Hello all! Big fan of FFG and fighting games... I think they put out a lot of great games and recently saw they picked up the UFS. I'd heard a little about it but never played it. The only thing I've played that I think may be like it is the old VS system (is that even around???). Been poking around the site but I can't find the answers to all the questions I have.

That said I'm always on the look-out for another game to play, and I like the idea behind this one, but I had a few quick questions, always gotta ask before spending piles of cash on something. I also have a bad habit of getting into things that then loose support.

There seems to be a new set coming out that has some pretty big rule changes next month. That being the fact, is it worth it to buy older booster packs? I found a few sites with nice prices, but I don't want a bunch of cards (only sell boxes of boosters) that I can't use in a month. Will these new rules like fit in with the older cards? I only ask because I know very little of the game (played through demo).

With that I'm also wondering, is there any certain booster box I should try to pick up? I notice that it says the cards can be used with any other sets, but are their attacks that are character specific? Are certain sets not even allowed in tournys anymore?

And can you get character cards that can be used as your primary fighter in boosters? Like could I build a starter from a box of boosters?

Also has there been anyone whose had a card named after them, and is it in a set? Thats a freaking cool prize.

Thanks in advance, and uh hope to start playing I think!

People who have had cards named after them don't get put in booster packs, but instead get all of the copies of their card sent to them so they get to distribute them as they please.

The new rules aren't major, but rather they clear up more stuff and make things work the way they should. Only Terrains, Ranged (to some degree) and the card called Bitter Rivals change. The older cards will work just fine with the new rules...

As for packs you should get, Cutting Edge, Domination, Realm of Midnight, Deadly Ground, Flames of Fame, Warrior's Dream, Flash of Blades and The King of Fighters 2006 will all be legal come April, so don't be afraid to buy any of those. Realm of Midnight and Flames of Fame are definately worth it, they're amazing sets. Domination and Warrior's Dream are decent too, but not as good as the other 2. The rest are so-so, and you may be better off trying to get singles from those (this is all my opinion too btw, but I'm pretty sure others would agree with me).

As for what you can get in packs, yes there are character specific attacks, but there aren't that many any more. There's a lot more character abilities that cards have than character specifics. You can pull characters out of packs as well, and many people will complain that they pull too many in their boxes. In the upcoming sets however there will only be 4 characters you can pull out of each of those sets (the other 4 being found in starter decks). So it is possible to build a deck out of what you get in a box, though buying one of the newer starter decks would help. Mai, Yoshitora, Rock Howard, Haohmaru, Akuma, Sagat, Ken and Sakura starters are all made off of one symbol. Mai and Yoshi off of Evil, Haohmaru and Rock off of Order, Sagat and Akuma off of Fire, and Ken and Sakura off of All.

There are some sets that are no longer legal for tournament play, but right now those are only the first 3 sets (Street Fighter, Soul Calibur 3, A Tale of Swords and Souls, World Warriors, SNK, and The Next Level). The Dark Path, Soul Arena, Blades of Fury, Extreme Rivals, Higher Calibur, Fortune and Glory, Darkstalkers, and Fight for the Future will all rotate out in April. There are some cards in Darkstalkers and Fight for the Future that will remain legal and you can probably find a list of those somewhere... I can't name them all off the top of my head ^^;;

Even though many cards rotate in a month, UFS does have a format in which rotated cards can be used called Legacy. Legacy doesn't have a lot of support tournament wise yet, but with this upcomming rotation that may change. I personally don't play Legacy very often, but many people find it fun to use their old favorites again.

Anyways, I hope that helps!

Wow, thanks for the help there ShadowDragon. That is pretty much everything I wanted to know. I'm getting a pretty cool vibe from this game, and really its more to play with friends then any kinda tourny play, but your list is really helpful. I may just have to go pick up some, although I was a bit disappointed in a local game store here that did not seem to carry any (or actually even know what CCGs they stocked, what the heck???).

But uh +5 awesome points for helping me out.

Cold Cell said:

The rules will fit in just fine. The changes to Ranged and Throw, is moving the definition text that was included on every one of those cards for what a throw and a ranged attack was, and making it other keyword abilities. It's essentially some house cleaning that will free up space on cards going forward, and reduce card text which is normal.

Combo is a new keyword that is just like adding a new rule or card type to any existing game. It adds some extra flavour, but does not invalidate any other card types.

The change in Terrain and making it a Keyword Ability, affects 30 cards retroactively. Some of the 30 cards will be a bit weaker because it will be easier to remove them then before. Other terrains will become stronger because they are "safe havens" if you will, where you can run them with little impact to your deck, and use them to protect against your opponents terrains. Really, it's an extra layer of strategy.

Depending on what you're buying, will depend on how useful it is. Allow me to copy and paste my answer to a very similar question from last week:

Antigoth said:

Cold Cell said:

I think most of that I cover with my above quote... keep in mind - DS02 is sold out, and has been sold out almost everywhere since September. If you have a chance to pick it up, do it. There are a lot of great cards in that set.

There are cards that are character specific. Earlier in UFS, that used to be more pronounced then it is now. The developers have actively strove to ensure that the cards are as "universal" as possible.

Sets outside of the ones listed above are allowed in legacy format events.

Cold Cell said:

Yes there are characters that come only in boosters, and yes, you can build decks without ever buying a starter. Each starter deck does have 2 copies of 3 different cards that are not available anywhere else. So while you could get most of the cards in a starter from a boosterbox, you will not fully be able to replicate what you get in a starter.

Cold Cell said:

Wes Victory - 2006 US Nationals Champion
Matt Kohls - 2006 World Champion
James Hata - 2007 US Nationals Champion & 2008 World Champion
Andrew Olexa - 2007 World Champion
Scott Mence - 2007 UK Nationals Champion
Jacky Tang - 2007 Canadian National Champion

In April you will be able to try and obtain James' 2008 WC card, as well as the championship cards from 2008 UK, Canadian, and US Champions.

Additionally a number of teams who have world National or World Championship events have cards named after the store that the team represented.

All of those cards are only available through the champions themselves. They receive all copies of the card to distribute. It's officially called "The Coolest Prize in gaming"

Hope you do join us because the game is a blast.

*edit* ::Shakes fist at Dani for Ninjaing me with her snappy response.::

Antigoth said:

Hey I should be shaking a fist at you, I spent all this time recopying the list from THD into this thread only to have you ninja me.

Also, you may want to check this out. If you've played other CCGs, it allows you to send a deck - any deck - of that CCG to get a free starter deck for UFS. It'll allow you to get started more easily.

Oh okay, so that deal is still gong on? Yeah I got decks sitting around. Thanks all, from what I've seen the fans of this game are pretty into it, and while it is a bit daunting at first (I read some posts and am like... ) But I'm sure once I start playing it should be good.

And thanks for the details there Antigoth, I'm going to look over all of this before I go out and buy. Then hopefully I can maybe get some friends hooked...

Check this link here:

http://app.fantasyflightgames.com/ufs-ann-stores.html

to see if any stores in your area are running a free UFS introductory tournament this coming weekend!

That may make it a little easier to get a couple of friends to dive in and enjoy the game too.

Where are you located we can refer you too a scout and play group if one is established and they can get you started.

Yeah i've found that the quality of gaming stores has decreased a bit recenty... Additionally gaming stores have been cutting what they carry to only things that are requested by its customers or things that are 'the big three' or however many (Magic, YuGi, Poke) or one of those mutations of a TCG derived from te Adult Swim or Cartoon Network fad of late... something with ninjas or soul hunting things and such...