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Archade
(Pathfinder Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Roleplaying Game, Campaign Setting, Companion Subscriber)
Hi all,
I'm tempted to pick up the item packs, and I have some questions ... hopefully someone with some physical exposure to these cards can help me.
What quality is the cardstock? What size are the cards?
My group made some home-brewed cards (we made specialized cards to specific items with cut & paste from the SRD). We used do-it-yourself business card sheets. By 10th level we were using *a lot* of cards, as the cleric had 20 scrolls, 10 potions, etc. What are other people's experiences with item cards?
I can understand the random packs, but I notice that the boosters cost more "per card" than the Item Pack 1 Set. Is there a reason for this? From a cost perspective, it tells me I should just buy multiple copies of Item Pack 1. What difference are the subsequent item packs from Item Pack 1?
Thanks guys!
Hi all,
I'm tempted to pick up the item packs, and I have some questions ... hopefully someone with some physical exposure to these cards can help me.
What quality is the cardstock? What size are the cards?
My group made some home-brewed cards (we made specialized cards to specific items with cut & paste from the SRD). We used do-it-yourself business card sheets. By 10th level we were using *a lot* of cards, as the cleric had 20 scrolls, 10 potions, etc. What are other people's experiences with item cards?
I can understand the random packs, but I notice that the boosters cost more "per card" than the Item Pack 1 Set. Is there a reason for this? From a cost perspective, it tells me I should just buy multiple copies of Item Pack 1. What difference are the subsequent item packs from Item Pack 1?
Thanks guys!
Hi There,
The cardstock and size of these is comparable to any trading card game on the market today, meaning that they can be easily stored in the 9 pocket sleeves and kept with character sheets for easy reference.
I've personally used item cards in my game for quite some time, using index cards. The biggest problem I have had is that they were not very exciting and were a bit of a pain to sort out and store with the characters.
The first deck only has a limited number of potions and scrolls and other common items, meaning that once you run out, you would need to buy a new deck to get more, and they all look the same. The boosters break that up a bit, by giving out a large number of potions and scrolls (you should get about 3 total in each booster) meaning that you can just buy what you need for that one session without getting swamped with another entire set of the weapons, armor and other cards that you need less of. I hope that helps..
Jason Bulmahn
Archade
(Pathfinder Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Roleplaying Game, Campaign Setting, Companion Subscriber)
Well, I´ll quite probably buy at least Pack 1. For the boosters, I´ll have to see. Thanks for the answers, anyway.
Next question: What kind of surface do the cards have ? Could you write on the backside with water-soluble markers ? Or would it be better to use pencils ?
Stefan
We had them made specifically so you could write on them in pencil, but I have get to get our office copies. Once I do, I will immediately start writing on them with all manner of implements to see what works best.
But the box on the back of the cards is definitely "knocked out" on the gloss run, so it's not waxy and smooth like the rest of the card.
As far as thickness and whatnot, it'll be the same as a standard playing card or Magic: the Gathering card.
--Erik
We had them made specifically so you could write on them in pencil, but I have get to get our office copies. Once I do, I will immediately start writing on them with all manner of implements to see what works best.But the box on the back of the cards is definitely "knocked out" on the gloss run, so it's not waxy and smooth like the rest of the card.
As far as thickness and whatnot, it'll be the same as a standard playing card or Magic: the Gathering card.
--Erik
Thanks again for the answers and for the trouble you are willing to go through to answer them. You are really spoiling us :-))
Stefan
We had them made specifically so you could write on them in pencil, but I have get to get our office copies. Once I do, I will immediately start writing on them with all manner of implements to see what works best.
But the box on the back of the cards is definitely "knocked out" on the gloss run, so it's not waxy and smooth like the rest of the card.
--Erik
I have the Item Pack I, and have preordered three booster packs. I have noticed the patch of non-waxy surface designed to be written on on the back of the card, but was wondering if you (Erik) or anyone else has experimented with different pens so that I don't have to mess up my own cards to find out what works best.
Thanks! I wish GameMastery would produce these a lot faster!
I have the Item Pack I, and have preordered three booster packs. I have noticed the patch of non-waxy surface designed to be written on on the back of the card, but was wondering if you (Erik) or anyone else has experimented with different pens so that I don't have to mess up my own cards to find out what works best.
Thanks! I wish GameMastery would produce these a lot faster!
I've been using fine-point Sharpie pen on mine, but #2 lead in mechanical pencils appears to work just fine as well.
The best part was sorting out my inventory of magic items in Erik's Age of Worms game into Item Cards, prompting everyone at the table to accuse me of hoarding the party's magic items.
Which I denied, categorically.
I checked at my FLGS and they didn't carry these, so I ordered a set to check them out. I assume these will fit standard sized card sleeve (like MTG card sleeves?) If so, that solves my problem as I will just write in permanent marker on sleeves.
They do fit in standard card sleeves. The preference around the office is to use the nine pocket sleeves along with a large sheet to hold your character... all in one binder. At least.. that is the plan.
Jason Bulmahn
Item Card Guru
Managing Editor of Dragon
So if I understand this correctly, the cards contain a non glossy section on the back where you can write stuff down specific to the item being handed out. Assuming I write in pencil, these notes can then be erased and new information entered. I also assume this is not true if you use some kind of permenant marker to write in this area.
Interesting concept. I've had these cards in my hand several times, and once carried them almost halfway to the checkout counter. But then I keep weighing them against the lightness of my wallet, and walk out empty handed.
I appreciate this thread. It's helped me decide to pick up a pack just for fun. We'll see . . .
So if I understand this correctly, the cards contain a non glossy section on the back where you can write stuff down specific to the item being handed out. Assuming I write in pencil, these notes can then be erased and new information entered. I also assume this is not true if you use some kind of permenant marker to write in this area.
You are correct.
Pencil works just fine and can be erased.
Ball Point Pen works but cannot be erased.
Sharpie works but cannot be erased.
Non-ball point pens tend to put down too much ink which cannot be absorbed by the card and unless allowed to dry, it can smear, and of course, cannot be erased.
Hope that helps you make that trip to the checkout.
Jason Bulmahn
Item Pack Guru
Thanks Jason. I am considering picking up a pack to help keep track of all the stuff in the Shackled City campaign I'm currently running. What would be cool is if there was a pack specific to that campaign setting. But then, you'd be doing all the work.
Anyway, keep up the great work.
I received mine the other day. They look very nice, and fit perfectly in those card sleeves (which in turn can be written upon in permanent markers). It remains to be seen by my eyes how well this will work out in gameplay (work versus reward) but I don't think it much different than certs currently used in play.
Can we expect to see more mundane items in future sets. For example things like: rope, torch, steel mirror, lock picks, healers kit, grappling hook, food rations, water jug, bottle, flask, etc.
Also, how about living "items" like cat, snake, wolf, or horse that could be used to represent familiars or animal companions.
The first deck only has a limited number of potions and scrolls and other common items, meaning that once you run out, you would need to buy a new deck to get more, and they all look the same. The boosters break that up a bit, by giving out a large number of potions and scrolls (you should get about 3 total in each booster) meaning that you can just buy what you need for that one session without getting swamped with another entire set of the weapons, armor and other cards that you need less of. I hope that helps..
Jason Bulmahn
I have one problem with this model. It assumes that cards for consumable magic items such as potions, scrolls, etc. would be thrown away instead of reused. This means that when I really need a specific weapon, which is technically rare based on the distrubition ratio of various weapons to other items, I'll end up with huge piles of the reusable cards for consumable items especially since there are only two card slots for the 23 weapons in Item Pack 2.
With that in mind, I strongly encourage the idea of producing weapon/armor packs specifically for DMs to acquire the varied weapons they might need without building up and excessive stock pile of potions.
One more thing: Do you plan to have cards for rapiers, scimitars, and other weapons?
Do you plan to have cards for rapiers, scimitars, and other weapons?
Relics of War will include both of those—check out the card list.
-Vic.
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