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As far as I am concerned, I do not have any issue at all with the upcoming release being a mystery deck. It is not like Lotrek is a first time designer and printer and we run the risk of the deck being sub-par in concept or print.

I can see TwoPiece's point about the number of variants of Lotrek's decks but he is not the only one who does that - it took me a while to understand Alex Chin's system of Veranas, Invernos and Primavera's (or may be it is just me being thick). On the other hand, I absolutely love the Gold/Silver Arabesque combo and have specifically bought the two deck Carat case to display the two side by side.

I also really like the idea of the players' edition being the one that we can open and play with without feeling regret for breaking a seal on the collector edition one. Again, Jackson Robinson and others are doing the same - if you are not concentrated on getting each and every deck released, you can buy some or none at all...

Magic Tapp wrote: I can see TwoPiece's point about the number of variants of Lotrek's decks but he is not the only one who does that - it took me a while to understand Alex Chin's system of Veranas, Invernos and Primavera's (or may be it is just me being thick). On the other hand, I absolutely love the Gold/Silver Arabesque combo and have specifically bought the two deck Carat case to display the two side by side.

Alex Chin's system has been identical to what I love. He's offered a limited and numbered gilded edition of his decks, and an "unlimited" more-playable version. The Apothecary series is not just a recolor of the original Seasons series. They're new decks, despite having similar names.

I'm a detractor of Lotrek's variants because of how expensive they are, and more or less, are usually color swaps. Look at the Grotesk series for example (and Icons). IIRC, Arabesque Silver is just a recolor of the original Mystery Deck design. I'm just not a fan of that, because it costs $100(+) to complete the series, despite no differences in design.

I stick to my guns, which is why I removed my add-on for Mr. Chin's Emerald gilded deck. He already produced a gilded and non-gilded version of that deck, so there's no reason for me to have another variant. I'm not a fan of the Emerald deck. I'll consider my Apothecary collection complete without that one.

Okay, back to Lotrek and this mystery deck. Lotrek makes some very expensive deck because they cost a lot to make. The process by which Lotrek uses to make hot stamp foiled decks with two or more foils is complex and likely several discarded sheets/cards due to the exacting registration he demands. The decks are no less than a piece of crafted art. It isn't for everyone, which is why the printings are small. Even so, his Sanctus decks (which are amazing BTW) still have some available from him. He is trying to make enough so that those interested can get one, but I am sure he would like them to sell out fairly quickly and not linger for sale for a year or so (I don't think that is likely). We have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of making the decks in advance. Lotrek is taking a risk that they don't sell that well, and then he is out the development and manufacturing costs he spread over the entire run. When you know how many are ordered, that doesn't happen.

For this deck, I can assume it will be at least 2 hot stamp foiled with color and/or metallic inks. It also will likely be an intricate work where precise registration of the foil will be critical. I can't wait. I am sure there are some other surprises still to be seen.

I also want to respond to criticism about Lotrek boasting about the cost. All of his decks are not super-expensive. I bought his Ambassador Players decks for $10 each, delivered. That is better than most anyone, except maybe Randy Butterfield and a few others. I can even pick up a number of Lotrek's decks even now fairly inexpensively from resellers and on ebay. I picked up a pair of his Grotesque decks from 2014 on eBay the other day for $10.25 each delivered. Additionally, the Ambassador Collectors decks with just one foil, were only like $35 or so initially, so they are within or lower than a number of gilded decks.

I'll be there to get some because i was never disappointed what Lotrek delivered.
The only thing i'm interested now what status that deck has: worst (an idea, nothing printed and a lot can go wrong) to best (ready to ship next week).

Okay, I will reveal one thing about this deck that I believe it's fair for you to know: It's not a variant of existing decks and there will be no player's or error, trial, etc editions.

I think it's the ideal deck for TwoPiece to regret for not getting it.

Oh please accidentally do an error variant and only have 50. I’ll pretty much pay whatever you want for it. Ha!

Lotrek wrote:Okay, I will reveal one thing about this deck that I believe it's fair for you to know: It's not a variant of existing decks and there will be no player's or error, trial, etc editions.

I think it's the ideal deck for TwoPiece to regret for not getting it.

Hey! Player's editions are good. Otherwise this idea is perfect!

Waiting for the pre-order to drop....

Can I please confirm that this print run limited to an absolute total of 300?

Or is that the number for the pre order only?

The webpage is a little ambiguous in this regard.

Thanks

Thedissident001 wrote:Can I please confirm that this print run limited to an absolute total of 300?

Or is that the number for the pre order only?

The webpage is a little ambiguous in this regard.

Thanks

No, the print run is 400 decks as I have reserved some to sell in the Convention and some for my "cellar".

Thanks for the clarification Lotrek appreciate it

NB A holiday to your cellar sounds like fun if it’s full of your cards, when do the tours start?

Five minutes in your cellar Lotrek. Give me five minute!

Lotrek - would the mystery deck go on sale on your site like the Arabesque did or should we follow that link from the update email?

I think I can swing two copies. It will not be as crazy as earlier this year though for the first mystery deck(s)

Bradius wrote:I think I can swing two copies. It will not be as crazy as earlier this year though for the first mystery deck(s)

ArabesqueDecksGrp1.jpg

show off... lol

not that I'm jealous or anything... lol (okay, maybe just a little )

I was trying to find the photos Lotrek posts of all the decks before they ship out. Those are amazing photos.

I had an idea yesterday regarding shipping. I may be able to arrange shipping them from Greece.

Regarding my cellar, you really don't want to get in there right now. Tons of stuff that need re-ordering. Door barely opens!

Well, as Gambler's Warehouse is not too far away and have always done a great job shipping me stuff, I am really glad you are using them. That said, those in Europe may get hit with taxes if it ships from the US. But, I don't know how that all works since the decks are actually made in Greece.

I would prefer shipping from Greece, if possible

Smocito wrote:I would prefer shipping from Greece, if possible

+1

Shipping from Greece works better for me too.

As it is a pre-order, I can't see why Lotrek can't bring the decks he needs shipped via Gamblers to the US when he comes for the 52plus convention and reveals the deck and he ships all the European orders after he returns to Greece.

I think most would prefer all shipping be done by you Lotrek, including myself.

Nothing against Gamblers other then the fact they use a mail forwarding center for international packages which leads to weeks of waiting until they have enough parcels dedicated to that country.

shermjack wrote:I can't see why Lotrek can't bring the decks he needs shipped via Gamblers to the US when he comes for the 52plus convention

I'm not sure that's what Lotrek wants to do is bring over 250-400 decks on his flight over. Never mind the weight and extra $$$ the airline will charge him to do this.

I like when he ships from Greece.

Well, before we get to entangled in how Lotrek should ship us our decks. Maybe we first actually manage to beat everyone else out to actually purchase or Mystery #2 decks.

You can't please everyone but you can definitely try to.

I could never imagine that the fullfilment aspect would be a problem. Okay, I'm working on solving this and sending at least the non US decks from Greece. Don't worry.

Lotrek wrote:... and sending at least the non US decks from Greece. Don't worry.

Fantastic! Thank you.

Just make sure you have one for me Lotrek, from US or Greece.

I missed it, didn't I?

Edit: No, I didn't. I was so sure it was 17:00 European time.

Since we are all putting in our delivery preferences, can you personally deliver it to my house?