Grand Archive’s newest set has been announced! While not much was revealed, we do have a name and the new RE:Collection decks.
Changes to the Proxia Vault
I think the most important announcement this time around is the change to the Proxia Vault policy. All Proxia Vault cards can be proxied indefinitely! Originally, the rule was that these cards could be proxied for the first year of release before having to use official cards. The problem with this rule is that official Proxia Vault cards aren’t accessible to everyone. Now players are free to print their own proxies and even commission their custom versions!
Kongming Deckbox
New Mortal Ambition Draft Format!
Mortal Ambition was meant to be draftable. Special draft packs will be released for events where player will get packs of world themed relics and three packs of Mortal Ambition. Santa Clara will be the first event to host Mortal Ambition drafts, so make sure you get your tickets while they are still available.
Alchemical Revolution Altered Edition
Abyssal Heaven Announced
The newest set, Abyssal Heaven, has been announced for March 7th 2025. This will be an expansion set featuring eight-card packs and a continuation of the Mortal Ambition world.
New RE:Collection Decks!
Two new RE:Collection decks were just announced, and I am extremely hyped. The last RE:Collection decks were incredible products, so make sure you have yours preordered as soon as they become available. These new decks will release with Abyssal Heaven so make sure you load up!
The Mortal Ambition set list is live, and the art is just as good as I expected. There is a good amount of valuable reprints, new powerful cards I am desperate to try, and some fantastic CSRs to collect. Make sure you always support your LGS, but you can always pick up Mortal Ambition on TCG Player through my affiliate link. I would wait for release for pricing to stabilize though.
Ascent Singapore was this weekend, and we got some juicy spoilers. If you’re planning to play in the Mortal Ambition competitive season, the promos have been revealed.
Revelfest Reminder
This is your friendly reminder that Revelfest is happening October 4th – 11th. This is your chance to earn some bonus veterancy and to win a copy of that beautiful Tariff Ring Alt. Only 200 lucky winners will get a copy, and you only need to play once to be entered. Playing in multiple events doesn’t increase your chances.
There have been some big changes to this month’s ban and restricted list, and we even got a new Proxia card! Most of it has been expected. It seems like they are trying to rebalance the format so that we don’t get the same three decks in the top spots, we’ll have to see if it works. If you’re playing in any official event, make sure you are up to date. Check out the official announcement. If you need to pick up any Grand Archive singles, get them over at TCG Player using my affiliate link.
Proxia Vault Update
Arisanna gets her first update this season with Polaris, Twinkling Cauldron. but will it be enough to break it into the competitive scene? With potentially decent board wipe and Cosmic Bolt generation, will it be enough to break Arisanna into the competitive scene? I sure hope so. As a reminder, printed proxia cards are legal in official events, so make sure you go to take advantage of the official PnP feature to get your copy of Polaris, Twinkling Cauldron.
Arisanna Bonus: You may activate this card from your material deck. If you do, Polaris enters the field rested.
Whenever you sacrifice an Herb, put an age counter on Polaris.
Class Bonus, Banish Polaris: Deal X damage to all allies. Then generate up to X Cosmic Bolt cards and shuffle them into your deck. X is the amount of age counters that were on Polaris.
Ruling Notes:
To generate means to add cards from outside of the game. Those cards must be legitimate Grand Archive TCG cards, and cannot be represented by anything else. A player will fail to generate if they cannot find the cards to add to the game in a reasonable amount of time.
Generated cards are removed from each game zone (including the main deck) after each game, before side-boarding.
Tip: Using an altered card can help you differentiate between generated copies and copies that are in your decklist! Generated card alterations must still follow our guidelines that apply to any other Grand Archive TCG card if they would be used in a competitive event.
Thoughts: The biggest problem with Arisanna is that getting to her win condition is too slow to be competitive. By the time you get cooking, it is often too late. Being able to cast Polaris outside of the materialize step is a nice boost, but can she generate herbs fast enough to make a dent? MRC has some cool new herb generation like Cultivate and Nurture Crops, so there might be a chance. We’re going to have to wait and see.
Ban List
Corhazi Outlook has been banned, which is a huge hit to Wind Assasin decks where she is essentially an auto-include. Hopefully, this ban means we see less Tristan in the meta. If you’re planning to play in an official event, make sure you don’t have any of the following cards in your deck:
Catagory 2 Watch List
These cards are on the cusp of being banded. You can still use them in your decks, but there are plans of taking them out of the format at some point.
Category 1 Watch List
These cards are safe to use, but Weebs of the Shore is keeping an eye on these for potential bans sometime down the line. It looks like the Silvie decks are on the block, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play Silivie.
Ascent Chicago just ended, and while there weren’t too many drastic changes to the meta, there were a few exciting announcements that we will need to go over. We got an update on the judge program and some very cool spoilers. If you’re looking for Grand Archive cards, get them over at TCG Player through my affiliate link. It really helps me out.
Errata to Silvie
There is a promise of some meta-shifting bans coming tomorrow. Meanwhile, there was an errata that is already creating ripples in the format. Effective August 4th, Stonescale Band has been slowed in the hopes of removing a bit of Silvie from the format. The cost to cast has been changed from 0 to 1, and the activation cost has been changed from 1 to 2. The effect now reads:
The next ally card you active this turn can be activated as though it had fast activation
This slows the card as you are no longer allowed to activate as many slimes as you can. It is unclear how much this change will break the deck, but a slower Silvie can’t be good for popularity. We will have to see if any of the other bans affect archetype, but hopefully this shifts the deck list a bit.
Mortal Ambition Spoilers
In the most exciting news, we got spoilers for the upcoming Mortal Ambition set. The set releases on October 11th, so make sure you put in your preorders. The flavor for this set is fantastic, and the art for these spoilers is so pretty. I hope the screenshots do them justice. I’ll post more high-definition images when they become available.
The Collector Rare
We also got a look at a collector rare and this card is so pretty! If this card doesn’t move boxes, I don’t know what will. As a collector, I am all in!
Developer Live Stream Announcement
There will be a developer livestream on September 14. While this news may not be exciting for everyone, this means more spoilers and some cool gameplay insight if you’re into that kind of thing. I’m hoping they run the online store so that I can finally get my hands on some supporter packs!
Reprints in Bound!
One of the biggest frustrations for new players of Grand Archive is the price of singles. Stock is limited, and prices for important staples make the game unfeasible for some. I still kick myself for not buying into the game sooner. In a bit of expected news, Alchemical Revolution Altered Edition has been announced. The set is expected in January 2025, and it is the perfect time to buy into the set if you missed out on it the first time. I need some Arisanna cards for I deck I’m building that I know won’t win me any prizes. The set is coming with some very important changes, so make sure you get those wallets ready!
Academy Teacher Promo
The Academy Teacher promo has been revealed, and it is such a pretty card. The Academy program is a special promotion to help promote the game to new stores. Experienced players who help stores teach new players how to play the game will receive a special copy of Vaporjet Shieldbearer and it has me reaching for my teacher’s hat. The program starts in September, stay tuned for more news.
The Judge Program
With the growing popularity of the game comes the increased demand for judges. The judge program for the MRC season awards judges with an exclusive and beautiful Careful Study card based on their level. The test to become a judge goes live on August 9th, so make sure you sign up when you can. There doesn’t seem to be a limit on how many times you can try the test, but there is a week cooldown for failed tests. Study hard and good luck!
MRC is looking to be a fantastic season for wind. Wind allies continue to make their sweep with Tristan and Lorraine clinging to their spot as the big bad decks of the format. With Ascent Chicago around the corner, it might be a good idea to start teching against wind. Make sure you get your tickets if you haven’t done so.
Here are the top three decks for the IanTCG regionals. I’ll leave TCG Player affiliate links for those who need them.
If you’re getting into Grand Archive or have been following for a moment, you’ve probably the outrageous pricing for singles. We’re in the moment of Grand Archive history where the demand for cards is higher than the supply. This is frustrating for those trying to onboard into the competitive scene but is priced out of important staples. On one hand, I understand the frustration, but I also understand the need for appropriate scaling. No one wants to be left with a wear house full of merch they can’t move.
Fortunately, there are plans for reprints of staples in future sets and possibly reprints of sets already on the market, possibly in an altered edition. A Statement Regarding Game Accessibility was posted today on the game’s official X account. The statement reads:
Thus begins the waiting game. The key takeaway is that future sets will reprint key staples like Dungeon Guide, which hopefully means the market will stabilize. While Grand Archive is nowhere near as expensive as some of the other big TCGs, it is expensive for new folks trying to enjoy some games at their LGS. I hate that I can’t support my LGS because they don’t have any stock.
I hope this announcement means more reprints, a bigger community, and a more accessible price point for entry. We will have to wait and see, but I have faith in a company that has been doing everything right so far.
If you’re mad about singles pricing, I would save up for future sets and reprints. You can enjoy games on TTS on the official Discord in the meantime. If you don’t want to wait to get into the competitive scene, I’m sure you can justify the premium with all the fun you’re about to have. Whatever you decide, welcome to Grand Archive!
Tickets for Ascent Singapore have just gone on sale and now is a great time to start planning your trip. The 2nd SEA Ascent will be held on September 28th – 29th, so make sure you mark your calendars. I am interested in seeing what the meta will look like by then.
The Ascent events are always a good time for every type of Grand Archive fan. Competitive players can compete in the Path of Steel main event for a chance at some solid pricing, and collectors can compete in the Path of Silver event for exclusive promos to add to their collection. Casual fans can enjoy exclusive merch, and special side events, and get to watch top-level competitive play. Whatever your draw to card game is, you are sure to find it at Ascent Singapore. Get your tickets today!
Sabrina, Spirit of Water Promo!
While the Path of Silver prizing hasn’t been announced yet, we do get to see the promo for the top 16, and it is so pretty! There is some solid cash prize support, but I am most excited about Sabrina, Spirit of Water. The art is so good, and I am sure the quality is spectacular.
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The Mercurial Heart season has kicked off, and prizing has been announced. If you’re interested in the competitive scene or just want to play some Grand Archive, check with your LGS for a scene. Use the handy store locator on the Omnidex if you need a place to start! Grand Archive has some of the nicest players. Even if you’re not comfortable with your skills, you’re going to have a good time!
Store Championships
Store Championships start on July 1st and will run until September 27th, which gives you plenty of time to start brewing your competitive deck or at least earn a stamped Sabel Remnant! This season’s champion playmat is amazing! Make sure you check with your LGS to see when they’ll be running the next store championship!
Stamped Sable Remnant
You get a Sable Remnant just for showing up (while supplies last) so it might be worth trying worth checking it out. Who knows? You might get addicted to the chase!
Nationals Qualifier Invitation
Winners of the store championship will earn a special Windmill Engineer that not only looks pretty, but acts as their invitation to nationals!
Champion Playmat
The winner also gets an exclusive store champion playmat. The art is beautiful, and if I wasn’t already convinced about going for the Grand Archive, I would be going for a chance at the playmat!
Regionals
Regional season is also upon us! Players who do well at regionals will receive MRC Saphire packs with foils of cards only available in the Re:Collection decks. It might be a great chance at some valuable bling if you’re running either. Everyone attending a regional receives a cool playmat, but those who do well will earn points towards a Nationals invite and an even cooler playmat. I’m convinced to show up, even if I only get a prize for participation.
Lightweaver’s Assault
Players who do well at regionals will receive a special Lightweaver’s Assault card that comes with 3 points towards a nationals invite. This is such a cool card to chase! I like the idea of winning cards as invites. It reminds me of the old Yugioh anime, and that was such a huge part of my childhood.
Participation Playmat
Even if you don’t win, the playmat you get just for showing up is pretty cool. I’m hoping they run a regionals near me so I can get my hands on one.
Finalist Playmat
Champion
When
Some regional dates have been announced and confirmed. The list is not final, so make sure you are checking the official Grand Archive page to stay up to date. Here is what has been confirmed so far:
North America
June 23rd – 401Kollectibles (West Chicago, IL)
June 30th – True Champion Gaming (Ann Arbor, MI)
July 6th – Curio Cavern (Springfield, VA)
July 13th – Webway Games (Marlborough, MA)
July 13th – Game Kastle Greenville (Taylors, SC)
July 14th – Forest City Coins (London, ON)
July 21st – Mox Valley Games (Springfield, OR)
August 17th – The Haven Games (Casselberry, FL)
September 14th – Final Turn Gaming (Clifton, NJ)\
September 21st – The Banish Zone (Wernersville, PA)
Date TBD – Reaper Game Store (Denton, TX)
Date TBD – CoreTCG (Pasadena, CA)
Date TBD – Final Cut TCG (Gold River, CA)
Date TBD – Yeti Gaming (St. Louis, MO)
Europe
July 14th – IanTCG (Den Haag, Netherlands)
September 15th – Brood en Spelen (Sint-Niklaas, Belgium)
September 28th – Aria’s Card Shop (Budapest, Hungary)
Oceania
June 29th – Good Games Box Hill (Melbourne, AU)
July 6th – JoJo’s Hobbyhouse (Brisbane, AU)
Date TBD – Good Games Townhall (Sydney, AU)
Date TBD – Card Merchant Christchurch (Christchurch, NZ)
Date TBD – Card Merchant Nelson (Nelson, NZ)
Date TBD – Card Merchant Westcity (Auckland, NZ)
Date TBD – Card Merchant Hamilton (Hamilton, NZ)
Date TBD – Hobby Lords Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt, NZ)
Southeast Asia
July 14th – The Weatherlight Enterprise (Selangor, MY)
August 24th – Agora Hobby (Singapore)
Online
July 27th – IllusiveTCG (OCE)
July 28th – Yeti Gaming (NA)
August 25th – Yeti Gaming (NA)
September 21st – Aria’s Card Shop (EU)
Conclusion
Good luck to everyone who participates. I hope you all go far. I’ll see you out there!
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Mercurial Heart releases on May 17th, and we finally got a full set list. It may not be the most high definition collection of pictures, but it will do for now. This set has some amazing cards and some super pretty Collector rares that you’re going to want to chase. I know I’ll never pull them, but its nice to dream. I went ahead and assembled the card list for your convenience. Make sure you put in your preorders if you still can.
May 17 is also TCG Player‘s MAYhem promotion, where you can earn store credit on your purchase. It might be a good idea to hold off till then to earn that store credit. The amount has not been revealed yet. Stay tuned for that. If you need accessories for your cardboard, check out Gem Accessories. Use discount code churapereviews10 for 10% off your order.
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