So curiosity got the better of me and I opened the next 2 decks to find out what they were called.
Not amazing names. Why protect a factory? Is that the capitalist deck?
But it’s going to be very interesting to see how these 2 decks play. They share 2 common houses. It will hopefully give me an idea what impact that third house has, and if I like what they do.
Last Friday saw the release of The Master Vault app, a companion app (and website for those that don’t want to use the app) for Keyforge.
Hats off to FFG they were aiming to have it available for the Keyforge release, and it was on both iOS and Android.
Ok before I look at what the current state of play is with this initial release of the app, it should be noted that to use this app you need an Asmodee account. So if you don’t have one you will be prompted to create one, which is a fairly painless process. I’m assuming these Asmodee accounts will be used across various other apps/games also.
So with an Asmodee account setup, you login to the app, and it lets you do stuff. Like what? I’m not doing this in any particular order, but you can add a deck. Basically every deck apart from the 2 non-unique starter decks has a QR code that identifies it. Using the add deck option allows you to register that deck as yours by scanning in the QR code using the camera on your phone (you can also enter the code manually). A claimed deck earns you an ember.
The My Decks lists all the decks you have scanned in. Not only that it allows you to drill down to see the cards in the deck and also to remove it (this allows you to sell/give away the deck, and the recipient to register it). Eventually as you can see there will be more information about the deck that will track how well the deck has done in organised play.
The profile page gives you the ability to share your profile with others using the tried and true QR codes. While also summarising the treasure you’ve collected. Which we have already seen can be collected by buying decks and scanning them in. I’m also assuming you may get ember from organised play (seeing as there is no local events, not sure this will be much of an avenue to gain ember for me). I’ve no idea what happens when you get a key. Hopefully there will be some cool rewards in the pipe line.
I do like the buttons that allow you to jump around the functionality of the app from the various sections. It streamlines doing stuff without having to keep going back to the main menu.
The app does look nice. And I think this is the first time I’ve seen QR codes put to a good use within a game.
I’ve not confirmed this but Mike Hatcher (a Youtuber and entertainer – his channel is entertaining) said the only difference between the app and website is that the website allows you to look for Keyforge events near by. I also agree with his conclusion that this bit of functionality should be in the app at some point. It seems a logical thing to add.
FFG have been on record as saying that they want the Master Vault to be the one stop shop for Keyforge players. Which is a nice ambition for the app/website. I think this is a good start. I’m assuming they have their roadmap for where it’s going (would be nice to see it). And I’m sure the Keyforge community will have suggestions of what they would like to see in the app also. Especially after it’s been in their hands for a while.
I know several players would like to be able to play the game online. Is the Master Vault the right place to do this? I don’t think so. But there is no reason why it can’t be linked to your account, and make your decks available for you to play with in a separate app.
Nico got a new jumper yesterday that reflects his inner sith.
Sadly the stormtrooper one was too big for Loki. Loki is an awkward size between small and extra small. Else there would be photos of Loki in the trooper jumper.
For the record this is the nearest I’m getting to being seasonally festive.
I finally caved in and opened up 2 of my Keyforge decks to see what they are called.
I admit after watching stuff online over the weekend I was getting real curious about what I had.
Plus I wanted to try out the functionality of the Master Vault for my next post on a Keyforge related topic.
I’m happy that these 2 decks don’t share a house. So when I finally break the seal and play with them they will be different experiences.
The Awkward Region sounds like it’s somewhere I’d be right at home, or even a native. I like the wizard sounding name of Andromeda “Silverfish” Beligus. Even the art looks wizard like.
I want the decks when I play them to be a surprise. So I’m currently avoiding looking at the deck lists for these 2 decks. If you are curious about the cards in the deck you are welcome to look the decks up on the Master Vault. Just don’t spoil them to me.
At the moment the archetype of each house is still a bit confusing. I’m trying (probably wrongly) to match them to ones I’m familiar with within MtG. So which is the graveyard shenanigans house? Or which is the control/counter spell house? Once I’ve got my head round that I’ll know what houses I’m looking forward to in a new deck.
There are still 3 unopened decks. Which for a day or two will remain that way.
For those that don’t do Instagram, and/or stalk me on social media like Facebook and Twitter. I present here a sequence of photos taken the other evening of the terrible duo playing mind games over a chew.
For the record there was more than one chew. But as usual Nico likes Loki to do the hard work. Plus he likes to practice his Jedi mind-tricks on young Loki.
Thought I’d continue the bandwagon ride for Keyforge with a brief look at the Keyforge starter set.
It should be pointed out this is not a review, or a commentary about the game itself. Others do that stuff so much better than me. So go find them. I won’t mind.
This image taken off the internet shows basically what you get for your money.
The only thing it doesn’t show is the quick start rule sheet you get in the box, and the little marketing booklet for FFG games.
Unusually for FFG this starter set is everything 2 players need for the game. Technically the other starter sets they produce have been also, however if you wanted to deck build, or construct the decks so you can play without swapping cards between decks, you’d have to buy a second starter set. But this is more due to the nature of the game than anything FFG did on purpose.
I like that they provide 2 “learning” decks, but they will after you have played one or two games be consigned to the box, and only bought out to teach new players with. It should be noted these 2 decks can’t be used in organised play.
Including 2 unique decks to move onto, is a great touch. It gives players that path to grow. It introduces them to the concept of the unique decks, and starts exposing them to potentially more powerful cards and new keywords/mechanics.
This starter set is the only place to get official tokens for Keyforge from. Which has been one of the reasons some players have been buying the set. Although it’s not hard to use alternatives as long as it’s clear to both players what the alternatives represent. I for one will be replacing the ember tokens. But the cardboard used is the usual FFG quality, which is pretty good.
One thing I think this starter set is missing is a couple of player aids summarising the turn structure. Something like this one from MtG.
On the flip side or another card is also a diagram of the board showing areas of where cards go.
It’s not a big thing, and definitely not a costly addition, fractions of a cent for FFG to add them. But it would make that learning and teaching much easier.
Overall I think FFG have done a good job with the contents of the starter set. Decks can be picked up or around £8. So does this starter set represent good value for money? As an introduction to the game for new players, I think just about. Although it’s debatable whether you could realistically give the 2 learning decks the same value as the unique decks. The starters do after all have a limited life. Then it comes down to how much value is attached to the cardboard tokens and token cards.
It should be noted that there was not enough starter sets to meet demand/preorders, however a new printing hits stores in December (just in time for Christmas). So if you haven’t got a starter set and want one, you may find it really hard to come by one until the restock. Although it does appear that there is enough unique decks to meet demand. So if you can’t wait you can buy a unique deck, use alternatives for tokens, download the rules and start playing.
My third Standard Showdown, and the first opportunity to defend my win, and spread the Keyforge love.
In this Standard Showdown there was 8 participants.
Round 1 – Dean
Dean took the first game easily. Well relatively. There was a too and fro, but his deck kicked in and took the victory.
Second game I should have taken a photo of the board. It was getting very wide, I had stabilised at 6 health. But the numbers were in my favour. I had an Assassins Trophy in hand to make sure. Drew a Vraska’s Contempt while looking for my Find//Finality. I was happy to flood the board until that happened. I had the upper hand. Dean swung in. But as expected I came out on top. I finally got my Find//Finality to give me the extra edge as I cast the Finality side. That was enough to give me the win.
The decider between us was a by the numbers win for me using my weenies, my removal and a Steel Leaf Champion.
Result: Win 2-1
Round 2 – Alfie
Dean’s nephew was playing with an improved deck from the previous week (I wasn’t there remember, I was having a good time in Ipswich), that was meant to be fast. But it really was an easy match up for my deck. I was able to control the battlefield through my removal, get my creatures out. To be fair I don’t think I got to see Alfie’s deck working as intended. But that’s the luck of the draw sometimes.
Result: Win 2-0
Round 3 – Andy Hall
Andy is one of those players that goes to GP’s, plays very competitively. I don’t think I’d be wrong in saying he is one of the stores top MtG players. And I think this was the first time I’ve played against Andy. And what a time to play him, battling for the top slot.
It’s not fun being killed by your own creatures. But that is what happened in the 2 games we played. I did some damage to him, so it wasn’t all one sided. The 2 games went this way. I’d do some early damage, then Thief of Sanity would come out, hit me, steal a card (usually one of my big hitters, like Carnage Tyrant in game 1). Then because I didn’t draw into my removal or have enough lands (oh they would be in the graveyard thanks to that awful card) I’d be at the mercy of my own card.
Although I feel I had a moral victory with Andy misplaying my Assassins Trophy. He’d stolen and cast my Nullhide Ferox, then with only enough mana spare to cast the trophy tried removing my Steel Leaf Champion until I pointed out that he couldn’t. The Ferox was stopping him from doing so.
Result: Loss 2-0
The dust settled, results entered and analysed by the WotC website. Which meant that with the way it calculated things I came in third out of the field of 8. If a result had gone my way in one of the other games, despite having the same win/loss record with second place I’d have ended up in second place.
In respect to what prizes people got there is no difference between second and third place. We both got a Standard Showdown pack, a participation pack, and an extra booster for being second/third.
Final standing: 3rd with a record of 2 Wins 1 Loss
This is what I pulled from the Standard Showdown pack…
I was really happy when I opened up the Standard Showdown pack as you might guess. Foil Angrath and plains. Angrath will potentially fit in nicely with the new deck with that +1 ability. Already had Karn, but still what a pull.
Highlights of the 2 boosters (I went with 1 Amonkhet and 1 Hour of Devastation because Guilds of Ravnica had sold out, and they are awaiting stock)…
Once again reasonably happy with the pulls. Aven Mindcensor saves me digging out my playset to use one in the death and taxes deck. A cycle land is always welcome. Hour of Devastation and Razaketh’s Rite also cards that will go well in the new deck.
And I’ll repeat over and over, sounding like a broken record. But the way I evaluate new cards is will they fit well into a deck of mine, or be of use in one I’m building.
There were a couple of games of Commander afterwards. Less said about them the better, one player was using a totally OP deck and just crushed all before him.
I didn’t get to play any Keyforge. I did ask Dean and Andy if they had heard of it, and I might as well been talking to my chihuahuas at that point. The local awareness at my FLGS is literally zero.
Ok the bit for those that are remotely interested, my deck list for the Standard Showdown.
The main change for this version is the addition of a second Vivien Reid Planeswalker to the sideboard, and the 4 Find//Finality (2 in main deck, and 2 in the sideboard). The cards that made way for this were the Silent Gravestone, Status//Statue, Mastermind’s Acquisition.
4 Llanowar Elves
2 Skittering Heartstopper
4 Vicious Conquistador
3 Dire Fleet Poisoner
4 Steel Leaf Champion
2 Thrashing Brontodon
1 Nullhide Ferox
3 Ravenous Chupacabra
2 Carnage Tyrant
1 Ghalta, Primal Hunger
4 Assassin’s Trophy
2 Find // Finality
2 Never Happened
4 Vraska’s Contempt
1 Vivien Reid
6 Forest
1 Foul Orchard
4 Golgari Guildgate (a)
1 Overgrown Tomb
7 Swamp
2 Woodland Cemetery
2 Skittering Heartstopper
1 Dire Fleet Poisoner
2 Kitesail Freebooter
2 Thrashing Brontodon
1 Demon of Catastrophes
1 Doom Whisperer
1 Ghalta, Primal Hunger
2 Find // Finality
2 Ritual of Soot
1 Vraska, Golgari Queen
1 Vivien Reid
So from time to time you get boring Star Realms game play videos (like earlier today), I’ve started writing about the D&D sessions (new post imminent). You get some naff write ups of our board game groups meet ups. I totally go ott on the MtG posts. Those posts even have delusions of deck building skills. Finally from time to time I’ve vented on here with the odd rant.
I also think regular sufferers will appreciate by now I’m not one to miss a band wagon once in a while. So I’ve decided to jump on the latest one to hitting the gaming community and start talking about Keyforge.
Technically you could argue I’ve already started doing that with the couple of posts I written or talked about it.
My first experience of Keyforge at the Tabletop Gaming Live non-event was mixed. The first demo I played the deck didn’t gel with me, the second game was more enjoyable because I got the deck. I came away thinking it was ok. But hadn’t been blown away (I think that sums up the post succinctly.)
I’ve also expressed concerns over the FFG organised play kits. I don’t think FFG’s track record is good on this front. For me I think the success of Keyforge will be very dependent on this. I’m not bowled over with what I saw for the Prerelease (lanyards, badges or as our American friends call them pins). The release weekend stuff isn’t great in my opinion. Although the weekly kit looks ok at best.
In a very recent post I inelegantly expressed concerns over the legs of the game based on the nonexistent demand for the game at my FLGS. My FLGS acts as my barometer on games.
So I think the above summarises where I currently am on Keyforge and current “concerns” for the game.
I’m not sure how the coverage for Keyforge will develop. I’ll stumble around until I hit something I like and hopefully others will too. But be prepared to be bored…
Unlucky for you all I enjoy putting these Star Realms videos up.
Sometimes the games seem just run of the mill, but still enjoyable. Then other times the game just stands out as one of those games that you will bore non-players with constant retellings of. They won’t have the foggiest what you are talking about, but will nod politely, make the odd comment such as “no way” or “then what did you do?” to feign interest. All the time thinking “god will you just shut up already, I need to go to the toilet” (it’s a similar reaction for when I bore folks talking about MtG).
This is one of those games. After the game, within seconds Scott was messaging me to say this game was definitely one for the blog. A day or two later than planned but who am I to disappoint?
You can visit Scott on his YouTube channel Scott Plays HERE.
These meetups come around real quick. Once again our fantastic hosts for the evening were the totally awesome The Luxe Cinema, and it’s amazing staff.
Somehow we managed to squeeze 8 people round the table to play some games. Naturally we split up into 2 groups of 4 for reasons.
Our group of 4 had started off playing 7 Wonders, whilst the other group played Tiny Epic Galaxies.
Not to sound like a broken record but I’ve not played 7 Wonders in 2 years! A new member to the group had said they’d wanted to try the game along with the next game we played. Did I need any better excuse than this to get the game back to the table? Nope.
We were a little cramped on table space. But it didn’t stop us building our empires and wonders.
Myself and the new member dominated the military side of things. Jeff had developed a science community that gave him a massive point injection at the end. But not enough to deny our new member from grabbing the well earned victory.
Next up on the want to try list was a current favourite Azul.
Azul when I’m playing it will always be a 5 round game. I did warn everyone that is my tactic at the start. I like that ticking clock, the pressure it puts on everyone, the focus. It also means I’m not having to worry about when the game will end, or whose ending it.
I thought I’d won. But the end game bonuses when added in gave Jeff the victory.
While we played Azul the other group of players played Deep Sea Adventure. I like this light push your luck game. And so did a couple of that group, who after playing were online ordering their own copies!
Our group finished the evening off with the now out of print Love Letter: Batman (you won’t believe the silly prices the licensed themed copies of the game go for now). While the others played some Rick and Morty card game (can you tell I’m not a fan of the show or the games?).
Jeff once again claimed victory for the game, with myself coming in last. But we had a blast playing the game.
As we packed away, evidence was taken to show that I had been trusted with Diego’s Kickstarter copy of Robin Hood and His Merry Men. Must remember to take it with me next time I see Diego.
But a great evening game, fantastic hosts. A big thank you to The Luxe Cinema and the staff there.