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Grand Archive TCG, Uncategorized

Exciting Updates for Grand Archive Fans in 2026

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Introduction

Weebs of the Shore made a few announcements over the weekend that should get fans, new and old, excited for the future of the game. If you’re looking for Grand Archive product, always support your LGS, but if you pick up product on TCG Player using my affiliate link, it really helps me out. You can also check out my newest sponsor NordVPN if you’re looking for the service.

Competitive Schedule

With 2025 worlds behind us, it is time to start grinding for 2026. Next year worlds will be in Singapore, so make sure you start planning your Acents. There are a few new countries on the list which means the game is growing and I am here for it. We also got a couple sets teased, Phantom Monarchs in December and a capstone set in March. A capstone set is meant to celebrate the entire history of Grand Archive so far, and I am very excited to see what this means. I am going to be so broke…

Revel Fest Promo

If you haven’t played all season, now is a fantastic time to hop in and grind a few events for that sweet sweet promo. Abyssal Heaven’s promo is Fire Resonance Bauble, and this card looks so good. Good luck!

Store Champ Promo

It is also time to get good to get a copy of that store champ promo. The promo for Distorted Reflections and Surviel the Winds and this is peak GA design.

Regional Top Qualifier Promo

If you needed a reason to grind out the competitive then you got it with the Distorted Reflections promo, Smoke Bombs. This art looks so good!

Ascent Top Qualifier Promo

It is really the best time to get good at this game. This card is not only a solid add to your deck, you know its going to look amazing in real life.

Sandbox Announced

Getting good is going to require a lot of practice, more than you can get at locals. Luckily, Weebs of the Shore is working on a Sandbox that will allow players a clean and hopefully automated way to play Grand Archive from the comfort of their home. I can only hope this lets me enjoy random matches, and I would appreciate a ranked mode. Not much is known yet. I assume it will be PC at launch based on the UI, but if these leads to an a phone app, Weebs of the Shore is about to take all my money.

Pantheon

Now if you don’t want to play competitively, or just want a break, Weebs of the Shore is cooking up a new casual format Pantheon. Will it be a singleton format like commander? A multiplayer game mode? PVE? Pauper? Personally, I think it will be something like commander based on the name, but we will have to wait and see.

Phantom Monarchs

Last but not least, Phantom Monarchs is dropping in December. We weren’t giving much other than a name, but we can assume it is an expansion set based on the release schedule we’ve gotten so far. Either way, I am always excited to see more grand archive.

Grand Archive TCG

Grand Archive TCG: All Distorted Reflection Spoilers so Far

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UPDATE: The complete card list has been revealed on the official Grand Archive Site

We are officially in Distorted Reflections spoiler season! This is a very good looking set and I can’t wait to see what is in store. As always, I will be collecting all spoilers in one convenient space, updated daily at the end of my day, pacific standard time.

Distorted Reflections comes out on July 25, so make sure you put in preorders if you still can. Always support your LGS, but you can always help me out and buy from TCG Player through my affiliate links. You can also support me by signing up with my newest sponsor, NordVPN (if you happen to need the service).

The Official Trailer

Spoilers

Grand Archive TCG

The Start of Distorted Reflection Spoiler Season

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Intro

We are officially in Distorted Reflection spoiler season, and this set looks so good! The mechanics look sound, but as a collector, I am a huge fan of the style and world building. I will be following and collection spoilers as they release, so stay tuned for that!

The set comes out on July 25, so make sure you put in preorders if you still can. Always support your LGS, but you can always help me out and buy from TCG Player through my affiliate links. You can also support me by signing up with my newest sponsor, NordVPN (if you happen to need the service). Without further ado, here are the spoilers:

Spoilers

Grand Archive TCG

Grand Archive TCG: Ciel, Mirage’s Grave Starter Deck List

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With Distorted Reflection just around the corner, lets check out the starter decks. Let’s take a look at our boy, Ciel, Mirage’s Grave, the Fire/Umbra Guardian deck! The deck releases on July 25th with an MSRP of $14.99. Make sure you always support your LGS, but you can always grab your Ciel, Mirage’s Grave Starter Deck on TCG Player through my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do.

The List

Material Deck
Spirit of Fire x 1
Ciel, Loyal Valet x 1
Ciel, Omenbringer x 1
Ciel, Mirage’s Grave x 1
Bauble of Abundance x 1
Grande Aiguille x 1
Bulwark Sword x 1
Leporine Masque x 1
Life Essence Amulet x 1
Tariff Ring x 1
Manxome Armoire x 1
Grande Sonnerie

Main Deck
Coy Bauclier x 3
Sablier Guard x 3
Stalwart Shielmate x 4
Vigil Rampart x 3
Whimsy’s Warden x 4
Conflagrant Sentinel x 4
Torch Marshal x 3
Heavy Swing x 4
Lamentation’s Toll x 2
Flamme Sorcel x 4
Tempered Steel x 3
Idle Thoughts x 4
Martial Guard x 2
Overpowering Defense x 2
Ombreux Chavalier x 4
Sinistre Stab x 3
Umbra Sight x 3
Reverse Affliction x 2
Nocturne’s Oblivion x 2
Devotion’s Price x 1

Visual Deck List

Main Deck

Main Deck

Grand Archive TCG

Grand Archive TCG: Diana, Moonpiercer Starter Deck List

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Intro

With Distorted Reflection just around the corner, lets check out the starter decks. First up is Diana, Moonpiercer, the Water/Astra Ranger deck! The deck releases on July 25th with an MSRP of $14.99. Make sure you always support your LGS, but you can always grab your Diana, Moonpiercer Starter Deck on TCG Player through my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do.

The List

Material Deck
Spirit of Water x 1
Diana, Aether Dilettante x 1
Diana, Judgment’s Arrow x 1
Diana, Moon Piercer x 1
Bauble of Abundance x 1
Foresight Lens x 1
Ranger Boots x 1
Refluxal Ribbon x 1
Seeker’s Aetherwing x 1
Tariff Ring x 1
Aquamirage Whisper x 1
Pleiades, Celestial Genesis x 1

Main Deck
Aetheric Calibration x 4
Backstep x 4
Charge the Soul x 4
Idle Thoughts x 3
Prudent Nock x 4
Reposition x 4
Stalwart Shieldmate x 4
Corsair Captain x 3
Dissuading Aether x 4
Drown in Aether x 4
Undercurrent Vantage x 3
Astra Sight x 3
Constellation’s Blessing x 4
Guided Starlight x 2
Meteoric Volley x 2
Poised Occlusion x3
Sidereal Spellshot x 3
Starbirth x 2

Visual Deck List

Material Deck

Main Deck

video game reviews

Emotional Journey through Puzzles in After Light Fades

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of After the Light Fades 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.

Shameless Self-Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do. If you’re looking for a VPN for some added protection, check out NordVPN through my affiliate link.

What is After Light Fades?

After Light Fades is a sokuban-style puzzle adventure out now on Steam.

After the loss of her partner, Alice must travel through a magical land, collecting memories and learning to let them go. Alice must go back to the places she shared with her partner Aura as she works through her grief with the help of magical artifacts. What she will uncover along the way? Will she be able to let things go?

Gameplay

After Light Fades is a top down puzzle game where players must interact with the parts of the map to find a path forward. There are over 100 puzzles to solve, each guiding the player through an emotional narrative of grief. The game also have a level creator for those who are feeling creative.

Review

After Light Fades is a hardcore puzzle game that will test a players patience and challenge their problem solving skills. Puzzles are creative, and they get challenging once it teachers its players the core mechanics. A guide might be needed in a few places, but it is satisfying to beat the harder levels. I appreciate how creative the game gets with its mechanics and solutions.

One aspect I didn’t like is that the interactions can bug out. Sometimes, you will move a piece on accident because of how interactions work. It isn’t a deal breaker, but it does lead to some frustrations. Other than that, the game is solid, if you’re looking for a puzzle game. It definitely does feel a little more niche side of puzzle games, but it has a decent story with some interesting puzzles.

If you enjoy Sokuban puzzle games and want a challenge, After Light Fades is for you. If you don’t want to think too much, this game closes its chill pretty early on. I thought it was fine, but I’d recommend checking out the demo before making the decision. The niceness of it all makes it hard to recommend.

You can pick up After Light Fades on steam for $14.99.

video game reviews

Ruffy and the Riverside: A Whimsical Adventure Game Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Ruffy and the Riverside to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self-Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do. If you’re looking for a VPN for some added protection, check out NordVPN through my affiliate link.

What is Ruffy and the Riverside?

Ruffy and the Riverside is a quirky 3D adventure game out now for Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

An ancient evil has reawaken, hungry to reclaim this world as its own. Its power has corrupted the land, caused wide spread destruction, and damaged the world core. It is up to Ruffy and his special powers to travel across the whimsical world of Riverside, and restore the peace it once knew. Using the powers to change the world around you, solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and repair the world core. Do you have what it takes to restore this world’s peace?

Gameplay

Ruffy and the Riverside is a 3D adventure game with a unique gimmick. Ruffy has the power to change the world around him in a way that helps him move through the world by copying elements and pasting them elsewhere. For example, he can copy a piece of ice to freeze a lake so he can walk across, or turn a stone pillar into wood to create a bridge. The game gets extremely creative with this mechanics, and it is one of those things you need to experience first hand to appreciate. The game is filled with collectibles, puzzles, riddles, and enough platforming to keep its player base busy.

Review

I have been excited about Ruffy and the Riverside since I first saw the trailer. It looked like a cute platforming adventure, and I was not disappointed. I did try the demo out as soon as it went public, and I recommend you check that out if you’re somehow still on the fence. The demo provides the perfect snapshot of what to expect, and full game only gets better.

First off, this game has a fantastic art style. I love the 2D figures moving through a fun 3D world. The world is chaotic, with lots of wacky details to build its whimsy. I had so much fun exploring the world, that I kept forgetting to play through the main quest. There is so much to see, and even more to collect which is fantastic for those who value good world building in their video games. There is also a fun soundtrack to keep things light which is always appreciated.

The story itself is cute. I enjoyed the humor and quirks, and it honestly kept my attention. Despite being constantly distracted by the world, I did genuinely want to know what happened next. It definitely is a silly story that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it is all part of the whimsy.

The gameplay is the reason to get this game. If you enjoyed Spyro or Banjo Kazooie, Ruffy and The Riverside should be in your library. The game has a fantastic gimmick, with fun creative puzzles to make full use of it. The puzzles in this game are challenging. I almost broke and looked up solutions, but it was much more satisfying to solve it on my own. While the game does shower the players with achievements, nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment when you figure out one of the challenging puzzles. Best of all, it runs great on the Steam Deck.

This game is easily one of my favorites from this year. The game is fun, the concept is interesting, and the aesthetic is cute. If you’re looking for a new game, you can’t do better than Ruffy and the Riverside. Go get it now.

You can pick up Ruffy and the Riverside on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

video game reviews

Yosei Wars Review: A Cute Retro Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Yosei Wars 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.

Shameless Self-Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do.

What is Yosei Wars?

Yosei Wars is a retro inspired arcade platformer out now on Steam.

The evil Junk Food army has invaded, taking the Tooth Faries Hostage and threatening tooth health. It is up to you to jump through its colorful world, fight off the many Junk Food monsters, and save any Fairy in your way. Do you have what it takes to be be the champion of good dental hygiene, or will this world rot away like an untreated cavity?

Gameplay

This is a very straightforward 2D platformer with some clear inspiration to its retro predecessors. Players will jump through colorful thematic levels collecting teeth, fighting monsters, and rescuing faries. There are 36 levels total with 6 unique bosses to overcome, and a fun little story to tie things together.

Review

Yosei Wars is an adorable nod to a classic era of gaming that I didn’t know I was missing. This game is cute, simple, relaxing, but offers enough of a challenge to keep things engaging. I love the colorful retro aesthetic, and the fantastic score that accompanies it. I would check this out if you’re looking for a cute and dose of nostalgia, I don’t think it gets better.

I’ve never been a fan of these types of platformers, but something about Yosie Wars kept me playing. Part of the draw was the retro colorful world, but the rest was the gameplay. The platforming is managable, the ramp in difficulty is fine (and the game does get hard), and the bosses are creative. My only complaint is that I could not get it to work on the Steam Deck. The game feels good on a desktop, but I would have preferred to play it on handheld. Maybe with enough attention, we’ll get that update.

Aside from that personal gripe, this is a solid game if you’re looking for something cozy, cute, and casual. Especially if you’re in the mood for something a little retro. You’ll definitely get $5 worth of fun out of this game.

You can pick up Yosei Wars on Steam for $4.99.

Tech Reviews

Is the Epomaker Aula F65 Pro Worth It?

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the the Epomaker x Aula F65 Pro 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. Make sure you also check out my latest reviews for the Blade 101 and M75. I will be using affiliate links where possible. You are free to buy where ever you want, but it really helps me out if you use my links.

What’s in the box?

  • Aula F65 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • 2 Additional Switches
  • User Manual

Features

The Epomaker x Aula Mechanical keyboard is a 65% keyboard with unique flare. It comes in Black Contour and Gradient Gray, and both truly pop with their RBG lighting effect. I was sent the black, and the little wave design looks a lot cooler in person.

The F65 features 65 hotswappable keys and a dial for volume and media controls. 65% can handle most workloads, but there are preprogrammed short cuts for some added utility. The 4000mAh gives users full advantage of the lightning-fast wireless connections. With 1000 HZ polling, the keyboard promises a competitive edge against other keyboards in the price range.

Sound Test

Review

The F65 Pro is a very cool looking keyboard out of the box. The sleek and unique design will make it stand out on any desktop, and the RBG effects will help it pop. The keyboard is a great size for those who care about desktop space, and light for those who need something that travels. While the keyboard is well manufactured, it does feel and sound like a cheep plastic keyboard. The board also has a good amount of flex. Not enough to worry about, but I wouldn’t throw this around in a bag without at least a bit of protection.

As far as sounds go, this thing is loud. You are either going to love the sound, or hate how cheap and loud it is. I was not a fan and recommend you listen to the sound test before making your decision. I will say the typing experience is a lot more pleasant than I expected. The keys were soft to the touch and I never felt pain or fatigue from any of my sessions. It is a surprisingly comfortable keyboard with a decent typing angle.

The keyboard also has a solid battery life. I was getting about 8 hours with the RGB effect on, which is more than enough for most work flows. As for the performance, I think mine came defective. Pressing the space bar would randomly register the imputs twice. At random intervals, I was getting two spaces and it made typing any thing longer than a sentence annoying. Switching out the switch seems to have fixed the issue for now. Replacing the switch was easy enough with the included replacement and tool, but I shouldn’t have to do so when the keyboard is brand new.

The keyboard is not bad for the price point. I’ve definitely tried worse, but the fact that it came defective makes it a gamble. I can’t recommend it because for the hassle of replacing the defect, you can pick up a better keyboard. This seems like there were corners cut to make a cool looking keyboard at a budget, and I can’t sacrifice aesthetics for performance.

If you want to take the gamble, you can pick up the Epomaker x Aula F65 Pro from Amazon, or the official Mechlands store.

video game reviews

Is Scar-Lead Salvation Worth Your Time?

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Scar-Lead Salvation 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 reivew.

Shameless Self-Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do.

What is Scar-Lead Salvation?

Scar-Led Salvation is a 3D third-person action shooter out now on Steam and PlayStation.

Willow wakes up in a strange robot testing facility without the memories of her identity. With the help of her advanced AI companion, she must make her way out of the facility, and maybe find out what is going on. But this won’t be an easy task. The facility is filled with robots ready to attack, and its hallways are a winding and confusing maze. Will Willow find out what happened to her, why she is here, and who she is?

Gameplay

Players control Willow as they fight their way through rooms of enemies. Combat is a pretty strait forward third person shooter. Players gear Willow with random weapons and abilities they find throughout a run. These weapons and abilities can be upgraded through out the level at upgrade stations. If Willow dies, she is reset at save point with only her basic weapons and abilities.

Review

Scar-Lead Salvation is a fun game, for the first few minutes of play. The game looks fine, combat feels good, and discovering the right weapon is exciting. Once the novelty of the game wears off, the game starts to feel repetitive.

One of the issues I have with the game is with the gearing system. Once you find a build you like, which happens early on in the game, there really is no reason to try anything new. Most of the drops become useless, and I started ignoring loot pretty early on in my playthrough. There really is no reason weapons should be drops since a lot of the time, they offer nothing new. In a looter shooter like Borderlands, even when a lot of the drops are useless, there is always a chance you get a weapon with a cool ability worth swapping into. Here you might find a gun with slightly better stats, but the difference it makes isn’t worth the time it takes to verify.

Combat in this game is smooth, but there really isn’t anything exciting to it. Enemies have the same patterns, and once you learn them, you aren’t dying. It gets very repetitive, especially since most of the rooms feel the same. I do like how that abilities charge by parrying successfully, but it doesn’t add too much depth to the game. The abilities don’t add much to the game either.

This is a game that does railroad its players through the story. There is no room for exploration because the rooms are bare and simple, and most of the loot you find is pointless. The story itself is fine. It has solid voice acting, but its not good enough to play through the game to find out what happens.

The game isn’t bad, but there also isn’t anything that leaves an impression. This is a game I will definitely forget playing, and one that I would have been mad if I paid full price for. It feels dated, and not in a good way. If you like the art style, I would wait for sale. If you are looking for a new game to play, I’d probably look elsewhere.

You can pick up Scar-Lead Salvation on Steam for $59.99.