If you’re new, Re:Collection decks are Grand Archive’s premium product that come with a high quality deck box, dragonshield art sleeves, three packs special packs, and a competitive deck. The box also includes a play set of all the cards in the deck so you don’t need to buy multiple copies, unless you want to chase that sweet collector rare:
You can wait for opened boxes and the prices to dip, but historically, you aren’t saving much. Especially if the deck defines the meta like Silvie did. If you’re starting out, the hardest part is choosing what flavor you want but either deck is a solid place to start. Always support your LGS, but you can pick up the Guo Jia, Heaven’s Favored Re:Collection Deck on TCG Player through my affiliate link. Get in before you’re paying scalper prices.
Deck List
Materal Deck 1 x Spirit of Water 1 x Diao Chan, Enchantress 1 x Diao Chan, Dreaming Wish 1 x Diao Chan, Idyll Corsage 1 x Cleric Robes 1 x Glimmer Essence Amulet 1 x Scepter of Fascination 1 x Tariff Ring 1 x Crystalline Mirror 1 x Hairpin of Transcience 1 x Kaleidoscope Barrette 1 x Staff of Blossoming Will
Main Deck 3 x Fractal of Insight 2 x Idle Thoughts 3 x Shimmering Refraction 3 x Unstable Fractal 3 x Acquiescing Rejection 3 x Chill to the Bone 4 x Dissuading Halt 4 x Eventide Lure 3 x Fractal of Refreshment 2 x Frostbind 3 x Frostlorn Caress 3 x Frostnip Piroutte 2 x Glimmering Refusal 2 x Protective Fractal 1 x Redirect Flow 2 x Refracting Missile 2 x Torpid Fractal 3 x Bloom: Summer’s Glow 2 x Bloom: Winter’s Chill 3 x Blossoming Denial 2 x Ripples of Atrophy 3 x Season’s End 2 x Shriveling Vines
Material Deck (Visual)
Spirit of WaterDiao Chan, EnchantressDiao Chan, Dreaming WishDiao Chan, Idyll CorsageCleric RobesGlimmer Essence AmuletScepter of Fascination Tariff RingCrystalline MirrorHairpin of TransienceKeleidoscope BarretteStaff of Blossoming Will
Material Deck (Visual)
Fractal of InsightIdle ThoughtsShimmering RefractionUnstable FractalAcquiescing RejectionChill to the BoneDissuading HaltEventide LureFractal of RefreshmentFrostbindFrostlorn CaressFrostnip PirouetteGlimmering RefusalProtective FractalRedirect FlowRefracting MissileTorpid FractalBloom: Summer’s GlowBloom: Winter’s ChillBlossoming DenialRipples of AtrophySeason’s EndShivering Vines
If you’re new, Re:Collection decks are Grand Archive’s premium product that come with a high quality deck box, dragonshield art sleeves, three packs special packs, and a competitive deck. The box also includes a play set of all the cards in the deck so you don’t need to buy multiple copies, unless you want to chase that sweet collector rare:
You can wait for opened boxes and the prices to dip, but historically, you aren’t saving much. Especially if the deck defines the meta like Silvie did. If you’re starting out, the hardest part is choosing what flavor you want but either deck is a solid place to start. Always support your LGS, but you can pick up the Guo Jia, Heaven’s Favored Re:Collection Deck on TCG Player through my affiliate link. Get in before you’re paying scalper prices.
The Deck List
Material Deck 1 x Spirit of Fire 1 x Guo Jia, Chosen Disciple 1 x Guo Jia, Blessed Scion 1 x Guo Jia, Heaven’s Favored 1 x Fabled Azurite Fatestone 1 x Portentious Tanggu 1 x Fated Keepsake 1 x Rousing Rattle Drum 1 x Life Essence Amulet 1 x Tariff Ring 1 x Band of Burning Verdict 1 x Incandescent Reliquary
Main Deck 4 x Foraging Fox 4 x Fatestone of Revelations 4 x Companion Fatestone 4 x Craggy Fatestone 4 x Lavaplume Fatestone 4 x Fatestone of Unrelenting 4 x Journey’s Beginning 4 x Strengthen the Bonds 2 x Obscuring Threads 3 x Expel the Departed 2 x Idle Thoughts 4 x Broken Promises 2 x Shatter the Brittle 2 x Flamewreath Call 3 x Advent of the Shenju 3 x Peacock of Prosperity 4 x Fatestone of Heaven 3 x Light the Hunt
Companion Fatestone (Front)Companion Fatestone (Back)Craggy Fatestone (Front)Craggy Fatestone (Back)Expel the DepartedFatestone of Revelations (Front)Fatestone of Revelations (Back)Foraging FoxIdle ThoughtsJourney’s BeginningObscuring ThreadsStrengthen the BondsBroken PromisesFatestone of Unrelenting (Front)Fatestone of Unrelenting (Back)Flamewreath CallLavaplume Fatestone (Front)Lavaplume Fatestone (Back)Shatter the BrittleArcane BlastAdvent of the ShenjuFatestone of Heaven (Front)Fatestone of Heaven (Back)Light the HuntPeacock of Prosperity
The Mortal Ambition collector rares have been revealed, and you will want to chase these. I hope my preorder unearths one, but I am never so lucky. The set releases on October 11th. It is a little too late for preorders, but you can probably pick product up from your LGS at launch. You can also pick up Mortal Ambition on TCG Player, but I would wait til after launch for the prices to stabilize a bit. I’m hoping there is enough demand for a second printing because this set is going to be fantastic for folks trying to pick up the game for the first time.
If you’re looking for unique sleeves or deck boxes to keep your cards safe, get them over at Gem Accessories. Use discount code churapereviews10 at checkout for 10% off your order.
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.
We have officially entered spoiler season for the anticipated Grand Archive set, Mortal Ambition. The set will be released on October 11th, so make sure you check with your LGS and get your preorders in if it is not too late. I know I have mine ready to go. While we wait patiently for this exciting new set, Weebs of the Shore has given a few select content creators spoilers to reveal for the next few days. I’ll be collecting them here, and updating this post as we go.
You can always pick up Mortal Ambition on TCG Player, but I’d wait till after launch unless you don’t mind paying scalper prices. If you’re looking for unique sleeves or deck boxes to keep your cards safe, get them over at Gem Accessories. Use discount code churapereviews10 at checkout for 10% off your order.
After a bit of a rocky start, the Kryptik community rallied and has given their beloved game the second chance it deserves. If you’re out of the loop, there were plans to move Kryptik away from the TCG model and turn it into an LCG. The community spoke up, and after a leadership change, a name change, and a new printer, there were plans to revitalize the Kryptik TCG.
The first of these efforts has been an Ambassador Program to raise money for the next Kickstarter campaign. The campaign allows players to support the game they love and give by buying exclusive collector products and other interesting rewards. Full details below:
The $50,000 goal was met, and the program proved successful. This means that Ambassador Program boxes will be printed, and there will be money for the Kickstarter. Fans of the hobby are elated. It is not too late to support the game. The Ambassador Program has been extended, so make sure you backing before then.
It makes me happy to see the game continue to thrive, and I wish them the best. If you want to stay up to date on all the news, or play in official weekly online events, make sure you join the Kryptik Discord.
If you need sleeves or unique cases to keep your Kryptik cards safe, get them over at Gem Accessories. Use discount code churapereviews10 at checkout for 10% off your order.
Edge of Exile has released a brand new animation that helps introduce new players to the unique card game and gives valid explanations on why they should give it a try. If you want to pick up some Geneis product, get it over at Indie Pro Games. I am not affiliated with either of the companies, I just like the game and want to see it succeed.
If you need sleeves or a unique deck box to protect your new Genesis cards, get them over at Gem Accessories. Use discount code churapereviews10 at checkout for 10% off your order.
Impressions
I was sent a bit of Genesis: Battle of Champions product and was very impressed with the game. Make sure you check out my full review.
My biggest takeaway from the video is Edge of Exiles commitment to keep the game affordable by only releasing two sets a year. While this may seem like a little, Sorcery can get away with one. It is also nice to have the time to get used to a set. I get that for competitive players, the shift in the format every three months is a welcomed refreshment, but as a casual, I want more time to enjoy a set before I have to worry about buying a new one. I think their commitment to their players and the local game stores is admirable, and I hope they can see success.
If you enjoy miniature wargames and TCGs, Genesis combines the best of both worlds in a unique and exciting experience. What sets Genesis apart from other games is that the people behind its resurgence are former store owners passionate about the game. After Haunted Castle Games announced its sudden closure, fans rallied to keep the game they loved alive. I’ve opened the packs and see the passion in the game mechanics, the quality of the game pieces, and the amount of work already done to expand the game’s reach. There is still a lot of work to be done, but I am impressed with what has been accomplished so far.
If you haven’t played Genesis before, it doesn’t hurt to pick up a couple of starter decks and give it a try. I’ll be following the game closely and will be giving updates when I can, but make sure you follow the official Genesis: Battle of Champions YouTube page.
The Mortal Ambition stream was extremely juicy, and I am so excited for this set. It has fantastic flavor, beautiful art, and some new mechanics. If you missed the stream, I’ve collected all the spoilers in one convenient spot. Make sure you check out the full video for lore and the full details. Mortal Ambitions releases on October 11th, so make sure you have your set preorder. I know I have mine ready at my LGS. You can pick up Mortal Ambition on TCG Player if that isn’t an option, but I’d wait till after launch unless you don’t mind paying scalper prices.
If you’re looking for unique sleeves or deck boxes to keep your cards safe, get them over at Gem Accessories. Use discount code churapereviews10 at checkout for 10% off your order.
I’ll leave a table of contents so you can skip to whatever is relevant to you
New Cards
Story Art Cards
Ignite Fate
Ignite Fate Action – Mage Spell Deal 2 Damage to Each Champion Floating Memory
Cure the Flesh Action – Cleric Skill (Fast) Remove all temporary damage from target ally Draw a card into your memory
Heated Vengeance
Heated Vengeance Attack – Warrior Polearm As long as your champion has taken damage this turn, Heated Vengeance gets +3 attack (Class Bonus) On Attack: You may have Heated Vengeance deal 3 damage to your champion
Reprints!
In an effort to make Mortal Ambition a better onboarding product, we are getting some valuable reprints in this set with brand new art.
Making Unique Allies Great Again
Equestrian
Empower!
Kongming
Kongming will feature the new shifting current mechanic where cards gain a boon depending on the direction the wind is shifting. This looks like a very fun mechanic, but one that will potentially be difficult to master. I need it!
Shifting Current Boons
Some boons will be simple and strait forward
Advanced Current Booms
Some boons require the current to shift between certain diractions
Direction Matters
Terra!
Jin
Jin is a little more straight forward and a lot more beginner friendly. Jin will be introducing a new advanced class, and it is a good one!
Pole Arms
New Element: Exia
Main Deck
Material Deck
Erupting Rhapsody Ban Announcement
Erupting Rhapsody will be banned starting AMB release because it will just break the new enhance mechanics.
Beautiful Collector Rares
Ascent Events
Ascent Santa Clara has been announced for people in North Call itching for those sweet promos. There will also be a couple of exclusive shirts only available at Ascent Singapore. Make sure you get your tickets.
Mortal Ambition Launch Kit
Mortal Ambition Regional Rewards
Entry to any regionals for the Mortal Ambition season gets you a sweet binder, and top participants get some beautiful playmats
Store Champ Rewards
Revelfest Announcement!
Revelfest will take place October 4th to the 11th. This is an event where players earn double veterancy on Omnidex and enter for a chance to win a beautiful Tariff Ring art card. You only need to play once during this period. Playing multiple times won’t increase your chances.
Six months after a successful Kickstarter Campaign, Altered TCG is officially in stores and in the mail for anticipating fans. If you want to experience the game that pulled over $2 million in funding, check with your LGS for products and events. There is also an active Discord for players to stay updated on all the news, join an extremely welcoming community, and even find a game or two.
What is Altered TCG?
Altered TCG is a unique trading card game with interesting mechanics and no combat. Set off an adventure in a race against your friend. With help from members of your faction, be the first to travel across the beautiful and wonderous Asgartha peninsula. What secrets will you uncover? What memories will you make?
How to play
Altered TCG is one of the easier trading cards to learn, but also one that will take some time to master. Its mechanics are simple, yet engaging, making it the ideal card game for players looking for a good place to start in the space. The gameplay does offer enough engaging interactions to satisfy most veterans from more competitive games. If you want to learn how to play Altered, there is an official tutorial on Board Game Arena. Board Game Arena is also a great place to play the game without having to buy cards or print out your own. Maindeck has a great tutorial that you should check out as well.
Quick start guide
Having the rules handy is also a good idea. If you’re only trying out the game, I recommend starting with the quickstart guide. Players get a solid sense of the gameplay loop without being overwhelmed. It is always good to start small with any TCG and slowly dive into the more complex mechanics, especially if you lack the experience. I’ll leave a copy of the quickstart guide, but you can pick up the guide and a more comprehensive version of the rulebook on the official website.
I printed out some of the decks from the official print-n-play files available on the site when Altered TCG was first announced, and loved the experience. I think the gameplay is creative, the mechanics are good, and the art is beautiful. Its gameplay loop is sure to attract the fans of board games, and its simple mechanics make it the perfect beginner TCG. With the tremendous support it received during its Kickstarter campaign, I am convinced that there will be enough of a scene to keep it alive through a few more sets. Make sure you check with your LGS for a scene or product.
1 / 6
The only issue I can see Altered having is the QR codes. Altered TCG boasts about its “phygital” ecosystem where players can scan and keep track of their collection on the official app for both Android and IOS devices. The game will also release one-of-a-kind alters of existing cards each set for a bit of added FOMO. This online database is intended to be used to facilitate trading and the buying of singles, but we will have to wait for its execution to determine its effectiveness. At the moment, this feature gives off NFT vibes which is going to rub some folks the wrong way. The QR also creates an awkward aesthetic that I am not sure I like. I do like the idea of being able to easily keep track of my collection, and the idea of a player-driven market, but the one-of-a-kind cards might end up creating some unnecessary fomo. Here’s hoping the scalpers don’t make it impossible to buy products as they have done with other collectibles.
Regardless of how you feel about the “phygital” aspect of the game, the gameplay is fun and is worth at least trying once. If you don’t want to buy the product, there are official print-and-play files for all the starter decks and accessories. If you don’t have a printer, the Board Game Arena module provides a solid digital experience, and you can always find people to play with on the official Discord. When you do end up liking the game, make sure you pick up your Beyond The Gates product from your LGS.
