Chief Technical Officer
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I don't care how generic they are, I won't buy something if I don't know what's in the box. That stopped being fun when I was 10.
As Mama Gump might say, Item Cards are like a box of chocolates. You buy an assortment, you get a variety of treats. Some are fruit-filled, some are caramels. It's not important that you get an orange cream in every box, is it? If it is, you're right—you shouldn't be buying assorted chocolates.
But that's not the point here. The point is not to get all the stuff—or even specific stuff. The point of the booster format is to get you more stuff—some stuff that's immediately and obviously useful, and some stuff that's a little unusual. Trust me—try using the contents of one pack as the players' potential haul from a game session evening. Will your players be happy with what they find? I think so....
-Vic.
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Chief Technical Officer
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I'd be far more interested in this product if it were a 'basic set' of a couple different cards of each type, and then 'booster' packs by category -- 'Weapons', 'Potions', 'Armor', 'Wondrous Items', etc.
The problem with that concept is that managing so many SKUs is an unattractive prospect for the average retailer. The booster pack is about as close as we can get to that on the retail distribution level. But it sounds like you might be pleased with what we hope to offer here at paizo.com....
-Vic.
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After reading many threads, and all of this one, I realize that this is probably the best scenario for everyone. I own the Item Pack I, and love it, and have already used it the last two gaming sessions!
While the nice folks at Paizo may not want to say it, we all know that the bottom line is that they are a business and they want to make a profit off of this venture. The success of this marketing formula is proven, and Paizo knows that booster packs of random cards will sell more than booster packs of predesigned sets.
I'm actually one of the folks that would prefer to purchase sets of potions, sets of armor, sets of scrolls, etc. so that I know what I'm getting without getting duplicate artwork. However, I can deal with having several potion cards that carry the same artwork.
I think the prices are fair (but don't go any higher!) and the quality is very good. I will buy plenty of these cards, and even if I don't use them all the time, it's an idea I want to support, and is long overdue in the gaming community. My family and I actually toyed with the idea of trying to start a series of cards like this (including more mundane objects like non-magical gear) many years ago.
Maybe future Item Decks will include everyday adventuring objects so that entire inventories can be in cards, not just magical! We'll see...
BTW thank you Paizo for responding to these queries on the boards, even from those who are not happy about aspects of the product.
OK I received my Item pack the other day and they are completely different than what I expected, in a very very very good way. I was expecting something like the old 2nd Ed box of magic items which had the information on the item all printed out on the back. Having the picture on the front with the blank space on the back that you can write whatever you want in is excellent. The art is good, not great, but good, the card stock is perfect, not too thick, not too thin.
When I first heard collectable cards, I have to admit I was dead set against them. But I bought the first pack and that opinion has changed. I'd like to change my official opinion on these to EXCELLENT.
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Director of Games
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OK I received my Item pack the other day and they are completely different than what I expected, in a very very very good way. I was expecting something like the old 2nd Ed box of magic items which had the information on the item all printed out on the back. Having the picture on the front with the blank space on the back that you can write whatever you want in is excellent. The art is good, not great, but good, the card stock is perfect, not too thick, not too thin.
When I first heard collectable cards, I have to admit I was dead set against them. But I bought the first pack and that opinion has changed. I'd like to change my official opinion on these to EXCELLENT.
I am very glad to hear it. We showed the cards around at Origins and got pretty much the same reaction. The first booster set comes out shortly and we are hoping that you will give that one a try as well.
Jason Bulmahn
Item Pack Developer
I heard that during the height of the gaming craze (early 80's) that many police officers were trained to pick up on D&D hints regarding a suspect because it may mean that they were unstable and more prone to violence - but that was a rumor as far as I know.
I seem to remember that there once was a group called MAD&D (Yep, Mothers Against D&D). It seems to be defunct now, I could not find any reference to it on the Internet. Anyone else old enough to confirm or debunk its existance?
I think you two are referring to the efforts of one Patricia Pulling and her organization BADD (Bothered About D&D). You can find a very well written treatise outlining and rebutting her ideas and methods here:
I got the original card set and loved it. I always thought the idea was a no-brainer (much like those old TSR Wizard and Priest spell cards) and was long overdue.
That said, I'm totally bummed that the further releases are in a CCG format. Oh, I'll buy a few packs...but I just don't want to go hunting through pack after pack to get one of each. At minimum, I just like one of each. If I really dug certain cards or needed more for a campaign, I'd buy more than one complete set (like I did the first set).
It's a shame you don't offer a complete set along with the packs. Course, by doing this...you miss out on the revenue from those of who don't mind buying a whole lot of packs and what not.
Yeah, yeah...I realize that I don't "need" a whole set. I just preferred buying them one deck at a time, like in your initial release. Count me in the I care about "visual variety" camp and liked buying the whole set without any extra fuss. Alas, this is no longer how the product is being sold.
Either way, I liked the original set to still want to pick up a a few packs (shame they don't come with a stick of gum). I doubt I'll feel any different after I buy a couple of packs. But if I do, I promise to chime in with a "Yes, I have seen the light" post back in here. Luckily, I'm sure somebody will be selling complete sets via ebay. So it shouldn't be impossible for those of us wanting a complete set.
Just wanted to chime in with my two copper pieces. :)
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Director of Games
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When I heard the term "Booster", I was somewhat disappointed. After spending some time with Item Pack 1, I went ahead and order a box of boosters for Item Pack 2.
This is a very typical response. I find that when most realize that you do not need every card to use them, and that at the end of the day, one wand is as good as another, most become much more accepting of the option. That said, we are considering some options for those who prefer decks. It is still to early to say, but there are some ideas floating around.
Nonetheless, Hero's Hoard looks really great and I can't wait to get my hands on them.
Jason Bulmahn
Item Pack Guru
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I'd be far more interested in this product if it were a 'basic set' of a couple different cards of each type, and then 'booster' packs by category -- 'Weapons', 'Potions', 'Armor', 'Wondrous Items', etc.The problem with that concept is that managing so many SKUs is an unattractive prospect for the average retailer. The booster pack is about as close as we can get to that on the retail distribution level. But it sounds like you might be pleased with what we hope to offer here at paizo.com....
-Vic.
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I hate resurrecting an old forum but I knew I saw this argument before that was mentioned for the new miniature line.
I was searching the site for card sleeves for A Game of Thrones LCG and then binders is how I ended up here.
It is good to know that the stores are accepting the numerous SKU's though. I love the packs of Game Mastery Cards. In fact currently going through all of mine which is one of the reason looking for the Card Sleeves.
Sean
EDIT: Also noticed this later talking about the cards being equal in distribution.
In theory. I purchased a TON of these booster packs (before the cheap preice and after the cheap price) and there are certain cards that are hard to come by. If you look on the trading post for these two now defunct product lines people are generally asking for the same cards. Which is unfortunate.
Perhaps I just didn't purchase enough. Relics of War was really bad in this regard.