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WoW TCG Betrayal of the Guardian exclusive preview: Aegwynn
Fans of the WoW TCG already know a little bit about the next set available, but we have an exclusive preview of one of the cards from the new set. Betrayal of the Guardian is the second set in the Timewalkers block, sending players back to the days of the First and Second Wars on Azeroth -- the days of Orc vs. Humans and Tides of Darkness. Of course, you can't really call a set Betrayal of the Guardian without an appearance by the Guardian herself -- Aegwynn, Guardian of Tirisfal. Aegwynn was appointed Guardian by the Order of Tirisfal in the earlier days of Azeroth's history. She accomplished more than a few astounding feats during her time as Guardian, including the defeat of the Avatar of Sargeras in Northrend. But what she didn't realize was that Sargeras' spirit then leapt to her body, and later, to her unborn son. When Medivh, Aegwynn's heir and the next in line for Guardian, was born, he was born with that piece of Sargeras' spirit slumbering inside of him, waiting for the right opportunity to wake up and take over. But enough about Aegwynn's history. Let's take a better look at that gorgeous card after the break.
Cryptozoic reveals World of Warcraft TCG Set 20: Betrayal of the Guardian
Return to the days of the first and second war, when Orcs first came to Azeroth with Betrayal of the Guardian, the second set in the epic Timewalkers Block! Medivh, the last guardian of Tirisfal, first orchestrated the eventual wars that pitted humans versus orcs by bringing the bloodthirsty orcs and Gul'dan to Azeroth through the Dark Portal. Relive the first moments of the original Warcraft games with cards that harken back to this time. Will you be part of the stalwart humans, the bloodthirsty orcs, or will you be tempted to support the Monsters that have been left to lurk in Karazhan after Medivh's corruption? Cryptozoic, the company who brings us the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, has revealed the latest set. Betrayal of the Guardian, as the set is titled, is set 2 of 3 in the Timewalkers block, with 232 cards including 30 hero, 60 rare and 30 12 epic. Players can ally themselves with the Timewalkers, who become more powerful if you control multiple copies of a Horde or Alliance race. You can choose to aid the Alliance, help the Horde, or become a Monster and fight against both factions! Cryptozoic has a selection of sample artwork from the set, along with further information. The set will be available for purchase in early 2013, retailing at $3.99 per booster pack. A few WoW Insider writers were lucky enough to have their characters included in the set, so we'll all be rushing out once it's released to obtain a copy of our cards and those of our colleagues!
WoW TCG Battle of the Aspects Raid Deck now available
The thrill of taking down Deathwing might be winding down in the MMO, but in the WoW TCG, those cylinders are just starting to fire. The Battle of the Aspects Raid Deck lets you and your friends use your decks of choice to take down the Destroyer's automated boss deck. Unlike previous raid decks, this one gives you options to adjust the difficulty. If you're running basic decks or you're a more casual player, the base experience will work just fine, but if you're a high-level player, you can ratchet up the difficulty with up to four Tentacle cards that give Deathwing new abilities. The raid deck is augmented with one Treasure Pack booster with random cards from the 75-card Treasure set, including weapons, allies, and abilities (and a chance at Loot cards, too, since that's the question on your mind). Treasure Pack boosters are also available separately. Battle of the Aspects is available in stores now. P.S.: If you're wondering who wrote the brilliant flavor text on these cards, it was me. I did.
WoW TCG: Fall 2011 Class Starter Decks available Dec. 6
Cryptozoic has announced the release date for the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game Fall 2011 Starter Decks. These decks will feature 10 unique heroes (five Horde and five Alliance) for players to collect and will be specially designed so that a new player can purchase a single deck and be ready to play. Each deck will also contain a World of Warcraft in-game item (such as the Party G.R.E.N.A.D.E., the Spectral Kitten/Spectral Tiger Cub, or the Dragon Kite), a War of the Elements booster pack, and a reprint of a previous fan favorite card. The decks are are projected to be available on Dec. 6, 2011, and will retail for around $10.99. For more information, visit Cryptozoic's website.
WoW TCG: Throne of the Tides monster preview
The World of Warcraft Trading Card Game is getting a monstrous new expansion set on Oct. 11, bringing new creatures such as the ogres, murlocs, and naga into the game as playable characters. Aftermath: Throne of the Tides is the first set in the Aftermath series, set after the Cataclysm and Deathwing's rage-fueled destruction across Azeroth. Matt Place, the head designer of WoW TCG and lead designer on Aftermath: Throne of the Tides, wrote up a comprehensive preview of the new mechanics and many new heroes coming with the newest set. New monster heroes and allies will be given brand new rule sets that make them unique and fun, providing lots of flexibility for deck builders and new game play experiences. Monster allies, for instance, have no restrictions based on the hero that the deck is built around, giving them added flexibility. On the flipside, a monster hero deck featuring only monsters gets some cool benefits as well. Monster heroes each have a permanent power on the back of their cards. The murlocs run in packs, granting each other bonuses that the others possess. I immediately thought back to my Magic: The Gathering days with the Slivers and was instantly excited, since the Slivers were some of the coolest creations in TCG history. The murlocs sound like they are going to be a numerous force at all times, swarming your opponent and building up lots of cool bonuses.
The OverAchiever: Pet shop and Trading Card Game mounts
Every Thursday, The Overachiever shows you how to work toward those sweet achievement points. This week, we rediscover the joy of dailies. This week we'll continue our Mountain O' Mounts guide examining rides from the WoW Trading Card Game and pet shop. For all those of you who let your snark flag fly over the sparkle pony ... here's your chance again! Here's the full series if you're just catching up with us: Combining The Ambassador and Mountain O' Mounts Mountain O' Mounts in Outland Mountain O' Mounts in Northrend Mountain O' Mounts in 5-man dungeons Mountain O' Mounts in raids Mountain O' Mounts from achievements Mountain O' Mounts from PVP Mountain O' Mounts from professions Mountain O' Mounts from holidays Mountain O' Mounts in Cataclysm Mountain O' Mounts and the Argent Tournament
Cryptozoic and KONAMI team up for WoW TCG launch in Japan
The World of Warcraft Trading Card game, published by Cryptozoic Entertainment, is about to make another splash in global circles. KONAMI, long known for a lengthy list of video game titles as well as the popular Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game, has obtained exclusive rights from Cryptozoic Entertainment to distribute the World of Warcraft TCG in Japan. This marks the first Japanese version of the Warcraft TCG; booster packs and two types of the Class Starter Decks will be available for purchase in Japan this fall. But KONAMI's not just stopping at distributing the cards. They'll also be hosting a variety of different activities for WoW TCG enthusiasts. Players can look forward to arranged ranked matches, national tournaments, and qualifying rounds for the World of Warcraft TCG World Championships as well. Check after the break for the full press release from KONAMI and Cryptozoic.
Official trading card art gallery updated
I've always been a huge fan of game art in all its forms -- the walls of my house are literally covered in framed game posters, instruction booklets, and fan art. That, in part, is why I was so glad to see Blizzard update its Trading Card Game art gallery today with 10 new pieces of art. Whether you play the card game or not, the (now) 40-piece WoW TCG gallery is definitely worth taking a look at. This update includes Booty Bay denizen Landro Longshot, a gnome impaling an orc, and (ever a fan favorite) scantily clad women holding weapons. %Gallery-123401% World of Warcraft: Cataclysm has destroyed Azeroth as we know it; nothing is the same! In WoW Insider's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion, from leveling up a new goblin or worgen to breaking news and strategies on endgame play.
PAX East 2011: Cryptozoic Entertainment's big year
It's been almost exactly a year since it was announced that Cryptozoic Entertainment, a new company founded by former employees of Blizzard Entertainment, Upper Deck, and DC Comics, would be taking over the license for the WoW Trading Card Game from Upper Deck. With no other products under the company's belt, players were understandably skeptical that a startup would be able to develop the TCG effectively, but looking at the actual talent behind the company rather than the age of the company told a different story. Cory Jones, one of the company's founders, was the director of global business development and licensing at Blizzard, for example, and John Nee was DC Comics' head of business development. Couple that with designers and other employees who came over from other successful card games and companies, and you have a dynamite combination. I caught up with Ben Cichoski, head designer for the WoW TCG, at PAX East. WoW Insider: It's been a pretty busy year for you guys. What do you consider the company's biggest accomplishment so far?
WoW TCG Assault on Icecrown Citadel 4-player game now available
Grab three friends and roll the dice to see who gets to be the Lich King -- Cryptozoic Entertainment just released the Assault on Icecrown Citadel four-player game! The game is built on the WoW Trading Card Game, but rather than having to build and use your own deck, you take control of decks themed around Icecrown's biggest heroes: Tirion Fordring, Sylvanas Windrunner, and Jaina Proudmoore. Each hero plays differently, and you'll need all of their unique abilities and weapons to defeat the Lich King, also controlled by a player. To top it off, it's packaged with a special Treasure Pack containing cards unique to the set and Worldbreaker loot cards. I was lucky enough to get to play the game before its release, and I can vouch for its fun factor. Being able to play as a lore hero instead of an average Joe gives the game a really epic feeling. The Assault on Icecrown Citadel game retails for $39.99 and is available at retailers now.
Cryptozoic announces Assault on Icecrown Citadel raid deck for March 1
Coming soon to a store near you is the latest offering from Cryptozoic's World of Warcraft Trading Card Game: Assault on Icecrown Citadel. This new raid deck pits players taking the part of Tirion Fordring, Jaina Proudmoore, or Sylvanas Windrunner against the Lich King. Complete out of the box, the four-player game features loads of new art and allows players to take the part as one of the three heroes or as the Lich King himself. The best part? Each deck comes with that hero's legendary weapon, from Ashbringer to Frostmourne. And of course, there are other perks to be had -- each Treasure Pack holds the chance of getting a nifty loot card that can be used in game. The Icecrown Citadel Raid Deck and Treasure Packs are scheduled for a release date of March 1. Check out the official WoW TCG site for more information about the game, galleries of TCG artwork and tutorials on gameplay, as well as information on where you can pick up the game for yourself! Follow after the break for the full press release from Cryptozoic Entertainment.
Cryptozoic unveils new WoW TCG community site
After picking up the license for WoW TCG, Cryptozoic Entertainment has done a great job supporting the game and fostering its community. The only thing missing so far has been ... a functional website. The old Cryptozoic site just wasn't cutting it. Thankfully, today marks the release of the brand new WoWTCG.com, and it's a beauty. Visitors to the site can find hobby stores in their area, tutorials on how the play TCG and what they need to play it, galleries of TCG's fantastic artwork, and even special pages for each loot card. That's on top of the regular previews and strategy articles. Nice job, Crypto!
WoW Insider reviews the WoW TCG Icecrown Epic Collection
Having recently released Icecrown, the third and final set in the WoW Trading Card Game's Scourgewar arc, Cryptozoic Entertainment is ramping up for the upcoming Worldbreaker set. But taking the reins from Upper Deck means more than just continuing to release expansions for the TCG -- it also means community-building, drawing in new players and supporting players who stuck with the game through the license-holder switchover. That's the goal of the Icecrown Epic Collection. So what's in this plus-size box? 6 Icecrown booster packs (19 cards each) playmat with rubberized bottom 15 dividers deck box with sidebar divider 1 common loot card 5 foil hero cards But is it worth the money? Let's take a look.%Gallery-105935%
New Icecrown expansion concludes WoW TCG's Scourgewar arc
World of Warcraft TCG players, rejoice! The newest expansion set to the incredibly popular WoW trading card game, Scourgewar: Icecrown, is now available. A host of new heroes, items, characters (including Thrall, Jaina) and some special guests (the awesome airships The Skybreaker and Orgrim's Hammer) are combating The Lich King's forces. Also new to this expansion are Scourge heroes and allies -- play as and recruit Arthas' toughest warriors, including vrykul, to strengthen your deck. And who better to hunt the Lich King than the greatest hunter of all time: Hemet Nesingwary? Included in every trading card game expansion have been some rare goodies, andIcecrown is no exception. For those lucky enough (or with enough cash for scrounging on eBay), the rare mount Wooly White Rhino, the common loot paint bombs and the uncommon Ethereal Portal, which functions as a super cool-looking hearthstone, are available in this expansion.
Guest Post: Getting into the WoW Trading Card Game
This article has been brought to you by Seed, the Aol guest writer program that brings your words to WoW.com. Are you someone who plays World of Warcraft and purchases booster boxes of each World of Warcraft Trading Card Game expansion in order to get its loot cards? Do you know how to play the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game? If not, then you are one of many online gamers I've heard of who help make the trading card game a hot property but have not discovered that those cards you are packing up and burying in your apartment or house are actually a lot of fun to play with. For those of you who haven't taken a look at the trading card game at all, I'd highly recommend it. I have been playing card games since 2003, and the WoW TCG is no exception. I spent over a year writing about the game, as well as playing and working at some of its biggest events (with a short break in 2008 to finish school). It was because of WoW TCG that I ended up getting into the WoW MMO in the first place! The WoW Trading Card Game has been around since fall 2006 and has continued on through a transition from one company (Upper Deck Entertainment) to another (Cryptozoic). Organized play has had its ups and downs, but the game is starting to get more popular and attendance is once again picking up at events everywhere. However, a recent addition to the weekly tournament at my local comic book store mentioned that he knows plenty of people who buy the cards but never learn how to play. Why is that?
WoW TCG invites you on a Spectral Safari this weekend
Ah, the majestic Spectral Tiger. A truly rare sight, even in the ostentatious world of Azeroth. The loot cards sell for hundreds of dollars on eBay. If only getting one were as simple as playing the card game for a few hours ... Wait! It is! In fact, Cryptozoic Entertainment has distributed a bunch of Spectral Tigers to select hobby stores, and all you have to do for a chance to win is attend their Spectral Safari event. In Cryptozoic's words: A tournament friendly to players of all experience levels, the Spectral Safari participants will receive-at random-one of the 18 Class Starter Decks and compete in a tournament with that deck. The first 25 players to register for the event will pocket a Landro's Pet Box code. Players who do well will earn Wrath Gate booster packs, and the winner picks up a Blazing Hippogryph Loot card. The Spectral Tiger will be randomly won as a door prize at the end of the event, so every entrant has an equal opportunity to ride home in style! Sounds like fun to me. The WoW TCG is a very accessible game, and with the upcoming Class Decks, getting started is easier than ever. Check the Cryptozoic forum for details on the Spectral Safari location nearest to you!
WoW Trading Card Game Vegas championship
Do you play the WoW Trading Card Game? You any good, punk? From June 3 through June 6, 2010, the North American Continentals will be happening in Las Vegas, and Cryptozoic Entertainment, the new World of Warcraft TCG licensee, seems to be picking up the slack left by Upper Deck at record speed! They've booked several blocks of rooms at the Paris and Bally's hotels, a paid stay at which will include several nice TCG gifts: Two Tuskarr Kite (or King Mukla) loot cards Two Naxxramas treasure packs Two Series 1 class deck boxes (assorted) Two packs of WoW TCG sleeves Other gifts from Cryptozoic and other World of Warcraft partners There's $50,000 in prizes up for grabs and no entry fee, as far as I can tell. If you're big into the TCG competitively, this is the place to be! For the full schedule, check out Cryptozoic's press release here.
Landro's Pet Box available for UDE points
Upper Deck recently announced a new item available in-game for players to claim using UDE points accrued from collecting the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game. The item, Landro's Pet Box, is a grab bag of sorts that can randomly give the character one of the following loot items: Papa Hummel's Old-Fashioned Pet Biscuit, Path of Cenarius, Sandbox Tiger, Dragon Kite, Ethereal Soul-Trader, or Bananas, the Monkey. Items previously available through UDE points were limited to a selection of epic tabards, permanent fireworks, and a Carved Ogre Idol that turns characters into ogres for 10 minutes. According to the product description, Landro's Pet Box will more commonly give out Pet Biscuits, Paths of Cenarius, or the Sandbox Tiger, but will occasionally grant the rarer vanity pets. Players will not receive duplicates of vanity pets already obtained through the Pet Box. The item can be purchased through the UDE points store for 2,000 UDE points (the same cost as tabards) and is only available on US and EU realms. Landro's Pet Box marks the first time items previously available only through loot cards would be made available through UDE points, allowing players who miss out on elusive loot cards another shot at obtaining the items.
A closer look at the WoW miniatures
Are you looking around your WoWspace and thinking, "gee, I could really use more World of Warcraft action figures" then you may just be in luck. As we announced recently, coming this fall, from Upper Deck Entertainment, is the World of Warcraft Miniatures Game. You will be able to acquire miniatures that will serve as both game pieces and collectibles, as each one "will be mounted on a uniquely engineered removable base". Each miniature will reportedly be a highly detailed 3-D rendering of characters in the game, including not only each race and class, but bigwigs like Thrall and, evidently, Leeroy Jenkins, who has already appeared in the Trading Card Game. Your minis will face their opponents in head-on battles as well as raid and dungeon scenarios, which can include player co-operation, much like in-game. These little guys and gals even have their own site, over at WoWMinis.com. Let's take a sneak peak, shall we?
WoW's Spectral Safari grants chance to win a Spectral Tiger mount
The stalwart worthies at Allakhazam drop news of a one-day-only WoW Trading Card Game tournament to be held in hobbyist stores all over the world on March 1st. The winner of each tournament will walk away with an extremely rare card that redeems for an in-game Spectral Tiger mount. The full details of the tournament can be found here, including entrance fee, deck details, and extra prizes, including an 'extended art' Wyneth Harridan card, and a Robotic Homing Chicken loot card, also redeemable in-game. It's nice to see folks playing together face-to-face; makes me miss my Vampire: The Masquerade days. If you think you can take on this challenge, hie thee to the nearest tournament location! Oh, and if you win, please send us a shot of your lovely new mount! Heck, send us one of your Chicken!
