Grand Archive has officially turned one! In celebration, the devs held a special celebration stream where they talked about the history of the game and had fun with the community. As someone just picking up Grand Archive, it was cool to see the history as well as the passion from both the devs and the community. You can check out the VOD of the steam on the official Grand Archive TCG YouTube.
The anniversary also marks the beginning of spoiler season for the upcoming Mercurial Heart set hitting stores on May 17. There are a lot of spicy spoilers that have me reaching for my wallet. Silvie is getting some amazing support with this set there is going to be a good amount of Tristan to keep fans happy. This round of spoilers definitely has me reaching for my wallet. I can’t wait to see what else they show at Worlds. Preorder Mercurial Heart today!
Silvie, Slime Sovereign
Tristan Shadowdancer
Other Spoilers
Conclusion
Worlds will also act as the official debut of Mercurial Heart, which means we’re getting more spoilers! I can’t wait to see how the meta is defined for worlds, and what else this Grand Archive has in store. If you want to pick up any Grand Archive, like the new Alchemical Revolution set, pick it up on TCG Player through my affiliate links.
If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
I started following WONDRLD because the cards are so pretty. They are a little anime-heavy, but that is the appeal. I love the use of color, and the unique layout makes each card stand out. Their upcoming set, Starlight Genesis, is no exception. I would love to start collecting these because they are going to look sick in a binder. Maybe I’ll even make time to learn this one too. In case you missed it, check out the Binary Mind set. Product is still available on the official site.
If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials! I am doing pack openings of Battle Spirits Saga on my YouTube and TikTok.
Dissonance Divais out, and the cards are so cute! I love the Halloween flavor, and the art looks amazing. The Dark Tama in this set is sick! I just caught up to the anime, and I am ready to start collecting. Check with your LGS to see if they carry Wixoss or run events.
You can pick up a booster boxes ($75) or singles of Dissonance Divaon TCG Player through my affiliate links. If you enjoy these updates, don’t forget to like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials! I’m currently opening packs of Battle Spirits Saga on my TikTok and YouTube.
World Beyond has officially been announced, which means we have a few new spoilers to get excited about. World Beyond will be the first direct-to-consumer set, which is an exciting development. Collectors should especially be excited because there are some beautiful cards you’re going to want to get your hands on. World Beyond will release with two new theme decks, a collectors box, and a blister pack. The set breakdown:
9 NEW Akora Chains
9 Full Art Akora
10 Full Art Alchemy
10 Full Art Battlezones
41 Holographic Akora/Alchemy Cards
10 Holo Relic Shards
100 Mechanically Unique Cards
9 Stage 1 Akora Extended Art Box Toppers
10 Character Relic Shards
18 Stage 2 & 3 Extended Art Akora
9 Stage 2 Extended Art Akora
9 Stage 3 Extended Art Akora
2 Serialised Generational Rare Akora
1 Serialised Box Topper
Ancient & Secret Rare Cards (Limited to 5 copies each)
Make sure you join the official Akora Discord if you want to stay on top of all the news. Check out the official post for all the details.
Collectors Box
The World Beyond collectors box will be up for preorder on April 26. There will only be 100 of these available, so make sure you get yours before it is too late. Collector boxes will include new exclusive art rares, and they are beautiful. These will look amazing in a binder and are a fantastic way to bling out your deck.
The Buy a Box Promo card has also been announced, and it is beautiful. I am a huge fan of the Akora artwork, and it continues to blow me away.
2 New Theme Decks
Conclusion
I can’t wait to see more spoilers, but I am excited. I might at least get the decks to play with, but I’ll have to see how much money I can get together by then. If you want to pick up any Akora to begin your collection, pick it up on TCG Player with my affiliate links. If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials! I am doing daily pack openings of Spellbound Wings on my TikTok and YouTube.
The San Jose, CA regionals happened over the weekend, and it looks like Rai and Lorraine dominated the format. While the different flavors of Lorraine are interesting lists, it’s nice to see Rai carving his place on top. The VOD of the event is still up with commentary for those who want to see some competitive Grand Archive. I’ve collected the top three decks from the event and left links for singles for those who want them. If you would like to see the rest of the list, check out the Omnidex.
If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you need some Grand Archive, like cards from the latest Alchemical Revolution set, get it over at TCG Player through my affiliate link. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
Material Deck 1 Spirit of Wind 1 Rai, Spellcrafter 1 Rai, Archmage 1 Rai, Storm Seer 1 Chalice of Blood 1 Grand Crusader’s Ring 1 Nullifying Lantern 1 Safeguard Amulet 1 Tariff Ring 1 Tome of Knowledge 1 Storm Tyrant’s Eye 1 Tome of Sacred Lightning
Main Deck 4 Careful Study 4 Dungeon Guide 2 Peer into Mana 3 Resolute Stand 4 Scry the Skies 4 Beseech the Winds 4 Disorienting Winds 4 Windrider Invoker 3 Zephyr 3 Advent of the Stormcaller 3 Anger the Skies 4 Arcane Blast 2 Arcane Elemental 4 Arcane Sight 3 Erratic Bolt 3 Power Overwhelming 3 Spellshield: Arcane 3 Voltaic Sphere
There were a few new developments in the world of Akora tcg that I wanted to share. We got a few new spoilers for the upcoming Worlds Beyond set and the prizing for the upcoming season. I recommend you join the official Akora Discord if you want to stay up to date on all the news or meet some chill people who just want to play Akora and have a good time.
420 Tournament
As a reminder, Jaxonation is hosting a casual tournament this Saturday, April 20, on Tabletop Simulator. The winner receives a Spellbound Wings Full art card. This is a beginner-friendly event, and a fantastic opportunity to practice playing in a competitive setting. The event is free so if you have some time, sign up today!
New Prize Card Teased
Art by Tek
The creator also teased the artwork for the upcoming season’s prize card, it is so cute! I am a huge fan of the style, and it really leans into the cozy aesthetic that I’ve come to love from Akora. Guess that means I need to try to get good at Akora for next season.
World Beyond Decks Teased
Make sure you follow the Akora TCG Instagram page if you want to stay on top of the spoilers. Akora is doing their social media push, and its nice to see regular updates. We got teased the Fire and Dark theme decks for the upcoming set, and I am hyped. I can’t wait to see a deck list, and more of the set in general. Traditionally, theme decks come with exclusive and playable promos. It might be worth picking up a couple, especially if you want to get into the game.
Dark Theme Deck
Fire Theme Deck
Manga Reward
In the last bit of news, the Akora Manga is getting a rework. From the Discord:
I like the push for lore and look forward to seeing what they come up with. The Akora History book will be an endeavor, but one I see paying off if done properly. Akora has some cool flavor, and having something tangible to expand on that flavor is always good for the health of the game.
Conclusion
I am excited to see what comes out of this game with the next expansion. Akora feels like if your friends made a TCG, and I want to see it doing well. I enjoy the art, the gameplay is interesting, and the community is chill and welcoming. If you’re looking for a new card game, you should check out Akora.
If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you need to buy your first packs of Akora, pick them up on TCG Player through my affiliate link. Don’t forget to follow the socials. I am opening packs of Spellbound Wings on my TikTok and YouTube.
I just came across the Wondrlnd TCG and was blown away by how beautiful the art for this game is. The cards have such a good layout, and while I don’t know how to play the game, I am willing to learn. As a collector, I want them all. If you’re a fan of Anime and are looking for a new tcg to get into or collect, Wondrland might be the one.
I’ve collected the card list for the Binary-Mind set which is available now on their site. You can get a booster box now for $80 (normally $100) which is a fantastic way to start collecting. Maybe you can split the cost with a friend and draft. I’m not affiliated with the game, I just thought I would share because I think the art is cool.
If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials! I am currently doing pack openings of Battle Spirits Saga on my TikTok and YouTube.
I finally got around to playing Lorcana, and I am a fan. The game is easy to learn, and you can play online through the third-party Pixelborn app for free with a minimal amount of tinkering.
How to Play Lorcana
The best way to learn Lorcana is by playing, but Dicebreakers has a fantastic tutorial on their YouTube if you need help getting started. I recommend setting up Pixelborn so you can try out the game for free to see if you like it, but starting with your favorite starter deck is a valid option.
Gameplay
The gameplay is pretty casual TCG. All the actions happen on a player’s turn, so you don’t have to worry about things like counterspells. The main trick to this game is managing resources. You need to be aware of what cards you throw in your ink well, when to challenge other characters, and when to send characters on quests. Keywords add some complexity to this loop, but Lorcana never felt like it was an overwhelming ammount of moving parts. At least based on the games I played with a friend who was also playing for the first time.
Tabletop Simulator is a fantastic piece of software, especially if you enjoy playing board games and trading card games. Indie trading card games always typically have official TTS modules and a vibrant community around them. The issue with TTS is that you have to buy the software ($30), but the modules are free. Another issue with the TTS is that it is a little clunky. Once you get used to the software, you don’t notice it, but it is there. Lastly, you have to be a bit more active with your matchmaking. You either find the discord to find people to play with, have friends who also have TTS who are down to play, find a room playing Lorcana, or make your own and wait for someone to join. It’s not an impossible task, but it is a little inconvenient compared to Pixelborn. That said, Tabletop Simulator is a fantastic option, especially if you’re interested in other board games. This is the Lorcana ModuleI used.
Untap.in
Untap.in is a browser-based solution for Lorcana and other popular TCGs. If you don’t have the hardware to run TTS or want something more simple, untap.in is a fantastic solution. The problem with untap is that you either have to have friends who play, find a lobby hosting a game, or look for a game on Reddit. It’s not impossible, but again, lacks convenience. But if you want to jump between other TCGs for free, it’s a great and simple tool that doesn’t take too many resources.
Pixelborn
Pixelborn is my favorite way to play Lorcana. It does take a bit of tinkering to get it to work, but it isn’t a complicated process. There is a fantastic tutorial on this fansite to get you started. Pixelborn looks great, runs well, and has a lot of phases and mechanics programmed to make learning easy. Best of all Pixelborn has integrated matchmaking. It can take some time to find a match depending on when you get on, but it should get easier if the game gets more popular. There are ranked and casual ladders, and tournaments as well. If you want the easiest, freest way to get into Lorcana, play it on Pixelborn.
How to Install Pixelborn
There are instructions on the official Pixelborn Discord on how to install the program. I’d join the Discord to meet other folks who also love the game, and to be on top of the news. This fan page has a great tutorial and all the links you need to get you started.
Impressions
I enjoyed Lorcana. I’ve always been a fan of the art, but I enjoyed the mechanics of the game. Now that I have a friend to play with, I will be playing it more regularly. I never get to see this friend, so its nice to have something we can share. If you’re looking for a casual game that is easy to learn and teach, Lorcana is a fantastic place to start.
I got a couple of packs of Meta Zoo when I was thinking about collecting it. The next day, the game died. I was left with a couple of packs for a TCG that didn’t exist anymore. I decided to do pack openings on my YouTube after every workout as a way to reward myself and keep myself accountable. That tune changed quickly when I opened my first-ever pack of Meta Zoo, and the cards were warped. I know I could have probably gotten boxes or even cases of Meta Zoo for cheap after its death, but seeing the cards in person left too much to be desired.
I got a box of Akora instead because I found a box of Spellbound Wings 1st Edition for cheap. I ended up liking the cards, learned how to play, and the cards aren’t warped! I’ll be continuing the series but will be breaking into different games for variety. It all depends on what’s affordable at the time of resupply. So far, it’s been a very cool experiment and one that has helped me get into a consistent workout routine.
Exercising has been a tricky endeavor for me because I got lazy and unmotivated. I’ve tried over the years to pick up a routine, but nothing ever stuck. I am currently 48 days into this experiment, and I am starting to notice the impact. I haven’t lost much weight, but I do notice a change in my motivation and physical health.
Opening packs was a solid motivating reward. Whenever the bike ride got too tricky, or I didn’t want to go to the gym, the desire to open that next pack helped get me off the couch. I started recording the series on YouTube not to go viral or make money, but as a way to keep me accountable. It was a way of documenting my journey, and the idea of other people being able to see the posts made it more real. If I didn’t go out and post a pack opening, people would see I was being lazy and I didn’t want that.
Not losing weight is a bit discouraging, but I understand that it is my fault. I still eat like garbage and that is something I need to work on. It’s scary to think that even though I am more active, I eat too much and cancel it out. At least I am not gaining weight.
I have noticed that my physical health has gotten better. When I first started this project, a 30-minute workout would leave me dead for the rest of the day. Now I can function and go about my day. I still get an early crash towards the early parts of the evening, but that window keeps getting bigger. On bike rides, I feel like I can go faster and farther, but it never gets easier. The hills still kill me, and I still get home winded, but that distance is slowly climbing. At the gym, I can go longer on machines that would destroy me and lift more weight. I am also getting comfortable working out in front of people which was a huge deterrent in the beginning. It is awesome to see muscle start peaking from the fat. I’ve got ways to go, but this has been something that has helped me get active, and stay motivated.
I am not here to be a health guru or be a doctor, I am just speaking on my specific experience. I’m not going to run any marathons or have a life-changing transformation, it’s just nice to be able to live my life a little less winded.
For me, the motivation of opening a pack of some random trading card game was enough to get me off the couch. Those moments of reflection, even brief sentences of how my workout felt are even more crucial. Even if no one reads them, it helps me see my progress and keep myself accountable. I don’t know if I will do any updates on my progress here, but I thought I would share in case someone needed to read it.
If you enjoy my content, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. You can also buy your TCG products at TCG Player through my affiliate links. Don’t forget to follow the socials:
Grand Archive Ascent is returning home to Taipei for what promises to be a fantastic weekend for fans of the competitive TCG June 8th – 9th. Players participating in Ascent Taipei will have a chance at $3000 and exclusive promos. Check the official announcement for all the prizing details. Tickets are on sale now, so make sure you get yours today!
Gwednolyn, Spirit of the Wind
The top players will receive the beautiful promo Gwendolyn, Spirit of the Wind, which you can use instead of Spirit of the Wind.
Top 32 Promo: Excorsize Curses
Everyone who makes it to day 2 will receive the beautiful Excorcise Curses promo with the Ascent Taipei stamp. Not only is this a very usable card, it is going to look fantastic in your deck or collection.
Entry Promo: Fireworks Display
Participating in the event will earn you the Fireworks Display promo, and it looks so cool!
Other Activities
Ascent Taipei isn’t just for players on their grind for worlds. There will also be drafts, casual events, and vendors for all types of fans of Grand Archive to enjoy. There will also be the special Ascent store that will have exclusive official Grand Archive merch like Playmats, uncut sheets, and other TCG accessories (some of which you can only get at these events). Most importantly, the developers will announce their roadmap for the rest of the year. I am very excited to see what else this game has in store. If you haven’t done so, get your tickets today!
If you enjoy these update, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials! I am currently doing pack openings of Battle Spirits Saga on my YouTube and TikTok.
