Looking for quite a few cards, but how would I do this best?

[DonAldo]

OOokay, trading & collecting. Obviously, as a guy coming back, who does not already have everything ever made for this game, as some of you seem to do, I have a few questions here as well.

Well, I need your advice. I already asked Gwaihir for his advice, but I'd like some more viewpoints on this.

I have mentioned some of this, but I'll add something else:
a) I built the decks from this thread and I really like them.
b) I had a huge amount of commons & fixed stolen (with the addition that I never ever had the Aragorn and Glorfindel Fixed Packs in all my buying "career")
c) I have almost all of METW otherwise. I am missing pretty much exactly 55 rares, 4 uncommons and 26 fixed (and all the promos) for a complete set.

So, I am planning on buying a few things. Mainly I have the following points in mind. These are in order of importance (Gwaihir will recognize this is an almost direct copy/paste from the email ):

1.) Get *all* fixed packs, at least two copies each - especially the ones with Aragorn and Glorfindel, seeing how I NEVER owned those and really need them, because I still have some of the other fixed cards. However, I need the others as well, seeing how I don't even have Gandalf and Saruman anymore and only a fraction of the others. I *really* need to have those cards again. I said it before, I had to make up six "Doors of Night" and that's just those cards. I don't even own Isengard, Thranduil's Halls or Barrow Downs anymore!

2.) Have all the cards needed for those decks found on the forums. (Besides the cards from the fixed sets, this means mostly some rares, a few additional uncommons and the three promotional cards that he used.)

3.) Stock up on commons/uncommons

4.) Complete the collection




The first point is really important. I can live without having a few of the rares or without enough of them to create all the decks the way they are, but I can't go on with 30 cards out of each deck being post-it "proxies". It simply sucks. And I need each of those more than once, simply because my buddy and my fiancee will also play, using my cards...
The second point is already less important, because once I have the first point, most of the problems from the second are already addressed.
The third point is about "on par" with the second. Might as well call them 2a and 2b.

Ok, now the question is actually pretty easy: How would I do this in the best way? Should I just buy a Starter Display? I figured that that would be the best way to go - I'd get fixed cards, almost as many rares as from a booster display, get a nice amount of uncommons and commons...
At least that's what my plan was, until I found out how ICE fucked up the whole Fixed Pack thing and how I wouldn't even be guaranteed that I'd get a single issue of each Fixed Pack (suddenly I understood why I had never recieved Glorfindel or Aragorn....).
So, the next idea I had, was to ask on the forums for someone willing to donate (or for a small fee/tip) a whole bunch of commons and fixed cards. Back when I played Decipher's Star Wars CCG, nearly every store I went to, had a big cardboard box full of commons/uncommons for people to scavenge and drop something into. Maybe add buying a display of boosters to it....? Or something completely different?

Well, Gwaihir suggested getting one of those complete sets, one of each rare, etc things. Granted, that would get me at least one of every card and definitely solve 4.), however, it wouldn't really *really* solve 1.) or 2.) and definitely not 3.). And those are still my main problems.


Oh, I might wanna add that I collect only unlimted and only english cards. I don't care for limited. At least for now. Maybe I will get a single run of Limited at once point, if I really have too much money, just to have them in my folders. And if I ever *really* have too much money, I will get a lot, but that is pure speculation. I really couldn't care less about the colour of the card border, as long as it's not pink.
I collect to play - which is why I also will never ever get anything but english cards.

[Thorsten the Traveller]

Since you're a player, buying displays is usually best way to go since you need cards in quantity. But, trading is rather down lately, most players have what they need and not much more stuff gets on the market. In this respect, buying a whole set might be a good idea (depending on what you already have of course). If you're not set on completing a collection, you might buy singles, but in the end it will cost you more, probably, once you get hooked on the game  

Most players will give you spare stuff like (un)commons if you ask nicely, and easiest way to do that is to attend a tournament or other meccg event (where sealed games are played). Fixed cards are a bit less in supply, but many people have those to spare too. And third, you can sometimes buy also sets of commons/fixed online at auction/market sites.

Of course easiest way to go is buy a whole collection of someone getting out (if you read this: don't do it!), and barter for a real good price.

Now, sticking to hero only cards:
-metw has many unique or not so useful rares, buying a complete set and proxying the left over rares (3x assassin...) is ok. But it's the base set so many commons are sorely needed, so to save you from hussle of collecting those, buying some displays might also be good, UL displays might not cost you a fortune.
-metd also has many crappy rares which you will hardly use multiple copies, yet it is relatively cheap (bigger supply), so buying displays is ok, but a single set is ok too as virtually everybody has tons of uncommons to drown you in.
-medm will be harder to aquire and is expensive, buying a full set is best.
-if you don't want to play as bad guy (minion) or fallen wizard, you can just cherry pick from the other sets and buy singles.
-if you find a shop where they sell Balrog cards, don't tell anybody and pm me  

[DonAldo]

Yeah, I really am confused at what I should do. I think that's normal though, for someone who has been on-and-off this game for nearly 13 years and *finally* goes in head over heels...and loves every second, every nuance of it.

In regards of buying a whole set, I think what I dislike most about this idea, is the fact that I'd buy (and pay) for a lot of stuff I don't need, while not really getting what I *really* need (aka lots of fixed, commons - and even uncommon cards, seeing how I don't have enough of those non-uniques.).

That's why I thought of a Starter-display. I'd get lots of commons and uncommons, some rares (obviously 6 less than with boosters, right?) and fixed cards. If I am lucky, I'll get at least one set each, if not... tough luck. I don't think the chances are that bad. Then, if I still needed to, at one point, I can always buy a "complete" set to finish of the collection, maybe trade off a few cards, or just keep them.

And yes, I hope that I will be able to attend some meeting/event, but first I need to play MORE!

Oh and I guess I can quickly post a list of cards that I am missing completely, just so people can judge better (as you said - some cards aren't that useful, so one would only get them for "completeness"):

METW Fixed
Aragorn II                    Barrow-downs                    Beorn's House
Bree                            Ellahan                               Dunlendings
Dunnish Clan-hold         Faramir                             Gandalf
Gimli                            Glorfindel II                       Goblin-Gate
Henneth Annun             Iron Hill Dwarf-hold             Isengard
Kili                               Men of Anorien                   Peath
Rangers of Ithilien         Rangers of the North           Ruined Signal Tower
Saruman                      The Lonely Mountain            Thranduil's Halls
Weather top                  Wellinghall



METW Uncommon
Balin                            Eomer                               Fili
Magic Ring of Courage



METW Rare
Arwen                          Anduril                              Army of the Dead
Adunaphel                    Agburanar                         Akhorahil
Balrog of Moria             Bane of the Ithil-stone        Barad-dur
Clouds                         Cirdan                              Cirith Ungol
Clear Skies                  Elrond                               Elf-Song
Eye of Sauron              Fair Travels in Dark-Domains
Favour of the Valar       Fell Beast                           Galadriel
Galva                          Gollum's Fate                     Great Ship
Gwaihir                        Haldalam                           Hiding
Hobbits                        Isles of the Dead that Live   Khamul the Easterling
Leucaruth                     Lucky Search                
Magic Ring of Courage   Minas Morgul                     Morannon
Mouth of Sauron            Palantir of Osgiliath           Sacrifice of Form
Secret Entrance            Shadowfax                        Shelob's Lair
Smaug                         Southron Oasis                  Storms of Osse
Thorin II                      The Precious                      The Will of Sauron
The Stones                   Thief                                 Tolfalas
True Fana                     Uvatha the Horseman         Variags of Khand
Vale of Erech                Vygavril



METD Rare
The Riddle Game          Nenselde the Wingild           Scatha
Were-Worm                 Agburanar at Home            
No Escape from my Magic   Subtlety of Guile

Promotional cards I'd need:
Black Arrow x2
Fatty Bolger


I am currently in the process of compiling better lists, especially in regards of checking what I need exactly for the five decks, or maybe even what I'd need in regards to have three of each non-unique. I have, as said, a nice amount of cards and I am sure I already have three of a couple non-unique rares, but I'll have to check to make sure.
I finally need a good overview of my collection.


In regards to Balrog cards... is there anything else but the two (bigger-than-starter-deck)boxes? Because if not, I bought those maybe 6 years ago for 10€ each.
Yes, I know, people will now pelt me with rotten fruit and rocks. I had no idea they were that expensive and I gobbled them up, together with a whopping 3 boosters of AS (for 25c each) at a local game-store, who had them in the bargain bin. I also got two boosters of Battletech CCG, 10 of Perry Rhodan CCG, one of Shadowrun CCG and ~25 of Mythos CCG.
It was a fun day of spending little money for many little things and I am very happy about that.


Anyways, I am concentrating on METW for now. Maybe METD, because I don't think I need a lot in there (in regards to getting three of each non-unique - seeing how I am missing only 7 rares). I'll also try to get my hands on all the TW and TD books.

I guess Dark Minions will be next, then Lidless Eye and then Against The Shadow. I already have some 300+ of LE and a whopping three boosters worth (36) cards of AS.
But that's in the future. Hopefully the near future, but definitely not on my list right now. Unless someone makes me a superb offer, or I stumble over something. The only thing I will actively look for, is the books, as they seem quite rare.

[Gwaihir]

(Gwaihir will recognize this is an almost direct copy/paste from the email ):

1.) Get *all* fixed packs, at least two copies each [..]

Well, Gwaihir suggested getting one of those complete sets, one of each rare, etc things. Granted, that would get me at least one of every card and definitely solve 4.), however, it wouldn't really *really* solve 1.) or 2.) and definitely not 3.). And those are still my main problems.

It did solve 1) the way you wrote it to me , i.e. one copy each, and should definately make huge strides towards 2).

Personally I never went for cards *above* a full play set, i.e. characters more than once, non-uniques (like DoN) more than 3x. I found it to add more quickly to the clutter than to the convenience.

Of course, the advise I mailed you was strongly influenced by (relative) product prices, my relative product prices that is. As I wrote, I can offer a darn attractive price on such a set, but only a rather unattractive one on metw fixed sets at once, I fear. Especially that last bit may well be different elsewhere..

[DonAldo]

Ahh, you are right. I just looked over my email again and I guess I didn't really make it clear that I need several of the same for different decks and only mentioned that I am missing "some cards".

Ah well, now you know


*EDIT*

I actually have put up a list here, just to give you an overview of what I am missing to complete those decks. While there are some rare-triplets (Thief) and Promos in there, there's also a lot of Fixed and C/U's.  8O


Would it make sense to upload, or rather link, this (and a general list of what I am missing) to Chris' page? Or is that more for people who are looking to trade/buy? That list is here, btw.

[Qapla]

I think I have most of the fixed cards and I only use them to glue other cards (dreamcards) on them.
Uncs I have even more and I think I have most of the rares in my trades.

fixed and uncs you can get for free (shipping cost) and I don't charge much for the rares since they are unlimmited and everyone I trade with has them.

If you are interested I'll check for the rares.

[DonAldo]

That would be great!

[Shadow and Flame]

Hallo Daniel, your letter was posted some months ago -. well I am not so aktiv in this forum- but maybe you can still need help with some cards.
I got a wohle lotta common uncommon and fixed - and maybe some rares.
if you want, send a list.
And besides if you like join the german nats at 17./18. Oktober in Heidelberg.
cheers Mario