Far Cry 5, released in 2018 by Ubisoft, takes place in Hope County, Montana and features baseball cards as a collectible item within the open world game. The baseball cards provide background information on various characters players encounter throughout the single player campaign. With over 50 cards to find scattered across Hope County, collecting all the baseball cards offers insight into the lives of both friends and foes.
The cards depict members of the Project at Eden’s Gate doomsday cult led by Joseph Seed that has taken over the county. Each card gives a brief biography of the individual and provides context into their role within the cult. For example, the card for Jacob Seed states he is the eldest brother of Joseph and is in charge of “training and strengthening the resistance.” It notes how he runs the cult’s training camps in the mountains to the north and breaks people down both physically and mentally to rebuild them in Eden’s Gate’s image.
Other major cult figures featured on cards include Faith Seed, John Seed, and the three lieutenants – Jacob’s lieutenant Eli Palmer, John’s lieutenant Jacob’s Shadow, and Faith’s lieutenant The Widow. Faith’s card emphasizes her ethereal beauty and ability to sway people to the cult through manipulation and mind control with her Bliss drug. John’s card highlights his charismatic nature and role as the cult’s propaganda minister. The lieutenant cards provide backstories for how they came to rise through the ranks.
In addition to cult leaders, the baseball cards profile regular members that players encounter. For instance, the card for cultist Russel Barnes says he was once a mechanic but is now fully devoted to the cause after being “saved” by the Seeds. It notes how he patrols the roads in his truck searching for outsiders to bring back for “redemption.” Other rank-and-file cards depict individuals like cultist Daniela, sniper Jacob Kacinski, and pilot Lana Hudson.
Some cards offer background on special enemy types encountered during missions and in the open world. For example, the Heavy card depicts the hulking machine gun wielding heavies that players must strategize to take down. The Angel card profiles the flying enemies that players face during boss fights with Faith. Cards are also included for special variants like the Elite Heavy and Angel with Shield.
Beyond cult members, several cards feature allies that aid the playable Deputy character. For instance, the Resistance card introduces the player to the growing resistance movement fighting back against Eden’s Gate. Individual resistance member cards give bios for characters like Mary May, Nick Rye, Grace Armstrong, and others who provide missions and support to weaken the cult. The Sheriff Whitehorse card acknowledges him as the former sheriff who is now working with the resistance after the cult took over.
Collecting all the baseball cards not only fills out the in-game compendium but also provides valuable intel for taking down enemy strongholds. Each card reveals enemy placements, behaviors, and weaknesses. For example, knowing a Sniper likes to perch high and pick off targets from a distance helps form strategies. Understanding a Heavy will plant and not move helps plan an ambush. Insights into lieutenants’ backstories may provide motivation for their defeat. Learning about resistance members builds investment in liberating the county.
Beyond the core game information, the cards also include fun trivia. For example, did you know Jacob was once a professional baseball player in the minors before joining the military? Or that John’s favorite movie is Scarface? Small character details like these add flavor and personality to even minor NPCs. Finding all the cards encourages exploration of every nook of the vast Hope County landscape.
The baseball cards of Far Cry 5 serve as an ingenious collectible that enriches the single player experience. By providing valuable tactical intel and background lore, they enhance strategic gameplay and narrative investment. Scouring the open world for each card encourages taking in every aspect of the detailed setting and learning about both friends and foes. Both as an informative compendium and a fun scavenger hunt, the baseball cards stand out as one of the best collectible mechanics in the Far Cry franchise. Whether used for strategic advantages or just to satiate curiosity, the cards offer a rewarding optional activity that deepens the Far Cry 5 experience.
