Does anyone think that FFG purposely chose not to reprint the first 2 chapter pack blocks in 3x format because they plan to phase those out in the future?

The thought had crossed my mind, but I'm guessing (i.e. have been told by those more well-informed) it has more to do with not reprinting in 3x format until the current stock is sold out.

I hope not, I dislike when cards I own are no longer in format. It makes sense for the CCG business model, where you want people to constantly buy new stuff. When you release full sets the way FFG does, it really makes those older purchases seem worthless.

The following quote is the post by FFG's CEO regarding the first two CP cycles for AGoT LCG.

"Note that we will reprint AGOT cycles in the new 60-card format when the older version has been out of print for a while. These are the only two cycles out of print at this time.

cP
FFG"

NOTE: do NOT actually file the report. This link was posted as a reference to the above quote that I've wanted to bring to your attention.

EviLaz said:

Hopefully FFG never pulls a netflix and alienates all their happy customers. The LCG format makes the game so much more approachable for new players. I think MtG looks just as cool as AGoT, but have never been remotely tempted by the CCG system. I think phasing out blocks of cards would be a big step away from the straightforward, buyer-friendly ethos that is the distinguishing factor between me spending $0 on MtG and... well i don't even want to really calculate how much on AGoT.

They need to cycle out the Maester block imo.

To be honest I have no problems with cycling, since the LCG format is so cheap. Sooner or later it is probably needed for balancing the pool.

I think the Rsetricted List will continue to grow and evolve - and in so doing, there will be no need to pahse out Blocks. simply restrict or ban problem cards to keep issues from arising.

We have this converstation every so often. I would rather see an organized play restriction that only allows X number of blocks in a tourney deck...SOMEDAY. Right now it is pretty good with the # of cards in the environment, the fact that FFG is doing a pretty good job of bringing out new sub-factions/themes (although inside houses would be nice, rather than nuetral), and using the restricted list as Stag said.

I could see it getting to a point where it would be very intimidating for new players to buy in. To me, that would be the justification for phasing out older cycles.

That said, in order to phase out an older cycle, they would probably have to reprint some of the cards from the phased out cycle in a new cycle. The reason being that certain cards seem to be more or less staples for various houses.

Personally, I'd have no problem with that. I'd like to see the initial "buy in" be approachable for new players.

My two cents.

Papa

While nobody likes their cards becoming obsolete, the argument for a lower "buy-in" is a strong one for enticing new players and keeping the game alive and healthy. Ideally, they'd want to keep the core and deluxe sets at all times, and cycle through chapter packs - picking, say, 4 sets of chapter packs that are legal (The two newest and two others picked accordingly, and rotating which 2 every x months).

As mentioned above though, some cards are... necessary. White Raven, Black Raven and Carrion Birds, for instance. I suppose there could be a list of "Core Additions" (cards you can always use, regardless of which chapter packs are legal currently).

rings said:

we have been discussing the very same thing and think that this would be a clever solution. it adds another challenge cause players have to think about which cycles to combine.

also the "buy-in" probelm will be solved.

There are a lot of good arguments phasing out blocks from organized play, however...

If you are a new player you can feasibly buy one or two blocks and make a good solid deck that can compete with others. (maybe not at the highest levels, but at a local level, most likely.)

Building a deck with the entire card pool is not only challenging, it's exciting and fulfilling. Having to select from a limited selection of blocks makes deck building and competition more predictable.

The buy in for the game may be expensive if you purchase everything all at once. However, if you truly want to play the game, and pick up a couple chapter packs every week or every other week, it won't take you too long to get everything you need. Once you have the complete set, then it's an inexpensive game to play in the long run.

It's true that at some point there may be WAY too many cards for any new player to jump in. My only hope is that they don't comepletely eliminate formats for those of us who have purchased every chapter pack.

I suppose casual play will always be open to all formats, and since that is what I play the most, maybe this debate isn't as important as I think. Block formats that remove cards from the environment just turn me off.

Thanks!

EviLaz said:

I disagree. Having more cards to choose from means you see more auto includes. Every deck has refugees, and street of sisters, and you always see carrion birds, and valar and all that crap.

If those blocks get phased out, you will see MORE variety rather than less, I would say.

Fieras said:

Totally agree. Going forward,a card has to either be:

1. So unbelievably good, it replaces another REALLY good card in the deck. This is called power creep. The replaced card never sees the light of day again.

2. Not good, so they sit in the binder for the rest of your life.

3. Are a new combo/subtheme. Good if only can be combo'd with a select few cards. Bad if easily combo'd - this gets harder and harder for playtesters to catch (or FFG to listen to playtesters and change).

As I said, FFG has done a pretty good job of #3, although with issues (see: the banned/erratta'd Agendassilly, other cards like Prince's Plans that shoudl have never been printed as is). So I am okay. Just the more you throw in the pot, the more issues you have with power creep or broken combos. The fact that NO successful gaming company (that I know of) has ever gone 7+ years without some sort of rotation says something.

I suspect you will see multiple restricted lists in synchrony. For example, one list 1 you might have the plots. On another list you might have Prince's Plans and Burning. On another list you might have venomous blade. On every list you might have The Laughing Storm.

rings said:

Decipher has with the SW: CCG. They had no rotation and you were able to play every card x60 in your deck. But they had teh power creep in the game and well they are history today.

Mathias Fricot said:

Not funny (Well - actually, yeah - pretty funny).

Old Ben said:

And people still playing, virtual sets still coming and people are still buying cards to complete their collection. That says something.

Rogue30 said:

Yes, but they have taken the whole step now as far as i know. They will allow (self) printed card at tournaments, since the originals can´t be any longer purchased. But i´m not 100 % sure about that, i´m usually playing a tournament a year / maybe two and than a buddy hands me over some deck and i´ll just play with a result of maybe 4:4. So nothing to write home about. ;-)

Rogue30 said:

When the "Winter was coming" back in December '07, I often envisioned what it would be like if AGOT went out of print... we have such a great community, but would we be able to transition into that sort of environment?

Old Ben said:

Speaking as a member of the Star Wars CCG Players' Committee, we do not allow self-printed versions of Decipher cards. We do have virtual cards, which are released as PDFs and go over the original cards. And even with the 7 years of Decipher cards and now 10 years of virtual cards, we still do not have any rotation.

That said, that model is not necessarily the best for every game, and Rings' points are still certainly valid for AGOT, from what I've seen.

@MaesterLuke- As long as you have a united group ready to go when the game falters, it is not too difficult to continue. It also helps to have the blessing of the company...but let's hope we don't have to worry about that for years to come.

imrahil327 said:

Yes, i know the whole print out system. I was just referring to one tournament i played that year and maybe it was allowed than just there - i think either Angelo (Gravityshadow) or Chris (EuroEmperor) talked about it. At least i played some kind of Watto deck which was 100 % (good) colour copies.

However it doesn´t seem to make much sense if even some of the virtual cards are released with a new picture to pack the old cards behind them. To be fair on the thematic of not rotating out a single card i think it must also be mentioned that the first virtual sets (200 or so cards) were changed when they showed to be too strong. But yes, there´s still no real rotation for the game.

@Luke: I would have liked the idea a lot too. But original cards and artworks are way better - at least just as long as their are available.

LOL Star Wars CCG, virtual sets, fan-based stick-on 'cards'. Super LOL Decipher.

My point has been proven.

(BTW I love Decipher games, Star Wars was one of the best gaming systems ever, and LoTR wasn't far behind. Too bad they sucked hard at implementation so they lost 90% of their clients on huge properties after 5 years or less. Impletmentation issues like no rotation/restriction of cards...and CFO's stealing millions).

Restricted list is a much better solution than ever phasing out blocks. Better to "phase out" OP cards than whole blocks that people spent hard earned money to purchase.