Category Archives: keyforge

Keyforge Age of Ascension Announced

keyforge, news

Yesterday in a FFG Live simultaneous broadcast on Twitch and YouTube, FFG sprung an announcement about the next Keyforge set.

Coming in Q2 of this year is Keyforge Age of Ascension.

This new set will be a combination of old and new cards. The new card pool of 370 cards will be a combination of 166 old cards and 204 new cards. From the live stream Garfield said a lot of the cards dropped from the first set were commons. The reason being so that players are more likely to see the new cards.

In the live broadcast there was mention of three new keywords, deploy, alpha and omega. Deploy will allow you to insert a creature in between other creatures on the battlefield, instead of just on one of the flanks. Alpha means that card has to be played at the start of the third phase before anything else is done. Otherwise it can’t be played. Whilst omega is the opposite, it is the very last card you play in the third phase.

Naturally there will be a new starter set, that will contain the following:

As you can see the starter decks are gone. As are the power and stun cards, which have been replaced with cardboard tokens. A much much better option, and practical. It was mentioned that the tokens in this starter set are smaller than the original starter set ones, “to make it easier to fit everything into a deck box” (their words paraphrased from the live stream). Instead of the starter decks, they are replaced with two,poster playmats. I’m not sure how I feel about this. Great for teaching the game. But durability is a concern. Plus is this just something being put in to justify keeping the rrp at the same cost as the previous starter set? I’m also convinced that the reason for the smaller tokens is cost, and the fact they are printing 44 more than before.

The this starter set will sell, because players will want those new power and stun tokens. But will it offer value for money? Is all the extra stuff on top of the two included decks worth the difference between buying the two decks separately?

UPDATE: Taken from Facebook – “Just a heads up about the new set regarding prices….

The new RRP for decks is £9.99 which is a £1 increase

The new RRP for starter sets is £23.99 which is a huge drop of £12”

£4 for the tokens? I could live with that.

End of UPDATE

During the broadcast there was also some reveals about OP play, and some of the stuff you can get. They showed off two playmats. One was a four horseman one. They looked ok.

Apparently there will be alternative ways to get stuff from the prize wall if you can’t get to an event where there is one. Well that’s what I read afterwards in a comment on Facebook. I didn’t hear them say that myself. But I did skip through some of the game play. Which if that’s the case, is a good sign and shows they are listening (maybe).

I appreciate that FFG are doing these live events on a regular basis. But they need to improve the production quality. It was annoying during the live gameplay with the new decks when they went to show the new cards they were not shown, or there was a delay for the image to appear. I know this is all new for them, and they are learning. Maybe they need to talk to the Tap,Tap, Concede guys about their live MtG coverage.

You can read the full FFG announcement here and watch the video here.

FFG Fumble the Keyforge OP Again

keyforge

I’ve never really been that impressed with FFG and their organised play(OP) kits. Or to be fair with FFG the ones I saw from my brief time taking part in my FLGS Android Netrunner events. The make up of the Star Wars: Destiny OP kits was just as disappointing.

But what was I comparing them too? Ok WotC have had a long time to get the whole OP thing sorted and running like a well oiled machine. Although they do have the odd bump now and then in what they do. However being a MtG player this is my main point of reference for how OP should be done.

Unlike MtG OP it’s a bit harder for FFG to come up with the prize support for Keyforge. The unique decks in this situation is more a hinderance than an advantage. The one thing I do find that FFG keep doing is not providing enough prize support in their kits. Stores often having to break open more than one kit for popular events. Plus they charge for their kits.

FFG recently announced their next wave of OP for Keyforge, and revealed finally what the aember shards are to be used for within the Master Vault app that you accumulate from registering decks and taking part in OP.

To start off with there will be a prize wall at some Keyforge events. I’m assuming these will be their own events held at cons and their hq. Plus certain stores will be authorised to have them as well.

The actual initial prizes on the wall are to say the least underwhelming. The only one I’d really want from that wall would be the premium key set. And you’d want two sets to play with for when playing with friends.

The upgraded tokens like those little plastic ones for damage, has always been an issue for me. They will give you five as the prize. I don’t see the point of such a low number. There should be enough to play with. Having to play with a mixture is annoying.

Plus those alt art cardboard tokens, they are at best participation prizes that get handed out for taking part in the event. If they are going to be part of the prize wall, for your aember shards you spend on them, at least you should be getting multiple copies (at least five).

And why? Oh why? Isn’t this glossary card in every Keyforge deck you buy?


Put the turn structure on the other side, and you have the perfect player aid. This could at least have been in the starter set decks. The thing is, it wouldn’t have added anything to the final cost of a deck. Fractions of a penny or for any American readers cent. Look this is what players get in the Welcome decks aimed at beginners from WotC.

WotC give us two cards, with the fourth face used as an advert for a MtG related product. FFG could do the same on the fourth face (if they splashed out and used two cards), advertise the Master Vault maybe. FFG you screwed up here.

What they have been very cunning about is not sharing how much aember shards each prize will require. You can bet that the premium key set won’t be cheap to get. So it looks like they are avoiding any potential uproar until nearer the time.

For me who doesn’t have a LGS that runs Keyforge events I’m screwed. Asmodee UK will respond to any queries about OP kits with stores only, and pointing you to your nearest stores. Apparently they don’t think you know your local area. They also don’t respond when you point out that one store is actually much longer than 40 minutes away (as estimated by Google, but actually over an hour), takes the Friendly out of FLGS, and not a pleasant environment to say the least. Also that response assumes your FLGS is running events and even selling Keyforge. You can be assured I,pointed out my FLGS does neither.

I am not alone in this predicament. So why isn’t there an option to redeem your aember shards through the Master Vault and have your rewards posted to you?

For me FFG still don’t get OP kits, and have a lot of room to improve.

I don’t want to be all negative in this post. FFG should be given some credit for their companion app The Master Vault, and the functionality they are adding to it. It really is starting to become a nice feature of the game. Being able to track your decks casual play stats, OP stats and add notes is a really nice.

I also like their marketing fluff state of the game YouTube videos. There have been two so far. They talk OP, the Master Vault and rules questions. Ideally they would be more regular. And they aren’t completely cringe worthy to watch.

What do you think of the new OP announcement? Happy with it?

Master Vault App Update

keyforge

Noticed today that FFG have pushed out an update for their Master Vault app.

I’ve taken a couple of screen shots so you can see what the top two updates look like.

A quick play seems to show that the casual play stuff is only held locally, and doesn’t sync across devices. But it could be I didn’t leave enough time for that to happen.

The Rules link just fires up a tab in safari to the links on the vault.

I really like that they have added the casual play tracking. I just wish they had just gone that little further and implemented the syncing. I use the app on my iPhone phone and iPad.

But it’s a nice update, one I’ll make more use of than the planned organised play update. You need access to organised play first.

Mana Screwed II

Game day, keyforge, magic, MtG


Out in the wider MtG world it’s the weekend of the Liverpool Grand Prix. Technically I think this is the last one before the become MagicFest. These sort of events (for me) are over priced. Especially once you add in travel and accommodation. I find events like UKGE much better value.

So while all those wanna be pro players were in Liverpool, I was taking part in my FLGS Standard Showdown again.

Due to road works I nearly didn’t make the start of the Showdown on time. So a call was made to let John know I was on my way and might be 5 minutes late. On the journey over I thought I had left one of my Carnage Tyrants in my big green stompy Commander deck. And part of the journey over was working out what would replace it. A Doom Whisperer would be the obvious choice. But luck would have it when I finally arrived at the store and checked my deck, I had put it back. Phew!

Let battle commence, the first round pair ups were announced…

Round 1 Kar-fai mono red

If my deck hadn’t decided to screw me over I would have done better! Being mana screwed is one of those things you live with in MtG. It’s an aspect of the game you accept. To be fair sometimes it’s not a fun experience. But what characterises every MtG player while they are experiencing the mana draught or mana flood (too much land opposed to too little/none) is the optimism that the next card will be the one you need. That mana that enables you to start playing. But the longer the draught goes on, the harder it becomes to turn things round. Until it gets to the point of no return, and saving the game becomes impossible and the optimism ebbs away to be replaced by accepting the inevitable. Luckily at that point the suffering is soon over as your opponent puts you out of your misery.

That describes two of the three matches I had with Kar-fai. The third game (which in reality was game 2 iirc) which I won was one of those games that I managed to stabilise and grab the win.

Result: Loss 2-1

Round 2 – bye

My loss meant I got to sit back, take some photos, and spectate the games being played.

Result: Win

Round 3 – Andy red white knights

Remember me describing in-eloquently above what it’s like to be mana screwed? Work with me here, it was a couple of sentences back or so. Recent history, from as far back as 40 minutes before, decided to repeat itself. I know I have mana in the deck, I’ve seen it. But once again it decided to play hide and seek.

By the end of our first game I think I’d resigned myself to the fact it was going to be one of those days, or to use an over used cliche, “a bad day at the office”. As dad used to be fond of saying “shit happens”. Indeed it does, and how we handle things after the shit happening, defines the sort of person that we are.

I’m not going to rush out and change my deck because of a bad result or two. I think it has already proved that it can on it’s day hold it’s own. I’m happy with this version of the deck, which won’t get changed until the next set rotation.

It won’t put me off playing in more Standard Showdowns either.

What I’m basically saying is I’m picking myself up off the floor, dusting myself down, and continuing to play.

It’s that trying again. Not being put off by failure. The determination to succeed. It’s been a really useful skill that has defined me since an early age, and been crucial as a programmer.

Oh bugger this is getting deep, I better change the mood quickly. I lost both games, for reasons that have already been discussed.

Result: Loss 2-0

Friendly Game 1 – Andy’s Mono Blue Mill Deck

Andy had come across an article about playing mill at FNM, which also happened to be a budget deck, and he had the majority of the cards. So he built the deck. And that’s what I played against here. I recognised the cards that formed the mill engine (Psychic Corrosion and Drowned Secrets) I’d seen them put to good use in a series 5 game of Spellslingers with Day 9 playing the deck. Strictly Better MtG also did a deck tech on it also. But I hadn’t come across the article Andy had mentioned.

Andy got a copy of both the core cards of the deck out, and I was milling cards. Just not fast enough for it to really effect the end result. My creatures with nothing to block them swung in unopposed. And were doing damage faster than I was being milled.

I have to admit I like the idea of the deck. And I was tempted to build a version of the deck myself when I first saw the episode of Spellslingers. Now I know I am going to create a version too. I’ll use the same core engine. But I’d love to know why no millstone.

Result: Win

Friendly Game 2 – Dean Mono Green Aggro

Dean finished top 3 with his deck. So I was curious to see how my deck would do against it. Especially since we shared cards.

Taking out Dean’s Llanowar Elf early on was a very wise decision. It slowed him down. My battlefield was building up faster than his, my big hitters were coming out. But so was Dean’s. We would soon be getting to that crunch point of a reckoning. A reckoning based on the current board state I’d win, but the board would be decimated. With Vivien Reid out I was able to keep my hand full of creatures to play. Then being able to ultimate her was enough to give me the game. This was the first time I’ve ultimated Vivien. Usually if I can use her a couple of times to get a creature or remove something then I’m happy.

Result: Win

So once the dust had settled and the WotC software finished its advanced calculations my final position was…

Final Position: 5th out of 7 (Kar-fai took top spot)

Prize: 1 participation pack (took a Battlebond booster) and a Standard Showdown booster (pulled a Crucible of Worlds).

After the showdown Kar-fai played some Keyforge with me. This was Kar-fai’s first time playing, so a learning experience. We used the following two decks of mine Evie, Desperado of the Melancholic Haven vs Blindingly Fanatical Erkki. Kar-fai played Erkki, and I played my latest arrival Evie.

Our first game was a white wash for Kar-fai. The Evie deck did all the work, but I forged 3 keys before Kar-fai had forged one. I did feel a bit guilty. Had I inadvertently used an over powered deck? This new deck was a voyage of discovery for me. I liked it. It was fun, especially the 3 warped wormholes that it had. I even enjoyed the mars side of the deck, a house I’ve not really played.

Afterwards we swapped decks.


This was a completely different game. I took an early lead, Kar-fai pulled back level. This game was dragging on. Neither of us could make that break through to forge the third and final key. We’d get the ember needed, but the other player on their go would be able to do enough to stop the key being forged. Whether it was decimating the opponent’s ember supply, capturing just enough ember, or even stealing it.

In the end we called the game a draw. Mainly because John wanted to shut up shop, it was closing time.

But despite that, and the twinge of guilt from the first game. I had a blast playing the games. That back and forth in the last game was intense and a blast. Plus Kai-far enjoyed playing, and is potentially looking at grabbing a couple of decks.

Despite my deck hating me today I had a great day of MtG and Keyforge.

A new combatant in the crucible

Game day, keyforge

Friday evening some plans were made (in pencil) to possibly play some Keyforge Saturday afternoon. However those plans fell through. Well they were in pencil so not guaranteed. But I have to admit I was a little disappointed that the plans had fallen through. I’d been looking forward to it, especially since my mood had been a bit on the low side for a day or two. I was needing some gaming in my life to distract and attempt to change things.

Out of the blue Justin called saying that a couple of Keyforge decks had arrived and he fancied playing some Keyforge. Naturally I jumped at the chance to play me some Keyforge.

Once at Justin’s and setup. I ran through the basic rules of the game, and the turn structure. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming when rules are being explained and it’s easier to just jump in and ask questions along the way. Justin felt this way.

For our first game I used my Blindingly Fanatical Erkki deck (Brobnar, Dis, Logos). Now you folks will hate me but I forgot to make a note of the decks I played against. But Justin’s deck took off and before I knew it he’d forged two keys, and done a damn fine job of denying me ember, and from forging a key myself.

For some reason I thought this was my four horsemen deck. And for a while thought I’d be drawing one of them any minute, it’s why I didn’t play a particular brobnar card that dumped cards from the deck into the discard pile until you ran out of deck or drew a brobnar creature. I hadn’t wanted to miss those cards. I was down to the last four cards in the deck when it clicked the horsemen deck was one of the other decks.

It was looking like this game was going to be a whitewash, I needed to at least get a key forged to prevent that. And that was the only real thought going through my head.

I was using the ability to archive cards to set up one or two big turns with my logos cards.

Eventually I broke through and forged my first key. Phew the pressure was off. I was expecting Justin to forge his third and final key imminently. But I was frustrating his ember production.

Then a fatal mistake was made by Justin. He allowed me to get a board state of mostly Dis cards in place. Suddenly I was able to exhaust two creatures to reap and get Justin to discard two random cards from hand. Plus I could steal ember from him. I also continued to put logos cards into the archive setting up that mega turn. Waiting for my battlefield to destroyed and replaced by logos cards.

But that moment never came. I was controlling the game. All of a sudden I had my second key forged, and in a turns time the ability to win the game. Justin was not able to stop the inevitable.

Somehow I had gone from trying not to get whitewashed to winning. This had been a long game 40-50 minutes I think. But it was intense, with ups and downs. A great game.


Our second game saw me try The Underhanded Captain (Dis, Brobnar, Sanctum). This was my four horsemen deck. Justin played his other new deck.

This was a very one sided game and much quicker.

It was interesting to play, and went off to a flying start. Although Justin’s deck did well keeping the number of big creatures down on my side.

I’m not taking this game as any indication of how good this horsemen deck is. Justin’s new deck had archiving and the potential to get some power turns played.

This game had more going on that affected the other players turn, like not being able to play a house, or having to play a chosen house. Justin chose Sanctum for my turn at one point which totally screwed me over because I had no Sanctum cards in hand. But my only creature out was a Sanctum one so all I could do was reap.

Justin enjoyed his first experience of Keyforge. I had a great afternoon playing. The socialising had had the desired affect. I was certainly feeling better than I was before going out.

We now have four Keyforge players in town now that I know of. Is this a Keyforge community forming?

NEWS: Yesterday also saw FFG announce that in the Master Vault it has hit over 200k decks registered. That’s phenomenal. Naturally it doesn’t give us any clue to the actual number of players of the game or actual number of decks sold. Mainly because a lot of players have multiple decks, not all decks bought have been registered (for whatever reason), and some of those decks will be from the starter set. But still I don’t think FFG will be unhappy with the numbers they are seeing for the game. What we need to see now is more organised play events being held at more stores, and the nurturing and growth of a community. But I’ll expand on that idea in another post (if I remember too, I am old and forgetful don’t forget, you may have to remind me in the comments).

If you want to see my decks etc, you should be able to scan the QR code below or search for my unoriginal account name.

Dilemma solved

keyforge

Well it was made easier with the arrival at the start of the week of a second 4 horsemen deck.

Yesterday on the UK Keyforge Trading and Selling page some-one posted a bunch of decks they were looking to trade. I thought why not? I liked the look of the new 4 horse men deck more, so if I could get a two or three decks for it I’d be happy.

While waiting for a response I received a private message asking if I was selling or trading. After a brief exchange of messages, and links to decks. We came to an agreement, and I’m getting two decks for my 4 horsemen deck. The two decks are Bellandini, the Ranger of Whistlecorner and HRH Threeteen, the Bizzarre Distiller. They looked interesting decks, Bellandini had archives stuff going on and I liked the idea of playing around with that mechanic. The other deck had board wipes and stuff so that looked like it will disrupt the opponents board state and steal amber.

What amazed me was I actually did the trade. I usually can’t be bothered to do all this sort of stuff, like going to the post office etc. It’s too much hassle.

I’m looking forward to trying these decks out.

Decks 6 and 7

keyforge

What a way to start the week, the arrival of 300 Mayday Premium clear sleeves (my sleeve of choice for this type of sleeve, it’s why I get through so many of them) and 2 Keyforge decks.

So over my rather nice cup of coffee and with the latest NCIS Los Angeles on I opened the decks up to see what I’d got.

I absolutely love these 2 deck names.

It was too early to focus on the small print on the deck list card, and the eco light bulb hadn’t powered up to full luminance, so I scanned in the decks to the app.

Bloody hell The Underhanded Captain is a 4 Horseman deck!

Yeah remember that dilemma yesterday? It just got easier and harder!

Yeah after waking up with no hot water (the fuse for the economy 7 heating/water tripped in the night), this kind of makes up for it.

A Keyforge Dilemma

keyforge

Have I worn you down yet with all these Keyforge posts?

Anyway I have a dilemma. I caved and looked at the deck lists for the decks I’ve opened up. And one of the decks is a Four Horsemen deck.

What’s a Four Horsemen deck? It’s a deck that contains the following four cards.

As the summary shows they are either at a special or rare rarity within decks. I believe they only come as a group. I’ve not heard of anyone just having one or two of the four.

What’s the dilemma? Well I’d like to keep it and play the deck. But on the other hand if I leave it sealed and sell it I could probably get a bit more than I payed for it.

Wait? What? Some of these £9 decks are going for more than they cost? Yeah, especially these Four Horsemen decks.

Depending on the supporting cards in the rest of the deck these can go for up to £200.

The only draw back selling is the deck is registered. So whoever bought it wouldn’t get the ember for it when they registered it.

It’s not as if I’m going to play the deck competitively. So no real advantage keeping it for that.

Still I’m undecided. Keep flipping on what to do. But leaning towards selling.