I just got into the game, and now I am very confused. Are the old Sabertooth Games cards allowed? Are there different blocks like in MTG that get knocked out of tournament play every 6 months or so? What am I allowed to play with and Why are cards so cheap online? Is there a leak in the company that is selling cards to wholesalers for like 90% off? I own a game store and I still pay more for booster boxes from FFG than I could from Ebay. What am I missing?

1) All cards are allowed to be played in free play. there are 2 blocks currently
A) Legacy, all cards that are not officially banned[or at local level banned] are legal for play
B) Standard, all cards with a 3 or 4 point shuriken are legal (including non shuriken'd versions from earlier sets). In March all 3 pronged shuriken cards and all non 4 star shuriken characters rotate out of this format and over to legacy only.

3) the reason most of these cards are cheap online is because a lot of places didnt sell it and have either given the product back to STG/FFG or was given back to their distributor and either CSI or one of the other stores has put them up on wholesale trying to get rid fo them. It's the way the market works. Note though MOST of what you see on places like e-bay and CSI where you're probably looking were from a player that got out of the game or a player who wanted a quick buck's collection.

3) You're missing nothing, the game is fun, just don't get stressed out over the prices and you'll do just fine, as long as the product flies off the shelves that is.

4) oh here's the other info you might want:

UFS Bans/Errata/Rotation Information October 2, 2008

Banned:
Dhalsim3
Cassandra2
Zasalamel3
Hugo3
Ibuki2
Double-Dealing
Enlightenment
Turbo
Strength of Purpose
Erode the Human Soul
To the Bone
Penetrating Lunge
Defender of the Empire
Kasumi Gaki
Kubi Ori
Ruler of Southtown
The Noble Scion of an Odious Bloodline
Quick to Anger
Happy Holidays
Concealed Shallow Swipe
Higher Calibur
Effective 10/2/2008 the following cards were banned from sanctioned play:
Addes Syndicate SNK03 135/144
Revitalize SNK03 131/144
Military Rank SF06 98/99
Bleeding Internally UFS5P 1/4
Broken Leg UFS5P 3/4

Character cards that have rotated out of Standard and into Legacy:
PA
SF01, SF02
SC01, SC02
SF1P
SC1P

Cards that have errata [if explination needed Twoheadeddragon has the erata for the cards.]
(check the Tournament Rules or ask your Scout):
Guile3
Taki1
Ken2
Nightmare3
Abyss2
Talim1
Adon1
Matt Kohls
Beginner's Luck / Green
Quick Elbow / Jab
Lost Memories
Hem Stitch
Nature's Defender
Ryu's Ashura Senku
Manji Ninjutsu
Rolling Storm
One-Armed Maneuvers
Nothing to Lose
Red Gi
Addes Syndicate
Makoto1


Next character card rotation: November 2008 (Set 11)
SNK01
SNK1P
SF03
SF3P
SCBP
SC3P

*makes note to self to get this post and stickie it to the top of the page*

hope this helps ya.

N.J.