Fortune Cards: and randomized collectible cards come to D&D

[coyote6]

I wonder if the random card form factor isn't in part a bit of anti-piracy? The (presumably) nicely made cards they publish are likely to be better quality (or cheaper to get) than home-made printouts of pirated scans -- and since the packs are random, any would-be scanners will have to go to some effort to get 'em all. And cards probably aren't something that'll be on DDI.

Too bad they'll never tell.

I wonder how 4e-specific they'll be. Can I use them for Pathfinder/3.xe? Can I use them for Savage Worlds/GURPS/M&M?

Also:

D&D is supposed to be non-collectible?

<peers around at shelf after shelf of books, boxed sets and minis>

WHY DID NO ONE SEND ME THE MEMO?

I was going to, but I seemed to have misplaced my copy. I think it's somewhere over in those boxes upon boxes of, uh, D&D books, boxed sets, and minis.

Doh!

 

[I'm A Banana]

I don't think I'm ever going to partake of any D&D element that involves a randomized collectability angle to it.

It puts a rancid taste in my mouth, because I remember the CCG's I picked up in high school, and spending cash over and over again in the faint hopes of getting what I actually wanted out of the game, while those who just spent more than me or who were simply luckier than me got to lord their kewl cards all over my poor, unlucky face.

That's not any kind of "fun" I ever want to relive.

I don't really mind that they exist -- those who want them can have them, whatever. They probably won't be in use at my table. Same with the twitter updates, really. I would mind if the game came to revolve around them in any capacity (even a mild one). This is part of the reason I didn't pick up the old minis line.

Honestly, it's the randomization more than the collectability that aggravates me. Combined, they're antagonistic to my fun. Collectability alone is a little annoying, but not a game-stopper (especially with access to something like the Compendium, where the rules are actually all collected). Randomization without having to spend money on it is, in fact, a lot of fun (I'm not against decks and things per se).

I'm not going to give WotC $10 for the chance to be awesome, though.

I'd just as soon use that $10 to get me something I know will make me happy. Like saving it up a bit to get a new videogame, or to play a month of an MMO, or to go see a movie with my date, or to get a board game, or to get a deck of regular cards that I can play hundreds of different games with.

I don't mind that they exist as an ancillary part of the game. I don't get the appeal, but I also don't get the appeal of tactical grid-based combat, so whatever.

But I will not buy them, if they maintain a randomized, collectible element.

I might buy them if they just have a "collectible" element. Like, "this deck is available for a limited time, and then will not be sold." A little annoying, but I could be persuaded.

 

[catsclaw227]

Aren't they basically going to be like the Wizards_DnD tweets for Encounters?

Something one of the halfling guards said while you were blindfolded gives you an idea. 1/session gain a +2 bonus to 1 skill check.

During the forced march to the halfling village the foliage releases an antitoxin that confers resist poison 3 for the session.

After being in the tomb the fresh air is invigorating - PCs gain 2 temporary hit points at the beginning of each of their turns.

Now, these are geared towards the Encounters sessions, but I am assuming they will be more generic for general play. Bascially, these are minor "per session" or short term bumps that can add some RP and make things a bit more interesting.

EDIT: Ninja'd by Scribble! Dangit!

 

[Nork]

I don't like randomized collectible products.

They feel like they are predatory and exploitive products, similar to gambling. They scratch a psychological itch in the human makeup that takes a repugnant person to attempt to profit from.

The sea of unwanted common magic cards or boxes full of common D&D miniatures that people somehow end up owning, yet do not want, is damning testament to this in my opinion.

Overall, I've got a pretty dim view of randomized collectibles.

 

[Subtlepanic]

They scratch a psychological itch in the human makeup that takes a repugnant person to attempt to profit from.

Hey, it's not like they're selling crack. I'm not living in some faeces-stained tenement apartment, masturbating in a pile of unwanted DDMs, slowly jacking up Magic cards into my rectum. ;-)

These guys aren't cackling demons sitting around a cauldron, plotting how to rip off fanboys, they're just guys trying to make some money from their product so they can strengthen it. They more money they make, the stronger the hobby gets, right?

Of course, we could go back to trading black-and-white print rulebooks with photocopied paper counters. That's better for everyone, right?

/sighs

=D

 

[frankthedm]

The sea of unwanted common magic cards or boxes full of common D&D miniatures that people somehow end up owning, yet do not want, is damning testament to this in my opinion.

IME pawning off common DDMs is easier than common MtGCs

 

[ExploderWizard]

Wow. People actually sit around while playing a session and constantly check for twitter feeds?

Is the content of the game session generated by those who are actually playing so boring that people have to tune in and out to check twitter?

I suppose it's a good thing I haven't checked out encounters then. What does it say about your game when you design content for it delivered exclusively through a medium utilized by those who are obviously already bored enough with it to tweet during play.

Kind of sad really.

 

[Nagol]

Hey, it's not like they're selling crack. I'm not living in some faeces-stained tenement apartment, masturbating in a pile of unwanted DDMs, slowly jacking up Magic cards into my rectum. ;-)

These guys aren't cackling demons sitting around a cauldron, plotting how to rip off fanboys, they're just guys trying to make some money from their product so they can strengthen it. They more money they make, the stronger the hobby gets, right?

Of course, we could go back to trading black-and-white print rulebooks with photocopied paper counters. That's better for everyone, right?

/sighs

=D

I fail to see how the financial success (or indeed failure) of any particular company equates to the strength of the hobby.

 

[Obryn]

I dunno - I just honestly don't get it. I don't know why you'd sell randomized boosters of something that's purportedly not collectible, and I don't see the benefit to a collectible deck for D&D, as opposed to a static one. I don't understand why I'd want several random assortments, why I'd need a lot of cards, or anything of that nature. I'm happy to give WotC my money for great products, but I want to get some benefit from these idiosyncratic business decisions, too.

I can see fortune cards, even though they're not my cup of tea. But the "booster" aspect puzzles me.

I mean, who's the customer? DMs? Players? What's the benefit I'd get out of a collection, other than scratching that "collectible" itch? D&D Minis had a collectible game of their own - and I understand at least why they'd be collectible and randomized. This, I don't see a benefit to.

Also, for the record, I don't get the "CCG" hyperbole. WotC's made products I don't want to buy in the past, and they will in the future. It's not the end of the world, and I don't think there's any reason to believe it's the first step down a slippery slope towards a collectible RPG.

-O

 

[Subtlepanic]

I fail to see how the financial success (or indeed failure) of any particular company equates to the strength of the hobby.

Unequivocal brand leader in niche hobby reaps financial rewards = more, better, new stuff = new players = immortality