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?