I'm taking the plunge into my first LCG, and I'm trying to figure out what to buy.

Right now, I have the Eldritch Edition Premium Starter set, a Mythos starter, and an Investigator starter for a total of 4 starters. I got these mainly for the domain cards, which I believe are no longer in print, correct?

I've found that my FLGS has a few of the old black-border CoC CCG booster boxes on clearance, and I'm wondering if those cards are A) playable and B) of the same utility as the newer white-border cards? Specifically, I'm looking at the Eldritch Edition, Forgotten Cities and Mask of Nyarlathotep expansions. If they're cheap, would it be worth it to pick these up to give me a decent-sized pool of cards to choose from when deck building? Could I play with all black-border cards and still be competitive in friendly, non-tournament games?

Also, if my CoC LCG gaming buddy already has the core set, would I need to purchase one as well, or could I just use the cards from the starters/booster boxes listed above? What components are in the core set that I need to play?

Thank you for your help, I appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Yipe

Yipe said:

Correct. There are no domain cards being printed right now. However, you can try to find on ebay some domain cards (if someone is selling them), ot you can use normal cards as a domain. They are, of course, not necessary for the game.

Question:
I've found that my FLGS has a few of the old black-border CoC CCG booster boxes on clearance, and I'm wondering if those cards are A) playable and B) of the same utility as the newer white-border cards?

Answer:

If you just play casual you can do what you want about mixing the cards (but take into account that there are some cards in CCG that are really powerful, with respect to the new lCG cards).

If you want to play following the correct rules, than the CCG cards are basically useless: you can use those cards that have been reprinted, but following the new text (if there is any change). Of course, if you use the old CCG and the new LCG together, you MUST use sleeves, since the back is different.

Question:
Also, if my CoC LCG gaming buddy already has the core set, would I need to purchase one as well, or could I just use the cards from the starters/booster boxes listed above? What components are in the core set that I need to play?

Answer:

Same answer as before.
Personally, I would suggest you to buy a CoreSet and play with that. I can imagine that the old cards are cheaper (no one wants them anymore, basically, if not for collection reasons). But if, in the future, you would like to try to play a tournament, than you can throw away your cards ^^. There are no necessary components in the Core Set (except for the cards), but still, it is useful to have it.
bye
Konx

Knox,

Thank you for the informative reply. It's doubtful I'll be participating in any tournaments, so picking up a bunch of black border cards for cheap might be the right decision for me. Plus I'll be using the FFG art card sleeves so having different backs won't be a problem. Then again, I don't want to wipe out my friends with overpowered cards as that's no fun for anyone...

If go the more competitive route and want to enter into a tournament (or just want to be "legit"), do you have any recommendations on where to start out with the white border cards? I'm interested in playing the Mi-Go, or perhaps a bunch of cultists and the Syndicate?

I imagine my first purchase would be the Core Set, then the Secrets of Arkham Expansion. Is there an AP line that is considered better than the others?

Thanks again for helping out a newbie.

Sincerely,

Yipe

I have to agree with Knox. If I was in your situation, I'd stick with the LCG cards. Picking up CCG cards may give you a few alternative/additional cards but it actually may affect the game balance. CCG had some pretty nasty stuff. Not only that, CCG cards are dead. You can't really use them anywhere but casual games.

I think you have the right idea about how to build your collection. Get the core set, and start picking up the expansions. You may want to even consider getting a 2nd core set down the road. Some of the cards had only 1 copy in the core set. I personally think the cards from the core set are that good to justify buying more then one box.

For APs I can't really think of a cycle that was hands down better then any other. What I would do if I was just starting out is start getting the current monthly APs, and any back ones you can get that have 3 copies of each card. Then start purchasing the older sets that FFG has begun to reprint with 3 copies of every card.

I like how everyone is guiding you away from buying the CCG cards. From the very beginning FFG has said the CCG is perfectly suitable to play and combine with the LCG. In fact in none of the Rules, FAQ or even Tournament Play Guides does it say they are forbidden. The FFG floor rules for tournaments even expressly states they are fine to use, but it it is up to the Tournament Organizer's discression and that they must post ahead of time what restrictions they, themselves, not FFG, are enforcing

Some points are valid. If you are just getting into the game and the entire group you play with is new then, K.I.S.S. and just play the white border LCG format. This will help save you money in the long run. Not to mention it is a pain in the ass to try and buy singles for the CCG.

But If you and your group don't mind and have the money then please buy the CCG cards if you want to.

Dwnhmcntryboy said:

Personally I have no objection to people using the old cards - buy what you want and have fun! But "official" tournaments are of course different than other forms of play.

I'm a bit puzzled at Down home country' boy's comment (above). I just looked over the CoC Tournament Rules 1.1 and could find nothing about black bordered (CCG) cards being fine to use, nor the TO's discretion in this matter. Did I miss a part? Section 3 is Decks and Tournament Format, and I see nothing there at all...

???

I think he's referring to the fact that nothing in the tournament rules v1.1 states you can't play with black bordered cards. At least, nothing that I could find that specifically prohibits them. The only rules under section 3 (Decks and Tournament Format) are: you must use protective sleeves, decks must be a minimum of 50 cards, and you can't use more than 3 copies of a single card.

Nowhere does it even talk about the differences between white and black border (or LCG and CCG edition) cards.

Is there a ruling somewhere else that prohibits the use of cards from the CCG era? If so, please let me know.