The file is a list of <item> entries, usually inside one outer tag such as
<compendium>. This is the Fight Club 5 compendium format, so exports from apps that use
it work as they are. Each item can have these tags; only <name> is required.
Tag
What it does on the card
Example
<name>
Card title, and the name you type in the card list. A trailing tag
like [2024] is removed (unless two items would end up with the same name).
Rapier [2024]
<type>
The subtitle, the default icon, and how the text is laid out
(see the type codes below). Anything else is shown as written.
M
<value>
Cost, in gold pieces. Below 1 is shown as SP or CP
(0.1 = 1 SP, 0.01 = 1 CP).
25
<weight>
Weight in pounds.
2
<dmg1>, <dmg2>
Damage. A second value is shown after a
slash, e.g. for the two-handed damage of a Versatile weapon.
1d8
<ac>
Armor and shields: the number only. The card adds "+ Dex",
"(max 2)" or "+" based on the type.
14
<strength>
Armor: the Strength score needed.
15
<stealth>
Armor: YES if it gives Disadvantage on
Stealth.
YES
<text>
The card's rules text. Use one <text> per
paragraph; an empty <text/> is ignored. See the text tips below.
Finesse. When…
Other tags (<magic>, <property>, <dmgType>…) are
fine to leave in; they're just not printed. A card shows at most three stats: armor class, damage, cost,
weight, in that order.
Type codes
M: Melee Weapon
R: Ranged Weapon
A: Ammunition
LA: Light Armor
MA: Medium Armor
HA: Heavy Armor
S: Shield
P: Potion
RG: Ring
RD: Rod
ST: Staff
WD: Wand
SC: Scroll
W: Wondrous Item
$: Treasure
G: Adventuring Gear
Text tips
Start a paragraph with a short heading ending in a period or colon to make it bold:
Fire Ward. You have… or Ability: Wisdom.
Weapons (M, R): paragraphs that start with a property name (Finesse, Light,
Thrown (Range 20/60), Versatile, Heavy, Two-Handed, Reach, Loading, Ammunition, Special) are shortened to
one "Properties." line. A mastery written as Vex (Mastery). … is printed in full.
Armor (LA, MA, HA, S): the Don/Doff time, Strength and
Stealth lines are added for you.
A paragraph starting Source: goes in the card's footer instead of the body.
Sentences starting "For example," are dropped to save space. Very long text shrinks to fit, and anything
that still doesn't fit is cut off.
Example
<compendium>
<item>
<name>Moonlit Rapier [2024]</name>
<type>M</type>
<value>250</value>
<weight>2</weight>
<dmg1>1d8</dmg1>
<text>Finesse. When making an attack with a Finesse weapon, use your choice of your Strength or Dexterity modifier for the attack and damage rolls.</text>
<text>Vex (Mastery). If you hit a creature with this weapon and deal damage to the creature, you have Advantage on your next attack roll against that creature before the end of your next turn.</text>
<text>Moonlight. While in moonlight, the blade sheds Dim Light in a 5-foot radius.</text>
<text>Source: My Homebrew p. 3</text>
</item>
<item>
<name>Dragonhide Vest [2024]</name>
<type>MA</type>
<value>500</value>
<weight>12</weight>
<ac>15</ac>
<stealth>YES</stealth>
<text>Fire Ward. You have Resistance to Fire damage while wearing this armor.</text>
</item>
<item>
<name>Sir Edmond's Trail Snack [2024]</name>
<type>G</type>
<value>0.2</value>
<weight>1</weight>
<text>A pouch of dried fruit and nuts. Counts as one day of Rations.</text>
<text>Source: My totally balanced Homebrew p. 4 </text>
</item>
</compendium>