Breakfast Topic: An ode to the WoW TCG
by Zach Yonzon 
Nov 16th 2009 at 8:00AM
More than any other licensed WoW product, I think, the WoW TCG feels extremely tied in to the game world. The art, along with a lot of game references such as NPCs, locations, and spells, make it feel like an extension of Azeroth. In many ways, some of the things that are featured in the card game are canon. I thoroughly enjoy the artwork in particular. They blow me away and I use every opportunity (such as this one) to include WoW TCG card art into my posts. I can't praise Upper Deck's graphic design team enough -- everything from the cards to the website to associated merchandise feels 100% World of Warcraft.
When the WoW.com office in the clouds heard the rumor that the WoW TCG was about to die a sad and miserable death, I was kind of dismayed. I mean, we knew it to be false, but it was a sad thought anyway. Aside from being a fun game (and all-consuming habit!), the TCG is also famous for its loot cards. So on this nice morning, I'd like to make a toast to the not-dead-nor-dying card game. Do you play the WoW TCG? Would you have wanted to? What're your favorite cards? Any favorite loot cards? Is there anything in particular about the TCG that you like or dislike?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Breakfast Topics, WoW TCG
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Sinthar Nov 16th 2009 8:04AM
TBH i never liked them. I viewed them as a spin off blizz used to make more money
Banic Rhys Nov 16th 2009 8:12AM
I say good riddance. Now people won't be getting scammed out of hundreds of dollars over ebay when they think they are buying a loot card.
Kanap Nov 16th 2009 8:20AM
I take it Banic you where scammed? I'm not saying "Haha you got scammed" but you can't blame the TCG its the person who feels they "need" that item to make their WoW Life better who is at fault for being so greedy and trusting.
peagle Nov 16th 2009 8:28AM
I'm not sure how you could be scammed for these over ebay. Unless you're buying from sellers with zero feedback, and at prices half the market value. But if you're doing that, I would suggest there is some kind of mercantile Darwinism award for you and your wallet.
qoa Nov 16th 2009 10:26AM
I love that anything negative about blizzard gets voted down by fan boys. It is pretty silly how many scams have come from loot cards online.
Sinthar Nov 16th 2009 10:34AM
OK guys - genuine question. Why am i being downrated? I expressed my opinion, i havent slagged off anyone or anything, i gave a genuine response to the article. I could understand it if i had slagged the cards off (as others have), or put a stupid '1st' type post, but i didnt, so im genuinely puzzled. I dont expect anyone to NOT vote if thats what they want, but please could you give me some feedback as to why you downvote my comment please?
Oh and to expand on my views a bit more, while i viewed them as a spin off (please note spin offs are very common, and not 'bad', just think of Star Trek, and the numerous spin off's that produced), i in no way say they are 'bad'. If people enjoy them i am very happy for them, and wouldnt wish things to change. I just viewed the way they gave in game benefits (like non combat pets) etc a way for Blizz to sell cards to those people desperate enough for them. Please dont take that as a slag off, as i have OCD myself, so i know from the sparp end of the stick how that sort of thing can effect you. (and my compulsiveness was a lot worse than collecting cards - believe me you dont want to know the details - or really more to the point im not going to relate them on a blog). And i cant blame Blizz for taking a marketing oppertunity, as EVERY other company would. I also have never bought them, nor been scammed etc. So im really puzzled as to what people found/find offensive or disagreeable in my posts, and some feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks
Groth Nov 16th 2009 12:22PM
I think the reason your original post was downrated was because it felt like a all too typical knee-jerk condemnation of blizz for making money statement.
The majority of people don't buy TCG for the in-game rewards, or to get cards to sell on ebay- they buy them to play TCG. One of my guild mates came to wow through the TCG, as he had several decks and thought he'd try the online game.
It's worth remembering that people will downrate or uprate posts based on whether or not they agree with what's been said. If you explain your position, unless its widely disagreed with, (e.g. kittens are ugly) then you're far less likely to be downranked.
I still have my Magic cards in my attic. And my Jyhad cards. I see very little reason to add TCG boxes to my very very cramped storage space!
Kanap Nov 16th 2009 8:07AM
I play the card game and I play as my main, A Prot pally. If we had the abilities we do in this card game everyone would QQ about pallies even more. I mean there is one that if you prevent damage you deal it back to its source and it can't be prevented.....but all classes have a sort of OP feel in the TCG or "broken" as i have heard many card game players use.
Kanap Nov 16th 2009 8:24AM
To add to this I also only play Horde, some of the alliance cards just seem very cheap imo.
Evelinda Nov 16th 2009 8:09AM
is that anyone in particular? or just a generic t5 warrior?
I dont personally play the tcg, but it certainly looks like it could be fun, and like you say, a lot of the art (at least the art i've seen) is great. Plus, i'm a big fan of the loot cards, despite not having any myself (aside from the one from the wotlk collector's edition). I think they just add a neat little extra to WoW, and i think its a neat way to tie the two games together
Yokum Nov 16th 2009 2:52PM
It's the sexiest T5 warrior ever, that's for sure. *whistle* I'd like to sunder her armor.
Kanap Nov 16th 2009 8:09AM
I play the card game and I play as my Main, (crazy right) The mechanics seem to be the same (prot pally) prevent damage and deal it back. But in the card game its unpreventable when you deal it back which just adds to the OP feel of the TCG but imho all the classes in the TCG are broken (OP).
Kanap Nov 16th 2009 8:09AM
my post had not shown up on my comp DOWNRATE THIS!
WaterRouge Nov 16th 2009 8:17AM
Yes, I did collect the TCG but I stopped because I made a nice Forsaken themed Frost Mage deck that I was completely satisfied with. Oh yes, frost mage is my main.
My absolute favorite card would have to be.....the Sylvanas card. Although I feel the artwork doesn't do her justice, its powers are incredible and I use her as much as possible.
But the artwork is indeed simply stunning. Even some of the normal ally cards I feel should heroes. Oh well...Adding a TCG certainly added more to WoW, not another money maker.
Kanap Nov 16th 2009 8:22AM
I have not been able to see this card mind telling the powers? I know Kael'thas has a pretty crazy one but that's only if you go traitor, which kinda ruins my deck. I also had an all race themed deck with blood elves because I had gotten Lor Themar and if you exhaust a blood elf you can interrupt a card.
Oni Stardust Nov 16th 2009 8:41AM
@Kanap
I looked it up real quick, here you go
http://www.wowtcgdb.com/carddetail.aspx?id=485
WaterRouge Nov 16th 2009 10:57AM
It prevents Forsaken from being killed essentially. Combine it with an Abomination protector and you essentially have an immortal mage depending on the spells used. (Only heroes can do damage or else Abomination does some major destruction.)
Sarah Nov 16th 2009 8:20AM
I played with one of my best friends for the first time last month. I was horrible. =p I should have lost very soon on, but he was nice and let the game go on long enough that I won. The best part was when he brought out his Leeroy card , did his thing and then I pointed to the card I had down that reduced all of this cards by 1 hit point (can't remember what it's called). I couldn't stop laughing when he swore and had to gy the card.
BlackTiger™ Nov 16th 2009 8:22AM
I like loot cards... Never played TCG itself.
Lenny Nov 16th 2009 8:29AM
The loot cards are fun and I've been collecting Extend Art cards for about the last year. I have very mixed views of the actual game itself. Most of the time it's problems with procedure and card interaction. And, sadly, not a person I've met actually want's to trade cards, must be why they call it a "collectible" card game.