Hey everyone,

I'm an old player from back in the CCG days, and have recently decided to return to Call of Cthulhu. But there's a few things I'd like to know.

1) How are black border cards treated now? Are they legal (when using sleeves with a cover at the back of course)? I hope they are, cause I spent a lot of money on them in the past, and I'd be a crying shame if they weren't.

2) If they are, how about the erratas for them? There used to be a long list of that, but I can't seem to find it.

3) Which cards are banned and which not? Is there a list of that too?

Much thanks in advance.

Yves said:

It is often considered bad taste to use them in an environment where nobody else has access to them. This is due to how the two formats have changed considering the power level of the CCG as compared to the LCG. The LCG has a shallower pool and is not as open to the abuses seen during the CCG days. In other words, there isn't really an analogue for cards such as Fetch Stick, for instance.

Though due to the lack of official tournaments, I personally, dont see much of an issue as long as I was alerted to the fact that I am playing against a CCG deck before the game.

For the most part, I think it would be safe to assume that the legality of the CCG cards are limited to what has been reprinted in the LCG (Core set and secrets of arkham boxed sets). But mixed border tournaments are not unheard of.

2) Here is a page that has the last FAQ for the CCG as well as the other resources needed for the LCG version of the game.

3) See item 2.

Ah, I missed those last links with the FAQ's and all that. Thanks a lot!

About the CCG / LCG thing, I can understand that players who started post-LCG release are somewhat in a disadvantage considering cardpool avialability and hence certain combo's. It's rather fair to not use unreprinted CCG cards against them, I can see that.

However, this does make me feel shafted rather harshly at the same time. I've spent hundreds of euros on cards back in the CCG days, and the majorty of them is now considered "unfair play". I would assume some tournaments even forbid them to even the chances (which is fair enough an sich), but what became of my investment now? A bunch of cards that are pretty to look at and to tell tales about to my grandchildren (" Ahh, back in the days when Sacrificial offerings was so much fun, son"). I slighty exagerate, but you get the point.

The only hope for those cards to see full play again, is waiting for a reprint, which, I think they should. Not only will it make old players like myself happy and content, but new players can try out the older stuff too, as well as bringing veteran players and new players slowly on the same level again. Perhaps some 'Retro-set' or some bonus cards in an AP (which are just reprints then) could help this issue. Just an idea.

Anyway, thanks a lot for your reply!

I'd love to see many more reprinted as well, but at the same time there are many I am glad are not currently in print.

The game has been seriously toned down quite a bit since then.

I dont honestly think you wil have too much trouble using any cards from the CCG days as long as your opponent knows you are suing them. Be gentle, because even though they may be fine with you using them, that grace may be cut thin if you go uber abusive with the card list.

I know I would probably not play against CCG era too much if my opponents took advantage of my limited card pool and trounced me at every opportunity. Thats not to say that the CCG cards would always win... but I think you get the idea. Its not neccesarily unfair play to use them, at least, not until you get uber meta nasty with them. I say give it a go and see what the local meta is like and shape your decks around them and I doubt you will have trouble using the CCG cards.

I know europe has a fairly healthy CCG crowd from what I understand. It's about the only place where mixed border tourneys still occur. So I am sure there is still an existing meta game for the CCG cards out there.

I have a few starter packs from the CCG era which I bought just for the domain cards. Now I have 4 of four different sets, so that's nice. All the cards in these packs are common and uncommon, with some being exactly like cards I already have for the LCG. But that's OK, since I generally don't have enough of them. Especially when it's a neutral card.

Since I make friendly decks for non-tournament play, most of the decks have some of the CCG cards. I haven't found any I think are overpowered, and there are more choices. I like there being a Ritual event category of cards, for instance, with a related mechanic on some characters. Having enough Shotgun Blasts to spread around doesn't hurt, either. Or maybe it does.

I haven't looked at any of the rares online, so study them closely and consider if they're bull when compared to the general LCG power level. Icons to cost seems to be in line with the LCG, but once you start getting funky effects in the text I guess it can get a little overpowered. But hey, if the tournaments allow, by all means - be a bastard

Assume that unless the tournament you are going to says that it is CCG/LCG mix that your cards are illegal. Always best to check with the tourney organizer. Regards to it being unfair... didn't the CCG game have a rotation policy or was it all in from day one? I don't honestly remember. I would look at the LCG as rotation. Sucks that you spent that money on something that is no longer legal, but pretty much every CCG goes that route sooner or later (or spot banning cards that create broken combos or NPE's).

You have to ask yourself why are you getting back into the game. Is it to enjoy Lovecrafts universe and FFG's mechanics while spending time with some cool people? Or is it to dust off the cards and destroy and humiliate opponents? These two questions do not preclude LCG or CCG, but if you know why you are playing you'll be better able to determine what kind of decks to build, who you play with, and how best to ensure you are both getting something enjoyable out of it.

Letting players use your CCG decks is a good way for instance of keeping your cardpool without losing opponents, and both of you having a good time.