If you’re trying to pick up the Kongming deck, make sure you always support your LGS. If that isn’t an option, you can find it over on TCG Player through my affiliate link.
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 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.
After a successful initial campaign, the developers behind Paragon: Monsters and Mayhemdecided to cancel the campaign and relaunch it with better goals. Those who backed the initial campaign have been compensated, and the developers have been working diligently with their growing community to make sure the game launches at its best state.
If you aren’t part of the official Discord, you should join today. It is the best place to stay up to date on all the news, meet other members of the community, and even help with playtesting There is always something going on whether it is a casual chat with the creator or a competative draft tournament on TTS, like the one happening this Saturday (10/5/2024).
The Kickstarter is live and has already blown well past its target. Make sure you go back the project to unlock some sweet exclusives. Although the team seems motivated and trustworthy, there is always risk when backing a Kickstarter. Use your discretion.
What is Paragon: Monsters and Mayhem?
Paragon: Monsters and Mayhemis a tactical TCG coming to Kickstarter. Players control powerful Paragon who control an army of monsters as they fight for supremacy. The game features interesting mechanics, movement, and beautiful art. I am a huge fan of the mana and health system.
How to play
The developers have a fantastic tutorial up on their YouTube:
As a gracious gift to the community, the developers have released a VIP Pass for a limited time. For only $1, backers at the $10 tier or higher will receive an additional six founder edition booster packs. Limit one per customer.
This is a fantastic deal for anyone trying to buy into the game as a collector or player. You can purchase your VIP Pass directly from the Paragon TCG website. Please note that the pass will only be honored if the campaign is successful, otherwise, backers will receive a full refund. Since the game was fully backed the first time, I doubt there will be any issues this time around.
Impressions
Paragon: Monsters & Mayhemis an interesting enough game. It has beautiful art, a fun gameplay loop, and a growing passionate community. If you are still unsure about backing the project, there are a couple of ways to try the game for free.
If you have Tabletop Simulator, the official Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem module gets regular support and is a fantastic place to start. Not only are there regular official events held through TTS by the developers, but you are sure to find other passionate fans ready for a game on Discord.
If you don’t have TTS, the developers have print-n-play proxies of the starter kits ready for anyone wanting to hop into a physical game. There are four different decks you can download and try, make sure you try them all.
I can’t wait to see where this game goes, until then, make sure you back Paragon: Monsters and Mayhem on Kickstarter.
Arthurian Legends is coming to Sorcery TCG on October 4th, and what I’ve seen so far is so pretty! If you haven’t put in your preorder, you’re going to want to after looking at these spoilers. Always support your LGS, but you can get Arthurian Legends on GameNerdz. GameNerdz is a fantastic place for sealed product, board games, and accessories often at great prices.
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.
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.
I was sent a couple of starter decks and a booster box of UniVersus‘ new Attack on Titan: Battle for Humanity set to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.
UniVersus is a unique trading card game that has been around since 2006. The game uses art from a collection of different intellectual properties. Whether it is the My Hero Academia sets or something from Godzilla, there is bound to be something for every type of player. Grab your favorite champion and face off against your friends in what promises to be an epic battle of skill, strategy, and just a little bit of luck. Do you have what it takes to come out on top?
What Makes UniVersus Unique?
I am going to simplify things a bit because there are videos below that will show you the following in better detail.
UniVersus is like a fighting game. Players take turns setting up their combos to attack and defend, and turns in between to power them up. Attacks and defense cards have a direction (top, middle, low) for added complexity. A successful defense that matches the attack negates it, while an adjacent direction only halves it doesn’t.
UniVersus also eliminates the hand size issue because you are always drawing cards in this game. At the start of your turn, you can throw away up to two cards you don’t need and always draw up to your starting hand size. This varies based on the champion you choose. This means you never start your turns with only one card and zero options after an explosive turn, and you never have dead cards clogging up your hand. You still can run out of resources after an explosive turn, so make sure you use your cards wisely.
I particularly love the mana system. Each card in a player’s deck can be exchanged for a random amount of mana (3-5). This amount is printed on the bottom right. To cast an ability, players flip the top card of their deck. If the number on the card matches or beats the cost of the card, the player gets to cast their ability. If the number doesn’t match or beat, the ability fails and the player’s turn ends. Each additional action costs one more to cast than the action before. This means the more you do in a round, the more expensive actions get.
My favorite mechanic is the mana system. Each card in a player’s deck can be exchanged for a random amount of mana (3-5). This amount is printed on the bottom right of a card. To cast an ability, players flip the top card of their deck. If the number on the card matches or beats the cost of the card, the player gets to cast their ability. If the number doesn’t match or beat, the ability fails and the player’s turn ends. Each additional action costs one more to cast than the action before. This means the more you do in a round, the more expensive things get.
You can also use your mana to put foundations into your reserve. You can use foundations in your reserve to help pay for your actions or buff them. Finding the perfect balance between acting, defending, and building your
How to Play
There are several how to play videos you should watch before you start playing, but here are the two that were helpful when I started learning.
Quality
The card quality is fine. The cuts are clean, the colors are vibrant, and the layout is easy to understand. The cards do feel a bit on the lighter and thinner side, but this isn’t a deal breaker. The foiling is subtle, but it does make the cards pop. I did notice a track line on my full art, but it was the only one in the batch so I don’t think it is a huge concern.
My only real issue with the cards is the text legibility. I can read most of the text boxes, but I have trouble with some of the wordier attack cards. The combination of that gradient orange and font makes things hard to read. It isn’t illegible, but it is an issue. This might be more on my dyslexia than an actual design issue though. Everything else is clean and clear.
I can see people having issues with the game’s art. Attack on Titan: Battle for Humanity uses colorized stills from the manga. Fans of the manga and anime will appreciate seeing important or iconic moments depicted in their card game, others will want original art. I was a bit disappointed when I opened my first pack, but that disappointment quickly faded as I started to fill the binder. The design works, the images are thematic, and they look cool on the table, but there are other existing IPs if Attack on Titan isn’t your thing.
Review
I enjoyed UniVersus, but it is not going to be for everyone. The biggest issue this game has is its complexity. The new player experience is a bit overwhelming. I had to watch a few tutorials a couple of times before I started to understand what to do. Luckily, there is an active Discord you should join if you have any questions or want a place to hang out and play the game.
Once I started playing and going through the phases, the game wasn’t so bad. Mastering the strategies to become a great UniVersus will take some time, but knowing enough to have fun with the game doesn’t. You just have to get through that initial hurdle.
If you’re looking for a place to start, the Clash decks are a nice product. The decks are a more streamlined version of the game without losing any of the spirit. At the moment, there are two clash decks for Attack on Titan: Battle for Humanity: Mikasa and Levi. It doesn’t matter which you choose. Both felt similar in power level and played the same, it just depends on which champion you like more. Keep in mind that this is a beginner product. You won’t be able to take this to locals and do well, but you will at least learn the fundamentals if enjoy the game.
As far as sets go, I don’t have a reference. As a new player, the set felt fine. I am a huge fan of the blitz mechanic and I like the art. Fans of the anime will enjoy the flavor, and there are some alt-art cards you’re definitely going to want to chase. As someone who never watched the anime or read the manga, I thought it was a valid starting point, but there are other IPs you can also buy into. I know people will have issues with the art choice, but they really do look cool in person.
As far as sets go, I don’t have a reference. As a new player, the set felt fine. I am a huge fan of the blitz mechanic and I like the art. Fans of the anime will enjoy the flavor, and there are some alt-art cards you’re definitely going to want to chase. As someone who never watched the anime or read the manga, I thought it was a valid starting point, but there are other IPs you can also buy into. I know people will have issues with the art choice, but they really do look cool in person. I enjoyed the cards enough to start watching the anime and enjoyed the game enough to look into a local scene.
If you’re looking for a new type of card game with fun and engaging mechanics and don’t mind playing with licensed IPs, UniVersus is a great place to start. The game is a little confusing at first, but it gets fun if you stick with it. There is an active Discord you should join if you have questions or need someone to play with.
