My Thoughts on GEM Packs. | Flesh and Blood TCG

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#fabtcg #fleshandbloodtcg #breakdown

[@tam-ka-blam9736]

As a person who still listens to news about what is happening with MTG, hearing the words "Marvel heroes" caused me to panic a little.

[@YgorSantos0]

GEM packs looks nice but I will miss the playmats

[@mmedal_]

I’m a brand new player who just went to my first fab event. I lost all three matches in a row. The store owner gave me 2 packs of my choice just for showing up and it made a huge impact. I think these gem packs are a fantastic idea and I’m really excited by them.

[@Sausageontoast]

Welcome to the community!

[@robbem1230]

Not a lot of owners do that! That’s awesome

[@Nathaniel_theClashGuy]

I've been waiting for this for awhile. The Armories were supposed to be for casual players but there seems to always be a Spike or two in a community and just win all the CF. For a game where you basically lose for months because it's a more complicated game, I can see this pulling in new players bc they tried it a couple times and got a good pull.

[@Garygrine]

Think this is a great change. A lot of times we would have ppl lose round 1 and go home since they can't get the big prize. Also it give hope for the newer players who most like won't win a armory for a while now can get something sweet just for playing.

[@jessetirayoh]

Losing one round and then leaving is actually kinda crazy.

[@jongibson4766]

I think it all depends on the allocation levels as to how successful these are going to be. LSS has to allocate enough for them to actually just be a participation bonus like the announcement says. If they short the allocations at all, then they become prize packs for the winners, and events might get spikier. Card gamers love cracking packs, especially when you say there might be a Marvel in there.

[@SparkSign]

I like this change. As a new player, I have no chance to win at my local armory. So having prize support that means that I can win no matter what is really nice. Like you said as well, it also allows people to play different decks without thinking that they could have done better.

[@JustinSlayton]

I'm excited for GEM packs. Hopefully it draws people to armories but doesn't prioritize trying to win it

[@MichaelDevinCawvey]

I’m curious why “hopefully… doesn’t prioritize trying to win it”? Like I’m hoping for a healthy balance of “the participation prize isn’t pointless, but there is still a bigger prize for first.” Maybe I’m way off but my first inclination on reading the release was that if I have extra as a store I want to do 1 per player and like 3 to 1st place of the armory. The participation prize is better than the current set up that way, and there is still a reward for winning. Why is that a bad thing? Like the part of FAB that has drawn in more players than anything else I have seen is the community and tournament scene, and at the end of the day that is a competitive scene so if that is what FAB is best at, why move away from it?

[@JustinSlayton]

@MichaelDevinCawvey Without going into a long winded reply. Prioritizing winning has hurt growing our community when it comes to the current armory prizes. It has made some players who really want the CF promos consistently spike the armories making it difficult for new players to get into the game. Also at one of the stores I play at they will not receive enough GEM packs allocation for every player every armory. So because of this there is a slight divide in the community between how they should be allocated. Because if you give them out based on performance then you still have a new player retention problem. That is why I hope these packs don't prioritize performance and should prioritize community and growth. Because Fab's biggest problem right now imo is that the new player entry is very expensive.

[@pmotaviano1650]

My concerns are 2 things the ammount of packs for each lgs and the reprints. I mean, small cities need those packs to revitalize their community. Let's say that you have a small city like mine and your community have a lot of casuals, that are interested in commoner, but they're reluctant to play on CC events blitz, or drafts, or anything like that. The gem packs are needed to incentivize the new players to enter the tournament and try their luck knowing they have a chance to win something if they at least participate or something like that. Also, the reprints. As a player that has started playing FaB in Bright lights season and from time to time stoped and return after a while, the price of some cards are just outrageous.

[@broceedwin]

Coming from Yu-Gi-Oh! to FaB, this is a really, really good idea, in particular for casual players, and to increase tournament participation. This definitely motivates new players to get into the game and give them a chance to participate on the opening booster and trading part of the hobby from the very start. Looking forward to these - btw, thanks for the video! P.S. If you guys are curious, in Yu-Gi-Oh! the system is a pack for entry and a pack for win. Winning packs can be the OTS packs or some packs of the most current set. The packs often include higher rarities of commonly use cards and cheaper reprints of expensive chase cards (the odds of getting these are extremelly small TT). A small negative of the OTS packs system in Yu-Gi-Oh! is that the card pool for OTS packs is very small (if you open more than 1, you are pretty much warranty to see the same card, or some times you see the same card within the same booster). Also, I feel a miss opportunity with these packs in Yu-Gi-Oh! is that you are not warranty anything with foiling (which normally really excite new players, event if the foil is for a cheap card). FaB seem to had taken both of these into consideration 👍

[@jiffyb333]

Absolutely think this is an enormous upgrade. Especially with everyone getting the same pack rather than having the cold foil be for the person who won. Having the person who lost crack open their GEM pack and pull a Marvel is going to have everyone in the game store cheering and I'm so here for it! As other people have said I will absolutely miss the playmats. I never owned a playmat before flesh and blood so getting armory playmats meant a lot to me.

[@robstien]

6 per week average seems lite… especially if a main driver for the change is to help promote more people showing up at armories

[@ajbrown1708]

Most stores at least locally got more than the one box allocated

[@robstien]

@ unfortunately our LGS averages 6-8 players a week, and only got one box of 50, so we will be short and not enough for any growth.

[@stigmurder99]

I'll miss the posters but those fancy packs got me feeling some kind of way 😍

[@joshhoggle]

as a player who can only make it to 1 armory a month because of work and family i love it

[@clarkmoore4]

I love a lot of the obvious things to love about these packs. Rewards go to everybody and gives you the chance to win big even without winning the tournament. Them running for 4 months also puts a lot of emphasis on the packs having good, diverse value. I can easily see attendance waning if the cards selected are underwhelming. I think I'd like to see GEM packs move to a 2-month rotation personally if only to mix-up rewards more regularly.

[@deadpoolrwbyfan8419]

I love the gem pack ideas, but personally I’ve hated the cold foil Meld cards. When it was just the cold foil equipment/weapon/hero, you just needed to win 1. You could chill once you got it. Now, at least locally, there’s been an added pressure to win the playset. It’s been a real feel bad for me, and I know at least a few locals agree. I hope what Gem packs bring can help fix that

[@6seph9]

Excited! People are delusional thinking there will be things like cnc. I also believe they will be given randomly, kinda tough to have enough for everyone

[@Cabutage]

G.E.M. packs seem cool

[@supermarioblacktiger]

I think this change will be good in the long run but come up short initially. Looking at the history of LSS decisions, it's kind of clear that while LSS does learn from their mistakes, it often takes a bit of time, if not years, before they actually get something to a point where most people are happy. I also think some people are concerned about the lack of mention of playmats.

[@Gr8Dane_FAB]

I'm betting the marvel for the first round of armory packs is Dromai. Kinda like Briar was in Rosetta.

[@Smokin_Beard]

I just got into Flesh and Blood and had a friend telling me for the past couple years that I would like it. I started watching videos on KZbin 1 in particular with you and The Professor and was hooked. Going to my First Armory tonight, I don't know what to expect, but I'm very excited.

[@roguenoob]

I love this except for the disappearance of the mats. If you can only get them at RTN/PQ locally (and you have to get to the finals for that) or buy the blitz collection. New players could just get one easily for free by just playing at their armory

[@macksealand7832]

My only concern with the change is the allocation numbers. Will the shop be getting enough to cover a pack for everyone participating throughout the month? I also really wish they would continue offering the playmats.

[@aportillo3]

Diggin' the flow, homie! I'm letting my hair "grow" as well. (Haven't made an effort to get a haircut)

[@Vulturnos]

I dont really like the idea of GEM packs, unless they are extraordinarily good, which I doubt. We are most likely getting cards like Salt the Wound and the likes than nice stuff like we have been getting in recent armory kits, and also, the playmat was something relevant too.

[@stigmurder99]

Free EA Salt the Wound would be cool lol

[@Vulturnos]

@@stigmurder99 cool but irrelevant.

[@Nathaniel_theClashGuy]

The main issue is really how the armories would give the best card to winning player. In some communities it's the same player or couple of players. This changes that and gives everyone a chance. When I go 0-3 bc I wanted to try a new hero or an off meta hero or I just had a crappy week playing, it feels nice having the same chance at getting something good instead of the picked over RF of a card I probably didnt care about.

[@Vulturnos]

@@Nathaniel_theClashGuy thats true and I agree, but then again, thats the problem with a system that only gives prizes to 1st places. In our LGS sometimes the 1st place gets the better prize (playmat and CF card), sometimes its random, so even new players get a chance at the best stuff. Of course, thats is my LGS, not everyone's like that.

[@MichaelDevinCawvey]

I’m excited for the GEM packs. I think it will be an interesting thing to strike a balance between rewarding participation and rewarding performance. Some people may not agree, but I think supporting competitive at the local level is important to the continuation of FAB. I own a store and regularly make the argument that most of what I have on the shelf is best in slot for something. MTG is the best multiplayer format and “beer and pretzels with your friends” game on the market right now, Pokemon is the best for cracking packs and collecting, Lorcana is the best for transitioning/intro to TCGs (the floor of being able to play is low, but tons of room for growth and competitive, and also people will play Disney who wouldn’t normally try a card game), and FAB is the best OP system in the current market. If people don’t like competitive formats I generally suggest any game other than FAB, bc my experience is that people who pick up the game and stick with it are the ones who like the competitive scene and make friends in it, and the people who get frustrated with competition get frustrated with FAB and quit playing. If competitive is what the game does well, there needs to be a path to growing in that. Start with picking up the games, then take shots at armories, when you can win some of those try skirmish/pq/rtn events, and if you enjoy that you then go to things like callings/battle hardened/ and invite events. If armories don’t have a reason to compete, but less so than travel events then there isn’t enough serious play to prepare you for what those travel events are going to be like. Hopefully the gem packs strike a good balance rewarding casual and moderate competitive play at the local level.

[@treyherring8318]

The only thing i hate i no playmat. Which i know everyone has playmats now but it was nice being able to collect them

[@MG-lx3oz]

I'm curious how they go about playmats now. I loved the idea of winning playmats or even special cards. I think the GEM packs should be another incentive for players to show up, but they shouldn't replace the normal kits we have now. if they start selling playmats they also need to start selling Dice or other accessories.

[@Novakane32]

Continue with promo cards for armory winners and use Gem Packs instead of regular boosters as prize support and participation.

[@jarlballinswagg1710]

Woa, you’re telling me the guy who wins every locals won’t get the cold foil every time and someone else will get a crack at it? Perfect.

[@sirelbows7986]

Those packs give me Star Wars unlimited play packs I love those so ima love these

[@Greg-f8x6q]

Imo currently rn the prize support in this game is mid and SWU Prizes WIPES FAB SO HARD. Most promos are unplayble and the CF's are 50/50 depending on who u play. But the promo packs in SWU are random so u can open up something that u will actually like versus talking a card u dont care for and end up throwing away a decent chunk of the time or give them away.

[@sirelbows7986]

@ valid point

[@ThisiSaDeadgame]

I wanted to start playing this but I’m basically a single father of 2 and it’s not justifiable for someone like me to spend this kinda money on myself. Every time I think about spending a penny on any of this I feel bad and remember all the stuff they still need. Hoping maybe late 2025 or 2026 will be better for me to try getting into it. 🤷🏻‍♂️ until then I guess I’ll just watch videos on it lol.

[@ValariaxSword]

I actually like this change. Our local scene has been slowly dwindling and in my opinion it’s been partially because of how competitive the game and players are. I think just being rewarded for participation will lead to less feel bads and people will play their pet decks and other under appreciated heroes instead of what made top 8 in the last tournament.

[@RDC95]

Command and conquer in these would be crazy.

[@Razorcrest999]

I think that this allows them to make staple reprints like CnC, E-Strike, and tunic more widely available (or ever codex of frailty in the hunted)without risking scalpers trying to corner the market. It’s an also outlet where we could see marvel versions of old heroes who were printed before marvels, similar to the treatment briar got in Rosetta. I could see Dromai, Fai, and even OG Arakni getting marvel hero releases this way

[@WashedHands223]

Getting the stable competitive cards in packs would be awesome. I’ve been playing since tales of aria and still don’t own any of the big three (C&C, E-Strike, Art of War{even though it’s banned}) and just haven’t had the money to justify buying them. And if this is the case It would def help newer players to give them a reason to come back even if they go 0-3 at an event.

[@GoblinReserve]

All depends on how good the hits are, but love the excitement of not knowing what you get.

[@glendawe2597]

If these Gem packs will eventually include stuff like Command and Conquer, Enlightened strike, and other staple cards im all for them. Im a new player and the fact CnC is going for $100+ at the time of this comment and is considered almost a must play in quite a few decks (which to be fair explains its price) is kinda annoying lol. But in general I think the packs are a great replacement foe armoury kits. Only thing ill miss is the playmats.

[@jordanlego]

I’ve seen yugioh layers throw the whole pack away nearly every time. So I hope fab isnt the same worthless packs.

[@DMArmada]

@@jordanlego that would suck

[@jordanlego]

@ right. We have our fab armory right after our lgs does their yugioh tourney. And they said with this last round of packs, there’s only 1 card anyone wants, and they’re reported 1 per case. So everything else ends up in the trash bin at the shop.

[@slotholopolis2314]

Pokemon has done something similar for years and it's great

[@garymack2069]

Now you can show up not even play one game, concede the first round then drop and you’ll get the same amount of prizes as a person that won all their games. It only matters if I participate not if I win or even complete games

[@DMArmada]

@@garymack2069 not if the store only hands them out during the last round

[@SUNIKIGAMING]

Alot of people are concered about folks showing up and just rolling over everyone that thats a real concern. I speak for myself bere hut when i show up at an armory if there are new players ill sometimes switch up and play one of my weaker decks. People should really consider being less cutthroat to drag in newer folks.

[@Regaw]

I'll miss the playmates. That's a big draw for new players at my LGS.

[@Regaw]

That being said, I'm excited for the change.

[@murf_ie1711]

Tip man , lower the volume of the music and/or increase the volume of your voice

[@DMArmada]

@@murf_ie1711 hmm I always set music to -30db and my voice track to +5db. Do you think it needs more on my voice or less on my music specifically?

[@Nathaniel_theClashGuy]

I actually disagree with this. I was thinking the music is too low.... so dmarmada probably hit the sweet middle spot.

[@Scarlett_Roberts]

I'm just upset about the playmats honestly. That aspect makes this feel like a step down.