Into the Inklands is already in stores, and man is this a beautiful fan. I am a huge fan of all the Treasure Planet and Atlantis cards, but there is a lot that is going to look amazing in the binder. The secret rares in this set are beautiful, with the clear favorites being Chernabog and Kida. Make sure you check your LGS for product and events.
There are only ten days left on the Coriolis: The Great Dark Kickstarter, so go back the campaign if you are looking for a lore-rich, dark sci-fi adventure to run at your table. The campaign only has one stretch goal left, which means backers are receiving a nice amount of goodies. If you like physical media, it is your only chance to score a pretty special edition version of the rulebook.
Since my last post, the publisher has released a free quickstart guide on DriveThru RPG to give people a chance to explore the system without any of the commitments. The quickstart guide includes a more streamlined and condensed version of the rules, but it will include everything you need to run a meaningful oneshot. It includes some of the rules, a pre-written adventure, and pre-generated characters. I did notice some grammar issues, but the game isn’t out yet and this isn’t the final version. I’ll leave copies of the PDF here, but you can always get them on DriveThru RPG.
The Mission
A prospecting expedition has gone awry. The blight has taken its victims, and only one survivor made it back to Astroid City. The Explorer’s Guild will now send its best crew into the depths of Gilen’s point to retrieve any survivors and extract any valuable artifacts. But this mission is not without its typical dangers. The shady criminal organization, Black Toad, also has its sights on the contents of Gilen’s point and will do anything to get there first. Can the explorers survive another day in the depths of the Great Dark, or will they be another casualty the unforgiving void of space?
Impressions
Coriolis: The Great Dark uses the Year Zero system. If you’ve played any game that runs Year Zero before, you know how to play Coriolis. There are some shifts in mechanics for flavor, but most of it will feel familiar. If you haven’t played any game in the system, Year Zero is incredibly easy to learn. The system uses D6es and you pass checks when you roll a 6.
What makes Coriolis unique is its lore and flavor. Coriolis is a neat story about space settlers trying to find their place in the universe. It the Great Dark is a sequel, but I didn’t feel like I needed to have played the original to understand what was going on. There are some references, but the guide does a good job at explaining everything you need to get started. I assume the full version will as well.
Coriolis: The Great Dark features neat mechanics that help foster this sense of surviving in this unknown and unforgiving ancient place in space but also fuels a sense of wonder and exploration. It’s a neat concept that I would love to see a more complete version, but the quickstart gives a solid snapshot.
I haven’t had a chance to run through the quickstart, but it seems like a solid adventure. It comes with maps, handouts, and pre-generated characters to get you started. It is an incomplete version of the game, but it should provide you and your table with a solid understanding of what to expect. Ultimately, if you’re thinking of running Coriolis: The Great Dark, or are looking for a new Sci-Fi TTRPG to run at your table, you should start with the quickstart guide and move from there. It’s a good idea to check if the system is a good fit for your table. If you end up liking it, go back the Kickstarter!
I’m impressed with what I’ve seen so far, I can’t wait to see more. If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
Akora TCG’s newest set, World Beyond, releases on May 31st, and we got some more spoilers. We got a few new Akora lines teased with some full art I need in my collection. All the lines are cool, but Venn has to be my favorite. I love the colors and the art is so cute! I’m about to finish my box of Spellbound Wings, and I wouldn’t mind opening a few more boxes of Akora.
If you’re looking for a new TCG to play, the official Discord is full of friendly faces eager to bring new folks into the hobby. The community is part of the reason why I still cover the game if I am being honest. It has a cozy art style and a unique gameplay loop. I’m excited to see more of the set because it has some cool-looking Akora, especially the Electric Mage.
If you want to pick up Akora, always support your LGS. TCG Player also carries Akora at great prices, but there aren’t any listings for the World Beyondset yet. I can’t wait to see more, but let’s check out the spoilers.
If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Make sure you follow the socials, I’ve been opening packs of Akora on my YouTube and TikTok, and use my affiliate links when possible.
Last night I held session zero for The One Ring campaign I am running for my table. I am running the prewritten campaign from the Starter Set, and while the initial plan was for my buddies to run the included pre-generated characters, we spent the time creating custom characters instead. I had a lot of fun hanging out and learning the system with my friends, and it was cool to see how engaged and interested they were in the new system. I know the adventure was designed with four hobbits in mind, but I don’t have it in me to squash anyone’s fun.
What is The One Ring RPG?
The One Ring is a narrative-heavy TTRPG based on Tolkien’s classic fantasy series, The Lord of the Rings. Events of this game occur between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series and are meant to be stories that exist within the universe. While The One Ring is not meant to be canon, it does expand on the lore and gives fans the unique opportunity to create their own narrative within the universe.
The best part of this system is that you don’t need to be a fan of The Lord of the Rings series to enjoy it. I have never read the books, and the closest my table has gotten to the lore is watching a movie or two in passing. Despite not being true fans of the series, we found ourselves lost in the flavor and lore that comes with it. We had so much fun making characters and learning about the different races and places, and it was cool to see my players building characters that were true to the lore of the system. If you’re a fan of Fantasy, even if you’re not familiar with Tolkien’s work, you should look into The One Ring.
Narrative Heavy RPG
The One Ring is a narrative-focused RPG. Its mechanics are designed to create collaborative cinematic scenes, specifically how the game handles combat and travel.
Combat in The One Ring doesn’t have initiative or movement. The system offers players the opportunity to be tactical through the use of stealth and stances, but the focus of combat seems to be creating an epic tale of battle. Players get to choose their order and be creative with their actions. Eliminating things like initiative and battle maps takes away features that tend to bog down a session, but it also means players need to be comfortable with being descriptive.
I am most excited about travel in this game. Players have to map out their adventures on the beautifully drawn maps included in the book, and the book has tables to determine what happens along the way. My biggest challenge as a DM is figuring out how to handle travel, but this has everything laid out so neatly. Players pick a role (guide, hunter, lookout, scout) and roll against the relative skill to determine what they encounter on their journey. The book offers a table with vague outcomes, and it is up to the GM and Players to make it exciting.
What I love about this system is how it impacts the rest of the adventure. This can lead to some incredibly silly and epic moments, and I can’t wait to see what we come up with.
Impressions
We haven’t touched the adventure yet, so I can’t give an in-depth review. So far, I think The One Ring is an interesting shift from what we’re used to, and we are excited to get started. Even though we aren’t true fans of the series, we love the lore and flavor of the game. I have a player in my group who is new to RPGs and was ecstatic about starting the campaign. He read the book and his first character. He typically uses pre-generated characters, but he found the inspiration to create a character that fits the flavor of the world. We all had fun setting up for the game, and I plan on running a session zero every time now. We typically pick up and go, but I liked the experience of hanging out and learning the system together.
If you’re a fan of fantasy, this RPG has an amazing amount of lore and flavor. The system has enough resources to get people acclimated to the expansive lore, but you don’t have to be a fan of the series to enjoy the game. Keep in mind that this is a narrative-heavy system, and you and you’re table need to be ready to create this epic collective tale of adventure and intrigue. I am impressed with The One Ring so far, but I’ll be back with a deeper dive. Stay tuned for that.
If you want to pick up the Core Rules, the Starter set, or any of the accessories, pick them up on Amazon using my affiliate links. If you enjoy my content, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to share the socials!
Temporal Forces releases on March 22nd, so let’s get excited and look through the Trainer cards it is bringing to the format. This set has some very cool art, and some cards you’re going to want in your collection. I do have the full list available for anyone interested. If you haven’t done so, make sure you go down to your LGS and get your preorders in. If you can’t find Temporal Forces, you can still preorder product on TCG Player using my affiliate link. And if you need accessories like sleeves or deck boxes, get them over at Gem Tech. Use discount churapereviews10 for 10% off your purchase. It really helps me out.
If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials
Draw a card for each of your Ancient Pokémon in play.
Bianca’s Sincerity
Heal all damage from 1 of your Pokémon that has 30 HP or less remaining.
Buddy Poffin
Search your deck for up to 2 Basic Pokémon with 70 HP or less and put them onto your bench. Then, shuffle your deck.
Cryptomaniac’s Deciphering
Search your deck for 2 cards, shuffle your deck, then put those cards on top of it in any order.
Dangerous Jungle
During Pokémon Checkup, put 2 more damage counters on each Poisoned Pokémon (except any [D] Pokémon).
Emergency Board
The Retreat Cost of the Pokémon this card is attached to is [C] less. If that Pokémon has 30 HP or less remaining, it has no Retreat Cost instead.
Eri
Your opponent reveals their hand. Choose up to 2 Item cards you find there and discard them.
Explorer’s Guidance
Look at the top 6 cards of your deck and put 2 of them into your hand. Discard the other cards.
Full Metal Lab
All [M] Pokémon (both yours and your opponent’s) take 30 less damage from attacks from the opponent’s Pokémon (after applying Weakness and Resistance).
Hand Trimmer
Each player discards cards until they have 5 cards in their hand. (Your opponent discards first. Players with 5 or fewer cards in their hand don’t discard any cards.)
Heavy Baton
If the Pokémon with a Retreat Cost of exactly 4 this card is attached to is your Active Pokémon and is Knocked Out by damage from an attack from your opponent’s Pokémon, move up to 3 Basic Energy cards from that Pokémon to your Benched Pokémon in any way you like.
Hero’s Cape
The Pokémon this card is attached to gets +100 HP.
Master Ball
Search your deck for a Pokémon, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Maximum Belt
Attacks used by the Pokémon this card is attached to do 50 more damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon ex (before applying Weakness and Resistance.)
Morty’s Conviction
You can use this card only if you discard another card from your hand.
Draw a card for each of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon.
Order Box
Search your deck for up to 2 Item cards, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Your turn ends.
Prime Catcher
Switch in 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon to the Active Spot. If you do, switch your Active Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
Reboot Pod
Attach a Basic Energy card from your discard pile to each of your Future Pokémon in play.
Salvatore
Search your deck for a Pokémon, except any Pokémon with an Ability, that evolves from 1 of your Pokémon in play and put it on that Pokémon to evolve it. Then, shuffle your deck. (You can use this card on a Pokémon that was put into play when setting up to play or on the turn it was put into play.)
Mist Energy
As long as this card is attached to a Pokémon, it provides [C] Energy.
Prevent all effects of attacks from your opponent’s Pokémon done to the Pokémon this card is attached to. (Existing effects are not removed. Damage is not an effect.)
Neo Upper Energy
As long as this card is attached to a Pokémon, it provides [C] Energy.
If this card is attached to a Stage 2 Pokémon, this card provides every type of Energy but provides only 2 Energy at a time instead.
Temporal Forces releases on March 22nd, so let’s get excited and look through the Normal Type cards it is bringing to the format. This set has some very cool art, and some cards you’re going to want in your collection. I do have the full list available for anyone interested. If you haven’t done so, make sure you go down to your LGS and get your preorders in. If you can’t find Temporal Forces, you can still preorder product on TCG Player using my affiliate link. And if you need accessories like sleeves or deck boxes, get them over at Gem Tech. Use discount churapereviews10 for 10% off your purchase. It really helps me out.
If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials
[C] Tongue Reel: Your opponent reveals their hand. Put up to 2 Basic Pokémon you find there onto your opponent’s Bench.
[C][C][C] Strength: 50 damage.
Lickilicky
[C][C] Body Slam: 50 damage. Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
[C][C][C][C] Tonguenado: 70x damage. Flip 4 coins. This attack does 70 damage for each heads.
Hoothoot
[C][C] Silent Wing: 20 damage. Your opponent reveals their hand.
Noctowl
[C][C] Talon Hunt: 70 damage. You may search your deck for up to 2 cards and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Dunsparce
[C] Gnaw: 10 damage.
[C][C] Dig: 30 damage. Flip a coin. If heads, during your opponent’s next turn, prevent all damage from and effects of attacks done to this Pokémon.
Dudunsparce
Ability: Dashing Draw Once during your turn, you may draw 3 cards. If you do, shuffle this Pokémon and all attached cards into your deck.
[C][C][C] Land Crush: 90 damage.
Skitty
[C] Call for Family: Search your deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.
[C][C] Tackle: 20 damage.
Delcatty
[C] Tail Trickery: 30 damage. Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Confused.
[C][C][C] Energy Mixer: 110 damage. You may move any amount of Energy from your Pokémon to your other Pokémon in any way you like.
Chatot
[C] Acapella: Search your deck for up to 3 Basic Pokémon and put them onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.
[C] Gust: 20 damage.
Pidove
Ability: Emergency Evolution Once during your turn, if this Pokémon’s remaining HP is 30 or less, you may search your deck for an Unfezant or Unfezant ex and put it on this Pokémon to evolve it. Then, shuffle your deck.
[C] Gust: 10 damage.
Tranquill
[C] Speed Dive: 20 damage.
[C][C] Jet Wing: 70 damage. During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack.
Unfezant
[C][C] Reverse Wind: 70 damage. You may put 2 Energy attached to your opponent’s Active Pokémon into their hand.
[C][C][C] Boundless Power: 180 damage. During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack.
Minccino
[C] Beat: 10 damage.
[C][C] Cleaning Up: Discard up to 2 Pokémon Tool cards attached to your opponent’s Pokémon.
Cinccino
[C] Gentle Slap: 30 damage.
[C][C] Special Roll: 70x damage. This attack does 70 damage for each Special Energy card attached to this Pokémon.
Drampa
[C] Gentle Slap: 20 damage.
[C][C][C] Raging Charge: If all of your Benched Pokémon have at least 1 damage counter on them, this attack does 120 more damage.
Iron Jugulis
Ability: Auto Marshal If this Pokémon is in the Active Spot and is damaged by an attack from your opponent’s Pokémon (even if this Pokémon is Knocked Out), put 3 damage counters on the Attacking Pokémon.
This weekend was SEA Nationals at Agora Hobby, and we got to see some familiar faces. Zander and Toni seem to have carved their place into the meta, but Diana came out on top! I love to see how different regions of the world interact with the same card pool, so lets get into it! I’ll be leaving links to the singles for anyone who needs them. I try to pick the cheapest most available versions for each card.
I’ve only been tracking the top three because this is a bit of work, but I’ll suck it up if there is interest in a top five. Just let me know!
If you need any Grand Archive product, like the latest Alchemical Revolution set, get it over at TCG Player using my affiliate links. If you need accessories for your cards like decks, dice, or bags, get them over at Gem Tech. Use discount code churapereviews10 at checkout for 10% off your order.
If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials:
Material Deck 1 Spirit of Serene Fire 1 Zander, Prepared Scout 1 Zander, Deft Executor 1 Zander, Blinding Steel 1 Chalice of Blood 1 Grand Crusader’s Ring 1 Nullifying Lantern 1 Orb of Choking Fumes 1 Safeguard Amulet 1 Tariff Ring 1 Insignia of the Corhazi 1 Luxera’s Map
Main Deck 4 Dungeon Guide 4 Exorcise Curses 4 Fast Cure 2 Gawain, Chivalrous Thief 4 Juggle Knives 3 Resolute Stand 4 Scry the Skies 2 Serum of Wisdom 2 Stalwart Shieldmate 4 Thieving Cut 3 Vanish from Sight 4 Creative Shock 4 Excalibur, Cleansing Light 4 Gleaming Cut 4 Lightweaver’s Assault 4 Luxem Sight 4 Uncover the Plot
I started collecting Akora for a series I am doing on YouTube. I do a pack opening after every workout as motivation. I enjoyed the art enough to look into the game and have been following its development ever since. I’ve sat in on a learn-to-play event, and lurk through general from time to time to ogle at people’s pulls. If you’re thinking of picking up Akora, the Discord is a great place to start.
Discord Tournament
If you’re trying to find a place to play Akora, there will be a free official tournament hosted this Sunday, March 17th, on the official Discord. The tournament will be online and played through the Tabletop Simulator through the official module. Make sure you have that installed and at least somewhat familiar with the program. The tournament marks the end of the Eternal Echoes season, which means it is too late to grind for those exclusive promos:
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Prizing
1st Place: 1x Legendary Prize Pack, 1x Epic Prize Pack, 1x Loot Prize Pack, 1x EE 1st Place Prize Playmat
Disclaimer: Players must have an Akora Play account to participate and have their shipping address up to date on their Akora Play account to receive prizing!
Go Sign up now!
If you’re looking for a new TCG, looking for something to do, go sign up for the tournament! Tournaments are fun with more people. If you don’t know how to play Akora, the game is pretty easy to pick up. There is an official guide on YouTube, and there is always someone on Discord ready to help newbies.
While there will definitely be people trying to win, there will also be patient and understanding people trying to get more folks into the hobby. The game is interesting, it has cool art, and solid flavor. The event is free so if you have time, it doesn’t hurt to try it out. Check the official website for deck ideas. Go sign up today!
The Goiânia Pokémon regionals were this weekend, and we got to see some surprising archetypes show up. While I enjoy playing Lost Box, it is nice to see a list where most of the top decks aren’t running the engine. I know there will be some disappointment in seeing Snorlax Stall on top, but I love seeing how diverse the meta is heading to worlds.
I’ll leave links for the singles, but please be mindful of the upcoming rotation if you’re building decks to compete in official events. After April 5th (March 21st on PTCGL) all regulation “E” cards will be rotating out of the format. That means things like Celebrations Mew, Shinning Arcana Gardavior, and Radiant Greninja will be leaving the format. I’ve left the decks as is for historical purposes.
Always support your LGS, but you can always pick up Pokemon Products like the upcoming Temporal Forces set from TCG Player using my affiliate links. It really helps me out if you do. If you need any accessories like deck boxes or sleeves, pick them up at Gem Tech. Use my discount code churapereviews10 for 10% off your purchase.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this with your friends!
The Michigan Regionals were this weekend, and we got to see a few familiar faces do their thing. Tonoris seems to be carving his place in the meta while Zander shows his consistency yet again. It is cool to see the small tweaks and shifts in the meta as we get closer to words. I wonder what we’ll end up with?
I went ahead and collected lists for the top three decks, and I’ve left my affiliate links for the singles. Check with your LGS for a local scene and product, or use the Store Locator to find one. The Grand Archive TCG Discord is a fantastic source of news, information, and friendly faces to share the hobby with.
If you need any Grand Archive product, like the latest Alchemical Revolution set, get it over at TCG Player using my affiliate links. If you need accessories for your cards like decks, dice, or bags, get them over at Gem Tech. Use discount code churapereviews10 at checkout for 10% off your order.
If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials:
1 Gwendolyn, Spirit of Wind (You can use Spirit of the Wind) 1 Lorraine, Wandering Warrior 1 Tonoris, Lone Mercenary 1 Bulwark Sword 1 Fire Resonance Bauble 1 Grand Crusader’s Ring 1 Life Essence Amulet 1 Nullifying Lantern 1 Safeguard Amulet 1 Sword of Seeking 1 Water Resonance Bauble 1 Wind Resonance Bauble
