Card Packaging

By PhoenixInferno, in Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game

I would much rather if they found a way to break this down into clan starters. It is much easier to get people into the game if you can just be like "you're a pony, buy a pony deck". Or perhaps just jump straight to the deluxe boxes, so you can buy clans two by two, rather than all 8, and have a neutral pack to bolster that with the fate cards for everyone.

Oi! The Spider are a clan to, you know! ;)

It would be nice, but FFG hasn't done any single faction specific sets. (CoC is the exception and thats because it's not doing so hot)

Edited by Robin Graves

I seriously don't want to see a return of "Oh, we will only order a new starter display after the 6 Spider Starter over there are sold."

Please just make one big box with all factions and a play-set of each card in it.

I would much rather if they found a way to break this down into clan starters. It is much easier to get people into the game if you can just be like "you're a pony, buy a pony deck". Or perhaps just jump straight to the deluxe boxes, so you can buy clans two by two, rather than all 8, and have a neutral pack to bolster that with the fate cards for everyone.

Ugh. No thanks. I guarantee buying clans a la carte would double the cost for a play set.

I think it's easier to get *completely* new players into LCGs by saying, "Here's a box! It has a complete game for up to 4 people!" (Or in a less ideal world, 2 people with lots of replayability.) The LCG world looks a lot more like the board game world than the CCG world.

Also, a big part of the reason the price point is as low as it is is because of economies of scale: FFG counts on selling the same box (to many players, multiple times), which makes it much cheaper to manufacture per unit than 4 different 2 clan starters, or whatever.

It would be nice, but FFG hasn't done any single faction specific sets. (CoC is the exception and thats because it's not doing so hot)

AGoT, 40K conquest have faction specific expansions. Netrunner and Star Wars have 2 factions in a box usually.

AGoT had 1 for each faction and 40K has a tyranid box.

It would be nice, but FFG hasn't done any single faction specific sets. (CoC is the exception and thats because it's not doing so hot)

AGoT, 40K conquest have faction specific expansions. Netrunner and Star Wars have 2 factions in a box usually.

AGoT had 1 for each faction and 40K has a tyranid box.

This is very different than multiple products at launch. You're talking expansions.

It would be nice, but FFG hasn't done any single faction specific sets. (CoC is the exception and thats because it's not doing so hot)

AGoT, 40K conquest have faction specific expansions. Netrunner and Star Wars have 2 factions in a box usually.

AGoT had 1 for each faction and 40K has a tyranid box.

Netrunner don't count since those are two factions per expansion. And I haven't played AGOT so i didn't know. You're right about the 'nids from 40C tough, slight oversight on my part.

But single faction sets at launch... haven't seen that yet. Not that I'd mind tough. They would almost be precon decks.

It would be nice, but FFG hasn't done any single faction specific sets. (CoC is the exception and thats because it's not doing so hot)

AGoT, 40K conquest have faction specific expansions. Netrunner and Star Wars have 2 factions in a box usually.

AGoT had 1 for each faction and 40K has a tyranid box.

I can't speak for A Game of Thrones, but none of those others are single-faction boxes. They always have material for all or almost all of the factions. The "tyranid box" (The Great Devourer) for example, has one Tyranid deck, and one deck to fight against the Tyranids, and specifically advertised how it contained cards to support every single faction. The Star Wars deluxe expansions are themed as faction X v. faction Y (e.g., Imperial Entanglements is Navy v. Smugs), but they also include cards for the other factions (again, specifically advertising this fact in the product description).

As a simple business proposition, it's just not a great idea to make expansions that part of your player base might not have any interest in buying.

I would pay more for full playsets. I don't know how competitive LCGs are packaged but IIRC, there weren't too many cards in the LotR Core Set that needed extras. Maybe another... 30 cards to make full sets? I don't see that as being a huge cost burden.

I understand that you long-time FFG'rs have had this discussion before, but isn't it worth reevaluating occasionally? (Or not - maybe it happens too often)

But all clans in 1 box - no more clan specific starters! I've already hoped for that possibility on the AEG forums.

I would pay more for full playsets. I don't know how competitive LCGs are packaged but IIRC, there weren't too many cards in the LotR Core Set that needed extras. Maybe another... 30 cards to make full sets? I don't see that as being a huge cost burden.

I understand that you long-time FFG'rs have had this discussion before, but isn't it worth reevaluating occasionally? (Or not - maybe it happens too often)

But all clans in 1 box - no more clan specific starters! I've already hoped for that possibility on the AEG forums.

Once you've had the conversation 4-5 times, with each new LCG release and FFG never doing it, it starts to dawn on you that it isn't going to happen. About the only thing that has changed is them slightly tweaking what is in the Core. It starts to become obvious that it isn't happening.

The core set discussion again...

Let's say a box comes with 240 cards.

Lets say 8 factions (7 clans plus neutral)

So 30 cards per clan on average plus plenty room for neutral cards.

Then in that you have these options:

30x1 cards per faction

10x1 10x2 per faction

10x3 per faction, ect

I would rather the approach that gives the larges possible card pool. I don't mind extra core sets to get complete playsets.

At the end of the day it beats chasing rares on ebay.

Edited by Internutt

The core set discussion again...

Let's say a box comes with 240 cards.

Lets say 8 factions (7 clans plus neutral)

So 30 cards per clan on average plus plenty room for neutral cards.

Then in that you have these options:

30x1 cards per faction

10x1 10x2 per faction

10x3 per faction, ect

I would rather the approach that gives the larges possible card pool. I don't mind extra core sets to get complete playsets.

At the end of the day it beats chasing rares on ebay.

But what's the added cost of filling out the playsets? If it costs like...$20 extra, then aren't I ahead in the long run? The question is who is deterred from buying a copy because of cost the cost of 1 box vs who is deterred from buying a copy because of the cost of 3 boxes?

Don't forget that 2 copies is a good middle ground. You'll likely have a few cards as 2x copies instead of 3x, but you'll have significant deck-building options.

The core set discussion again...

Let's say a box comes with 240 cards.

Lets say 8 factions (7 clans plus neutral)

So 30 cards per clan on average plus plenty room for neutral cards.

Then in that you have these options:

30x1 cards per faction

10x1 10x2 per faction

10x3 per faction, ect

I would rather the approach that gives the larges possible card pool. I don't mind extra core sets to get complete playsets.

At the end of the day it beats chasing rares on ebay.

But what's the added cost of filling out the playsets? If it costs like...$20 extra, then aren't I ahead in the long run? The question is who is deterred from buying a copy because of cost the cost of 1 box vs who is deterred from buying a copy because of the cost of 3 boxes?

I think when you weigh the cost of double or triple boxes giving playsets vs buying a starter and enough boosters (usually at least one box) per expansion and then possibly even hitting eBay for singles, it'll work out to be far more economical, even in the short term. If the retail price stays what's listed, you'll be able to hit the ground running for $120 and never feel like you are missing cards for any deck you might want to build.

I can't remember how many times I had a decent deck in L5R and then someone suggested changes that would make it better, and it was half a dozen different rares I didn't own. Or worse, when I paid for some singles online and then determined that they were much better in theory than in practice.

Really the only question is if the core set will have playsets of all the cards. The chapter packs will have play sets, as will any deluxe expansions if FFG's other LCG are used as a model, which is a rather good bet.

Can we have a game where I don't _need_ dozens of pieces of paraphernalia? Some stuff is nice to have, but please don't make it necessary to punch out sheets of tokens.

Tokens are the best part! (I'm only halfway joking.)

Tokens can do some great things that cards alone cannot. My favorite is how Star Wars uses focus tokens to show that a card has been "tapped." This allows things to get double- or triple-tapped -- or even more! It lets it do something other card games usually don't.

I thoroughly expect at least 4 different tokens -- 2 types of damage tokens and 2 other types of tokens.

Maybe two sided honor tokens. (honor on one side, dishonor on the other) Or they could go nuts and have tons of gold/koku tokens! Has anybody here played Tokaido? That game came with cardboard japanese coins that you had to punch out, and then punch out the little square in the middle. It looks nice, but good lord, that's a lot of work.

pic2003366_md.jpg

OMG! You do it as well. You have Koku as tokens. I use mine for practically everything. :lol:

Edited by OneThatFishes

On a side note, are all the cards for all their lcgs printed the same? I bought a pack of 40k conquest over the weekend for funsies and was dismayed at the cheap quality of the actual card stock. Felt more like a deck of playing cards(spades, hearts, etc).

No, I have not played conquest, but Netrunner and AGoT were both good when I played.

Really the only question is if the core set will have playsets of all the cards. The chapter packs will have play sets, as will any deluxe expansions if FFG's other LCG are used as a model, which is a rather good bet.

Isn't the only question really whether you will need 2x or 3x of the core set to get a playset? Have they ever released an LCG that had a playset in the core set? Has anything other than the SWLCG (which only launched with 4 factions and that only lets you play with 2x a particular objective set) even only required 2x core sets to get a playset?

Really the only question is if the core set will have playsets of all the cards. The chapter packs will have play sets, as will any deluxe expansions if FFG's other LCG are used as a model, which is a rather good bet.

Isn't the only question really whether you will need 2x or 3x of the core set to get a playset? Have they ever released an LCG that had a playset in the core set? Has anything other than the SWLCG (which only launched with 4 factions and that only lets you play with 2x a particular objective set) even only required 2x core sets to get a playset?

AEG's ECG (Expandable Card Game (LCG with a different name)) Doomtown Reloaded only needed 2x Core set.

I have become pretty disenchanted with AEG, even before the sale, but I can say that Doomtown is really cool. If you get a chance you should check it out.

Maybe two sided honor tokens. (honor on one side, dishonor on the other) Or they could go nuts and have tons of gold/koku tokens! Has anybody here played Tokaido? That game came with cardboard japanese coins that you had to punch out, and then punch out the little square in the middle. It looks nice, but good lord, that's a lot of work.

If they keep the honor requirements similar to the original game, then I would expect a dial, similar to the DSII version in SWLCG.

Dials that look like your clan Mon would be awesome!

On a side note, are all the cards for all their lcgs printed the same? I bought a pack of 40k conquest over the weekend for funsies and was dismayed at the cheap quality of the actual card stock. Felt more like a deck of playing cards(spades, hearts, etc).

Can't say it has really bothered me in the past. They aren't gonna do linnen finish casino style cards for a LCG/CCG. Just sleave them and they'll be fine. Also the lack of a border makes them look a bit cheap perhaps.

I can see a starter for each clan it will help people like me who are loyal to their clans not be force to play something they do not like.

The core set will include multiple factions. There won't be individualized starter decks.

Maybe two sided honor tokens. (honor on one side, dishonor on the other) Or they could go nuts and have tons of gold/koku tokens! Has anybody here played Tokaido? That game came with cardboard japanese coins that you had to punch out, and then punch out the little square in the middle. It looks nice, but good lord, that's a lot of work.

If they keep the honor requirements similar to the original game, then I would expect a dial, similar to the DSII version in SWLCG.

Dials that look like your clan Mon would be awesome!

Flying Bicycle already produces them and I have a Crane one.

Really the only question is if the core set will have playsets of all the cards. The chapter packs will have play sets, as will any deluxe expansions if FFG's other LCG are used as a model, which is a rather good bet.

Isn't the only question really whether you will need 2x or 3x of the core set to get a playset? Have they ever released an LCG that had a playset in the core set? Has anything other than the SWLCG (which only launched with 4 factions and that only lets you play with 2x a particular objective set) even only required 2x core sets to get a playset?

AEG's ECG (Expandable Card Game (LCG with a different name)) Doomtown Reloaded only needed 2x Core set.

I have become pretty disenchanted with AEG, even before the sale, but I can say that Doomtown is really cool. If you get a chance you should check it out.

Yes, but FFG didn't print Doomtown, so I'm not really sure how pertinent an example that is (also, like the SWLCG, it only launched with four factions). If we're going with other companies, the Vs. 2PCG only requires one core set, if I understand correctly.

As for checking out Doomtown ... you should check out Strange Assembly during Doomtown preview periods, since we usually host at least one of them. :)