Announcing Deck Builder's Toolkit

Mike Ryan · 11-02-2009, 11:04 PM

http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazin...ily/arcana/312

Quote:

Do you have friends? And are you tired of them always complaining because they don't have enough cards to compete with you at the kitchen table? Alternatively, are you just starting out in Magic? Do you worry that you don't have enough cards to start building decks?

Starting May 21, 2010, you can hook up a friend (or yourself!) with the Deck Builder's Toolkit, which will contain 100 land cards and 125 semi-random game cards, along with four 15-card booster packs from a variety of recent Magic: The Gathering sets for only $19.99. It's the perfect way to start a deck-building career!

The Deck Builder's Toolkit will also contain a card storage box, a guide containing dueling tips, and expert advice on how to custom build the deadliest and most effective decks possible. And since no two Toolkits are the same, each one presents its own unique deckbuilding challenges!

Slivortal · 11-02-2009, 11:06 PM

In other news, with Wizards having run out of ideas for Arcanas, they turned to their marketing department for ways to "fill in the gaps."

In all seriousness, how many more random "Announcing..." are we going to have? I mean, this is somewhat cool, but it's just boosters at MSRP/slightly more + lands + random (probably not good) cards + deckbox... seems like a cash grab to me...

AlphaSquirrel · 11-02-2009, 11:08 PM

Shameless. Just shameless. All I see when I look at this is the natural expansion of the WalMart tripack. :/ If it was guarenteed all packs were standard legal or clarified what "semi-random cards" meant, I might have a different opinion. I think this is the final nail in the coffin for those believing wotc was not receiving mandates from hasbro to make more money. So many new and different products recently.

Kirblar · 11-02-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

I think this is the final nail in the coffin for those believing wotc was not receiving mandates from hasbro to make more money. So many new and different products recently.

The "new and different" products have been a good thing.

The bad thing has been that they've been underprinting these new products pretty badly, leading to rapid rises in price on the secondary market.

Mike Ryan · 11-02-2009, 11:11 PM

This isn't limited release, and if we don't find out something new within the next sixth months about this product then I will start to doubt it.

electricturf · 11-02-2009, 11:12 PM

It's just another way for wizards to make profit off the noobs.

captaineddie · 11-02-2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electricturf

It's just another way for wizards to make profit off the noobs.

Unfortunately, I'd have to agree. In our community, we have a common box that we throw all of our draft commons into so that the beginners can have somewhere to start with... and best of all, it's all FREE! =D

Flakknight · 11-02-2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaSquirrel

Shameless. Just shameless. All I see when I look at this is the natural expansion of the WalMart tripack. :/ If it was guarenteed all packs were standard legal or clarified what "semi-random cards" meant, I might have a different opinion. I think this is the final nail in the coffin for those believing wotc was not receiving mandates from hasbro to make more money. So many new and different products recently.

Are you daft? They don't make tournament packs anymore and fat packs are typically collectors items and are rarely available. There's literally no way for someone who's completely new to simply 'start up' right now. There needs to be an entry level product that's not a theme deck.

viperesque · 11-02-2009, 11:17 PM

I think this is a bloody good idea, personally. It's quite similar to a Fat Pack, but less set-specific, which is good for newer players. And new players always need more land. I'm wondering about the composition of the random cards and the 4 boosters, though. I don't see myself buying any, but it fills a hole quite nicely.

MtGColorPie · 11-02-2009, 11:18 PM

Ah, so they solved the problem of not getting enough basic lands into the player's hands:

From UGMadness.net: http://ugmadness.net/index.php?date=2008-06-06

Three60 · 11-02-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slivortal

In all seriousness, how many more random "Announcing..." are we going to have?

Every time I see that poor Goblin offering himself up to the beats in that pit, I want to punch something. I'm really tired of seeing that word, and with every product they put out with that as its initial home I really don't want to purchase it.

Now, on topic, assuming they don't just throw junk in there it's not a bad deal. For those who buy booster packs, the four packs they put in get around $12-16, depending on what your store charges. Then between 16-20 of the semi-random cards get the rest of the cost. It's not a bad deal, if you need more commons/uncommons. I really like this offer, but for most of the people that would spend time on MTGS I doubt it would be useful. But that doesn't mean we should bash this, because it's very intriguing.

fnord · 11-02-2009, 11:20 PM

Sales will suck.
Then someone will open a Black Lotus in one.
Then sales will skyrocket.

PorcelainGod · 11-02-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captaineddie

Unfortunately, I'd have to agree. In our community, we have a common box that we throw all of our draft commons into so that the beginners can have somewhere to start with... and best of all, it's all FREE! =D

When my cousin wanted to get started playing magic I asked some of the older players if they could give her a deal to get her started. One guy said sure, and the next week came with a storage box full of commons, uncommons and like 15 rares. with the 300 (common/uncommon)land I had already given her she started the next week.

Like the announcement says this is aimed at "kitchen table" players who don't have a local shop and older players to get this kind of stuff from.

PopeHilarius · 11-02-2009, 11:29 PM

I don't understand how the releasing of a new product, even if its one you're not personally interested in, can make someone angry.

I think this is a great product- my girlfriend just started playing, and getting good cards to build around, as well as enough basics, is a bit of a chore. And the pre-cons are exactly that: pre constructed. A lot of the fun is in choosing which cards to put in. I think this will be a great package for someone interested in getting into the game. Easy for new players to join = good longterm health of the game.

As for it being a cash grab... everything they print, ever, is a cash grab. It's a company that sells products. Now, Wizards could be much, much more shameless in their cash grabs (the proverbial all-foil Power-9 set), but instead have recently been expanding their offerings besides the newest set (which is for everyone, but esp. Standard players) to the duel decks, planechase and so on (for collectors and the casual crowd), and now this, for newer players. Encouraging the growth of their playerbase with smart releases may be a cash grab... but it's one I stand behind for making the game appeal to more people.

Powdered Blackblade · 11-02-2009, 11:30 PM

They're essentially throwing ideas at the wall and seeing what sticks. It's not uncommon business, and it's not hurting anyone. I don't think it'll do any better than Portal or Starter, but I'm willing to buy one just to say I did.

Anyone who thinks this is 'just another cash grab', would have to discreetly ignore From The Vault and the all foil all the time boosters.

11-02-2009, 11:08 PM	#3
AlphaSquirrel Wizard Mentor Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 546	Shameless. Just shameless. All I see when I look at this is the natural expansion of the WalMart tripack. :/ If it was guarenteed all packs were standard legal or clarified what "semi-random cards" meant, I might have a different opinion. I think this is the final nail in the coffin for those believing wotc was not receiving mandates from hasbro to make more money. So many new and different products recently. __________________ Wonderful avatar and sig by Spiderboy4 @ High~Light Studios!

11-02-2009, 11:11 PM	#5
Mike Ryan Ascended Mage Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 160	This isn't limited release, and if we don't find out something new within the next sixth months about this product then I will start to doubt it. __________________

11-02-2009, 11:17 PM	#9
viperesque Lizard Mentor Rules Guru Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,337 Blog Entries: 8	I think this is a bloody good idea, personally. It's quite similar to a Fat Pack, but less set-specific, which is good for newer players. And new players always need more land. I'm wondering about the composition of the random cards and the 4 boosters, though. I don't see myself buying any, but it fills a hole quite nicely. __________________ The Comprehensive Rules (there as much for my own sake as for anyone else's) Currently baffled about: Why Jace is hitting $50 when Elspeth never went over $30. Does fanboy appeal really matter that much? Strange decks I'm working on:

11-02-2009, 11:18 PM	#10
MtGColorPie Ascended Mage Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 312	Ah, so they solved the problem of not getting enough basic lands into the player's hands: From UGMadness.net: http://ugmadness.net/index.php?date=2008-06-06 __________________ Recent Posts: 2-7 (MtGCP) Weekly MtGCP Sponsor - Umezawa's Cutlery 2-2 (99EDH) The Really Big Worldwake EDH Review (As seen on DailyMTG's Community Spotlight) 2-1 (MtGCP) Hangin' with Mr. Mind Sculptor 1-31 (MtGCP) Lotus Cobra is Evil - Finale 1-27 (99EDH) Worldwake EDH General Review - Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs Winner of May 2009 MCC Twitter: MtGColorPie

11-02-2009, 11:20 PM	#12
fnord Archmage Overlord Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,447	Sales will suck. Then someone will open a Black Lotus in one. Then sales will skyrocket. __________________


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11-02-2009, 11:12 PM	#6
electricturf Ascended Mage Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 333	It's just another way for wizards to make profit off the noobs.

11-02-2009, 11:29 PM	#14
PopeHilarius Experienced Mage Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 120	I don't understand how the releasing of a new product, even if its one you're not personally interested in, can make someone angry. I think this is a great product- my girlfriend just started playing, and getting good cards to build around, as well as enough basics, is a bit of a chore. And the pre-cons are exactly that: pre constructed. A lot of the fun is in choosing which cards to put in. I think this will be a great package for someone interested in getting into the game. Easy for new players to join = good longterm health of the game. As for it being a cash grab... everything they print, ever, is a cash grab. It's a company that sells products. Now, Wizards could be much, much more shameless in their cash grabs (the proverbial all-foil Power-9 set), but instead have recently been expanding their offerings besides the newest set (which is for everyone, but esp. Standard players) to the duel decks, planechase and so on (for collectors and the casual crowd), and now this, for newer players. Encouraging the growth of their playerbase with smart releases may be a cash grab... but it's one I stand behind for making the game appeal to more people.

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