Game: Call of Cthulhu CCG

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

SanguinousRex — 2008-09-19T23:59:32+00:00

So help me here - I haven't played the game yet but want to, and I posted my own thread a while ago but I'm still not 100%

The first "starter" set of the LCG comes out in October. So it's not out yet. BUT... I can buy any of the current starter packs or boosters, and all THESE cards can be used, and will still be legal to play when creating a Call of Cthulhu Living Card Game match, even though its switching to set cards?

Thread: Re: ready

Zambo — 2008-08-28T01:24:35+00:00

My pleasure! Let me know if you have any other questions; I'll be glad to help.

-Z

Thread: Re: ready

baditude — 2008-08-27T23:51:48+00:00

gotcha. thanks for the quick responses!

Thread: Re: ready

Zambo — 2008-08-27T23:26:45+00:00

Since insane characters leave a story once they go insane (and insane characters can never be committed to a story), this is not possible.

Thread: Re: "ancient one"

Zambo — 2008-08-27T23:05:10+00:00

"Ancient One" is a trait; you'll find traits as italicized, bold words at the top of the text box of a card.

Thread: Re: exhausted

TheEye — 2008-08-27T23:01:47+00:00

Only that they can't use any ability that requires them to become exhausted to use.

Dan

Thread: ready

baditude — 2008-08-27T22:59:48+00:00

can you "ready" and insane character (via the arcane struggle for example)

-E

Thread: exhausted

baditude — 2008-08-27T22:48:09+00:00

do exhausted cards suffer any penalties while committed to a story?

-E

Thread: "ancient one"

baditude — 2008-08-27T22:37:28+00:00

the starter deck has a card that wont target "Ancient Ones"...which cards are Ancient Ones...how can I tell?

-E

Thread: Spare Sealed Asylum Pack IV Dunwich Horror

gamecat_uk — 2008-08-22T12:02:28+00:00

I have a spare sealed Asylum Pack IV Dunwich Horror if anyone would like to swap for another asylum pack?

PM me if interested UK only.

M

Thread: Re: Help?

Lucas Blackwolf — 2008-08-19T19:14:04+00:00

Ok, let me try helping you out a bit ...
The game led it's life through a couple of base sets (Arkham edition and Eldritch edition) and their expansions, but (considered by many to be too niche product) it's sales in the end weren't enough to continue with the support for it. FFG had two choices; to call it a day or to change the sales/packaging policy of the game itself, which they did. They presented the idea of "Asylum packs"; decks of cards with fixed content. These became quite a hit, proving the FFG's philosophy correct. All things led to conclusion, that for better or for worse, the game will start somewhat anew, with the upcoming core (starter) box, followed by the (bi)monthly released Asylum packs of 40 cards each. The gameplay has not changed, although the starter box will contain some kind of "board game" for easier (or presumably better looking) reference, as the idea was, to keep the old cards compatible. They have, however, changed the card backs of the new set and made the new cards white-bordered, which FFG stated is to make the new cards more easily distinguishable from the old ones for the newcommers. So as thing are now, all of the older cards are usable (apart from a few presumably game-braking cards, that are banned from the tournament play), but it won't be so easy to get them all, as the cardpool out there is quite large.
I'd suggest looking for the Arkham edition or Eldritch edition Premium Starter Sets; they contain two decks each, and are preconstructed for two players, to learn the game (the game is in the essence a two-player game, but has the multiplayer option). I got into the game by purchasing the Eldritch edition Starter deck, one Asylum pack and a good number of commons for the cost of postage alone (by a kind chap from the official forum), which gave me enough cards to give it a try - making a few playable decks. The game isn't expensive to get into, especially if you're not aiming at the tournament scene from the get-go (I would suggest waiting here a bit to see how the meta evolves with the outcome of the new core set) and staying competitive (or "updated") later on should be cheaper than it used to be, now with the fixed price per month to get the whole playset of cards. And as I've mentioned; with a little search you should find a long-time fan, who has a big number of commons he'd be happy to part with for a small price, for the sake of getting new people into the game - the community is quite capital.
My reply to you is far from structured, but I tried to follow your post (which is not to say your post is not structured, it's just shorter :P). I hope you'll find it helpful but if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.

May I also suggest checking here http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/290578 for more info on the change of format (to LCG) and of course at the source, here http://www.cthulhulcg.com/ where you'll find "LCG: A Player's Guide" and on the Forums (same site), where others have asked the same question along the lines of "Where should I start".

Thread: Re: Help?

Trump — 2008-08-17T04:35:40+00:00

Asylum Packs have been coming out for the LCG, but these are smaller chunks of cards. You'll want to start in on the actual base set though and that's what the other poster is talking about.

Thread: Re: Help?

SanguinousRex — 2008-08-17T02:11:32+00:00

Wait, the new "Living Card game" Cthulu card game isn't out yet?

Thread: Re: Help?

wittdooley — 2008-08-16T23:40:46+00:00

Wait for the new game to get out then spend the 30$ ish bucks on the set. The retail on it is $40 bucks for the entire set, which will be plenty, and you should be able to find it online for around $30.

Thread: Help?

SanguinousRex — 2008-08-16T23:33:43+00:00

Where do I start with this game? I'm *thouroughly* confused, but as a Arkham Horror fan I'm considering playing this - but I'm not sure what's going on. I heard the game completely changed, it was original random, now its not. I think I like that more (random just gives advantages to those with money), but I still don't know where to begin. Can someone help me - what decks are already out? What CAN'T we use? Is the game just being released in 'sets?'

Also, can you play with just 2 players? Can you get a 'beginners' set? Any help would be nice! Finally - is the new game expensive? Or can I already pick up all the cards that have been released fairly easily?

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Davestar2 — 2008-08-05T14:25:17+00:00

preview Call of Cthulhu LCG (from tric-trac.net)

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

elcomadreja2 — 2008-08-02T01:41:59+00:00

Okay, they are changing the rule to 3 copies of a card max.
http://www.cthulhulcg.com/three-for-three.html

Kudos FFG
I have no doubt they are going to adjust this format as we go along (to raise or lower the money drain, who knows?)

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

Armadi — 2008-07-31T19:56:35+00:00

The cards are compatible if sleeved.

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

waddball — 2008-07-31T16:42:38+00:00

Zambo wrote:
3. If you think you're going to get into the game, buy whatever you want to purchase now; it'll all be compatible for league and tournament play (save a few overpowered cards which have been banned for both). I would recommend getting a Premium Starter and some Asylum packs currently in print for variety.
But won't the cards be incompatible? I thought everything right now (a) is black-bordered, and (b) has the "old" card back. The LCG will be different on both counts.

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

waddball — 2008-07-31T16:39:49+00:00

This LCG idea is fantastic. I have no idea if it will work for FFG, but I'm sure there are a lot of people like me out there who feel there's too much nasty baggage with CCGs, but like the other things they bring to the table (intricate mechanics, huge variety, short playing times, etc.). I'm not sold on the 10x3, 10x1 packs so much, as just personally I prefer highlander, but having just two extras of a given card isn't a huge deal. I shudder to think how many useless, redundant commons are littering landfills....

Anyway, I'd held off for a long time on both this and the GOT CCG, but I'll be jumping in now.

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

Zambo — 2008-07-31T02:10:29+00:00

elcomadreja2 wrote:
First Blue Moon, now this... nice move from FFG.
Always liked the theme, but now this makes me want to get into the game.

After reading that interview what I wonder is:
1) Will asylum packs be kept in print? I mean, at a pace of one a month, that's a large amount of items to keep in stock. Still, one can hope.

2) Is the statement of only 10$ a month to have the options of mr suitcase valid? Assuming a 4 card limit (I have no idea, but that seems to be the norm) that would be 40$ a month, with 8 extra copies of the "common" cards you can't use. Personally anyway.

3) Should I look at getting the asylum packs that are out right now to complement the upcoming LCG core set? (Tie this back to question #1)

At the very least, I'll probably get a core set and treat it as I do Blue Moon.

1. I don't believe so. As of current, the Asylum packs have a fixed printing and once they're gone, they're gone. That said, with this new model they may up the printing so it's more readily available. But someone who gets into the game with the Core Set should easily be able to get their hands on some of the current Asylum Packs.

2. The current Asylum Packs have 3 copies of 10 different cards and 1 copy of 10 different cards. So yes, with a 4 card limit (as is in the case of the CoC LCG), you would have to spend $40 a month. What I would really like to see happen is to change the distribution to 2 copies of 20 different cards each, thereby cutting everyone's costs in half. But who knows if that'll happen.

3. If you think you're going to get into the game, buy whatever you want to purchase now; it'll all be compatible for league and tournament play (save a few overpowered cards which have been banned for both). I would recommend getting a Premium Starter and some Asylum packs currently in print for variety.

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

elcomadreja2 — 2008-07-31T02:00:43+00:00

First Blue Moon, now this... nice move from FFG.
Always liked the theme, but now this makes me want to get into the game.

After reading that interview what I wonder is:
1) Will asylum packs be kept in print? I mean, at a pace of one a month, that's a large amount of items to keep in stock. Still, one can hope.

2) Is the statement of only 10$ a month to have the options of mr suitcase valid? Assuming a 4 card limit (I have no idea, but that seems to be the norm) that would be 40$ a month, with 8 extra copies of the "common" cards you can't use. Personally anyway.

3) Should I look at getting the asylum packs that are out right now to complement the upcoming LCG core set? (Tie this back to question #1)

At the very least, I'll probably get a core set and treat it as I do Blue Moon.

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VulvaBoy — 2008-07-27T17:58:35+00:00

Yog-Sothoth, The Key And The Gate, now in one handy package.

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VulvaBoy — 2008-07-24T14:24:04+00:00

Hastur in all his incarnations.

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

Rukasu — 2008-07-19T07:11:01+00:00

This was an 'official response' just posted on the boards concerning the change to white borders (which bothers me much more for Cthulhu than Thrones)...

Hello All,

It's time to put this to bed. FFG will produce both the AGOT and CTHULHU card games with white borders in their new LCG format going forward. We aim to make these games as great as they can possibly be, and I think that we have proved our stamina, mettle, and loyalty to these games. I question the wisdom of grating us to the point where we question whether the fight is worth it (Although many suggestions, including Hastur's, have been sensible and well thought out.)

I don't know where all this entitlement comes from. I'm sorry if a player doesn't like the choice, I'm happy if a player likes it. For the complaints, we have noted them, appreciated the feedback, thought about it, but we're not returning the games to black borders. We don't have a service contract on our games, nor does a voting ballot come with them. We aim to make great games, and we hope players like them. If you don't, we regret to see a player go, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

If this border change actually is sufficient to make you leave the the game, then ciao, baby. You're probably on the way out anyway. Trying to somehow bully us, call us names, whine, or claim the right to demand anything of FFG (other than properly produced packaging and components), is misguided at best.

We always, and hope that we have continually proven, listen to concerns, issues, and opinions from our customers. When these go overboard, however, I'll be sure to tell.

I'm telling now.

Brutal and callous: yes
The facts: yes
Care about the future of the game: yes.

"Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back."

Christian T. Petersen
CEO
FFG

Ouch.

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VulvaBoy — 2008-07-16T17:59:56+00:00

The many faces of great Cthulhu, him being the only one to have a namesake promo card.

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VulvaBoy — 2008-07-16T17:57:20+00:00

Forgotten Cities "mini" Ancient Ones Part II: Ithaqua and Y´Golonac (auf Deutsch).

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VulvaBoy — 2008-07-16T17:52:30+00:00

Forgotten Cities "mini" Ancient Ones Part I: Chaugnar Faugn and Yig.

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VulvaBoy — 2008-07-16T17:50:03+00:00

The two Ancient Ones from Asylum Pack 2.

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

Lucas Blackwolf — 2008-07-08T09:01:18+00:00

We've been having lively debates about the issue on the official CoC forum. Just a day ago or so we've been promised some official explenations and comments (apart from weak corporate statements on how all these will help the game take a new start with new players, that have been so far published on the CoC website).
The white boarders and to some extent new card backs have caused quite a stir, to be sure. I personally think the old backs look much better and see no need to change them beyond changing the "collectible" for "living". As for the white borders, I agree with those who say that the new borders don't hold well against the dark theme and artwork.

You're warmly wellcome to join us on the CoC forum (on the Fantasy Flight Games site) and state your opinion; there are some who believe these are deciding times for the future of Call of Cthulhu LCG.

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

Armadi — 2008-07-07T19:06:09+00:00

They are changing the card backs, which surprises me. Also going with white bordered cards.

http://www.cthulhulcg.com/lcg-expose-2.html

Thread: Small Set of German Cards for sale

dosto — 2008-07-07T15:30:44+00:00

Small Set of German Cards for sale

ALL PACKS SEALED CONDItion

6 normal Starters "Unheimliche Schrecken" ( Eldtrich Edition)

3 Premium Starters "Unheimliche Schrecken" ( Eldtrich Edition)

=50 €

+shipping.

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

Rukasu — 2008-06-10T05:20:13+00:00

I hope they aren't changing card backs, and see no reason for them to do so...

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

Lucas Blackwolf — 2008-06-08T21:15:29+00:00

Sorry, where did you get the info on changed card backs?
Otherwise check here for the first part of more in-depth official info on the changed format http://www.cthulhuccg.com/lcg-expose-1.html
It is said the board and gaming pieces will do the job of resource management and success tokens at the stories; not exactely a boardgame, but as such not essential to play the game; in a word, things are to remain essentially the same.

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

Zadok13 — 2008-06-08T20:35:59+00:00

I wonder why they are changing the backs of the CoC cards. I'll have to actually get card sleeves if I want to combine them. Ah well, I am really looking forward to this new format.

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

Lucas Blackwolf — 2008-05-24T10:20:54+00:00

Mainly about a Game of Thrones LCG, but a neat preview of the Call of CThulhu core box as well, check this unterview; http://www.tcgplayer.com/db/game_review.asp?AID=2337&PID=336...

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

nyhotep — 2008-05-19T16:56:05+00:00

/agree

Thread: Re: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

Lucas Blackwolf — 2008-05-19T16:38:55+00:00

Which, I think, is one of the things Fantasy Flight did with this game (and the Game of Thrones) fabulously right and fantastically Capital. When the Call of Cthulhu CCG struggeled for survival the folks at FF decided to give it a second chance in a drastically changed format, which has proven as a right decision.
It basically means the game is no more a "collectable" card game in terms of random packaging, but closer to the "fixed" board and card games sporting numerous expansions. How many times does one hear "not another collectable card game" before the thing is given even as much as a second glance. I know of many cases where people really like the game, but feel somewhat cheated on the whole collectable aspect. The massive card pool from previous sets of CoC promises a certain degree in fluidity of meta for quite some time to come and provides material for the collectors. For those of us who like to know what we get for our money, there will be the packages of fixed content and accessible prices. Some argue that the Asylum Packs are set to come out too often (monthly), but If pulled off right, I see this as the next big thing of the CCG field and if I'm correct, quite an influential one for certain other games out there.
I applaud Fantasy Fligh for what they did, making them once again my favourite player in the field of industry giants.

Thread: Re: Multiplayer Rules

Konwacht — 2008-03-13T21:59:59+00:00

Well done!

Thread: Re: Multiplayer Rules

radynski — 2008-03-13T21:07:18+00:00

The multiplayer rules can actually be found in this forum already, under "Variants":

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/165405

Enjoy!

Thread: Re: Deck Building

Konwacht — 2008-03-13T20:52:18+00:00

Ah, well done site and some very nice articles on the website!

Thread: Multiplayer Rules

Konwacht — 2008-03-13T20:49:10+00:00

And after those helpful answeres of the past - hopefully anyone knows if there are multiplayer rules out there? We are about four persons that want to play together...

Thread: Re: Deck Building

Konwacht — 2008-03-13T20:43:59+00:00

Cool!

Thanks a lot!

Thread: Re: Deck Building

radynski — 2008-03-13T01:47:24+00:00

The quick answer is that a little less than half your deck should be characters when you first start playing. once you get more used to the game, you can determine for yourself and your play-style how many of each card type you need. Some decks need less, some more, some decks need none.

Check out the articles site for some more help, specifically my deck-building for beginners article:

http://www.chris-long.com/cthulhu/articles/

Thread: Deck Building

Konwacht — 2008-03-12T20:53:03+00:00

Hi!

What are you normal deck sizes and card distributions?

What number of characters, event/action cards and supporting cards? In my starter package there have been 29 characters and 9 events / supporting cards. That seems a lot of characters... on 60 cards that would mean 38 characters and only 11 events cards and 11 supporting cards...?

Thread: Re: Bonus Symbols

Konwacht — 2008-03-12T18:03:05+00:00

Oh!

Thank you very much!

NOW I do understand.

Well, without an example I searched for the starter deck and couldn´t image what the rule refers to. Thanks a lot!

Thread: Re: Bonus Symbols

radynski — 2008-03-12T13:04:48+00:00

Trump wrote:
Actually there are a few examples in that starter set. Glass of Mortlan is one. It gives you an arcane and an investigative icon (left edge of character card) as well as a bonus investigation struggle icon.

Doh! That's right. And the monster side has at least Glass of Leng and that Bell in the Hastur faction.

Thread: Re: Bonus Symbols

Trump — 2008-03-12T02:34:01+00:00

Actually there are a few examples in that starter set. Glass of Mortlan is one. It gives you an arcane and an investigative icon (left edge of character card) as well as a bonus investigation struggle icon.

Thread: Re: Bonus Symbols

radynski — 2008-03-12T01:27:59+00:00

No. The icons in the textbox like the Black Pharoah add the icons to those on the left side of the character. They will count toward the story struggles and various other abilities.

The "Bonus Struggle" icons, which actually add additional icon struggles to the story are much larger and always appear at the bottom of the card. They have the icons in a circle and are roughly 2 cm in diameter. I don't think there are any examples of this in the Eldritch set though, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Thread: Re: Arcane Struggle

Konwacht — 2008-03-11T21:52:35+00:00

Thanks for the quick well explained answer!

Thread: Re: Arcane Struggle

Hastur666 — 2008-03-11T21:22:05+00:00

The value of winning the arcane struggle is that you may ready (untap) a character, which will allow him to help you defend stories on your opponent's turn.

Remember that when you commit to a story, all committed characters are exhausted. If you lose arcane, they will all stay exhausted. If you win arcane, you can choose to ready one of them, giving you more defense when your opponent attacks the stories.

As far as succeeding (winning) at a story: no it does not matter whether they are ready or exhausted- they still count their skill.

Thread: Bonus Symbols

Konwacht — 2008-03-11T21:10:20+00:00

What are those bonus symbols?

Are these that ones that I can find for example at U152 "The black pharao" inside the reaction-text? Do I understand the rules right that those symbols are NOT a bonus towards the symbols on the left side of the card (twice horror, once arcane) but do trigger struggles for themselves for each of that bonus symbols (at this card once all four struggles)?

Thread: Arcane Struggle

Konwacht — 2008-03-11T20:45:15+00:00

Hm, I really don´t get it. All struggles (combat etc.) habe a real impact on the cards (let characters go insane, wound them etc.) but why should I win an arcane struggle?

The german rules only state that you may then untap one character. But since arcane struggle is on third place of the four struggles... it would only help me with the - last - investigative strugle?

Because when comparing the strength of all characters to win one story point it really doesn´t matter if the character is untaped or not, does it? (the german rules say that at least... only insane characters can´t add their strength)

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Fantas — 2008-03-05T17:36:16+00:00

Eldritch Edition starter box - Back

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Fantas — 2008-03-05T17:35:28+00:00

Eldritch Edition starter box - Front

Thread: Call of Cthulhu converts to monthly fixed deck releases

dboeren — 2008-02-08T20:33:12+00:00

Nobody seems to have reported this yet, read about it here:
http://www.cthulhuccg.com/pdf/CoC_LCG_NickLetter.pdf

It's basically an extension of their current Asylum Packs release mechanism, and there will also be a new base set arriving late October.

Thread: Re: User Review

dboeren — 2008-02-07T21:52:12+00:00

I'm not sure I agree about it being "clunky". I have no experience playing CCGs and was able to pick it up quite easily, it seems pretty streamlined to me. In contrast, I attempted once to learn the L5R CCG and it was a lot more difficult to learn. I never did feel like I understood how to play, and I certainly have no idea how to take a bunch of L5R cards and make them into a deck that even "works" on a very basic level.

What it really comes down to IMHO is not just how easy it is to pick up the basic rules, but how easy it is to learn basic strategy - to know what the heck you're trying to do and what cards help you do it. This is where I feel that CoC scores highly. After a couple of trial games I can go through the cards and recognize which ones seem most useful. I can browse through the deckbuilder software, see something, and say "that card looks really good". And you know what else? It's just as likely to be a Common as it is a Rare. You can stick with Common and Uncommon cards and still have a pretty good working deck. You won't win major championships with it, but it will be pretty nice for casual play.

Thread: Re: How many factions in custom decks?

Doc Holliday — 2008-01-28T13:08:16+00:00

Ok, thanks! I see that efficiency plays an important role here, as the game plays rather fast. So actually picking up to 4 copies of each card makes your deck more reliable.

And Chris, thank you for the link you posted. It will definitely help me get deeper into the game.

Thread: Re: How many factions in custom decks?

radynski — 2008-01-25T21:05:16+00:00

I will generally build two-faction or single-faction decks. Occasionally I will do three faction decks, but only if I have a way to get cards into play without paying for them (usually Yog is one of those three factions).

While it is possible to play with any number of factions, its generally not a good idea. You always want to get the maximum benefit out of your domains each round (which basically means you want to have used them all by the end of your opponent's turn, or have left them open for specific counters).

With more than two factions, it becomes difficult to plan your resourcing scheme with any sort of predictability, and you will often not be able to utilize your domains as effectively as a two-faction deck will. Therefore you won't be able to play as fast, and you'll get beaten.

Resourcing is actually incredibly important in this game. You want to build decks with a nice cost-curve (ie: a good mix of low-cost cards you can play early) and you generally want to plan out what you will (ideally) play on your first couple turns.

Whenever I build a deck, one of things I think about while building it is how I'm going to build up my domains. Will I do 1-1-3 or 1-2-2 and stuff like that.

Lastly, I always try to stay as close to 50 cards as I can. Unlike GOT, there isn't that much search in a deck, and its not reliable like the Plot cards, so you need to stick to statistics.

The closer to 50 cards, the more likely it will be I draw a copy of a card I have 4x of in there. The more likely it is that i draw those cards, the more consistent my deck will play out. I recommend that newer players (who want to get competitive) start building decks with 13 different cards at 4x copies each. That really helps you to filter a deck down into its most basic strategies, and gives you a feel for how a consistent deck will play out.

Check out the article I wrote on this here:

http://boss.sverok.net/CoC/deckbuildingbasics1.html

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Barrumbo — 2007-12-17T21:52:09+00:00

Ultra Promo (only 100 copies) of Llegat de Cthulhu v2.0.