Duel for Cardia: My Favorite Mechanism

About Duel for Cardia, from BoardGameGeek:

Cardia is a fast paced, strategic card game for two players: Choose your card wisely to win each encounter against your opponent. In gratitude for her liberation, a mighty djinn created the wondrous city of Cardia. Legend has it that whoever wins over the four factions and gains their five powerful signet rings will rule the city. Your goal is set! Players will each pilot one of two Decks, made up of the same cards for each, with values from 1-16 and with each card having unique abilities. Play your cards at the moment your opponent does not expect them and use their abilities wisely to outwit them! -description from the publisher