Ascent Taipei was the first major tournament since the release Mercurial Heart. The Re:Collection decks showed their worth, taking two of the top three spots but Laureen continues to prove why she is queen. I’ve compiled a list of the top three deck lists and included links to singles for those who need it. If you’re trying to build the Tristana or Silivie deck, I recommend finding a recollection deck, even a searched one, and building out from there.
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The new ban list has been posted, and while there were no new action bans, Corhazi Outlook has been added to the watch list, while Varuck and Freezing Hail have been removed. While it is still safe to run Corhazi Outlook, the day may come when it is banned. The rest of the list has remained unchanged. Make sure you are compliant before hitting up locals. Check out the official ban list page for the full details.
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Grand Archive has two watch lists, category 1 and 2. Category 2 is the list with the highest potential of getting banned. While you are find playing cards in this list for now, you should probably start looking for replacements in future lists. Erupting Rhapsody is the only card on this list.
Category 1 Watch List
Cards in this list may one day get banned, but they are still safe to play. Cards that get added to this list are being watched for their potential for breaking the format in future sets. Varuck and Freezing Hail have been removed and Corhazi Outlook has been added. The full watch list is as follows:
Mortal Ambition‘s release date has been set for October 11, 2024. The set explores a new world which means a new aesthetic, mechanics, and champions. The set will be released with two new starter decks, each with a chance at a random CSR. I know I won’t ever pull one, but I’ll be picking them up to keep the dream alive.
Jin Starter Deck
Jin is the newest champion to join the roster, and I am excited to see what changes he brings to the warrior class. Jin will use Wind and Exia elements in his 60-card main deck and 12-card material deck. At $14.99 MSRP ($119.99 for the case) might be a good way to get into the hobby. It won’t be as good as the Re:Collection decks out of the box, but the starter decks tend to be a solid introduction to the game. I’ll take 8.
Kongming Starter Deck
Along with Jin we are getting Kongming. Kongming is a Mage that taps into the Water and Tera elements, and I am excited to see what her gameplay will look like. At MSRP $14.99 ($119.99 for the case) you get the 60-card main deck, the 12-card material deck, and a chance at some unique CSR cards. Good luck to all the good folks chasing
Mortal Ambition
Mortal Ambitions will be hitting the shelves with:
229 Unique Cards
238 foil variations
Rarity Breakdown:
75C / 59U / 55R / 32SR / 8UR / 11CSR / 1CUR
First edition boxes only get one printing, so make sure you scoop yours fast before the boxes get expensive. This will be your only chance to pick up some of the exclusive collector rares. Booster packs of AMB will retail for $4.49, and boxes will go for $107.99. Make sure you get your preorders in at your LGS when they become available.
Conclusion
I know we just got Mercurial Heart, which is a fantastic set, but its always nice to look into the future. I am already digging the vibe for Mortal ambition, and the art we’ve been teased has me reaching for my wallet. I’ll probably pick up a box, but I’ll definitely be picking up the decks. I still regret not picking up any Alchemical Revolution when I had the chance.
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In a bit of unfortunate news, Akora TCG has shut its doors. The upcoming World Beyond set has been canceled, and those who have made their preorders will be refunded. All the alt cards will be shipped in the next few weeks.
This sad news was delivered suddenly on the official Akora discord.
The Discord is still up and populated, but all of the rooms are now locked.
It is sad to see the end of such a unique game, but it is unsurprising. While the game held onto its closely-knit and dedicated fan base, it was slow to gain traction outside of it. This isn’t from lack of trying. The community held events and actively promoted the game on social media, but people weren’t playing at the LGS. This is common in a market that is becoming increasingly saturated. People are either already invested in their favorite game, moving towards something familiar, or afraid to try something that might die in a couple of years.
I was rooting for Akora‘s success and was excited for World Beyond. I first got Akora because I wanted a cheap booster box to open. I fell in love with the cozy aesthetic and began watching the game closely. I sat on a few events and joined Discord and liked what I saw. The community was always welcoming and friendly. It felt like your close friends got together to make a TCG, and that was cool to see. They had a solid 3 years, and I’m sure the long-time fans got their money’s worth in good times and memories.
If you’ve never played Akora, it was a unique game with interesting mechanics and flavor. The game was easy to learn, and pretty intuitive once you got used to it. You’ll probably be able to pick up products for cheap soon, I recommend you pick up a couple of the theme decks and a few booster boxes to play with friends. You can still pick up Akora product on TCG Player using my affiliate link.
I wish the creator and community well. While today marks the death of Akora TCG, it will always live in our hearts.
I started following WONDRLND because the art grabbed my attention. The art is spectacular across the board, and I love the use of color. The format of the cards looks so good, and the mechanics seem interesting. Their new set, Starlight Genesis, has some promos that I need for my collection. At the moment, only Binary-Mind is on sale on their store, but we can still window shop till more product becomes available!
Mercurial Heart is the set that convinced me to sit down and learn to play Grand Archive. I picked up too much product from my LGS and TCG Player and built my shabby little Silvie deck. I chose Silvie because it was the deck I knew how to pilot the best, not because she is currently dominating the new format.
This weekend, I was able to carve out some time and head to my first-ever locals. It was a bit daunting since I had only learned the basic rules that day, but I wanted to play and didn’t have the friends to do so casually.
The place was pretty lively when I got there. Tables were busy with the other games the store was running, while others shopped around or waited for their event to start. I picked up a random playmat on my way to the counter, paid for the mat and my fee, and signed up for the event.
The event organizer was super nice. He asked me about my mat, but I didn’t know what game it was from (I picked it because it was on top of the stack). I told him it was my first time there, which made him really happy. Everyone was delighted to hear I was new and excited to play the game they loved. Grand Archive has some of the nicest fans who are so glad to see the game grow.
I didn’t do well in the event, but my opponents were always patient and understanding. While I feel bad that the games were probably boring for some, they never showed it. They gave me tips, explained interactions, and even let me look through their decks for ideas. I even started getting better with each match. Not good enough to make a difference, but better than the first time I pulled out the deck.
Between matches, the coordinator came to check in on me. We talked for a bit about the game, and he asked me about my interests and talked to me about the other events in the area. I appreciate that he took the time to check in on me, and made sure that my first experience was a good one.
I stayed a little after to chat with my last opponent who was a very patient guy who explained all sorts of combos, and interactions and helped me theory-craft a few decks. He was also very excited to show me his collection. It was very cool to see promos I have only seen online.
The experience was a bit overwhelming at first. I have bad social anxiety, and my ADHD made focusing in a room where too much was going on difficult. Once I started playing, it got a little easier. The fact that everyone was so friendly made things easier. I had a blast and will be going back. I have some deck ideas I want to try for next time. I don’t think I’ll be bringing the most souped-up meta deck, but I definitely will bring something better.
If you’re thinking of playing Grand Archive, I say pull the trigger. Find an LGS that runs events, buy some products, build your deck, and have some fun. You might not win the first time you show up, but it gets better as you learn the many nuances that come with the game. Grand Archive is a unique card game with creative mechanics and beautiful cards. Based on my experience, the player base is very kind and welcoming. This might vary based on the location and type of event, but my LGS is fantastic and I will be supporting them every chance I get!
The Mercurial Heart season has kicked off, and prizing has been announced. If you’re interested in the competitive scene or just want to play some Grand Archive, check with your LGS for a scene. Use the handy store locator on the Omnidex if you need a place to start! Grand Archive has some of the nicest players. Even if you’re not comfortable with your skills, you’re going to have a good time!
Store Championships
Store Championships start on July 1st and will run until September 27th, which gives you plenty of time to start brewing your competitive deck or at least earn a stamped Sabel Remnant! This season’s champion playmat is amazing! Make sure you check with your LGS to see when they’ll be running the next store championship!
Stamped Sable Remnant
You get a Sable Remnant just for showing up (while supplies last) so it might be worth trying worth checking it out. Who knows? You might get addicted to the chase!
Nationals Qualifier Invitation
Winners of the store championship will earn a special Windmill Engineer that not only looks pretty, but acts as their invitation to nationals!
Champion Playmat
The winner also gets an exclusive store champion playmat. The art is beautiful, and if I wasn’t already convinced about going for the Grand Archive, I would be going for a chance at the playmat!
Regionals
Regional season is also upon us! Players who do well at regionals will receive MRC Saphire packs with foils of cards only available in the Re:Collection decks. It might be a great chance at some valuable bling if you’re running either. Everyone attending a regional receives a cool playmat, but those who do well will earn points towards a Nationals invite and an even cooler playmat. I’m convinced to show up, even if I only get a prize for participation.
Lightweaver’s Assault
Players who do well at regionals will receive a special Lightweaver’s Assault card that comes with 3 points towards a nationals invite. This is such a cool card to chase! I like the idea of winning cards as invites. It reminds me of the old Yugioh anime, and that was such a huge part of my childhood.
Participation Playmat
Even if you don’t win, the playmat you get just for showing up is pretty cool. I’m hoping they run a regionals near me so I can get my hands on one.
Finalist Playmat
Champion
When
Some regional dates have been announced and confirmed. The list is not final, so make sure you are checking the official Grand Archive page to stay up to date. Here is what has been confirmed so far:
North America
June 23rd – 401Kollectibles (West Chicago, IL)
June 30th – True Champion Gaming (Ann Arbor, MI)
July 6th – Curio Cavern (Springfield, VA)
July 13th – Webway Games (Marlborough, MA)
July 13th – Game Kastle Greenville (Taylors, SC)
July 14th – Forest City Coins (London, ON)
July 21st – Mox Valley Games (Springfield, OR)
August 17th – The Haven Games (Casselberry, FL)
September 14th – Final Turn Gaming (Clifton, NJ)\
September 21st – The Banish Zone (Wernersville, PA)
Date TBD – Reaper Game Store (Denton, TX)
Date TBD – CoreTCG (Pasadena, CA)
Date TBD – Final Cut TCG (Gold River, CA)
Date TBD – Yeti Gaming (St. Louis, MO)
Europe
July 14th – IanTCG (Den Haag, Netherlands)
September 15th – Brood en Spelen (Sint-Niklaas, Belgium)
September 28th – Aria’s Card Shop (Budapest, Hungary)
Oceania
June 29th – Good Games Box Hill (Melbourne, AU)
July 6th – JoJo’s Hobbyhouse (Brisbane, AU)
Date TBD – Good Games Townhall (Sydney, AU)
Date TBD – Card Merchant Christchurch (Christchurch, NZ)
Date TBD – Card Merchant Nelson (Nelson, NZ)
Date TBD – Card Merchant Westcity (Auckland, NZ)
Date TBD – Card Merchant Hamilton (Hamilton, NZ)
Date TBD – Hobby Lords Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt, NZ)
Southeast Asia
July 14th – The Weatherlight Enterprise (Selangor, MY)
August 24th – Agora Hobby (Singapore)
Online
July 27th – IllusiveTCG (OCE)
July 28th – Yeti Gaming (NA)
August 25th – Yeti Gaming (NA)
September 21st – Aria’s Card Shop (EU)
Conclusion
Good luck to everyone who participates. I hope you all go far. I’ll see you out there!
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BanG Dream! Girls fans should rejoice at Weiss Schwarz newest set BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Countdown Collection. This card has some of the best looking cards I’ve seen come from the game, and it isn’t heavy on the fan service like some of the other sets I’ve seen. Either way, there are cards in this set you’re going to want to chase as a collector and player of the game. The Countdown Collection is on sale now, so make sure you hit up your LGS and get you some product. For those where that isn’t an option, TCG Player has the Countdown Collection and other Weiss Schwarz products at a reasonable price. Make sure you use my affiliate links!
Twilight Masquerade is in stores now, and it features a couple of cards you’re going to want to chase. I didn’t think I would like the Ogerpon cards, but here I am, wanting them all. Players are going to need some of these new cards for this shifting meta, and collectors are going to want some of the beautiful art included in this set. Whatever your stake in the hobby is, you’re going to want to get yourself some Twilight Masquerade.
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If you’re looking to learn to play or teach someone to play the Pokemon Trading Card Game, the Battle Academy is a fantastic starting point. Keep in mind that this product was designed for kids and includes a more streamlined and stripped-down version of what you see in competitive play. If you’re trying to get into the competitive play, playing on PTCL for the automation and picking up the deck you want to take to locals is where you want to start. If you’re trying to onboard your kids or someone who doesn’t do much TCG, the Battle Academy sets are a fantastic product for you.
What’s in the Box?
Pokemon Battle Academy kits come with everything you need to get you started with the TCG. I know the 2024 version is coming June 24, but the 2022 is good enough and its cheap! The box includes:
3 60-card decks (Cinderace V, Eevee V, and Pikachu V)
2 player gameboard
3 Tutorial Guides
Coin
Cardboard damage counters
Quality
The quality is fantastic. The cards are printed nicely, with very cute foil mascots for each deck. The gameboard is easy to read, feels sturdy, and is easy to fold. I love the game board. It makes this kit feel like a board game you want to pull out when you want to play an even match of Pokemon TCG. The guides are easy to read and follow and are very handy if you don’t know how to play the game. We didn’t use them when we played, but I’ll explain in the review section below.
The damage counters the kit are fine, but I prefer using dice. I feel like the cardboard cutouts are unnecessarily messy, and don’t look as nice. I swapped mine out for dice.
The kit comes neatly packed in a plastic insert with sections big enough to store all the materials. My complaint is that it only fits the unsleeved decks. Sleeved decks will spill out of their compartments and get mixed up in transit. The product wasn’t made with crazy people like me who sleeve everything, so it’s not a huge deal. The decks do come numbered so if they get mixed up, you can put them back in order before the next lesson. Overall, I am happy with the presentation and it looks great on the shelf.
The Teaching Experience
I used the Battle Academy to teach my ten-year-old cousin who collects Pokemon cards how to play the card game. He’s never played a trading card game, and I have more years of experience than I would like to admit. We didn’t use the guides, although he did flip through to look at the pictures. Instead, we set up and started taking our turns. We played our first game with our hands showing as I walked him through the phases and rules. I recommend the decks in order for this first game because it makes teaching easier.
On my turn, I would show him my cards, and explain what I was doing, and why. On his turn, I would let him make his turn, and assist if there were things he missed or didn’t understand. I would occasionally explain strategies that didn’t seem obvious. He picked up the rules pretty quickly. By the end of the first game, he was ready to play on his own.
The second game we played with our hands concealed and I would only chime in when needed. Aside from a few missed phases, towards the beginning, he didn’t need much guidance. He won his second game, and he was hooked. He even asked me if I had different decks, which I definitely do.
Review
The Pokemon Battle Academy is the product you get if you want to teach someone who has never played a card game into the hobby. The gameplay is streamlined enough to make teaching and learning easy, but not so easy that it isn’t engaging. While it won’t get you ready to win the next regionals, it will build that solid foundation every good trainer needs.
The key thing to consider before making this purchase is skill level. As previously stated, trainers who want to take on the hobby seriously have better avenues, especially when considering that the cards included in the Battle Academy aren’t standard legal. They have special stamps and numbers to indicate this. On the other hand, if you’re casually trying to onboard a friend or get your kids interested in the TCG, this is great.
The decks themselves are pretty balanced and easy to learn. I do feel like the Eevee deck is a little easier, but not enough to make a difference. The decks will lack the consistency, power, and speed of the meta decks, but they are fun casual decks. Once you grasp the fundamentals and figure out you like the game, you can start buying into the archetype you want to play. Pokemon meta decks are pretty cheap, but you can always proxy if your funds are limited.
I love this product. It is a great way to teach your reading-aged kids or anyone casually looking into the card game. You won’t be ready for the current meta, but you’ll have fun learning the fundamentals. If you have kids on the younger side, the best place to start is with the My First Battle product. Check out my full review.
You can pick up the 2022 Battle Academy on TCG Player for $14 using my affiliate link. Be sure to read the description carefully! Some people are only selling the individual decks and not the whole kit. You can also wait for the 2024 Battle Academy to launch on June 24 if you want a kit with more modern mechanics. I don’t think it matters if you’re just using this product to play casually, but that is totally up to you.
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