---
key: mechanic/deck-building--family-generation
type: mechanic
id: deck-building--family-generation
lang: en
title: Copying and generating cards
summary: 'New instances, temporary tools and re-applying effects.'
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/deck-building--family-generation/
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/deck-building--family-generation.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/deck-building--family-generation.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Deck building
  - Card operations
sourceIds:
  - source-7726ac5e97630c73
  - source-620455367d668266
  - source-127368020a891d54
sources:
  - id: source-7726ac5e97630c73
    title: 'Dominion: Adventures rules'
    url: >-
      https://www.riograndegames.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/DomAdventures2022.pdf
    verifiedAt: null
  - id: source-620455367d668266
    title: Monster Train · developer description
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/Monster_Train/'
    verifiedAt: null
  - id: source-127368020a891d54
    title: Dicey Dungeons
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/861540/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: deck-building
    id: family-generation
    title: Deck building
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/deck-building/#family-generation'
    categoryIds:
      - section-2
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Copying and generating cards
    description: 'New instances, temporary tools and re-applying effects.'
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/broad-dicey-dungeons-04.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: Dicey Dungeons
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/861540/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/861540/ss_74b1baaa5e69028620885917df885e1fe8ef275b.1920x1080.jpg?t=1761845135
      credit: Terry Cavanagh / Terry Cavanagh
      rights: © Terry Cavanagh / Terry Cavanagh. All rights reserved.
      caption: Thief can keep an enemy attack card
      alt: Thief can keep an enemy attack card
      markers:
        - x: 75
          'y': 62
          label: STEAL — Keep this card offers to acquire the displayed move
    tips:
      - >-
        Distinguish a new copy, a temporary card and moving the original
        instance.
    examples:
      - title: Dicey Dungeons
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/861540/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
  2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
  preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
  classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
  editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/deck-building
---
# Copying and generating cards

id: deck-building--family-generation
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/deck-building--family-generation
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/deck-building--family-generation/

New instances, temporary tools and re-applying effects.

## At a glance

![Thief can keep an enemy attack card](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/broad-dicey-dungeons-04.webp)

[Dicey Dungeons](https://store.steampowered.com/app/861540/) · © Terry Cavanagh / Terry Cavanagh. All rights reserved.

1. STEAL — Keep this card offers to acquire the displayed move

- Distinguish a new copy, a temporary card and moving the original instance.

- [Dicey Dungeons](https://store.steampowered.com/app/861540/)

## How it works

New instances, temporary tools and re-applying effects.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-generation-variants"></a>

- Duplicate. Rule: A new copy of the selected card is added to the deck, sometimes preserving its improvements. <a id="variant-generation-01"></a>
- Temporary copy. Rule: The copy exists only for the current turn or battle and does not change the permanent deck after its completion. <a id="variant-generation-02"></a>
- Copy effect. Rule: A card repeats the properties of another card without creating a new permanent instance. <a id="variant-generation-03"></a>
- Replay / retrigger. Rule: The same card is reused, usually without repeating the regular payment or under a special rule. <a id="variant-generation-04"></a>
- Token generation. Rule: The effect adds a predetermined card to your hand, discard pile, deck, or other zone. <a id="variant-generation-05"></a>
- Random generation. Rule: The effect spawns a random card from a limited or common pool. <a id="variant-generation-06"></a>
- Discover pattern. Rule: The player selects a temporary or permanent card from several generated options. <a id="variant-generation-07"></a>
- Temporary transform. Rule: During the battle, the card changes shape and then restores its original version. <a id="variant-generation-08"></a>
- Self-replication. Rule: A card creates additional copies of itself when played or another condition is met. <a id="variant-generation-09"></a>

## Context and limits

Design taxonomy of basic rules and options, including card operations and external systems. The number of entries is not a generally accepted classification of independent mechanics.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.

- [Dominion: Adventures rules](https://www.riograndegames.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/DomAdventures2022.pdf) (id: source-7726ac5e97630c73)
- [Monster Train · developer description](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/Monster_Train/) (id: source-620455367d668266)
- [Dicey Dungeons](https://store.steampowered.com/app/861540/) (id: source-127368020a891d54)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors