If two decks both have chains, say 3 for one deck and 2 for another, and they face off, do they both start with the number of chains, or do they cancel out and only the one with more chains start with the difference (in the example, the first deck would start with 1 chain)? Both decks starting with chains seem redundant, but calculating the difference seem too unneeded. What are your thoughts?

I'd say they start with their chains as normal. It also influences on your choices as to play any cards that grant chains as well.

1 hour ago, RedMageStatscowski said:

If two decks both have chains, say 3 for one deck and 2 for another, and they face off, do they both start with the number of chains, or do they cancel out and only the one with more chains start with the difference (in the example, the first deck would start with 1 chain)? Both decks starting with chains seem redundant, but calculating the difference seem too unneeded. What are your thoughts?

Chains can be added or shed at different rates, so even if they started with the same number, based on play choices, one player might get rid of their chains first.

edit: and the rules don’t indicate anything beyond; you get and track chains. So no, they don’t cancel.

1 hour ago, RedMageStatscowski said:

If two decks both have chains, say 3 for one deck and 2 for another, and they face off, do they both start with the number of chains, or do they cancel out and only the one with more chains start with the difference (in the example, the first deck would start with 1 chain)? Both decks starting with chains seem redundant, but calculating the difference seem too unneeded. What are your thoughts?

They both keep the chains they have at the start of the game, as player choices will affect how quickly the chains are shed. A deck that opens with Library Access + Wild Wormhole could take 3 more turns to even start shedding chains (especially if the ww'd card is also a draw card). A different player choice might be playing and discarding as much as possible to make sure chains are shed each turn, even if extra cards are drawn through card abilities.

Alright, thanks for the info everyone.