Tag Archives: critical role

Universus

Why Heroes of Exandria is my Favorite Universus Set

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

Universus sent the Critical Role: Heroes of Exandria clash decks, the Grog playmat, and a few packs to cover on my blog. While I am very grateful, these will be my honest opinions of the set. I will be using TCG Player affiliate links where possible, but make sure you always support your LGS.

What is Critical Role: Heroes of Exandria?

As of writing this, Heroes of Exandria was Universus’ last set. Universus is a unique card game that sort of feels like a fighting game. If you’ve never tried it, you should at least get a couple decks to try them out. The game uses various popular IPs as flavor, and the mechanics are sound. Now Heroes of Exandria is a very good looking collaboration done with popular IP, Critical Role. The set includes 8 Chrome rares, which you’re going to want to collect, and some very good looking art if you’re a fan of the series. What makes Heroes of Exandria unique is the inclusion of unique boss cards for an even more unique PVE experience.

PVE Boss Cards and Rules

Heroes of Exandria introduced PVE rules to shake up the hobby. There are 6 bosses to defeat, each with a unique ruleset and flavor. I am a little bummed the cards are included as a randomized boxtopper, but its nice of them to provide the rules and proxies online for free. Make sure you go to the official site for the complete rule breakdown, but I’ll leave the images of the cards bellow. The Briarwoods is definitely my favorite, but the all the cards look pretty cool.

The Chrome Rares

I love the art in this set, and the chrome rares are no exception. As a collector, I definitely want to go broke chasing these serialized beauties. As a fan of the series, I can only appreciate the amount of flavor that went into each and every card. Since I lack the luck to pull any of these cards, here is what they look for to get you hyped:

Ultra Rare Alt Art

Heroes of Exandria definitely has some of my favorite art of the card game. Even the commons in this set look good, but I really like the IP so there is some clear bias. That said, the Ultra Rare Alt Art cards are the reason to buy into this set because they are just beautiful. I love the use of color, the character design, and the amount of flavor that goes into each and every card. I don’t want this post to be too long, so I pain painstakingly chose a few of my favorites, but maybe I’ll do a post with all of them in the future. You can find the entire visual card list on the official Universus site as well.

Character Alt Art

The character alts for this game is simply amazing. Hell, the regular version of the characters in this set are worth collection. I’ve always been a fan of how Universus handles their character cards, but they’ve truly outdone themselves with Critical Role. I love the retro fantasy vibe of the artstyle, and if they are anything like the Attack on Titan Alt arts, they are going to shine on any table. Again, because I don’t want this post to get too long, here are some of my favorite:

The Clash Decks

I did receive the sets two clash decks for free and have the deck lists available for both Percy and Beau. If you’re new to the card game, clash decks are Universus beginner product. They are basic decks aimed to help beginners learn the fundamental mechanics of the game. If you’re trying to get into the competitive scene, this product isn’t worth it. You aren’t going to find any meta defining cards, and they avoid the games more complex mechanics. These decks are designed for people who have never played a TCG.

That said, I had a lot of fun with the Heroes of Exandria decks. They are a lot better than the Attack on Titan clash decks, but you’re still not getting anything you can take to locals. The decks feel pretty balanced, although I preferred the Percy deck because the character art is cooler, and his abilities came up more often. If you’re just trying to play some casual Universus, or trying to teach someone the game, this is a fantastic product to add to your collection. Collectors are also going to want to pick these up because the character art is very cool.

My Impressions

Heroes of Exandria is easily my favorite Universus set, but I am strictly speaking as a collector. I enjoy playing the game, but I play very casually and can’t speak on how it fits in the current meta. That said, if you are a fan of Critical Role, there is a lot of value in this set in both art and flavor. I very much enjoy all the little details and references that is seen throughout the set, and the cards look great in person. Unfortunately, the print line on the foils still exists, and it drives me crazy. Its not bad enough where I wouldn’t buy the set, but I can’t ignore that it happens.

Either way, you can pick up all your Critical Role: Heroes of Exandria product from TCG Player using my affiliate link, but please make sure you support your LGS first.

Universus

Universus TCG: Heroes of Exandria: Beau Starter Deck List

Leave a comment

Introduction

Universus just released their Heroes of Exandria set and that means we got the Beauregard Starter deck list! Always support your LGS, but you can pick up your copy on TCG Player or GameNerdz using my affiliate links.

Decklist

Beauregard Lionett, Looking for a Brawl

4 x Swift Change
3 x Subdual Technique
3 x Strong Windup
4 x Radiant Visage
4 x Mystic Recovery
4 x Martial Prowess
4 x Everlight’s Grace
3 x Combat Evaluation
4 x A Day for Relaxing
2 x Spireling Fetch
3 x Upward Disarming Swing
4 x Staff Crack
2 x Predators Pounce
4 x Heavy Kick
2 x Great-Axe Chop
4 x Furious Charge
2 x Quest Board
2 x Peerless Footwork (Foil)
2 x Shoulder Toss (Foil)

Visual List

Swift Change
Subdual Technique
Strong Windup
Radiant Visage
Mystic Recovery
Martial Prowess
Everlight’s Grace
Combat Evaluation
A Day for Relaxing
Spireling Fetch
Staff Crack
Predators Pounce
Heavy Kick
Great-Axe Chop
Furious Charge
Quest Board
Peerless Footwork (Foil)
Shoulder Toss (Foil)

Universus

Universus TCG: Heroes of Exandria – Percy Starter Deck List

Leave a comment

Where to Buy

Always support your LGS, but you can pick up the Percy Starter Deck and any other Heroes Exandria products on TCG Player using my affiliate links. It really helps me out. You can also get both Starter decks bundled for cheap on Game Nerdz if you’re buying enough for the free shipping.

Introduction

Universus just released their Heroes of Exandria set, and it is already my favorite set of the year. The art is great, the card quality is nice, and flavor is all there. Fans of the series will want to at the very least get in on collecting. Can’t speak on the power level since I just got the starter decks, but I’ll come back after some proper testing. More on that later.

I got my hands on the Percy starter deck and I’ll leave the decklist for your convenience. Spoilers, you’re going to want to get this deck just to collect the beautiful Percy champion card. It’s not as cool as the art cards, but its cool enough for any collection.

Deck List

Champion

Percival De Rolo III: Pepperbox Sharpshooter

The Deck

4x Weapon at the Ready
4 x Tarot Reading
4 x Show Off
4 x Inspired Design
4 x Imprisoned Noble
4 x Found Family
2 x Electric Resilience
4 x Collecting Components
2 x Shaun Gilmore
4 x Tinker Shot
4 x Pepperbox Fire
2 x Merciless Lead
3 x Golem Beating
3 x Bang Bang
3 x Alchemical Satchel Toss
3 x The List
2 x Quest Board
2 x Science Bros (Foil)
2 x Bad News Bullet (Foil)

Visual List

Bang Bang
Bad News Bullet
The List
Alchemical Satchel Toss
Collecting Components
Merciless Lead
Shaun Gilmore
Quest Board
Electric Resilience
Tarot Reading
Show Off
Golem Beating
Weapon at the Ready
Science Bros
Inspired Design
Imprisoned Noble
Found Family
Tinker Shot
Pepperbox Fire
Other TCGs

Universus Announces 2025 Product Roadmap & Godzilla Promos

Leave a comment

UniVersus just announced its 2025 product roadmap, and there are a couple of IPs that stand out. I am excited for Ninja Turtles and Solo Leveling personally. The new Attack on Titan: Battle for Humanity just came out, and it’s a pretty cool-looking set if you’re a fan of the anime. You can pick up the product at your LGS or TCG player. Make sure you check out my review.

If you don’t like Attack on Titan, there is no shame in waiting for something you do like. UniVersus is a fun and unique TCG that deserves more attention. Attack on Titan is where I started because they sent me product. I like it so far, but I am sure it is fun at any set.

2025 Roadmap

  • Solo Leveling Challenger Series (January 10)
  • Critical Role: Heroes of Exandria (March 10)
  • Attack on Titan: Apocalypse (May 16)
  • Street Fighter 6 Challenger Series (July 2025)
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (August 2025)
  • Guilty Gear – Strive- (November 2025)
  • And a few secrets along the way

Season 3 Regional Promos Announced

The season 3 regionals promos have also been announced. The top 50% of any Universus regionals event will receive copies of cool and exclusive Godzilla cards. I am almost tempted to starting my grind, but I don’t have the time or money to do so. I’d at least try to go for that Godzilla mat. Good luck to everyone who is. Make sure you check the official page to find events near you.

Playmats

Placement Promos

Champion Promos

Board Games and TCGs, video game reviews

Candela Obscura: The Macrabre System You Should Be Trying

3 Comments
If you have been enjoying my content and want to support what I do, please consider buying me a coffee

Like a lot of people, I got into Dungeons and Dragons because I enjoyed watching Critical Role. I’ve since stopped following the show as closely, save for the animated series on Amazon, but have been playing with the same group of randoms I met three years ago. I love D&D, but I am always looking into new systems to try. I like to borrow mechanics from other systems, but mostly, I like to see what’s out there. 

I wasn’t surprised when I heard that Critical Role was changing systems. There has been speculation about the move for a while now. I think the drama with Hasbro getting too greedy had its part in the transition, but I also think they were looking for a new system that allowed them to focus on the narrative. Critical Role has been a catalyst for D&D’s recent popularity, and I am curious to see how this move affects the player base. 

Their newest campaign, Candela Obscura, will use the Illuminated Worlds system. I won’t be covering the campaign, but I have read the quick start guide and thought it was worth some attention. For those interested in running a campaign of Candela Obscura, download the quick start guide from the official site.

In Candela Obscura, players will face off against the paranormal as they investigate the macabre and the mysterious. While there are many opportunities for combat, the system’s focus is building a compelling narrative through its checks and player interactions.

The best way to learn about this game is through the quick start guide. It has easy-to-learn mechanics, a prewritten adventure, and pregenerated character sheets to get you started. Best of all, you can play it for free. Do note that you are getting a simplified version of the RPG, but it is enough to get you a taste of the system. I think it is a neat system to try. I particularly like how it handles checks and the flavor of its world. The guide is free, so you have nothing to lose if you try it today.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

Series Reviews

Legend of Vox Machina Season 2 Review

2 Comments
If you like what I do and want to show your support, please consider buying me a coffee

The second season of The Legend of Vox Machina has finally wrapped up, and the adventure is more epic than the last. If you are a fan of fantasy, you’ve already finished this series. For those who aren’t fans of fantasy, go stream it now! Do not be intimidated by its setting, theme, or even the fact that it is based on Dungeons and Dragons. This is a great story regardless of its themes. I am astounded at how a tabletop game became this epic story. I will be here for the whole adventure and recommend you do the same.

Dragons have invaded Iman, bringing death and destruction to its citizens. It is up to Vox Machina to collect the Vestiges and save Tal’Dorei from the Chroma Conclave. Does this band of misfits have what it takes to become the heroes Tal’Dorei needs?

What is left to say about this series? The animation is fantastic and has some of the best-choreographed action I have seen in animation. The voice acting is expectedly amazing. The cast gives their best performances yet, and I recommend you watch this series for the fantastic storytelling that comes from it.

For those who haven’t seen this show, it gets violent and crude, but I couldn’t have it any other way. The best part of this series is how user-friendly it is. You don’t have to know anything about fantasy, Dungeons & Dragons, or Critical Role. Prior knowledge may help you pick up an easter egg or joke, but it isn’t crucial to your enjoyment. I love that this series is so accessible because it brings such a misunderstood genre to a general audience without sacrificing what makes it so good in the first place. I need more people to nerd out with.

These two seasons of The Legend of Vox Machina have cemented this series as a staple in the fantasy genre. It has a terrific adventure with real stakes and character growth. I love that even though I know what is going to happen, I am still on the edge of my seat, fearful of the outcome. I love that Vox Machina starts as this selfish band of misfits without any real purpose or direction. They are even hesitant when they are first called to action because they weren’t hero’s then. I love watching them face their many trials and learn from them, slowly stepping into their roles as heroes. They are still flawed and will constantly encounter situations where that look bleak, making this fantastic storytelling.

If you haven’t started watching The Legend of Vox Machina, now is a great time to start. This is a fantastic story that you shouldn’t miss out on. You can stream both seasons now on Amazon if you have a Prime Membership.

Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today!

Series Reviews

The Legend of Vox Machina Season 2 – Initial Thoughts

1 Comment
If you like what I do and want to show your support, please consider buying me a coffee

With the debut of The Legend of Vox Machina’s second season, I can’t help but remain excited for the fantastic adventure it will be. The season is off to a great start as it sets up the new villains and tells a narrative so captivating, I am impatient for next week. If you haven’t watched the first season, now is a great time to start.

An enclave of dragons has attacked Emon, destroying the newly found home for our group of misfits. Now it is up to Vox Machina to care for the refugees and find a way to save the world from dragons. Can this band of ne’er-do-wells step up and become the heroes the world needs, or will they be another blood stain on dragon scales?

I have said this before, The Legend of Vox Machina is a great series for those who know nothing about fantasy or dungeons and dragons. While the series is heavy with easter eggs for fans of Critical Role and Dungeons and Dragons, knowledge of either isn’t required to enjoy the story. Even if you aren’t a fan of fantasy, I dare you not to like this story.

The voice acting is as amazing as you’d expect from a cast of this caliber, the art is beautiful, and the story will keep you on the edge of your seat. I have seen the campaign that this series is based on, and despite knowing how everything ends, my heart still races when Vox Machina faces danger. This is just a testament to the scale of how epic this series can get. The action is well-choreographed, the stakes are well-established, and the heroes are imperfect enough that the danger is still palpable. The series does a fantastic job at making you fall in love with a group of assholes that begin to find their call to heroism, and they reluctantly take the call.

If you haven’t seen this series, it is a great time to start. I must warn you, this series is graphic. It is full of nudity, profanity, and gore. Viewer discursion is advised. That aside, it tells a fantastic story for an adventure that I am sure will be amazing. I am excited for what is to come, and you should be too. You can stream it on Amazon if you have a Prime membership.

Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today!

Series Reviews

The Legend of Vox Machina Season 2

2 Comments
If you like what I do and want to show your support, please consider buying me a coffee

It’s finally happening! The second season of The Legend of Vox Machina is set to premiere on January 20, 2023, on Amazon. If you haven’t seen the series, now is a great time to start. Check out my full review of the first season for more information. Trust me it was a fantastic season. Even if you aren’t a fan of fantasy, this series will blow you away and leave you wanting more. It has everything you want in a show. It has fantastic characters voiced by amazing actors, a great story, mayhem, and lots and lots of blood. If you aren’t a fan of fantasy, prepare to be one. It has beautiful art, epic action, and lots of humor. It is a bit on the adult side so viewers beware. 

This post isn’t sponsored, I am just very excited about a series I absolutely love. The trailer has just dropped, leaving me incredibly impatient for what is to come. This second season promises an even more epic adventure as Vox Machina must band together and save the world from dragons! Why have the dragons banded together to attack humanity? Why dragons? It is probably Tiamat, but we will have to wait and see. Check out the trailer, mark your calendars, and go watch the first season!

Series Reviews

The Legend of Vox Machina – Final Thoughts

Leave a comment
Source

I have reviewed this show with my initial reaction, but I would like to leave you with my final thoughts. I have watched this series multiple times at this point, and while some of my initial thoughts prove to be accurate, there are some revisions I need to make. If you are on the fence about this show, you shouldn’t be. Watch this show. Even if you aren’t a fan of fantasy or Dungeons and Dragons, the amazing storytelling, unique characters, and terrific voice acting will leave you wanting more. There is not a doubt in my mind that this is a step in the right direction for both the fantasy genre and the health of Dungeons and Dragons.

The Legend of Vox Machina does a great job at being beginner-friendly. I’ve said this before, this is casual fantasy at its best. You don’t need to learn new languages or keep track of multiple houses, but that does not mean the story isn’t complex. There are multiple narratives nicely woven into in the form of important backstories and impactful lore. You do not need to have seen Critical Role, although there are enough Easter eggs to keep the fans happy. The only problem I see people having with this show is with the magic and the skill checks. They don’t name their attacks like in anime, and skill checks happen, but they don’t matter unless you’ve played the game. Knowing dungeons and dragon rules only really adds flavor because some of the rules have been adjusted for narrative reasons.

I was skeptical at first because I didn’t know how they would adapt a tabletop role-playing game into a story, but they do. The story is amazing, and the fights are done beautifully. I will give a bit of warning; this show is heavy on the gore. I don’t mind it, but it might be a shock for those of you who aren’t used to it. This is an adult cartoon with adult themes, so viewer discretion and all that. I am excited for season two and the future of fantasy as a genre.

If you are on the fence about this show, don’t be. You can watch the entire first season over on Amazon.

Series Reviews

The Legend of Vox Machina (2022) – Revisited

8 Comments
Source

The second set of episodes have just been released for The Legend of Vox Machina; I would like to take this time to revise my initial review. I was correct in assuming that it was too early to tell whether or not this show was any good, but I was right in saying that it was heading in the right direction. With this new set of episodes, the writers show important moments of character growth, and I for one am here for it!

This show is casual fantasy. It has enough fantasy elements to satisfy any hardcore fantasy enthusiast, but it doesn’t isolate those who just want something else to watch. As of now, you do not need to know and follow different tribes or houses. You do not need to keep track of different races or their languages. You do need to know who the main characters are and track the subtle nuances of their character development: their backstory, goals, and how they change over the adventure. This show does a great job at creating these moments of character growth without making members of Vox Machina overpowered and boring.

The strongest aspect of this show is its main cast. Vox Machina is crude, imperfect, and they struggle a lot. This struggle is important this early because it is in their failures and what they learn from them that the story happens. Despite Vox Machina’s poor reputation, the show does a great job establishing that they are still above average. There are moments in the show where an enemy easily overpowers guards or heroes, yet somehow Vox Machina holds its own. This helps establish Vox Machina as heroes without making them overpowered. They still struggle to win against these enemies, but just barely. They still have much to learn, which is perfect because it means more story for us!

I still believe that some knowledge of the Critical Role and D&D would help with the experience, although it isn’t necessary. There are a few inside jokes only accessible to fans of the show, and I as a fan enjoyed them thoroughly.

Lastly, this show also does a great job at translating tabletop to animated series. I like the way they handle skill checks and magic., but I can see it going over people’s heads. It helps to understand why a spell doesn’t go off or why a scene ends the way it does.

Gaming News and Review

%%footer%%