Would cards really be that bad?

[Li Shenron]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet: how could it possibly work in randomized format, when no one needs to get the same card twice?

 

[Bagpuss]

Because you can only do a Power Attack if you use the card, you get the cards back when you rest. So if you want to do multiple Power Attacks in a combat or day, you have to have multiple copies of the card?

(Note: I think this is a stupid idea, just being devil's advocate)

 

[delericho]

Ah but what if the books gave enough to play, but the cards provided additional content. Sort of like instead of buying the whole of the Complete Adventurer, Divine, etc. You just bought a booster and it had say a number of spells or and feats, etc.

Yeah, that's how I'd do it.

Perhaps provide a stripped down core set of spells and magic items (and maybe feats and monsters too), and then expansions in the form of collectable cards. I would also probably release annual books containing all the new material for the year. Released in December, of course.

There would be a major hurdle to overcome in persuading the market that that's how they want to expand the game, but I think it might be possible. Additionally, what they would do is effectively create a product for that low-dollar "impulse buy" crowd.

It might work. It might well fall flat. Personally, I hate that the miniatures are randomised and collectable, so I rather hope they don't go down this road.

 

[Li Shenron]

Because you can only do a Power Attack if you use the card, you get the cards back when you rest. So if you want to do multiple Power Attacks in a combat or day, you have to have multiple copies of the card?

OMG... I could never play sorcerers again

 

[diaglo]

Yes.

ditto.

and dice too.

anyone else remember Dragon Dice?

diaglo "who painfully bought way too many" Ooi

 

[Numion]

Because you can only do a Power Attack if you use the card, you get the cards back when you rest. So if you want to do multiple Power Attacks in a combat or day, you have to have multiple copies of the card?

One important factor is that there is peer pressure in MtG circles to not use proxies (fake cards, usually just a land card that has the name for another card slipped in the protector). In D&D, which is played in smaller circles, most just playing with a couple of regular groups, there is zero incentive to invest in real cards.

(Note: I think this is a stupid idea, just being devil's advocate)

You've seemed like one of the more reasonable posters in the past, so I don't think anybody thought you'd really champion this

 

[Rasyr]

Actually, I can see ways that it could be done. However, the resolution mechanics would remain dice based, not be card based. I also don't see something along these lines having any sort of "random deck". It would most likely be point based (with XP == point totals for the cards being used).

I also cannot see it using the standard starter/booster format for sales as well. While the basic format could be used, it would be better to have them grouped in themes (Fighters, Rogues, etc), so that players would be sure to get something useful for their character.

I can even see GM decks as well, filled with monsters & traps.

This could even be combined with the collectible, randomized minis (trap minis?), and could go on from there.

There are ways to make something like this work.

 

[Darmanicus]

Having to collect cards to play D&D 4E would be disastrous, it just wouldn't work. Sure it might have 15 years ago when I had a really addictive personality but nowadays, no way. All of a sudden the game would become a chore and a bit of a wind up ie. going out to have to buy even more boosters because you've just levelled up and you don't get feats/abilities/spells etc. unless you've got the card/s to prove it.

Card games also always favour the lucky, (as in the draw type lucky), or even more so, the rich, and this sort of thing can cause resentment between friends who are meant to be trying to have fun. When I used to collect 'Jyhad' there was a friend of mine who had far more money than me and would spend lots of it on those cards and I felt a bit jealous of him because I could only afford x amount and any time I picked up something new, he likely had it which took out the fun of discovery of something new. He on the other hand was picking up new cards all the time.

Sad, I know, but that is how it can get.

D&D and CCG's are two totally different creatures and never the twain should meet for fear of creating some bizzarre and perverse mutant hybrid.

 

[schporto]

I can see this occuring. Let's look for a moment...
DnD Miniatures - going strong as far as I know.
One of the best products in the last 2 years (if I remember right) Fiery Dragon's Battle Box Set. Which had cards for all the special attacks.
I would see the cards filling a similar niche that the dnd miniatures fit. Yeah they're there. You can use em. The rules make it easier to use them. But you don't have to. If you are a wizard then grab the spell cards that you memorized in the morning. Or you'll have to keep track of them somehow. Look at how they made the rules "more miniature friendly" this last go around. No you don't need the minis, but when the rules reference "move 5 squares" and not "25 feet", it acts as an enabler for the mini line.
I'm also seeing buying a module, campaign, adventure, and it has all the nessecary cards for the running it. No more having to rewrite stat blocks, etc. Of course, it then becomes a pain to rewrite stat blocks so you like them, or modify the adventure.
I think like everything else (go back and look at posts before the miniatures came out) - we'll all complain, say we'll never use em, not like em, gods they're ugly.
And six months later be drooling over the next set to come out.

Well, if this rumor is even true.
-cpd

 

[Numion]

Actually, I can see ways that it could be done. However, the resolution mechanics would remain dice based, not be card based. I also don't see something along these lines having any sort of "random deck". It would most likely be point based (with XP == point totals for the cards being used).

I also cannot see it using the standard starter/booster format for sales as well. While the basic format could be used, it would be better to have them grouped in themes (Fighters, Rogues, etc), so that players would be sure to get something useful for their character.

But what does that add to the game? How is it better than just writing the feat or whatnot on your character sheet? Since there is no incentive to have "official" cards like in Magic, the cards have to bring some value to the game. Make the game easier to play, make it flow smoother, etc ..

If it's just an additional 'deck' you need to supplement you character sheet, there is really no reason to buy the cards, and thus no point in making them. Because people could just write their "deck" on the sheet.

I can even see GM decks as well, filled with monsters & traps.

And their possible use is? D&D adventures have monsters and traps keyed to locations or events in the adventure. How is a deck with monsters and traps going to tie into this?