Cards & Boards

It’s been a good year for gamers.

By CHEE YIH YANG

alltherage@thestar.com.my

SINCE this is the season to look back and reflect, here are some of my thoughts on the gaming scene over the past year.

TCGs chugging along

Major TCG (trading card game) titles continued to enjoy another good and productive year. Magic: The Gathering marched on relentlessly with a steady clip of excellently-designed products, led by the debut of the new Return To Ravnica block.

The new Ravnica block was wicked in concept and design, as it played heavily on the themes and card concepts that were so hugely successful when the first block rolled out back in 2005. Many modern tournament mavens would have been delighted by the reprinted “shocklands”, and the exciting new decks the set has introduced.

Wizards Of The Coast continues to crank out a bunch of entry and professional-level products. With new two-player and special format sets, starting or introducing anyone to Magic has become easier than ever.

Meanwhile, World Of Warcraft – that other popular TCG – also continued its solid run with a bunch of new expansions. Many fans would no doubt have been excited by sets such as War of the Ancients, which gives them a chance to play iconic Warcraft universe characters like Arthas, Illidan Stormrage and even the Lich King himself.

The game also got a boost with a new “base” in the Klang Valley – Classroom Café in Subang Jaya, Selangor. The budding WoW TCG community looks to have scored a strong start, showing everyone that Magic does not have a monopoly on the TCG here market here.

The other games

Living card games, or LCGs, (a term trademarked by Fantasy Flight Games, or FFG in short) and deck-building games (DBGs) continued to make its mark, with a slew of new licensed titles proving rather popular.

FFG continued to support its impressive array of LCGs, adding Android Netrunner to its line-up of A Game Of Thrones and Warhammer Invasion games. Based on the mid-1990s Netrunner Trading Card Game (which itself was designed by Richard Garfield, creator of Magic: The Gathering), Android uses a similar distribution system as FFG’s previous LCGs, with a Core Set supplemented by monthly Data Pack mini-expansions.

In terms of deck-building games, there were supposed to be Upper Deck’s Legendary Marvel, but it looks to have been delayed until 2013. Online reviews have been promising – I’ll definitely write about this in a future issue or blog post!

All in all, LCGs and DBGs continue to provide an easier alternative to TCGs, though I don’t think LCGs or DBGs can be considered cheaper. LCGs, for instance, can be more expensive given that supplementary sets come out as often as once a month. But their advantage would be the ease in deck-building options. TCGs are notorious time sinks, while LCGs make it a lot easier for us casual gamers.

As far as LCGs go, I think the most exciting FFG title has to be the much-delayed and hugely-anticipated Star Wars Card Game. Originally slated for an early or mid-2012 release, FFG announced a “redesign” back in February, shifting its release to late 2012. Latest news is that the game is making a Christmas 2012 shipping date, making it available worldwide by next January.

Playing and collecting

Since we’re talking about Fantasy Flight Games, the company will also be shipping a Star Wars role-playing game soon, the X-Wing Miniatures Game.

The miniatures game is an interesting concept, as it combines pre-painted miniatures with exciting gameplay.

The reception to it has been fairly positive, as the quality of miniatures have impressed even the “traditionalists”, the hardcore tabletop miniature gamers.

This interesting concept seems to have a rather unique market, as it attracts Star Wars fans, toy collectors as well as gamers.

It has had a seemingly strong start in Malaysia, though it would be interesting to see how much FFG wants to drive this on – the first expansion set has been delayed by almost an entire quarter.

In Malaysia, with gaming products often priced at a premium, I’m actually curious to see if the X-Wing game will entice people to stop playing their other games in order to focus on it.

Only time will tell, and something tells me we’ve barely even scratched the surface here!

Got any hot gaming tips, news or updates for the writer? Email him at yihyang@gmail.com.

You can also check out blog.rage.com.my and follow him on Twitter (@arcturus_mengsk).

The new set for the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game (WoW TCG in short) is coming soon, and the spoilers are arriving thick and fast! It’s time for War of the Ancients by the way, in case you were not clued in – so yeah, get ready!

It’s really back to basics as the more “traditional” races, such as Night Elves, Humans, Tauren and Orcs are revisited. And about time too, since there’s been tons of Monsters and weird races, in the preceding sets!

War of the Ancients marks a return to the WoW universe origins, with the obligatory bunch of new keywords and game abilities.

New abilities are pretty much a given in every WoW TCG set (heck, every single card game), but I think the biggest gimmick and draw has to the slew of characters reappearing as hero cards. I mean, Illidan Stormrage, Arthas, Uther the Lightbringer and Cho’Gall are just a bunch of lore-laden and legendary names any WoW fan would love to build decks around.

I’m guessing this is Cryptozoic’s way of pulling more people in, since being able to make these cards, and let people build decks around, is more or less an instant-win.

And talking about instant wins, I can’t wait for this set to be out! The more common uncommon Death Knight ability Death’s Decree is so simple yet fun. There’s a Pally ability that lets your hero reach 100 health (nope, not a typo). I’m pretty sure there’ll be more imba spells and stuff headed our way: you just wait!

In the meantime, watch this space for more details on pre-release events, release tournaments and more cool stuff! With the ongoing revival of WoW TCG in Malaysia, there’s plenty to look forward to!

Have something to say? Do tweet me at www.twitter.com/arcturus_mengsk or leave me feedback below.

This month’s CARDS & BOARDS has CHEE YIH YANG talking to a local trading card game community that has thrived through Facebook and a blog.

BACK in January. I wrote about how there will be more virtual communities rising out of the relentless assimilation of social media and its web-related spin-offs in our lives.

This month, I talk to an individual who’s managed to start up a blog that features contributors from a local community of World of Warcraft TCG (Trading Card Game) fans.

Karry Lim Hock Soon, a 35-year-old system administrator, had been living and working in Cyberjaya when he was bitten by the World of Warcraft (WoW) MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game) bug.

His fascination for the online game soon translated into an obsession for the card game as well, which debuted back in 2006 (Upper Deck Entertainment made the game then). While he was in Cyberjaya, he initially found it difficult to locate players, until he stumbled upon a Facebook community based in the same locale.

A casual game between two players at a recent boardgames/card games expo at MMU Cyberjaya.

This was the WoW TCG.my Facebook group, facebook.com/groups/wowtcgmy/, which was then made up of mainly Multimedia University students.

“I played with the group for several weeks and was thinking about taking the group to the next level. That’s when I decided to start the blog and get writers within the group to contribute to the blog,” said Lim.

Online sounding board

Team CyberWOW (teamcyberwow.blogspot.com/), the blog that was started by Lim, is also affiliated with Cryptozoic Entertainment, who now produces the WoW TCG. (Upper Deck Entertainment lost the licence to make the TCG several years back to Cryptozoic.)

The articles cater to not only hardcore tournament players, but also the more casual WoW TCG crowd, with introductory-level articles that teach the less experienced on ways of rising to the top, and succeeding.

Naturally, the ultimate objective of the blog is to get more players clued in on the wonderful world of WoW TCG. For the uninitiated, WoW TCG is played between Heroes that have different “Classes”.

Each Hero class has its own unique strengths and weaknesses – the Warrior for example, is the typical “tank” class, sporting plenty of Equipment such as Weapons and Armor, but the Mage bears almost no Equipment, and instead relies on an arsenal of deadly spells, called Abilities.

The WoW TCG is thus very familiar to online gamers, as it’s essentially a cardboard treatment of the same virtual universe. The learning curve is reasonable, and is only slightly more complicated than the likes of Magic: The Gathering.

The game had a good start in Malaysia when it first burst on the scene, but faded away around the same time that Upper Deck started running into widely-reported troubles and delays of expansions. It picked up again once Cryptozoic revitalised the franchise, and WoW TCG got another major boost when local comic and game shop franchise, Comics Corner, started distributing the game again this year.

Grinding on successfully

Lim thinks social media played an important part in the sustenance of his local community. He feels that it’s made it easier for everyone to be kept abreast on what’s the latest events, in a real-time manner.

“Social media is another way to bring in new players and promote the game. I do not want this game just to cater for players who play the online game, but to all TCGs fans.

“Without social media, WoW TCG itself, and our community would not be a success and will not be where it is now,” said Lim.

So what are some of the key ingredients in ensuring a successful blog? He reckons that having a consistent stream of content works great. Having fresh content is important, so people keep coming back.

Right now, Team CyberWOW aims for updates at least once or twice a week. It doesn’t sound terribly intensive, but it’s harder than it seems as his group of gamers need to devote time to contribute articles.

Most importantly, Lim also aims to give as much local context as possible.

Articles written from a first-person perspective on player experiences in various events give a glimpse to everyone on what WoW TCG is really about.

Go check them out if you have not, at teamcyberwow.blogspot.com/.
*CHEE YIH YANG is now off to make more spells for the fledgling Blood Bowl Team Manager Card Game league. E-mail the esoteric gaming nut at yihyang@gmail.com if you have comments, questions, hot gaming news and tips, and trading lists and deck ideas, for both Magic and World of Warcraft. Check out his blog at blog.rage.com.my/category/cards-and-boards, and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/arcturus_mengsk.

Have you bought your World of Warcraft (WoW) TCG packs yet? Specifically, Crown of Heavens?

Well, why don’t you head on down to finer specialty and games shops such as Comics Mart to hit them up for some mighty awesome booster packs?

That’s right folks, they’re in stock now, right here in Malaysia! The game is a little scarce, but hey, head on to Mid-Valley Megamall and look up that games shop and see what your packs give you. There will be more Monster cards, some really, really beefy good guys – remember that Stormrage Druid guy? He’s a card, in this set, and he’s a mean, huge, beating machine!

So, what do you want from your packs?

Have something to say? Do tweet me at www.twitter.com/arcturus_mengsk or leave me feedback below.

Last week’s announcement by Blizzard Entertainment  on the new World of Warcraft (WoW) Monopoly and Starcraft Risk has induced a major bout of anticipation and euphoria in many fanboys, including yours truly.

I mean, Monopoly set in Azeroth and the rest of WoW loredom plonked in for good measure. Then, there’s a Starcraft twist to one of the most enduring and classic strategy games. Plus miniature hero pieces to choose from at the start of the game, for Protoss, Terran and Zerg? Freaking aye!

And, did you know that you could even vote in a Facebook poll, for the WoW Monopoly pieces of choice? Check it out, and vote away!

Have something to say? Do tweet me at www.twitter.com/arcturus_mengsk or leave me feedback below.

Mano et mano trading card game (TCG) sessions can only get you so far, and the World of Warcraft TCG is no exception.

My playgroup’s recent rekindlement with WoW TCG has been amped up further with the new Dungeon Decks, featuring three awesomely cool characters: meet Lord Godfrey, Scarlet Commander Mograine, and Vanessa Van Cleef.

So the basic premise is simple: you get your regular (or your best!) 61-card decks, and start taking on a Dungeon Deck. Each Dungeon Deck can be run “automatically”, so no player needs to control it, as the resultant actions (and pain) are resolved semi-randomly.

You and your friends get to go against a common enemy that wields regular, and often, spectacularly powerful allies, equipment and abilities.

I had a chance to have a go at the Scarlet Commander Mograine Dungeon Deck over the weekend, and boy was it amazing fun. Each deck has level difficulties, with Level 1 proving to be pretty easy for our beefed up Class Starters (around half or more of the Class Starters tweaked and modded with our favorite, and stronger stuff).

Level 2 was astonishingly tough going, as the multiplication of damage was pretty insane. Imagine the Commander himself gaining Assault 10 in some turns, and you get the picture. Another masochistic attempt – this time Level 3 – proved to be disastrous as well.

Well, I have to say that things got a lot more manageable once my group fielded much stronger and beefier decks – my improvised Death Knight Ghoul rush, a full-on Horde Shaman and an uber-Priest.

We were helped by quick opening hands, and efficiently grinded out the win thanks to plenty of ally destruction (Priest) and totems (Shaman). The raid ended with an appropriately-timed Turn 7 Zarixx, Herald of Death, which added one 3/3 Ghoul token ally to the pair already on board, and attacked for 12 damage. (Overkill admittedly, since the evil Commander was down to his final point of health.)

After four to five raids in less than two hours, I have to say that these decks are excellent value for money, given that the replayability is pretty darn high. Cryptozoic’s artwork continues to be superb, while the speedy gameplay ensures that downtime remains a minimum. Conclusion: pick up these babies and give your regular WoW TCG decks a fun workout, now! Warning though, don’t underestimate these puppies!

Have something to say? Do tweet me at www.twitter.com/arcturus_mengsk or leave me feedback below.

World of Warcraft (WoW) Trading Card Game (TCG) fans take note, for there’s new stuff to be bought at your favorite game store!

The new Dungeon Decks, 2011 Fall Class Starters and Thrones of Tides expansion packs are now available. Yup, triple whammy in time for the coming holiday season? Need stocking stuffers for yourself, or friends? Look no further than these bunch of latest WoW TCG products!

The Dungeon Decks feature all-new treasure cards which make awesome upgrades to your existing decks. You can also buy one of the Dungeon Decks, which give you an awesome quest way of playing WoW TCG.

Beginners and experienced players will love the new Class starters. A follow-up to the very awesome 2011 Summer Class Starters, this special 61-card product gives us ten new heroes, and each deck contain one booster pack (from the War of the Elements expansion). Pretty darn worth it, for RM50 a pop I say!

And to sweeten the deal, each of the Fall Class Starters will have one random common, uncommon, rare or epic reprint from an older WoW TCG expansion block. Yes, these reprints mean that they return to the current Core format! Wow indeed!

Finally, if you’re looking to crack just booster packs, look no further than the Thrones of the Tides that just came in. Murlocs, and all forms of new monstrosities plus the usual plethora of allies, abilities, quests and equipment are in this set. Well, go crazy, but not too crazy!

The latest WoW TCG products were sighted in Comics Mart, Mid-Valley Mega Mall and ought to be seen in better game shops. Good luck hunting for them!

Have something to say? Do tweet me at www.twitter.com/arcturus_mengsk or leave me feedback below.

Last week, I mentioned how The Star Online’s Carnivale event will be happening at Tropicana City Mall, Petaling Jaya, and yours truly has been given a spot to demo TCGs (trading card games) and its related ilk.

I’m just stoked that I’ve been given the chance to demo World of Warcraft (WoW) TCG and the new Blood Bowl card game alongside what should be crowd favourites: electronic games and cosplay appearances.

While I did previously post that I will be definitely be rousing up some card game demos along the lines of Magic: the Gathering and World of Warcraft, looks like I’m set on focusing on the latter, for the weekend.

So the deal is, I’m giving away a limited number (not telling how many!) of “home-made” 61-card “starters”. The only catch is, well, for you to sit down for a 15-minute tutorial, to have a taste on what the game is like. (Special thanks to i.Star’s head honcho Davin Arul for donating some of his cards!)

If you’re totally new to the World of Warcraft TCG thing, fret not! Why don’t you start by checking out Cryptozoic Entertainment’s official how-to-start web resource? Or, do check out the following YouTube videos, here, and here.

I’ll be there from 12 noon till 4pm on Saturday (Nov 19) and 3pm till 6pm on Sunday (Nov 20). Hope to see you there!

Have something to say? Do tweet me at www.twitter.com/arcturus_mengsk or leave me feedback below.

So how is your first two weeks of May been to you? If you’re a TCG freak like me, specifically WoW (World of Warcraft), then you’d be enjoying the new expansion, War of the Elements.

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Boy, Magic: the Gathering (MTG) and World of Warcraft TCG (WoW TCG in short) fans are set for an exciting April…

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