jwilso72 said:
So what? they are still a brilliant buy!
Have to agree. I just picked up a Magma Spirit deck today at Target ($10.99 - not the cheapest).
It's a very cool product. Not something everyone will want, but there's lot's of different things people will like about it.
The book contains all the deck lists for the top 4 finishers, plus pictures from worlds. Since I was there, and know some of the people, the book is a cool keepsake. The decklists are nice for study - not for copying, since the format has changed, but to see how someone might have done the construction differently than you would expect. There is also a little personal tidbit about all the top 4 finishers. There is also info and references for people new to the game.
I like the look of the cards with the signatures and special borders, etc. There are also some surprises. The now unmodified UNDERGROUND EXPEDITION (a card overlooked at least locally, but featured in most of the Japanese decks) is NOT e-card style, but R/S style. I don't know why but I liked that.
The thing I get the biggest kick out of is the box. It's pretty sturdy plastic with see through on the front, and a divider inside to hold the cards in two piles...the booklet fits behind. The back explains the product and provides some 'flavor text' for the deck (it's strengths expressed in a kind of "wow-ish" way).
The topper is that when you open it the first time, you will see there is a looong back flap that comes out of the box. It has a hook cut into it that slides into a slot on the back fo the box really securely. This makes sure the cards don't spill out. However, this flap also becomes the main 'decoration' for the box! Magma Spirit has a beautiful Groudon over a nice chocolate brown lateral stripe pattern printed on the flap.
A lot of thought clearly went into this project and they've done a really quality job. They didn't slap these together just off the deck list. Art, packaging and writing were nicely added to help these decks represent the game (and by extension, us, the dedicated fans).
To me what this product says is: Pokemon TCG is not just a bunch of cards, but a sophisticated game with a big-deal Organized Play program.
So, I liked it. In getting more of these I'm primarily thinking of teaching some people to play the game. This is way more sophisticated than a theme deck and makes a stronger impression of the program. I would also buy these as gifts for younger, but experienced players who are ready for some strategy and have interest in the big tournies and worlds.