Tag Archives: indie tcg

Alterd TCG’s First Set, Beyond the Gates, is Officially in Stores!

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.

Impressions

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. 

Grand Archive TCG Sept 2024 Ban/Restircted & New Proxia Card!

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.

Kryptik Launches Ambassador Program in Attempt to Save Game

Kryptik Studios LLC has announced the launch of its ambassador program to raise funds for its next set. For those out of the loop, there was a sudden announcement on the official Discord that the Kryptik TCG was moving to an LCG model. After a passionate outcry from its devoted community, a change of leadership, and a divorce from its old printer, the Kryptik TCG found its push. The TCG would continue, but not without challenges.

The poor quality of older sets has left many local game stores and players distrustful. The split from Speed Robo Games was a step in the right direction. Reviews for the final Speed Robo set are not good, and the samples I received look terrible. The foiling is ugly, the card stock is thin and cheap, and they came curled. We can only hope their new printer does better.

But the damage has been done. Many of the early adopting stores and players burned by early quality issues won’t return, and others will need a lot of convincing. It is going to be a difficult endeavor, especially since the TCG space is ruthlessly competitive, but there seems to be a supportive community working tirelessly with the devs to give the game the traction it deserves.

The ambassador program launched on August 22nd and has already raised $20,000, according to Kryptik Chris’ announcement on Discord.

The announcement reads:

@everyone After 36 hours, we have raised over $20,000! We are steadily climbing towards resurrection! There are still spots available at each tier, so no one has missed their shot yet! Let’s keep those numbers climbing and we’ll make it to top!

This is a very positive look for the game and it shows how devoted fans of the IP truly are. But what is in the program, and is it worth it?

The Ambassador Program

The ambassador program are direct to consumer products and services offered by Kryptik Studios in order to raise the money they need to bring their next set to Kickstarter. The tier break down is as follows:

The program is still live as of writing this. Make sure you head over to the official website if you plan on supporting.

Impressions

The ambassador program was revised after input from the Kryptik community. While it makes me happy that the game is listening to its players, it doesn’t feel worth it for someone trying to get into the game for the first time. It would be more cost-effective for new players to pick up older products from TCG Players. Unless you’re already a fan of the game and believe the game will succeed, none of the tiers seem worth it. Why would I spend money on promos that will be worthless if the game fails down the line? Like I’ve said before, the game is going to need to do more than launch these kinds of programs to build its player base. I’ll be rooting for them either way.

Weekly Tournaments

If you want to play Kryptik, there are official weekly tournaments running Sundays noon EST. You’ll need to own Tabletop Simulator with the official Kryptik TCG module and join the official Discord. The community is beginner friendly, so don’t worry if you don’t know how to play. These tournaments are a great way to enjoy the game with other fans and possibly earn some cool prizes. These events need more people, so make sure you join even if you’re just wanting to try out the game. Who knows? You might like it!

Paragon: Monster & Mayhem Kickstarter Relaunches Oct. 1st!

After a very successful Kickstarter campaign and a bit of community feedback, the people behind Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem have decided to relaunch a bigger and better campaign on October 1st. Mark your calendars. If you have backed the initial project, you should have gotten an email explaining the change. Original backers will also get 6 packs and a serialized Alt Art Flameskull card. If you’re looking for a new fantasy-themed TCG with creative gameplay, you’re going to want to check out Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem. Make sure you follow the Kickstarter to be notified when it goes live.

What is Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem

Paragon is a tactical TCG coming to Kickstarter on October first. Players face off against each other in a battle arena where they take control of a Paragon and their allies in an epic battle to the death. The game features creative movement, mana, and health mechanics making for interesting and creative interactions. if you want to play the game or help play test, make sure you join the official Discord server. It is pretty active and there are always people willing to play. Just make sure you have access to Tabletop Simulator and the official Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem module. Make sure you start with the Starter Deck Sample Module first though to see where you stand.

There will be an official Paragon Monsters & Mayhem Draft on Staturday August 31st at 6PM PST. This is a great chance to get together with the community and try out the game. Prizes:

  • 1st Place – 1 Golden Paragon Monsters & Mayhem Booster
  • 2nd Place – 2 Paragon Monsters & Mayhem Boosters
  • 3rd Place – 1 Paragon Monsters & Mayhem Booster

Gameplay

Rulebook

There isn’t an official rulebook yet, the game is still in production, but there is a quickstart guide available to get you started. The book is pinned on the official discord, but I’ll leave it below for your convenience.

Changes in the Kickstarter

The new kickstarter is launching with 251 unique cards and alt arts to pad it out to 560. There will also be box topers, case topers, and some extra goodies. I’ll leave the graphic below for the full details.

Conclusion

I am interested because the art looks cool. Check out the cards revealed so far! I love the deep fantasy vibes and the flavor of the cards. I need to see more, but I am impressed with the art I’ve seen so far. I am also impressed by the developers. They seem to be incredibly involved with the community, and obviously listening to their listening to suggestions. If you’re looking for a new fantasy TCG, you might be looking for Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem. There is always risk in backing a Kickstarter, so make sure you do your own due diligence.

The campaign launches on October 1st. Make sure you’re following the campaign to be alerted when it goes live. The game was already fully funded once, I have no doubt they can do it again.

Looking for a new TCG? Check out Genesis: Battle of Champions!

Edge of Exile sent me a bunch of products to review for my blog. Edge of Exile is the new company behind the strategy TCG Genesis: Battle of Champions. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game and the product.

What is Genesis Battle of Champions?

In the simplest of terms, Genesis: Battle of Champions is a tabletop wargame trading card game. The game is played on a 5×6 map where players take control of a champion and use their influence to command an army of monsters and magic to defeat their opponent. The goal of the game is to be the last champion standing. What makes Genesis unique are its movement, combat, and resource system.

While movement in a TCG isn’t unique to Genesis, it does give the game its tactical feel. The movement mechanics are easy to learn, but moving tactically on a 30-square space while navigating the randomness of a TCG is where this game gets complicated.

The Genesis combat system is truly unique. Each character and ability has a range of where they can do damage. This information is clearly marked on each card. This means that position and orientation matter when trying to deal with damage. The rest will resolve like your typical TCG after the stack resolves.

Finally, is the game’s resource system. In Genesis, players get a pool of mana based on their chosen champion. Players use this resource to cast their cards. A player can also cast cards by paying life or milling cards from their hand or deck if the ability calls for it. Having a diverse pool of resources means players can’t get locked out of a game for drawing poorly. These resources are finite, so the goal is to be efficient. This is my favorite aspect of the game and I will die on that hill.

The game is a little more complicated than my simple explanation, so I’ll leave an official tutorial to get you started down the Genesis rabbit hole.

How to Play Genesis

Here’s a great tutorial by DMArmada to help get you started.

New Vs. Old Cards


If you’re coming back to the hobby, you’ll notice that Genesis cards will be different from what you remember. Edge of Exile has decided to change the design of the card to better represent what they want for the game, and I think it’s for the better.

The most noticeable change will be on the back of the cards. They’ve removed the logo of the old company (RIP Haunted Castle Gaming) and changed the black background to a prettier purple and green gradient. I prefer the colorful back and new logo.

The front of the card has some major formatting changes that make the card cleaner. Abilities are easier to read, costs and line of sight are easier to understand, and the art looks better. There was nothing wrong with the old design, I quite like the retro vibe, but the new design makes the cards look modern. I’ll leave examples of champion cards from the newest Invasion set and the older Genesis set. Invasion is the first set with the redesign, and fingers crossed we get the upcoming metamorphosis.

Gamilla from Invasion
Iblis from Genesis

Quality

The quality of the cards is fantastic out of the box. The cards are a good thickness with a solid weight to them. They feel great to shuffle and hold, but I would advise you to sleeve them first. The art is clean and vibrant, and the text is easy to read. I did find one holographic card with visible track lines. It is the only misprint I’ve found so far, so it isn’t a huge deal.

Review

I was sent a booster box of Invasion and Genesis, all the Invasion starter decks, and a playmat. After learning how to play, opening a few packs, and testing a couple of the decks, my honest opinion is that this game is a lot of fun. I am not good at it, but I enjoyed every minute I sucked at it.

Genesis has beautiful art. I prefer the new style, but there is nothing wrong with the retro vibe of older sets. My favorite card has to be Harlequin. I love the twisting trees that disappear into the fog behind her. I love the purple glow of the fire from her eyes and heart. It’s a cool-looking demon, and I had a lot of fun with her deck. The rest of the set has been a lot of fun to collect because of how good the art is, and how much flavor went into it.

More important than the art is the gameplay. Genesis is a lot of fun. The movement system is great, there are no mana issues, and combat doesn’t feel slow. I am not huge on strategy games like this, but Genesis was a blast. It is definitely something I am going to keep in my rotation, especially since I have other decks I need to try. If you enjoy TCGs and wargaming, you’re going to want to look into Genesis. If you have the friend group, I recommend you get a few starter decks and at least give the game a try. Once you get hooked, you can buy a few booster boxes and never look back. The only other way to buy Genesis is through your LGS if they carry it. If they don’t, they can contact Edge of Exile directly and I am sure they’ll get hooked up with samples.

I know there is going to be some resistance because of how the game ended the first time. There are fans of the game that will never come back and others that will be hard to convince. The biggest hurdle Edge of Exile faces is earning back the goodwill that was lost. The company is making impressive strides to revitalize the game. They have a good relationship with distributors, they are growing the community by the day, and they are working on a new expansion that looks amazing. There is an active YouTube channel you need to follow to stay up-to-date on all the news.

Will their efforts be enough to save the game? It is hard to say at this point. The new set needs to come out, there needs to be an easy way to buy products, and there needs to be an accessible community. They are currently working on fixing this issue, and I hope that they do because this game is fun.

All the Paragon: Monsters and Mayhem Cards Revealed So Far

If you haven’t backed Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem yet on Kickstarter, you still have time. It is a great way to help support an indie TCG in getting on its feet and earning some exclusive products. Be aware that there is always risk when backing a Kickstarter. I’ve done a more detailed post about the gameplay already, make sure you check that out first.

If you want to try out Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem, there is a free TTS module available with a few starter decks to get you started. There is also a pretty active Discord you can join.

The creators have revealed a few of the cards for their inaugural set, and they look amazing. I am a huge fan of the dark and gritty fantasy feel. This is such a good looking game.

As a disclaimer, I am not affiliate with the Paragon: Monster & Mayhem. I wasn’t even asked to cover this game. I just thought the game looked cool and I thought I would share.


Genesis: Battle of Chapions: Path of Fire Visual Deck List

With the release of Invasion, Edge of Exile also released five new starter decks. These starter decks feature a sleek and modern new design as well as some reprints. I’ll be posting decklists soon, starting with the Playing with Fire Purple deck. This is probably my favorite deck because of its theme. I am still working on getting the modern versions of the list, but I think it’s cool to see some of the older cards mixed in. Most of the cards feature the same art except for Death’s Companion.

If you want to learn about Genesis: Battle of Champions, head on over to the official website.

Full disclosure: I was sent these decks for free, full review is coming soon.

Champion

Harlequin

Deck

Blood Feast
Blood Speer
Dhuma Ejitr
Fire Break
Flame Jet
Inferno Crawler
Oten
Blood Rakshasa
Deaths Companion
Emergent Worm
Fire Pillar
Inferno Ghoul
Lambs for the Slaughter
Scavange Parts

Subconscious

Pox Spreader

Deck List

Champion
1 x Harlequin

Deck

  • 3 x Blood Feast
  • 4 x Blood Rakshasa
  • 3 x Blood Spear
  • 3 x Death’s Companion
  • 4 x Dhuma Ejitr
  • 4 x Emergent Worm
  • 5 x Fire Break
  • 4 x Fire Pillar
  • 5 x Flame Jet
  • 4 x Inferno Ghoul
  • 2 x Inferno Crawler
  • 4 x lambs for the Slaughter
  • 3 x Oten
  • 2 x Scavenge Parts

Subconscious

3x Pox Spreader

Check out Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem TCG on Kickstarter

The Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem Kickstarter is live, and it has already blown well past its goal. If you’re looking for a flavorful tactical card game with some unique new mechanics, you’ll want to check out the campaign at least. It’s going to be hard to resist buying those starter decks.

The Campaign

The Gameplay

Impressions

I am not very good at tactical games like Paragon, but I am willing to try. I like the mana system, the mechanics look interesting, and the art is phenomenal. The biggest draw will be the art, which has some pretty solid flavor. There is already some lore available for those interested.

If you want to try out Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem, there is an official module for Tabletop Simulator you can mess around with. It is only a demo at the moment, but it should give you an idea of whether you want to back the Kickstarter. There is also an official Discord you can join if you want to stay up on all the news and meet others who are as equally excited about the game. There are doing open playtesting for those who want to help make the game better.

Backers will receive some cool exclusives at every level. There are already a few stretch goal rewards you’re going to want to get your hands on if you’re thinking of becoming a collector. That said, there is always risk involved, so make sure you make your decision carefully.

The Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem campaign runs until August 29th, so make sure you back if you haven’t and tell your friends!

Pledge Levels

Kryptik Studios LLC Announces Start of New Competitive Season

The Kryptik TCG recently changed leadership after announcing that it would no longer exist as a TCG. There was talk of turning the game into an LCG, but the community came together to give the TCG its second life. You can read about the drama in my previous post.

This announcement caused a few ripples in the community. Some fans felt disheartened by the news. To them, it felt like they wasted money on another dead TCG busy making empty promises. The damage has been done and there is no mending this relationship. Despite a small exodus, some fans stuck around and continue to hold on to hope for the game that they love. A lot of the hope seems to be inspired by the passion the new leadership continues to carry for Kryptik. I for one am curious to see where this passion takes them.

Passion alone won’t be enough to restore the faith that has been lost. There is a lot of work that needs to be done, and a bit of radio silence since the change. Today, the silence has been broken, and a new competitive season has been announced on the official Discord. Starting August 17th, Kryptik Studios LLC will be hosting online tournaments on Discord through Tabletop Simulator.

The Announcement:

We are happy to announce that we are going to start hosting weekly tournaments through Tabletop Simulator (TTS). We will be using a points system called Kryptik Currency, which will allow participants to spend their Kryptik Currency to get promotional cards, sealed products and more. Each season will last 6 weeks beginning on August 17th. At the end of each season, we will give out prizes to the top 11 ranked players. We will be announcing additional prizing in the weeks leading up to the tournament season. At the end of four seasons, there will be a tournament between the top 8 players with the highest total points with additional exclusive prizing.

The prizing for the first season is as follows:

  • 1st Place
    • 1 set of Overlord Wave 2 Genesis Promos
    • 9 Randomized Foil Lore Cards Story Choice: Does Selene seek retribution against Livia for the death of Boudicca?
  • 2nd Place
    • 1 set of Overlord Wave 2 Genesis Promos
    • 6 Randomized Foil Lore Cards Story Choice: How does Andras handle Dookraka, his friend and mentor’s death?
  • 3rd & 4th Place
    • 1 Flanagan, 1 Davy and 1 Tocho Wave 2 Genesis Promo.
    • 3 Randomized Foil Lore Cards
  • 5th – 8th Place
    • 1 Sylvi and Dumuzi Wave 2 Genesis Promo.
    • 3 Randomized Foil Lore Cards.
  • 9th – 11th Place
    • 1 Midnight Meander Wave 2 Genesis Promo.
    • 3 Randomized Foil Lore Cards.
  • Players will also be able to earn points for the season called Kryptik Currency, which can be exchanged for products in the future. The point breakdown works as follows…
  • Participation in all rounds of the tournament: 5 KC (Kryptik Currency) Loss: 1 KC Draw: 2 KC Win: 3 KC Special Rules Bonus (Per Event): 5 KC

Players will also be able to earn points for the season called Kryptik Currency, which can be exchanged for products in the future. The point breakdown works as follows:

  • Participation in all rounds of the tournament: 5 KC (Kryptik Currency)
  • Loss: 1 KC
  • Draw: 2 KC
  • Win: 3 KC
  • Special Rules Bonus (Per Event): 5 KC

    It is cool to see official events because as cool as it is to collect the cards, there needs to be a thriving player base to move cardboard.

    Attonement

    While not everyone got a chance to get their hands on the limited run of Atonement by Speedrobo games, we were assured that there is an official run coming. Although, you might not have missed out on much. Some of the folks who received their Wave 0 have voiced complaints about the smell and quality of the product. The promo cards I received as compensation after an error on their part made me lose my preorder are already curled. Dropping Speedrobo Games as their official printer is starting to make a lot of sense.

    In an official post on the discord, the community manager has made this promise:

    In the near future, you will see how atonement was meant to be. W0 will become an afterthought. We are returning to our roots. Enlisting the best of the Genesis artists to create artwork we have all come to love.

    It is very good to see a company acknowledging their mistakes and working with their community to do better. We will have to wait for the next Kryptik product to see if they can keep their promise. In the meantime, updates are being made to the official Kryptik Tabletop Simulator module to include the new Atonement cards, and they look sick!

    Conclusion

    I can’t wait to see where this new leadership takes this game. What I’ve seen so far is impressive, but I will need to see some new product before I go make any firm decisions. I’ll keep following the game and wishing them the best.

    If you want to learn more about Kryptik, make sure you join the official Discord, and make sure you start getting ready for the new season!

    Genesis TCG Returns with Metamorphosis Kickstarter

    The Genesis TCG returns to Kickstarter with a unique campaign, a new design, and a lot of ambition. The state of the Genesis TCG has been a mystery since its abrupt end in April 2023 when its parent company, Haunted Castle Gaming, announced its closure. Since then, a group of dedicated and passionate fans have come together to keep the game they love alive. The game is now under the proud ownership of Edge of Exile Entertainment. We will have to see if their passion and love for the game will translate to its success.

    Since the change of ownership, Genesis has seen a new impressive card design. I am impressed with the game’s new identity, but I’ll have to see the cards in person before I can make a definitive claim.

    The canceled invitation set was also released under Edge of Exile’s leadership and new design., and the set looks good. Unfortunately, there is no way for me to get any product, so I’ll just settle for looking at the list online.

    The game will have to rebuild trust as it competes for a player base. The game’s sudden initial closure has left the game with some sour connotations. Nobody wants to invest in a game with no future. Edge of Exile has addressed this issue on their Kickstarter page. The company has successfully released an expansion since its induction, albeit one that was already done before the closure. The company also has an established and proven relationship with distributors and a few game stores. They are also trying to get back onto TCG Player, and hopefully give more players access to the game.

    The Kickstarter

    Backing the Metamorphosis Kickstarter gets you a set of the alt art cards for all the champions featured in the set. $50 gets you a non-foil set and $92 gets you both foil and non-foil. There is additional swag and goodies at higher tiers. The money earned from this campaign goes to paying the printers. Metamorphosis will go to printing once the $29, 311 has been pledged.

    What is Genesis TCG

    Genesis TCG is a 5×6 grid based tactical TCG. Players move their champions through the arena, and the first player to kill all enemy champions wins. This is a very unique way of dealing with the TCG.Check out the tutorial to see if the game is right for you:

    Thoughts

    I’ve always been interested in Genesis because I found it to be an interesting concept for a trading card game. Unfortunately, the game died right as I was about to start buying product. I was surprised to see the Kickstarter. I had stopped following the game, and sort of forgot about it. It’s cool to see that the game hasn’t been abandoned, especially by its most loyal fans. It makes it easy to root for.

    Most Kickstarter TCGs sell boxes and starter decks, but Edge of Exile is limited by their established agreement with their distributors. They don’t want to take away sales from the stores that will carry their game. While this is an admirable act, it makes the campaign hard to sell.

    Having alt-art versions of the champions is awesome if you already have a deck to play with. New players trying to pick up the game will have to hope they can also find product after launch, and it’s a bit discouraging. While $50 is reasonable for a set of exclusive alt-art cards, it is a steep price for someone who hasn’t played the game before. It would be cool if they had a print-n-play option to help people decide. This seems like a campaign geared toward those hopeful for the longevity of the game or established fans of the game.

    The fans of the game will be divided by this campaign. Those who are loyal and dedicated have already pledged and secured their exclusive playsets, some even at a discount. Other fans have been made weary by the string of dead and dying indie TCGs. The TCG space is unforgiving. If Edge of Exile doesn’t do enough, Genesis isn’t getting the resurgence it deserves.

    I’ll be rooting for the success of the campaign because I like the idea of a game company run by its players. There seems to be a lot of ambition and passion behind this attempt at resurrection, and I will be following it closely for its definitive outcome.

    If you’ve played Genesis, want to bling out your deck, or want to get into the game, you’re going to want to help with this Kickstarter. It is the only way Metamorphasis gets printed. Even though there is a proven record, there is always risk when backing a Kickstarter. Follow your gut.