World of Warcraft TCG and Minis Newsletter

3
Loot TM World of Warcraft is huge. Whether you’re questing in the epic landscapes of Azeroth, doing dungeon crawls with friends old and new, engaging in full-scale PVP warfare, or enjoying your favorite fishing spot, there is something for every type of adventurer. The World of Warcraft Trading Card Game allows fans to experience all their favorite aspects of the MMO in a different way. New to the World of Warcraft TCG? Now is the perfect time! Each card features a new piece of art depicting quests, characters, gear, locations, spells and abilities from the MMO done by today’s top fantasy artists. Our design team works closely with Blizzard staff to ensure that each card truly represents World of Warcraft as accurately as possible. We have increased the insert rates for Loot cards, making your chances for getting in-game cosmetic upgrades even better! Death Knights have descended on the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game scene, starting with the release of the Death Knight Deluxe Starter. This product introduces the Death Knight class to the TCG and also serves as a solid entry point for new players, containing everything two players need to learn to play! The World of Warcraft fan of the MMO, the miniatures game is easy to learn. Abilities such as your warlock’s Shadow Bolt, your mage’s Frost Nova or your warrior’s Cleave are a faithful translation from the online game. The Base-10 game engine creates a fast- paced game, incorporating casting and cool- down times to balance game play among the classes. More powerful attacks take more time to perform than an instant ability. So before you recklessly charge into battle and cleave the squishy clothie, know that vengeance is only a clock’s tick behind. Whether you’re just getting into the game, or whether you’re an avid player or collector, good games are the most fun when shared with friends. Be sure to check out Warcraft Minis Organized Play (wowminis.com/op) to find a battleground near you. Still have questions? Stop by the Upper Deck booth for a free demo. Welcome to the World of Warcraft ® Trading Card Game What’s New in the World of Warcraft Miniatures? Trading Card Game is supported by our extensive Organized Play programs, with something for every level of gamer, from casual to competitive. Getting started is easy! Stop by the Upper Deck booth for a free demo or go to www.wowtcg.com for more information. So what’s new with the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game? Recent releases have been focusing on the PVP side of the MMO. Fields of Honor is our most recent booster set, featuring a new “Honor” mechanic, locations tied to Battlegrounds, and a new Warsong Gulch alternate rules game. This set also contains the popular “El Pollo Grande” Loot card that grants the ability to purchase a giant Chicken mount. This winter, we’ll be heading into Northrend with the launch of Scourgewar boosters, the first set of the new block! Yesterday’s battles fade into the landscape of Azeroth. Yet one thought remains on the minds of all . . . Vengeance! Souls of Vengeance, is the newest upcoming release for the World of Warcraft Miniatures Game. In the game, you control a party of characters, and any minions or companions brave enough to join you, as you fight to conquer the lands of Azeroth. Whether you support the Alliance or whether you’re more “For the Horde” at heart, legendary characters like Maiev Shadowsong or Nazgrel await the chance to battle and emerge victorious. But perhaps the best feature of World of Warcraft Miniatures is that you can play a party of monsters as well. Zul’jin or an army of Murlocs can be at your command. You can even demand the loyalty of the Betrayer himself. In past sets, we toured through the lush forests of Ashenvale and the deserts of Tanaris. This time around, we challenge you to enter the harsh lands of Northrend. Adventure through Sholazar Basin or trek across the salt flats of Borean Tundra, where new water terrain ensures that the quest for victory will involve a swim. For those of you new to our world, if you’re a ?Looking for more information? Organized Play and Events ......................................... 2-3 Where to Find Us Online .............................................. 3 Crafting Program............................................................ 3 Loot Guide ..................................................................... 4 Exclusive interview with Penny Arcade ........................ 4 Penny Arcade, © 2009 Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins

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World of Warcraft Trading Card and Miniatures Game inaugural newsletter. Highlighting Winter 2009 in the World of Warcraft TCG and Minis universe!

Transcript of World of Warcraft TCG and Minis Newsletter

Page 1: World of Warcraft TCG and Minis Newsletter

LootTM

World of Warcraft is huge. Whether you’re questing in the epic landscapes of Azeroth, doing dungeon crawls with friends old and new, engaging in full-scale PVP warfare, or enjoying your favorite fi shing spot, there is something for every type of adventurer. The World of Warcraft Trading Card Game allows fans to experience all their favorite aspects of the MMO in a different way.

New to the World of Warcraft TCG? Now is the perfect time! Each card features a new piece of art depicting quests, characters, gear, locations, spells and abilities from

the MMO done by today’s top fantasy artists. Our design team works closely with Blizzard staff to ensure that each card truly represents World of Warcraft

as accurately as possible. We have increased the insert rates for Loot cards, making your chances for getting in-game cosmetic upgrades even better!

Death Knights have descended on the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game scene, starting with the release of the Death Knight Deluxe Starter. This product introduces the Death Knight class to the TCG and also serves

as a solid entry point for new players, containing everything two players need to learn to play! The World of Warcraft

fan of the MMO, the miniatures game is easy to learn. Abilities such as your warlock’s Shadow Bolt, your mage’s Frost Nova or your warrior’s Cleave are a faithful translation from the online game. The Base-10 game engine creates a fast-paced game, incorporating casting and cool-down times to balance game play among the classes. More powerful attacks take more time to perform than an instant ability. So before you recklessly charge into battle and cleave the squishy clothie, know that vengeance is only a clock’s tick behind.

Whether you’re just getting into the game, or whether you’re an avid player or collector, good games are the most fun when shared with friends. Be sure to check out Warcraft Minis Organized Play (wowminis.com/op) to fi nd a battleground near you.

Still have questions? Stop by the Upper Deck booth for a free demo.

Welcome to the World of Warcraft® Trading Card Game

What’s New in the World of Warcraft Miniatures?

Trading Card Game is supported by our extensive Organized Play programs, with something for every level of gamer, from casual to competitive.

Getting started is easy! Stop by the Upper Deck booth for a free demo or go to www.wowtcg.com for more information.

So what’s new with the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game? Recent releases have

been focusing on

the PVP side of the MMO. Fields of Honor is our most recent booster set, featuring a new “Honor” mechanic, locations tied to Battlegrounds, and a new Warsong Gulch alternate rules game. This set also contains the popular “El Pollo Grande” Loot card that grants the ability to purchase a giant Chicken mount. This winter, we’ll be heading into Northrend with the launch of Scourgewar boosters, the fi rst set of the new block!

Yesterday’s battles fade into the landscape of Azeroth. Yet one thought remains on the minds of all . . .

Vengeance!

Souls of Vengeance, is the newest upcoming release for the World of Warcraft Miniatures Game. In the game, you control a party of characters, and any minions or companions brave enough to join you, as you fi ght to conquer the lands of Azeroth.

Whether you support the Alliance or whether you’re more “For

the Horde” at heart, legendary characters like

Maiev Shadowsong or Nazgrel await the chance to battle and emerge victorious.

But perhaps the best feature of World of Warcraft Miniatures is that you can play a party of monsters as well. Zul’jin or an army of Murlocs can be at your command. You can even demand the loyalty of the Betrayer himself.

In past sets, we toured through the lush forests of Ashenvale and the deserts of Tanaris. This time around, we challenge you to enter the harsh lands of Northrend. Adventure through Sholazar Basin or trek across the salt fl ats of Borean Tundra, where new water terrain ensures that the quest for victory will involve a swim.

For those of you new to our world, if you’re a

?Looking for more information?

Organized Play and Events .........................................2-3

Where to Find Us Online .............................................. 3

Crafting Program ............................................................ 3

Loot Guide ..................................................................... 4

Exclusive interview with Penny Arcade ........................ 4

Penny Arcade, © 2009 Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins

Page 2: World of Warcraft TCG and Minis Newsletter

World of Warcraft Trading Card Game BattlegroundsThe TCG Battlegrounds weekly events are broken down into two sections: Achievements and Tournaments. When a new set is released, Battleground kits also contain prizes for the Battleground Release Party.

BATTLEGROUND TOURNAMENTS

Each week participating stores will host a tournament with prizes from the Battlegrounds program. One of the top prizes is the highly sought-after class deck box. There are prizes for everyone, so even if you didn’t win, you will walk away with something. First and second place fi nishers also receive an Extended Art (EA) promotional card, and everyone that entered will receive a different EA promo card.

ACHIEVEMENTS

The Achievement system is designed to be available to all players, letting them play whenever is convenient for them. A series of Achievements will be released with each new Battleground kit. These Achievements require the player to complete various tasks in order to acquire points. A few examples are “winning a battleground tournament,” “bring a friend,” and “defeating Onyxia.” The player with the most points at the end of the four-week Battleground kit is declared the Battleground Master and is rewarded with a playmat which depicts art from the trading card game. There are checkpoints along the way as well. You can acquire enough points to be rewarded with a Token or Badge of Justice material card. The Badge of Justice can be redeemed for exciting gameplay exclusive cards. Collect enough and you can turn them in for equipment that can be used by your favorite class.

BATTLEGROUND RELEASE PARTY

The weekend after a new set is released is the Battleground Release Party. This is the last chance that you will have to try and get your hands on the class deck box and set playmat that were given away at the Sneak Preview a few weeks before. If you weren’t able to make it to a Sneak Preview, this will also be your fi rst chance to play with the new set!

World of Warcraft Miniatures Game BattlegroundsThe Miniatures Battlegrounds are similar to the World of Warcraft TCG Battlegrounds in that there are prizes that span a four-week period of time. Each week, players will compete for exciting preview miniatures and foil action bar cards. The miniature that is given away as a prize is a preview of a fi gure from the next set to come out, but if you win one, you can start playing with it immediately!

Bring a new player (repeatable) 100

Play in your first sanctioned tournament 150

Play in a Battleground tournament 40

Play in four Battleground tournaments 20

Play 5 games 10

Play 20 games 10

Win 1 game 10

Win 5 games 10

Win 10 games 10

Win a Battleground tournament 20

Win a game with each of the five Horde races: 30 Blood Elf Orc Tauren Troll Undead

Win a game with each of the five Alliance races: 30 Draenei Dwarf Gnome Human Night Elf

No Mana: Win with a deck with no abilities 10

No Rest for the Wicked: Win a game with a Demon Hero 20

Elitest: Play a deck with your hero and allies all of one class 10

Limited: Play a deck with cards from only one set 10

Lazy Peon: Win with a deck that contains no rares or epics 10

REALLY Lazy Peon: Win with a deck that contains only commons 10

Pimp it: Equip 10 rings in play at one time 10

EZ Mode-Black Temple: Defeat Illidan at the end of the Black Temple raid without a raiding hero dying 10

Overkill: Deal infinite damage 10

Menagerie: Have 3 or more pets in play at one time 10

Running on Empty: Win with no cards left in your deck 10

If you are ready to try your hand at tournament play or just want to fi nd more friends to play

against, the Battleground program is perfect for you. For more information about this program

as well as a list of participating stores, please visit www.wowtcg.com/battlegrounds

for the TCG and www.wowminis.com/battlegrounds

for Minis.

Do you have what it takes to become

an Upper Deck Volunteer? Judges and

Specialists are needed throughout the world

to bring the World of Warcraft Trading Card

Game and Miniatures Game to a hobby

store near you. Judges and Specialists earn

valuable promotional cards by assisting with

staffi ng at large events, judging local events,

and providing demo support for any event.

Upper Deck will also get you sponsored to

attend events. There’s nothing like getting

paid to have fun! For more information

about how you can become a Judge or

Specialist, visit www.ude.com/judge

or www.ude.com/demo.

Upper Deck Organized Play Wants You

The Battlegrounds program for the World of Warcraft Minis and Trading Card Games is the fi rst step a player can take to experience Organized Play. This program is run at participating local Hobby stores around the world. Each kit has prizes that support four weeks of play, and prizes change every four weeks. Each of the two games has its own Battleground system.

Road to WorldsWorld of Warcraft TCG and Minis

players cap off their year-long journey

with the World Championships held

October 8-11, 2010 in Austin, Texas.

Before they can play in the World

Championships, they have to qualify.

The fi rst step is a Continental or

National Qualifi er. If a player places

well in this event, he or she moves on to

the National (for international players)

or North American Continental (for

North American players) Championship.

Players placing well in these events will

earn a spot in the World Championships

in October.

Players can also qualify by accumulating

enough Honor throughout the year.

Honor is accumulated by simply playing

in tournaments. The more tournaments a

player plays in, the more Honor he or she

accumulates.

With multiple ways to qualify and over

$250,000 in prizes up for grabs, the

World Championships is the place to be.

The Darkmoon Faire

All year long, the Darkmoon Faire

circuit will be visiting exciting cities

around the world, bringing tons of fun

things to do and awesome prizes to win.

If you think you’re one of the best and

want to show off your TCG or Minis

chops, or if you just want to come hang

out with your guildmates, then this is

the place for you! Every Darkmoon

Faire stop will offer plenty of demos

of the World of Warcraft Trading

Card Game and World of Warcraft

Miniatures Game. There will also be

beginner tournaments, so you can play

even if you haven’t bought a pack yet.

Each stop will feature Darkmoon Faire

Championships for both the TCG and

Minis, letting competitive players show

off their skills in hopes of taking home

high-end electronics, Loot cards, and

travel packages to other events around

the world. In addition to a boatload

of TCG and Minis events, players can

also come to enjoy a variety of vendors,

artists, lounge activities, and carnival

games that are fun for the whole family!

For the next stop on the Darkmoon Faire

circuit, see www.wowtcg.com/dmf for

more information.

Realm Championship Seasons

In the Spring and Fall, the world is

divided up into Realms. Each Realm

provides a proving ground for players to

win fabulous prizes. Realm Qualifi ers

are held in the months leading up to the

Realm Championship. A player can win

a Realm Qualifi er and be qualifi ed for

that Realm Championship. If they aren’t

lucky enough to win a qualifi er, they can

accumulate points and qualify based

on the total amount of points they have

accumulated from participating

in multiple qualifi ers. The player that

accumulates the most points in a specifi c

Realm will win additional prizes and be

crowned Realm Conqueror. The Realm

Championship offers a plethora of prizes,

including travel vouchers, electronics

(iPod touch, Playstation III, iPod nano),

and plenty of Loot.

Sneak PreviewTen days prior to the release of a new World of Warcraft Trading Card Game set, players

have a chance to see and play with the new cards. These Sneak Preview events occur

around the world and give players the fi rst chance to get their hands on the new set.

Prizes for performance and participation are handed out in the form of class deck boxes

and high-quality rubber playmats. All players receive an Extended Art promotional card

from the new set.

!Find WOW TCG & Minis!Lost contact with all the info your heart

desires? Need some help building your

new Mage deck? Or do you just really

want to get in on some contests for Epic

prizes like Loot cards?

Last I heard, you could fi nd all that and

more at these sites:

• WoWTCG.com• WoWMinis.com

• WoWTCG.com/OP — All the latest

organized play info, coverage, blogs

and morel

• WoWTCG.com/Loot — Get your

I00tzl

• Twitter.com/WoWTCGandMinis

Find news, exclusive previews, event

coverage, and contests!

• WoWMinis.com/facebook —

Become a fan, connect with friends,

and maybe even win some cool stuff!

• WoWTCG.com/facebook — Become

a fan, connect with friends, and

maybe even win some cool stuff!

!Complete the Quest!Enter for your chance to win an

El Pollo Grande Loot card, Minis

promo fi gures, and more:

1. Become a fan on Facebook

2. Follow us on Twitter

3. Send an @reply to

WoWTCGandMinis with what your

Hero’s name and fl avor text would

be and a “#freeWoWLoot” tag.

4. You’re entered for a chance at

the epic l00t!

Example:

@WoWTCGandMinis Booyah

the Destructor - Laziness skill +10!

#FreeWoWLoot

Crafting Redemption Program

Contained in both World of Warcraft Trading Card Game and Miniatures booster packs, players will fi nd different kinds of Trade Goods. These Trade Goods can be redeemed for Crafted promo cards. For information on which Trade Goods can be redeemed for specifi c Crafted promo cards, visit www.ude.com/recipe. Players can redeem their promo cards in one of two different ways: via mail or by visiting a Premier event (Darkmoon Faire). Crafted promo cards are refreshed with each new set release.

Page 3: World of Warcraft TCG and Minis Newsletter

After we had accomplished the formidable task of “catching them all,” we found ourselves yearning for a CCG with a little more heft. There was an assortment of venerable card systems available, but without any previous experience with the content, it was diffi cult to get excited about the more popular games. We did, however, have a large amount of time invested in

the Warcraft universe. Our knowledge and affection for Blizzard’s world, online and otherwise, let us transition into the World of Warcraft TCG very smoothly. As a rogue, when I “kick” someone online, I do a moderate amount of damage, but more importantly I disrupt whatever horrible spell my opponent was about to cast. It was comforting to

know that when I played my “kick” ability card, at the table, I was accomplishing an identical task.

As most converts, we stuck to making decks that represented our online personas and found that act of replication extremely compelling. The granularity found in the card game was so complete that we discovered that it was even possible to compile our decks to accurately represent the particular class specs we enjoyed playing. Matching the race and gender also helped to cement the cohesion.

Once we had our decks, the one on one battles commenced. Being a deeper system than we had been exposed to, there were a number of hurdles that we had to contend with. The turn phases had nuances that we adjusted to relatively quickly, and the keyword

system was very helpful when it came time for us to actually do damage. As we grew more comfortable with the rules, our decks began to crystallize with more sophisticated gambits and focused tuning.

There was one dark corner of the rule set that loomed heavily in the back of our minds. Our visions of the future were clouded by the dreaded “chain.” Numerous readings aloud and endless private study could not crack the code that was buried in that diagram. With our decks becoming more elaborate, out of necessity, we began tenuously committing instants to that void zone in between our mats. The process began slowly. Whenever a chain was initiated, all of the players in the group dropped what they were doing—sometimes in mid-turn—and crowded around, lending support to the act. When we saw that titanic, fi ve-card chain resolve itself perfectly, we felt the system knit together

in our minds.

That was it; we were hooked.

After several evenings of harrowing 1v1 and Two-Headed Ogre, we felt that our decks were solid enough to entertain

the more cooperative experience found within the Raid Decks. Our cohort, Jerry “Tycho” Holkins, was intrigued, in the beginning, purely by the game mechanics of these Raid Decks and offered to act as our antagonist. Later, he came to relish the horrible acts committed under the “guises” of Ragnaros, Magtheridon, and the undefeated Illidan Stormrage. In his wake were left broken equipment cards, dispelled ongoing abilities, and a sea of dismembered allies.

On refl ection, during this time in our online Warcraft careers, we were running roughshod over the plains of Outland in a tight 15-man guild. We had managed to eke out a comfortable raid schedule doing what we could with the 10-man offerings, never dreaming of stepping foot in the endgame content that required a much larger commitment, both in time and manpower. We were grateful to have the opportunity to experience this inaccessible portion of Warcraft lore, even if it was in an analog form, via the enjoyable World of Warcraft TCG Raid Decks.

—Kiko Villaseñor Art Director, Penny Arcade, Inc.

Product depicted for demonstration purposes only and is subject to change without further notice. © 2009 UDC, Inc. 5909 Sea Otter Place, Carlsbad, CA 92010. All rights reserved. Patent Pending. © 2009 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved. All products referenced are trademarks, and Warcraft, World of Warcraft and Blizzard Entertainment are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks referenced herein are the properties of their respective owners.

Penny Arcade and the WoW TCGH

eroes of Azeroth

Fires of Outland

Through the Dark PortalM

arch of the LegionServants of the Betrayer

Hunt for Illidan

Drums of War

Blood of Gladiators

Landro Longshot

Thunderhead Hippogryph

Saltwater Snapjaw

Rest and Relaxation

King Mukla

Fortune Telling

Goblin Gumbo

Gone Fishin’

Paper Airplane

Robotic Homing Chicken

Kiting

Papa Hummel’s Old-Fashioned Pet Biscuit

Personal Weather Maker

X-51 Nether-Rocket

The Footsteps of Illidan

Disco Inferno!

Ethereal Plunderer

Slashdance

Owned!

The Red Bearon

Sandbox Tiger

Center of Attention

Foam Sword Rack

Path of Cenarius

Piñata

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Consumable

Uncommon

Rare

Consumable

Uncommon

Rare

Consumable

Uncommon

Rare

Consumable

Uncommon

Rare

Consumable

El Pollo Grande

Tabard of Flame

Hippogryph Hatchling

Riding Turtle

Picnic Basket

Banana Charm

Imp in a Ball

Goblin Gumbo Kettle

Fishing Chair

Reins of the Spectral Tiger & Reins of the Swift Spectral Tiger

Paper Flying Machine Kit

Rocket Chicken

Dragon Kite

Papa Hummel’s Old-Fashioned Pet Biscuit

Goblin Weather Machine - Prototype 01-B

“X-51 Nether Rocket &X-51 Nether Rocket X-TREME

Path of Illidan

D.I.S.C.O.

Soul-Trader Beacon

Party G.R.E.N.A.D.E.

The Flag of Ownership

Big Battle Bear

Sandbox Tiger

Epic Purple Shirt

Foam Sword Rack

Path of Cenarius

Ogre PiñataUncommon

Rare Magic Rooster Egg

A red tabard featuring the Black Flame design.

The Hippogryph Hatchling companion pet is a perfect pet for any collector, and looks great next to the hip-pogryph mounts found in-game.

A Riding Turtle mount that moves at walking speed, and is usable by characters of any level.

Used to place a picnic blanket, umbrella and hibachi grill out that everyone can click on to eat a tasty snack.

Bananas, the baby monkey companion pet, is one of the most popular pets in the game. Perfect for those

Ask the Imp in a Ball any question you want, then get an ill-tempered answer from the imprisoned demon.

Place the kettle on the ground and any player can use it to create Goblin Gumbo, which will make them

Tired of standing while you fi sh? Drop this bad boy down wherever you are and get your fi shing done in style!

The most recognizable loot item from the Trading Card Game, the Spectral Tiger is available in both regular and epic mount speeds.

Use this book to create tiny paper fl ying machines, and then throw them at people!

Giving fried chicken a whole new meaning, the Rocket Chicken companion pet is a mechanical chicken with rockets strapped to its back. Occassionally, it will launch into the air and explode.

A new twist on companion pets, the Dragon Kite fl ies above your character and occasionally attracts a rogue bolt of lightning.

Feed your pets Papa Hummel’s famous treats, and they’ll grow before your eyes!

Like to have the weather change wherever you go? Use this marvel of goblin engineering to get a taste of sun, rain, wind, and clouds everywhere you go.

Blast off into the Nether with your own X-51 Nether Rocket, available in normal and epic fl ying speeds.

Leave a fl aming trail of destruction everywhere you go, just like Illidan!

Bust out this disco in a box anywhere the mood strikes you. Anyone can click on the machine to dance and hear some funky beats.

Another boosted companion pet, the Ethereal Soul-Trader harvests souls of enemies killed that yield honor or experience, allowing the player to purchase fun cosmetic upgrades from him once enough souls are harvested.

Throw one of these in a crowded area and watch everyone bust a move in the confetti and chaos that follows.

Nothing says “I’m better than you!” like a giant thumbs-down fl ag planted in your opponent’s slain corpse.

This bear mount is fi erce and primal, letting its rider make a statement.

Don’t have a Spectral Tiger of your own? The Sandbox Tiger places a kid-sized version of the fabled mount that anyone can have a chance to ride!

Epic Purple Shirt The only way to have an epic item in every slot on your character sheet is to get a hold of this bad boy, and then /fl ex away for everyone to see.

Take a break from serious battles and set this in a busy area. Everyone can get a foam sword rack and take part in the wacky grand melee that follows!

Leave a path of fl owers and happy thoughts wherever you go!

Set the Ogre Piñata out and everyone can attack it until it’s destroyed. When it is fi nally cracked open, any players can loot the Pink Gumballs, which let them chew gum and blow bubbles for 5 minutes!

You may not be a chicken, but this mount is. Ride around in style on the game’s fi rst Chicken mount!

Fires of Honor

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