Zark City Deck: A Quick Guide Before You Buy

Quick answer

Buy the Zark City Deck if you want a flexible five-suit square deck for Zark City or other card games and already have Pyramid Arcade or don't need the pyramids. Skip it if you expect a standalone game with pyramids included.

What the Zark City Deck actually is

The Zark City Deck is the square deck of cards produced for Pyramid Arcade. It contains all the regular cards you'd expect in a standard deck, with separate colors for each suit, plus an extra fifth suit. That extra suit is the key difference from a normal deck, and it's what lets you build the grid in Zark City. The deck is cards only; pyramids are not included, so you'll need Pyramid Arcade or a separate pyramid set to play Zark City as intended.

Why the fifth suit matters

A standard 52-card deck has four suits. The Zark City Deck adds a fifth suit, which changes how many distinct colors you can use when building a grid. In Zark City, you're placing cards to form a grid, and the extra suit gives you more options for matching and blocking. If you only plan to play traditional card games, the fifth suit won't help and may just be extra cards to manage. But if you want to play Zark City or design your own grid-based games, that fifth suit is the reason to choose this deck over a regular one.

The trade-off: cards only, no pyramids

The biggest limitation is that the Zark City Deck is just cards. Zark City, as designed for Pyramid Arcade, uses pyramids alongside the cards. Without pyramids, you can't play the full game. So if you're new to Zark City and don't own Pyramid Arcade, this deck alone won't get you playing. You'll need to buy Pyramid Arcade or a pyramid set separately. On the other hand, if you already have pyramids or only want the cards for other games, this deck is a low-cost way to get a unique five-suit deck without buying the whole Arcade set.

Using the deck beyond Zark City

The Zark City Deck is a standard deck plus an extra suit, so you can use it for any card game you like. That flexibility is a real advantage if you want one deck that covers both Zark City and your regular card games. Just keep in mind that the fifth suit may be irrelevant or confusing in games designed for four suits, so you'll likely set those cards aside. For casual play, it's a practical extra deck to have on the shelf.

Decision rules for buying the Zark City Deck

• You already own Pyramid Arcade or pyramids: Buy the deck if you want to play Zark City and already have the pyramids from Pyramid Arcade or another set. The deck gives you the cards you need without duplicating components.
• You don't own any pyramids: Don't buy this deck alone expecting to play Zark City. You'll need Pyramid Arcade or a pyramid set first. Consider buying Pyramid Arcade instead if you want the full experience. Check your shelf for pyramids before ordering.
• You want a flexible extra deck: Buy it if you want a five-suit deck for casual card games or your own designs. The extra suit is a feature, not a bug, but expect to remove those cards for traditional games.
• You only play standard card games: Skip it if you have no interest in Zark City or five-suit games. A regular deck is cheaper and simpler for traditional play.

Product facts

• Zark City Deck: This is the square deck of cards produced for Pyramid Arcade, with separate colors for each suit plus an extra fifth suit. The fifth suit is what enables Zark City's grid-building, but it also means the deck isn't a direct substitute for a standard 52-card deck in every game.

  

Who should buy the Zark City Deck?

Best for

• Pyramid Arcade owners who want to play Zark City
• Players who want a five-suit deck for custom or casual games
• Anyone who already has pyramids and needs the cards

Not for

• Shoppers expecting a complete standalone game with pyramids
• Players who only want a standard 52-card deck
• Anyone new to Zark City who doesn't own Pyramid Arcade or pyramids