to function in brine that would precipitate normal pigments.
Gain 1 energy if a light-source card is in play.
♠4
♠3
Alkaline Fix
DNRA alkaline pathway
Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium conserves nitrogen in alkaline sediments where denitrification would lose it as gas.
Convert one discard-pile N card back to your hand.
♠3
♠2
Halide Chain
Chloroperoxidase
Chloroperoxidases catalyze the insertion of chlorine into organic molecules, creating natural organochlorines long before industrial chemistry.
Chain: if another halide card follows, draw 1.
♠2
♣A
Biomining Rig
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (pH 1)
This bacterium dissolves rock for a living. At pH 1, it oxidizes iron and sulfur from sulfide ores—the biological engine of copper mining.
Extract any metal card from the discard pile.
♣A
♣K
Radiotropism
Cladosporium sphaerospermum
Found growing toward the reactor core in Chernobyl. Melanin harvests gamma radiation the way chlorophyll harvests light.
Power doubles during radiation events. Immune to radiation damage.
♣K
♣Q
Toxic Shortcut
Arsenate-respiring bacteria
Where phosphorus is scarce, some bacteria use arsenate as an electron acceptor. A toxic element becomes a metabolic shortcut.
Skip the energy cost of one card play this turn.
♣Q
♣J
Nanoparticle Forge
Ochrobactrum spp.
These bacteria reduce tellurium salts into crystalline nanoparticles inside their cells—biological semiconductor fabrication.
Collect 3 Te cards = create Semiconductor artifact (+5 pts).
♣J
♣10
Hexavalent Shield
Cr(VI)-reducing Bacillus
Hexavalent chromium is a carcinogen. These Bacillus reduce Cr(VI) to harmless Cr(III), detoxifying contaminated groundwater.
Negate one toxic-element event card.
♣10
♣9
Nugget
Cupriavidus metallidurans
C. metallidurans precipitates dissolved gold complexes into solid gold nanoparticles. Literal biological gold mining, cell by cell.
Worth double points at end of game.
♣9
♣8
Immobilize
Geobacter spp.
Geobacter reduces soluble U(VI) to insoluble U(IV), locking uranium in place. Bioremediation of nuclear waste, one electron at a time.
Lock opponent's top tableau card for 2 turns.
♣8
♣7
Detox Engine
merA/merB bacteria
The mer operon encodes enzymes that convert toxic organomercury to less toxic Hg(0) vapor. Ancient resistance, globally distributed.
Remove one toxic card from any player's tableau.
♣7
♣6
Blue Catalyst
Acidophile copper mines
Blue copper proteins are among the fastest electron-transfer agents in biology. Acidophiles in copper mines exploit this at punishing pH.
+2 energy when played with an Fe card.
♣6
♣5
Efflux Pump
Metal-resistant biofilms
Efflux pumps eject toxic metal ions faster than they enter. Biofilms share resistance genes, creating communal metal shields.
Discard one metal card targeting you. Draw 1.
♣5
♣4
Orphaned Metal
Nanoparticle formers
Bismuth has no confirmed essential biological role, yet bacteria readily reduce it to nanoparticles. An element without a kingdom.
Wild: copy the effect of any card in play.
♣4
♣3
Ionic Impostor
K⁺-channel impostor
Thallium(I) has the same ionic radius as potassium. It slips through K⁺ channels undetected—a perfect biochemical disguise.
Disguise: plays as any K card. Reveal for surprise +2.
♣3
♣2
Heavy Shield
Pb-resistant biofilms
Lead-resistant biofilms precipitate Pb as lead phosphate minerals, entombing the toxin in a crystalline cage.
+2 defense. Absorbs one attack before being discarded.
♣2
♥A
Dark Biosphere
Deep subsurface — 1.5 Ga fracture water
Water splitting by radioactive decay produces H₂ in billion-year-old rock fractures. Life persists with zero connection to the sun.
Immune to all no-sunlight event cards.
♥A
♥K
Dual Extreme
Methanocaldococcus jannaschii
85°C, 260 atm. This methanogen thrives where hydrothermal vents meet crushing ocean pressure—fire and deep combined.
Can be played in FIRE or DEEP tableau.
♥K
♥Q
Nitrate Tank
Thioploca / Beggiatoa
Giant sulfur bacteria store nitrate in vacuoles occupying 80% of cell volume. A biological scuba tank for electron acceptors.
Store up to 3 energy. Release all at once for burst play.
♥Q
♥J
Frustule Armor
Diatoms
Diatoms build intricate glass houses from dissolved silica. When they die, frustules rain down forming siliceous ooze miles deep.
+3 defense. When destroyed, leaves Silica Shard token (+1).
♥J
♥10
Electron Sink
Geobacter (deep subsurface)
Geobacter breathes rust. Nanowires extend from the cell to distant Fe(III) minerals, conducting electrons through solid rock.
Absorbs 1 energy from each opponent per turn.
♥10
♥9
Slow Burn
Deep nodule bacteria
Manganese nodules grow 1–5 mm per million years. The bacteria within operate on geological timescales, the slowest metabolism known.
+1 energy each turn. Cumulative. Cannot be rushed.
♥9
♥8
Ancient Cofactor
Deep anaerobic Mo-enzymes
Molybdenum cofactor (Moco) is used in over 50 enzyme families. Essential before the Great Oxidation Event changed everything.
+1 to all enzyme cards. Vulnerable to Tungsten (FIRE Ace).
♥8
♥7
Hydrogen Sink
Sulfate-reducing bacteria
Sulfate reducers consume H₂ so efficiently they outcompete methanogens. Where sulfate is abundant, methane production stops.
Cancel one H₂-based card played by an opponent.
♥7
♥6
Poison Fuel
CODH autotrophs
Carbon monoxide is lethal to most life, but CODH enzymes convert it to CO₂ + energy. One organism's poison is another's fuel.
Convert one poison/toxic event into +2 energy.
♥6
♥5
Burial Vault
Deep sediment cycling
Phosphorus buried in deep sediments is locked away for millions of years. Its release controls ocean productivity on tectonic timescales.
Store 1 card face-down. Retrieve it on any future turn.
♥5
♥4
Pressure Fix
Deep N-fixers
Nitrogenase breaks the triple bond of N₂ at crushing pressure. Deep-sea nitrogen fixation fuels communities far from the sunlit surface.
+2 energy when played during a pressure event.
♥4
♥3
Toxic Rescue
Thalassiosira weissflogii
This diatom substitutes cadmium for zinc in carbonic anhydrase when Zn is scarce—the only known beneficial use of cadmium.
Convert a Cd toxic event into +2 energy.
♥3
♥2
Shadow Element
Hypothetical Si-analog
Germanium mimics silicon in diatom frustules but weakens them. A shadow of silicon—theoretical, tantalizing, unconfirmed.
Theoretical: worth 0 points unless paired with Si (+4 bonus).
♥2
★JOKER
Lateral Gene Transfer
Horizontal acquisition event
Bacteria trade genes like business cards. Antibiotic resistance, metal tolerance, entire metabolic pathways—swapped in a single conjugation.
Steal any one metalloenzyme mechanic from any player. Permanent.
★★
★JOKER
LUCA
Last Universal Common Ancestor
LUCA
~4.0 Ga, hydrothermal origin
The ancestor of all life. LUCA was thermophilic, chemolithotrophic, and already used Fe-S clusters, Mo-cofactors, and H₂ metabolism.
Reveal top 7 cards of deck. Take all FIRE and DEEP cards revealed.
★★