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

[demetri0us]

I DM most of the time. And I know from experience with the pool of players I play with that only about 25% of "my" players will buy these. I also know that the people I play with will share at the table. So will I. If someone doesn't want to use them whilst everyone else does, well, um, that would be weird, but I'd be cool with that. Whatever.

Likewise, if I went to a game to play (as happens from time to time) and the DM doesn't want to use them. I wouldn't care.

If there are anything like what I think they'll be. I'd bet I'll buy a pack every time I show up at the FLGS. That's just the kind of thing I'd like. I can tell you I won't necessarily buy one every time I play and open it at the table, but, then I'd bet that will happen every once in a while.

As a DM, I'd also gladly throw out any card I felt was unfair/overpowered or whatever. You know, 'cause you can do that, you know... as a DM. Use what you want, don't use what you don't want. Right?

I don't really see this as any different that the LFR cards that are used at the table. You know, to re-roll an at-will, take 10 on a skill check or add a +1 to a die roll and such. My groups love those. It kind of gives you one more thing to do at the table to participate in the game. I'm all for that. People like to have things to do at the table. Well, that's my experience anyway.

 

[Wicht]

I suspect there will be many ways these are used, and declaring that the only 'proper' use WotC intends is for every player to buy a new pack every week requires making a lot of assumptions. Ones, I would argue, that not only aren't supported by what WotC have said thus far, but may even run directly counter to it.

I don't remember using the word "proper".

I'm also not sure what I am misunderstanding about the intent of the product. They are randomised packs of cards, with some benefits (rares) being better than others. It is "suggested" each player use their own packs. It is also "suggested" the most fun way to use them is to open them up during the game.

I have no problem with cards being used during a game. I use Paizo's critical hits and fumbles decks and will likely get their plot twist deck at some point as well. I just prefer a single, fully formed deck that you buy once as opposed to small randomized packs you buy new for each game (I think I have said that already though). I suspect these will mostly be used to buy until each group has a full deck of them and then they will just use that one deck for everyone. But I may be wrong and only time will tell for sure. But again. I'm not attacking the product idea. I think its fine. I just think that its being packaged wrong.

 

[Imaro]

I have no problem with cards being used during a game. I use Paizo's critical hits and fumbles decks and will likely get their plot twist deck at some point as well. I just prefer a single, fully formed deck that you buy once as opposed to small randomized packs you buy new for each game (I think I have said that already though). I suspect these will mostly be used to buy until each group has a full deck of them and then they will just use that one deck for everyone. But I may be wrong and only time will tell for sure. But again. I'm not attacking the product idea. I think its fine. I just think that its being packaged wrong.

Yeah, this is how I pretty much feel too. I wouldn't mind buying these if I could get a complete deck at once and tailor it for my game... I've done the random ride before with mins and I just can't see myself riding it again for these cards.

 

[DaveMage]

Yeah, this is how I pretty much feel too. I wouldn't mind buying these if I could get a complete deck at once and tailor it for my game... I've done the random ride before with mins and I just can't see myself riding it again for these cards.

I'm sure someone will offer complete sets via e-bay or whatnot so no random buy is required.

I stopped buying DDM cases because I got sick of random and just started buying singles online. (Although, I am buying one case of the latest set because I like many of the commons and uncommons. I've ordered the rares and very rares as singles.)

 

[Imaro]

I'm sure someone will offer complete sets via e-bay or whatnot so no random buy is required.

I stopped buying DDM cases because I got sick of random and just started buying singles online. (Although, I am buying one case of the latest set because I like many of the commons and uncommons. I've ordered the rares and very rares as singles.)

The question is... "for how much?"

In the end I'm not going to pay $50-$60 for a rare card to complete my set... when WotC could have easily sold this set (like Paizo does their card sets) for around 10-15 dollars.

 

[MrMyth]

The question is... "for how much?"

In the end I'm not going to pay $50-$60 for a rare card to complete my set... when WotC could have easily sold this set (like Paizo does their card sets) for around 10-15 dollars.

Sure, but why do you need a complete set? Pick up 2-3 packs, and you've got a deck of cards that would seem to suit your purposes and can be reused as desired. Does the lack of some rarer cards ruin their use for you?

I mean, I get that some people aren't a fan of the collectability and the nature of random packaging. But for those who don't want to get into that element, how much does it actually change to buy a few boosters vs one complete deck from some other set of cards?

I can see it being more relevant if it was something that actually needed a level of completion. Whoops, didn't buy enough item packs, you can't hand out +1 weapons!

But this is pretty much just a random series of events. I don't see any level of 'completion' actually needed.

 

[Wicht]

Sure, but why do you need a complete set? Pick up 2-3 packs, and you've got a deck of cards that would seem to suit your purposes and can be reused as desired. Does the lack of some rarer cards ruin their use for you?

I mean, I get that some people aren't a fan of the collectability and the nature of random packaging. But for those who don't want to get into that element, how much does it actually change to buy a few boosters vs one complete deck from some other set of cards?

I can see it being more relevant if it was something that actually needed a level of completion. Whoops, didn't buy enough item packs, you can't hand out +1 weapons!

But this is pretty much just a random series of events. I don't see any level of 'completion' actually needed.

Its not so much a matter of needing all the cards; from my perspective its a matter of budget. Assuming a price of about $5 a pack and 8-10 cards in a booster pack: I can spend $11 and get 51 cards from Paizo, balanced, with each card different and suitable for use in a game, or I can spend $15 and get 24-30 cards from WotC, with chances being good that some of them are duplicates.

Thinking about the two approaches, this is just another example of why Paizo is currently getting my money. Even when the products are nearly identical, Paizo manages to do it in a way that I find more financially appealing.

 

[DaveMage]

The question is... "for how much?"

In the end I'm not going to pay $50-$60 for a rare card to complete my set... when WotC could have easily sold this set (like Paizo does their card sets) for around 10-15 dollars.

Oh, I agree - as a consumer, buying random cards , IMO, is a stupid idea/model. However, if you are willing to pay the premium, it's a tolerable setup as long as you buy the ones you want in a non-random fashion.

I'm very glad I never bought a single Magic product.

 

[Uder]

n general, it seems you'll get a slight advantage using these, and that to use them as intended every player should buy a new pack each game. I can't fault WotC for the strategy, but it seems like they're trying to find ways to steady their revenue stream - you pay for some new thing every game session, as well as once a month, in order to enjoy the total D&D experience. That's not part of the hobby for me, so yet again WotC moves farther and farther into the rearview mirror.

 

[I'm A Banana]

But, would you be be comfortable with three dollars if it was random? I can't see eight or ten cards being ten bucks, but, IIRC, a magic booster is like three bucks isn't it? I could totally see paying three bucks for a random pack of NPC's.

I would still have a problem with it, yes. Three. Five. Ten. A dollar. Even free, I probably wouldn't take 'em. If you paid me, I might consider it, and then I'd probably shred them. The cynical marketing logic that goes into even conceiving of a product like this rankles me harshly. I get that not everyone is so principled about their friggin' gaming purchases, and I don't think they need to be (not everyone's had the family history with psychological addiction that I've had), but here's the thing: I think how WotC made most of their money (on the "booster pack" concept premiered in magic and used on every eight-year-old with Pokemon) is pretty exploitative, and every time it makes a foray into the game that I've loved for decades, it feels that way to me. The minis felt that way to me, too. Businesses by their very nature are always at least a little exploitative ("Here are some rules for make-believe, the game you've been playing since you were 2. That'll be $90, and $15/month thereafter."), so I don't begrudge them, but I feel confident drawing this line in the sand for myself.

I wouldn't draw it for anyone else, either. If you love the concept, by all means, enjoy and go wild. I would only object to the degree that your fun made my fun less fun, and that's not at risk of happening with these cards any time soon (though we'll see what 5e brings...). I'm stating my personal opposition to it and no more.

On the other hand, a complete deck in and of itself, like what Paizo is apparently putting out, would absolutely be on my to-buy list (and Paizo's decks have now gone there! They've got a boatload of cross-system compatability!).