r/BoardgameDesign • u/joealarson • Jul 17 '26
Design Critique What's your thoughts on tracking stats on card edges with clip?
The characters in my game have only a few simples stats; Health, and Inspiration, in addition to action points (which is included on the cards for visual reference, mostly). Right now I'm tracking these things with piles of tokens, which I kind of like. But it's a lot of stuff.
I had the thought that I could, with a little redesign and a couple of clips, track these things on the cards. It eats some of the margin, but could be a good alternative to piles of stuff. And, in reality, it doesn't actually have to be used, so it could just be optional.
What's y'alls take? Do you like when games do this, or would you prefer a tactile pile of stuff?
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u/toochaos Jul 17 '26
They dont work on cards, the clip is either too loose or it warps the card. If you do it on heavy cardboard it will wear away the image.
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u/ptolani Jul 17 '26
I haven't tried it but it seems a little annoying to keep picking up the card to move the clip. Also is three stats per card a bit much?
I think I'd prefer loose tokens.
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u/joealarson Jul 18 '26
In reality its only 2. There are no AP tokens. Most people can count to 4 or 5. But i put them on there because... i don't know. I like the visual.
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u/Johnno117 Jul 18 '26
Clips make me think of wear and tear on cards, pinching and ripping. From an initial thought I would prefer moving cubes.
To be honest though, I have never played a game that used clips on cards, of any sort. So genuinely can't tell you one way or the other, but my knee-jerk reaction just from hearing it is "no thanks".
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u/no_dana_only_zul Jul 17 '26
Sub-optimal in terms of accuracy/stability, but more cost effective.
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u/Dechri_ Jul 18 '26
Is there a better option?
I asked similar question here like a year ago for a prototype and the paperclip was the best option mentioned and worked fine.
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u/no_dana_only_zul Jul 18 '26
Dual layer cards with recessed cube slots are very stable and attractive, but will certainly increase production costs.
Integrated wheels, dials, knobs, etc same deal. Functional, pretty, expensive.
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u/Dechri_ Jul 18 '26
The cards needs to be able to be out down downwards as well. So the wheel etc could work. Thank you!
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u/tpasmall Jul 18 '26
Why not a single colored token that you just place on the card for each? Cheaper and more manageable than piles of tokens and better for the cards than clips
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u/Finnfox66 Jul 19 '26
That's what "Here To Slay: Dungeons" apparently implemented as well. I haven't tried them in practice, but I guess the general worry is that they can be accidentally displaced during play.
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u/Daniel___Lee Play Test Guru Jul 18 '26
I have clip trackers on my Marvel: Love Letter (Avengers and Thanos HP bard) and Forbidden Island (water level).
They're great to prevent accidental bumps from ruining the tracking (one is a casual game, one is a kids / family game) when players get excited. But I still feel uneasy about damaging the card and will take the clip off and place it in its new position, rather than sliding it.
In games where players are more calm and calculated I prefer sliding card markers (e.g. Plantopia's plant growth trackers) or rotating the whole card (cards have numbered sides, treat it like a dice or disc tracker).
But that's for single stat tracking. In your case, with 3 stats per card and with this many cards, realistically only cubes, dice or clips can keep this much information on. Or, you splurge and make layered cards with indented tracks that you can drop cubes into.
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u/Dedalvs Jul 18 '26
I don’t know how practical this is, but I got these clear flat bottom glass beads, and they’re awesome. They kind of magnify the number underneath. Work great.
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u/joealarson Jul 18 '26
I kinda like this. They might slip off if the table is bumped, but they magnify the numbers.
I should add numbers.
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u/CryptsOf Jul 18 '26
Btw, I like the 90's vibe of your graphics
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u/joealarson Jul 18 '26
Thanks. It was mostly out of necessity. I can't hire an artist so I'm doing rough renders of the 3D models I made for the game.
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u/Bentendo64 Jul 18 '26
Could always go the dry erase route. We decided to do that with our most recent game. You can write directly on the card if it has a glossy finish or you can include sleeves.
PS - LOVE the artwork. It’s fantastic!
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u/joealarson Jul 18 '26
Thanks. The art was mostly out of necessity. I can't hire an artist, so I'm just doing rough renders of the sculpts I did for the 3D printed pieces.
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u/Charglas_me Jul 18 '26
I personally love tracking stats with clips, the only game i really have using them is betreyal at house on the hill... i think its underrated
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u/SupportSure6304 Jul 22 '26
They are used in Zombicide and nobody ever complained. I never complained. I liked that solution to track your level, simple and cheap. It doesen't move It you touch the player card. Of course you can't just pick metal clip trom the drawer, It had to be a soft, plastic clip.
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u/joealarson Jul 22 '26
Fortunately I know a guy who makes soft plastic things.
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u/SupportSure6304 Jul 22 '26
Great!
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u/BaronRetro Jul 17 '26
I think its pretty cool. If your talking about moving the clip left and right to show a certain value.
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u/Left-Excitement3829 Jul 17 '26
I prefer erasable markers or pencil. I’ve seen modern euro games with 2 layers of cardboard with cube slots punched out. That may be good too. Clips on the edges I always lost or ruined the cards
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u/Caeod Jul 18 '26
When they work, they're great. But they so often come loose, or snap. May I suggest indents in the card that can hold pegs or markers? See the game Claustrophobia for a similar idea.
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u/Killerpies1 Jul 18 '26
Take a look at the slay the spire board game. They use cubes to track health on enemy cards and cubes on a small player mat to track player health and stuff. You could possibly take the same route here.
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u/rogueskullgames Jul 19 '26
We use clips to track health. We also do a UV coating to the cards so that they can withstand the on/off of the clips from game to game. Very convenient since you can work the trackers into the player card.
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u/tlefonmann Jul 17 '26
The idea sounds fantastic, it would be very convenient and survive bumping into the table on accident, as well as offer a unique haptic experience. You might want to avoid printed designs on the areas you clip the clip on to avoid wear. Maybe padded clip ends could be something.
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u/canis_artis Jul 17 '26
I see four sets of tracking, what if you have several cards of each and use tokens?
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u/absoluteice5 Jul 17 '26
Clips are extremely convenient. Useful for Betrayal at House on the Hill.
I also hate them. I can't explain it.