Boundaries Crossed Scans!

[General Gengar]

Now that I think about it, why couldn't they have added the reprints and kept the good trainers? It would make the set probably at 150 cards, but that would probably increase box sales from collectors who want to collect the entire set and from players who want the good cards. The only problem I see with having a huge set is decreased amounts of "good" cards being pulled per box, since you have to pull some unwanted uncommons too.

 

[StormFront]

I'll definitly avoid buying this set like the plague. Much like with Emerging Powers singles only.

 

[AnUnown]

As a collector, I'll get it and hit the PRs. As a player, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot going on from what I've seen so far. We've still another 60+ cards, so ill reserve judgement, but so far its a disappointment. Not a tragedy as some are being uber dramatic to make it seem, but definitely a disappointment,

 

[ToysRUsKid]

Or instead of throwing the Emboar/Serperior/Sammy cards into the set, they could of released them all in a seperate theme deck (JUST LIKE DRAGON VAULT) into those "OUTSTANDING SERPRIOR" decks instead of the one from BW1.

Now that would of made sense.

But that is thrown out with Pokemon Marketing.

 

[acktacky]

If they DIDN'T move FA Skyla into this set, you'd all be whining that this set is even worse than you're all already whining it is. You're going to have to deal with the "fluff" sooner or later. It may as well be now.

And did it ever occur to you that maybe they're shuffling around some of the trainers to AVOID having another CoL coming barreling down the pipeline later on? From a money making standpoint, X mediocre sets is better than X-1 ok sets and one set that nobody ever buys because there's nothing at all in it.


You thought CoL was bad as it is? What if they had given us the Lost Link cards all together in Triumphant, and not "mess[ed] up a set that didn't need any tampering" then? NOBODY would have bought ANY CoL WHATSOEVER. Moving around cards in order to make every set at least somewhat desirable, no matter how barely, is more important than having a set that everybody refuses to buy every few years.

I'd like to see somebody that was expecting a FA Skyla in this set. I don't think anybody was.

Maybe I haven't been in the game long enough, but I just honestly can't understand all these changes. How is this helping to avoid a CoL in the pipeline? From my understanding, our sets are combinations of two Japanese sets with similar themes. If they had kept Boundaries Crossed just Freeze Bolt and Cold Flare, we'd have a decent sized set--about 130-140 still with whatever garbage cards they'd be bound to add. Plasma Gale has 70, plus whatever the next set is coming out, plus whatever junk cards TCPi would through in. This set and the next set were looking pretty good.

Adding garbage cards (aka anything we're seeing with stock Sugimori art), and a large number of unnecessary reprints is NOT the way to handle this situation. I realize I'm in the minority of people here that enjoy buying packs--it helps with my collecting AND my gameplay. I don't like seeing a set where I was contemplating buying multiple boxes, to being forced down to actually thinking of buying singles only. Collecting and buying singles don't really add up in my book--there's no sense of "the find" with that. Now if I buy packs, the money I spend on them are literally not going to be worth it.

So as far as I'm seeing, with the current sets we have in the pipeline, there has been no reason at all for this, or the next set, to even be CONSIDERED medicore. They're shooting themselves in the foot, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[TheRolesWePlay]

A few things I'll note. We have seen very few of the actual rares of the set. If you look most of the cards are commons and uncommons. Further the National set was due to come out at some point, so it coming now isn't all that surprising. As for Potion and the other trainers, we haven't gotten them printed since BW (or EP in Great Ball's case), and they were due for a reprint at some point.

 

[rileysill32]

what an upset.

once again, nintendo proves that they dont know how to run a card game.
WOTC never should have sold out..

 

[TheDarkTwins]

what an upset.

once again, nintendo proves that they dont know how to run a card game.
WOTC never should have sold out..

WOTC sold out? You realize at the end Wizards tried to kill the game and get everyone to switch to MTG since they would make more money.

I wasn't expecting Skyla to be in the set at all. I'm happy to see the supporters since it boost consistency. It's not much, but it definitely helps. I however can't defend cutting the 4 trainers for 5 that we get almost every 3rd set. We didn't need more of those cards.

This set is still going to be good, better than people expect. Blastoise and Keldeo Ex complete change the format.

The set looks like it is going to have 9 FA, so not sure why people are complaining, that's definitely better than 6, especially if it makes the odds of pulling them 2 per box instead of 1, which is highly likely.

Drew

 

[solo59486]

I'd like to see somebody that was expecting a FA Skyla in this set. I don't think anybody was.

I was expecting a FA Skyla in this set... Even before all this. If you look back at the other boundaries crossed thread.

 

[K2theAblaM]

Players, stand up for yourself and don't buy sealed packs.

get what you need through singles and trade.

 

[espeon200]

Players, stand up for yourself and don't buy sealed packs.

get what you need through singles and trade.

... from people and companies that buy sealed packs...

 

[Freze]

Players, stand up for yourself and don't buy sealed packs.

get what you need through singles and trade.

If no one buys packs who will you buy from or trade from?

NOOOOO I got ninja'd.

 

[acktacky]

Players, stand up for yourself and don't buy sealed packs.

get what you need through singles and trade.

I don't see how this is a solution, as it should be the regular consumer first, not the companies that sell through the secondary market (and really what Pokemon cares about). But obviously I just have the whole game misunderstood, so maybe that's just how things should be.

 

[Otaku]

Mystery Thing, while I agree whining is to be avoided, there are some legitimate complaints to make about how Boundaries Crossed was handled.

If they DIDN'T move FA Skyla into this set, you'd all be whining that this set is even worse than you're all already whining it is.

Have you considered your statement?

"If they didn't do this one nice thing (mostly for collectors), you would all be complaining that this set is even worse than you are already complaining it is!"

Why would that not be valid? Those who view the card selection (and/or production) negatively, you're talking about one technically good move out of several bad moves. I am not especially fond of Skyla (as a character) ergo moving the Full Art is only good in that they didn't add in a less popular card that might not have carried as much trade or game play value. I'll give them credit for it, but that's not an "All is forgiven!" trick for me.

You're going to have to deal with the "fluff" sooner or later. It may as well be now.

We have to deal with filler because too many of us accept that since "bad" cards are inevitable, they should be embraced. I operate under the concept that filler is to be avoided at all cost, but one should understand that TPC is not perfect and thus will occasionally produce what they think is a "not bad" card, but it will be bad anyway.

Frankly I am perfectly fine with such cards being released never. The only think keeping me from advocating that as policy is the same reason these cards exist; sometimes combos happen, and what was junk is now good, possibly a staple.

And did it ever occur to you that maybe they're shuffling around some of the trainers to AVOID having another CoL coming barreling down the pipeline later on? From a money making standpoint, X mediocre sets is better than X-1 ok sets and one set that nobody ever buys because there's nothing at all in it.

Better idea... TPC should quit making those filler cards in the first place! Then TPCi doesn't have to go through these hoops.

You thought CoL was bad as it is? What if they had given us the Lost Link cards all together in Triumphant, and not "mess[ed] up a set that didn't need any tampering" then? NOBODY would have bought ANY CoL WHATSOEVER. Moving around cards in order to make every set at least somewhat desirable, no matter how barely, is more important than having a set that everybody refuses to buy every few years.

You seem to ignore all the cards they could have reprinted this set. I know it gets a bit tricky since TPCi needs authorization from TPC (if I understand the hierarchy correctly), but instead of all four "dull surprise" reprints being shoved into the same set, what if one of them was Pokémon Catcher? You know, that highly in demand card for which budget players were hoping to use Escape Rope as a less effective replacement.

Because it has come up before but apparently is not a widely spread concept, instead of TPC (yes, TPC, not TPCi) wasting funds designing "harmless filler" promos, they could save money by just slapping new art onto cards already released. They only "tricky" part is making sure they aren't going to mess up set rotation... which is already a risk TPCi is taking shuffling cards around in actual sets.

They don't even have to completely redraw the artwork; find an inexpensive "treatment" or even do something like replacing the background image of the card. You know, like they already did in this set; head over to Pokébeach and check out the new Electrode, then check out Electrode (DP: Secret Wonders 26/132)!

 

[TheRolesWePlay]

We have to deal with filler because too many of us accept that since "bad" cards are inevitable, they should be embraced. I operate under the concept that filler is to be avoided at all cost, but one should understand that TPC is not perfect and thus will occasionally produce what they think is a "not bad" card, but it will be bad anyway.

Frankly I am perfectly fine with such cards being released never. The only think keeping me from advocating that as policy is the same reason these cards exist; sometimes combos happen, and what was junk is now good, possibly a staple.

Umm, not quite right. Filler cards occur for a number of reasons. Ranging from printing Pokemon for collection, to promotional material, such as the National set in Japan. TPCi has to then make sure these cards get printed in other countries to keep in format., not to mention some of these 'fluff' cards do sell sets, as some of them happens to be someone's favorite Pokemon.

You seem to ignore all the cards they could have reprinted this set. I know it gets a bit tricky since TPCi needs authorization from TPC (if I understand the hierarchy correctly), but instead of all four "dull surprise" reprints being shoved into the same set, what if one of them was Pokémon Catcher? You know, that highly in demand card for which budget players were hoping to use Escape Rope as a less effective replacement.

They don't even have to completely redraw the artwork; find an inexpensive "treatment" or even do something like replacing the background image of the card. You know, like they already did in this set; head over to Pokébeach and check out the new Electrode, then check out Electrode (DP: Secret Wonders 26/132)!

You do realize that's a poor example since that's a Ken Sugimore card right? They regularly print sugimori art since it's the official artwork of the Pokemon.

 

[Otaku]

Umm, not quite right. Filler cards occur for a number of reasons. Ranging from printing Pokemon for collection, to promotional material, such as the National set in Japan.

If you mean "printing for the purpose of collecting"... then you just have to explain the National Set in Japan to me. Otherwise, while TPCi may be obligated to release it... TPC doesn't have to create brand new cards for filler. You need a promo? There are other options. Why churn out what looks like a "template" card; if you need it fast and don't want it to impact the metagame directly, reprint an existing card with new artwork.

You do realize that's a poor example since that's a Ken Sugimore card right? They regularly print sugimori art since it's the official artwork of the Pokemon.

If you re-read my statement, hopefully my argument will become clear. If not, I was stating that if TPC needs "filler" cards for padding out a set, releasing promos, etc. they can take an existing card and tweak the art instead of wasting time giving us true filler; a "new" card that does nothing for the game.

Trading Card Game; players have to accept that this isn't a game I can just go and buy all the cards for at once, but TPC needs to remember they have options other than this for enticing collectors.

 

[DanthePokeMan]

Did they really need to put in 6 reprints though? I mean, seriously, give me an explanation for reprinting Rocky Helmet. It can't be to keep it in the format longer, we're already getting a Shiny reprint in the next set (unless they decide to push that back for no reason). EDIT: I just saw that Shiny Rocky Helmet is in this set. I really have no idea what the regular reprint is doing in this set.

This set isn't desirable except for about 8 cards. Everyone is better off buying singles instead of pack. If store owners thought Emerging Powers was hard to sell just wait until people don't want another copy of whatever random rare they always get since it's a 150 card set.

Rocky Helmet, Energy Search, Switch, and Great Ball were in the Keldeo Strength Deck. Potion and Poke Ball were in the National Beginning Set. Cards from these two Japanese sub-sets were included in Boundaries Crossed. Rocky Helmet actually has slightly modified artwork. The only trainer that was not included was Eviolite (also with slightly modified artwork).

People are always complaining that our sets are not like the Japanese ones, but people fail to realize that we are getting a whole lot more cards in the BW era to match Japan than ever before. Just think of how many more BW Black Star Promos we have (60+). Plasma Gale was a relatively small set so it makes sense that cards were left out in order to appear in our next set in combination with Plasma Gale cards. I think people are just mad because some of the better trainers were pulled. We will get them eventually.

 

[TheRolesWePlay]

If you mean "printing for the purpose of collecting"... then you just have to explain the National Set in Japan to me. Otherwise, while TPCi may be obligated to release it... TPC doesn't have to create brand new cards for filler. You need a promo? There are other options. Why churn out what looks like a "template" card; if you need it fast and don't want it to impact the metagame directly, reprint an existing card with new artwork.

Pokemon isn't just a game, there are other aspects at play. For instance some cards are likely printed for the sole reason of the Pokemon not getting a card for a while. As for printing the same card, sometimes it happens, mostly with basics that evolve and they get slight changes, but saying to do the same with evolution cards just seems

If you re-read my statement, hopefully my argument will become clear. If not, I was stating that if TPC needs "filler" cards for padding out a set, releasing promos, etc. they can take an existing card and tweak the art instead of wasting time giving us true filler; a "new" card that does nothing for the game.

Trading Card Game; players have to accept that this isn't a game I can just go and buy all the cards for at once, but TPC needs to remember they have options other than this for enticing collectors.

First I was just pointing out that your specific example just wasn't a great one.

As for 'filler' cards, as I said before there are other aspects to consider. For instance I really like Whimsicott (as if my avatar wasn't enough of a tip-off), and I look forward to new Whimsicott cards when they come out, weather they are good or bad, same goes for Mew, and many people have a similar soft spot. There's simply several aspects that are irrelevant to the competitive scene, but are there to appeal to other parts of Pokemon's fanbase.

 

[Slev]

If they DIDN'T move FA Skyla into this set, you'd all be whining that this set is even worse than you're all already whining it is. You're going to have to deal with the "fluff" sooner or later. It may as well be now.

And did it ever occur to you that maybe they're shuffling around some of the trainers to AVOID having another CoL coming barreling down the pipeline later on? From a money making standpoint, X mediocre sets is better than X-1 ok sets and one set that nobody ever buys because there's nothing at all in it.


You thought CoL was bad as it is? What if they had given us the Lost Link cards all together in Triumphant, and not "mess[ed] up a set that didn't need any tampering" then? NOBODY would have bought ANY CoL WHATSOEVER. Moving around cards in order to make every set at least somewhat desirable, no matter how barely, is more important than having a set that everybody refuses to buy every few years.

These statements...

Maybe a few folks would be upset about not having FA Skyla, but that doesn't have any amount of bearing on TCPI reprinting cards that were not needed, and cutting potentially game changing cards like escape rope, ether, and bicycle.

The COL thing doesn't make a bit of sense either. Cutting new cards from the set and reprinting old card seems like something that would actually cause another COL set.

The obvious solution would be to literally print the exact same sets as Japan, but of course that will never happen.

In general dropping cards from a set is never going to be looked upon by the player base as an acceptable thing.

My biggest gripe though is the idea that we have to deal with the "fluff". We should NOT have to deal with the fluff. There should NOT be fluff. Pokemon as a card game has the most ridiculous % of cards that will never be used. No other card game has 75-85% of their sets being comprised of unplayable cards.

/rant

tl;dr; TPCI should never cut cards from our sets we should get the exact same sets as Japan(we wont). Fluff cards should not exist in such high proportions(They will forever).
We mad...

 

[honchvire]

At least the reprints make it a slightly better set for drafting?

Silver lining!