Tag Archives: trading cards

Wasted my Money on the GameStop Premium Deck Box

I was at Gamestop the other day and decided to treat myself with a new deck box for my Grand Archive deck. The one I was using at the time was ratty and falling apart. I chose to pick up the GameStop Premium Trading Card Deck Box, but this thing was anything but premium.

What I liked

The deck box has a slick black vinyl texture with red stitching along its edges that gives the box its alluring elegant feel. There are strong magnets on the flap for secure storage, and two plastic dividers to keep your cards organized. The inside also has this sleek black for the matching aesthetic. It’s a nice looking box, but those looks fade fast.

Review

The plastic covering the bottom of the deckbox came undone on the second day, exposing my cards to the box’s cheap interior cardboard. I should have taken this moment to get my money back, but I wanted to see what would happen. The red stitching that runs along the edges started to come undone shortly after. After my third locals, I started to notice the inside fold of the flap starting to tear away. I am very careful with my trading card and accessories and was surprised at how rough the box looked after only a few uses. It would have been better if I bought cheap plastic ones instead.

I wasn’t expecting a high quality product that would last me forever, but I did expect it to at least make it through the year. I might have gotten a defective unit, but if Gamestop is truly attempting to make their transition to an LGS, they need to do better. If you only have 20 bucks to spend on a deck box, you can do better.

Grand Archive Meta Watch: Santa Clara Ascent 2024

The Santa Clara Ascent brought a welcomed shift to the meta as we sort of move away from the RE: Collection dominated meta with Arisanna taking her place in the sun. Silvie continues to be a dominating presence, but its nice to see some variety. Here are the top three decks of the event, make sure to check out the official event post for the full list.

If you need to pick up Grand Archive, make sure to do it over at TCG Player using my affiliate link. I’ll be leaving links to the singles!


1. Ztrgod – Arisanna (9-2-2)

Material Deck

Main Deck


2. HenkieTheGoat – Fire Silvie (10-2-1)

Main Deck


3. Lifdrasyl – Silvie (10-2-1)

Material Deck

Main Deck

Grand Archive: Ascent Santa Clara Holiday Stream Recap

Ascent Santa Clara was a very exciting event. Arisanna got her moment in the sun, and we got a lot of spoilers for some cool new product! If you need to pick up any Grand Archive, make sure to always support your LGS, but you can always pick up product on TCG Player using my affiliate link.

Table of Contents

Alchemical Revolution Alter Edition Spoilers

Alchemical Revolution is getting its alter edition with a few new cards to spice up the meta. Looks like Arisanna is getting a bit more support, but the ranger support doesn’t seem to bad.

Kongming Holiday Set

Get ready to empty your wallets this holiday season with the first ever holiday themed product. Kongming will be kicking things off with what is definitely going to be flying off the shelves. Make sure you put your preorder in on Christmas day!

The set includes:

  • Play set of Revitlizing Cleanse promo (3 non-foil and 1 foil with a chance the foil is a Collector Rare)
  • Revitalizing Cleanse Playmat
  • Acrylic Kongming Standee
  • Acrylic Kongming keychain
  • B2 Tapestry
  • Waterproof Sticker
  • Deckbox
  • Storage Box

Re:Collcection Lite

The Re:Collection decks are getting their reprints, but these won’t include the additional packs. This is wil be a great time to pick up what have been some strong and competitive decks without having to pay the scalper tax.

Abyssal Heaven

The Abyssal Heaven expansion set, which will be a smaller set than the base set, will release March 7th, so make sure you budget accordingly.

Mercurial Heart Alter Edition

If you missed out on Mercurial Heart, it is not too late. Mercurial heart is getting it’s own alter edition in May. This is the set that started it all for me, and I am very excited to see what new cards it will bring.

Gua Jia Deck Box

Now we shift to the competitive side of the game with Acent Utrecht deck box exclusive. Folks heading to Utrech on January 25 better get their VIP or Champion package to pick up this beautiful Gua Jia deck box. With how good the past exclusive deck boxes have been, you aren’t going to want to miss out.

Ascent Seattle Spirit

Worlds Announcement

Worlds 2025 has been announced for June 28th – 29th, so make sure you start making your grind towards Anaheim.

The Gauntlet

Those who don’t qualify for worlds will get their last chance on June 26th in a one day closed invite event. The top 16 players will qualify and I’m sure it will be grueling event.

2025 Full Schedule

M.Rage Collab

If you’ve been waiting for some official Grand Archive merch, an official collaboration with M.Rage is in the works, it is sounding promising. More information to come.

Grand Archive: New Set Announced at Ascent Toronto

Grand Archive’s newest set has been announced! While not much was revealed, we do have a name and the new RE:Collection decks.

Changes to the Proxia Vault

I think the most important announcement this time around is the change to the Proxia Vault policy. All Proxia Vault cards can be proxied indefinitely! Originally, the rule was that these cards could be proxied for the first year of release before having to use official cards. The problem with this rule is that official Proxia Vault cards aren’t accessible to everyone. Now players are free to print their own proxies and even commission their custom versions!

Kongming Deckbox

New Mortal Ambition Draft Format!

Mortal Ambition was meant to be draftable. Special draft packs will be released for events where player will get packs of world themed relics and three packs of Mortal Ambition. Santa Clara will be the first event to host Mortal Ambition drafts, so make sure you get your tickets while they are still available.

Alchemical Revolution Altered Edition

Abyssal Heaven Announced

The newest set, Abyssal Heaven, has been announced for March 7th 2025. This will be an expansion set featuring eight-card packs and a continuation of the Mortal Ambition world.

New RE:Collection Decks!

Two new RE:Collection decks were just announced, and I am extremely hyped. The last RE:Collection decks were incredible products, so make sure you have yours preordered as soon as they become available. These new decks will release with Abyssal Heaven so make sure you load up!

Grand Archive TCG: Mortal Ambition – Jin Starter Deck List

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.


Material Deck

  • Spirit of Wind
  • Jin, Fate Defiant
  • Jin, Zealous Maverick
  • Bauble of Abundance
  • Life Essence Amulet
  • Safeguard Amulet
  • Executioner’s Spear
  • Steel Halberd
  • Slate Whetstone
  • Shuang Ji of Sacrifice
  • Berserker Plate

Main Deck

  • Safeguard Paladin x 4
  • Veteran Soldier x 3
  • Trusty Steed x 3
  • Banner Knight x 2
  • Swift Recruit x 4
  • Eminent Commander x 4
  • Savage Swing x 4
  • Pierce the Heavens x 4
  • Wind Cutter x 3
  • Idle Thoughts x 4
  • Regenerate x 3
  • Favorable Winds x 4
  • Materialize Polearm x 3
  • Reclaim x 2
  • Enrage x 4
  • Hemorrhaging Rend x 2
  • Exia Sight x 2
  • Bloodbond Bladesworn x 2
  • Mend Flesh x 2
  • Relentless Outburst x 1

The Mortal Ambition CSRs are Going to Move Packs!

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.


Grand Archive: Most of the Mortal Ambition Set List Revealed!

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.



Water

Fire

Wind

Norm

Exia

Tera

Luxem

Paragon: Monsters & Mayhem Relaunches Kickstarter

After a successful initial campaign, the developers behind Paragon: Monsters and Mayhem decided 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 Mayhem is 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:

Quickstart Guide

Product Features

Get Your VIP Pass

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 & Mayhem is 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.

Backing Tiers

Grand Archive TCG: Mortal Ambition Season Promos Revealed!

Ascent Singapore was this weekend, and we got some juicy spoilers. If you’re planning to play in the Mortal Ambition competitive season, the promos have been revealed.  

Revelfest Reminder

This is your friendly reminder that Revelfest is happening October 4th – 11th. This is your chance to earn some bonus veterancy and to win a copy of that beautiful Tariff Ring Alt. Only 200 lucky winners will get a copy, and you only need to play once to be entered. Playing in multiple events doesn’t increase your chances.

Judge Promo

Bronze

Silver

Gold

Ascendant

Ascent Top 32

Sorcery TCG: The Aurthurian Legends Spoilers Have me Hyped!

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.