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So I'm almost completely sold on these Item Packs, but I have one issue with them: the descriptions. I'd rather they didn't have descriptive text and I'd rather the items didn't have any significant symbols such as leaves on them (looking at the previews). Is there a possibility for a version of these cards that isn't so detailed? Additionally, if they lacked detail, they could be used for mundane items as well without drawng special attention to them.
Speaking of mundane items, how about a tools item pack. It could have things like rope, crowbars, shovels, etc. Cards such as these could help players understand how much junk they are actually carrying instead of acting like they're Captain Caveman. :P
We have also found that you can cover up most of the backs of the cards with a sticker if you so desire. The text on the back is really nothing more than a description of the art and has nothing to do with the cards abilities or function.
As for the design of the art. We will continue to put out more longswords, breastplates, etc with differenct designs and I hope that some of the future ones will be more to your liking. I personally prefer the artistic touch that Vincent gives the pieces and it allows to build in a bit of story to what might otherwise be a plain piece of armor.
Lastly, as for the more mundane items. We do plan to start putting some of those in future sets, not in great quantities, but expect to see them show up.
Jason Bulmahn
Item Card Guru
OK, so I'm even closer still to ordering them (they're in my shopping cart), but I have one problem: trying to convince my players they they are useful.
I showed the Item Pack I product page to my players the other night, and they reacted somewhat indifferently. I conveyed my concern that I've noticed their tendancy to lose track of items and that these cards could be very helpful in keeping track of who has what. Reactions included, "Well now we'd have to keep track of these cards and they can become rather numerous," or "We do fine with tracking items by making a list."
Literally two minutes later, someone was asking "What did we do with this item?"
I also mentioned that if they were to fight 20 gnoll 1st-level warriors, I wouldn't give them 20 cards for armor and weapons but just once card for each and mark "x20" on it.
Anyway, in the end, they seemed indifferent, but I don't think they quite understood how useful these can be. Has anyone else had uncertainty from players in regard to using these items?
OK, I went for it. I ordered Pack 1 and 2 (1 of each). I hope after spending $21 (Paizo really needs to work on their shipping and handling fees), my players appreciate these things. If they do, it'll be much more affordable since the local FLGS will start selling them sometime next week, and I can just buy a couple packs here and there without paying $8 in S&H. (That's 2 booster packs, Paizo!)
I'll be sure to post again to report our group's opinions on them.
By the way, I'm curious what coding schemas some of you might be using in the code field. I use published adventures and was thinking of using the initials of the adventure's title and a page number reference. For example, Shadows of the Last War would be "SotLW##" or something including a room number.
Paizo really needs to work on their shipping and handling fees.
We charged you $7.94 for shipping and handling. $7.38 of that is what UPS charged us to ship it. Our $.56 handling charge probably didn't even cover the cost of the box we shipped it in.
The only way we could drop that price would be to have warehouses scattered across the country so we could ship from somewhere closer to you, and we're just not that big... yet.
-Vic.
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The only way we could drop that price would be to have warehouses scattered across the country so we could ship from somewhere closer to you, and we're just not that big... yet.
Meh. It's not like you guys held a gun to myhead. I was just impatient. Once the FLGS starts to carry them next week, it'll be a different story. ;)