Printable proxies

[chompers]

One of the biggest problems actually getting new players to play the game is out-of-print sets. I would like to run a tournament, but where do you start when each playing format of the game has large chunks of cards that are hard to get, or worse still, simply unavailable.

Allowing new players to print and play with proxy cards may assist in reviving the game using real cards.  Bringing new players to the game should increase the demand for cards which will increase the value of your collections, but more importantly, give you more people to play against and if we are really lucky some sort of organised play.

Printable proxies can be achieved in many different ways, but it seems logical to start with FoTR block since this is about new players. Here are some ways that i can think of.
1) Print the preconstructed starter decks from FoTR block (if you can't get access to any).
2) Print selected cards from RotEL (Out-Of-Print) to support FoTR block (such as all sites and common cards).
3) Print selected cards from FoTR block (such as all sites and common cards).

Star Trek CCG is currently allowing the printing of some cards, and the impact is mostly positive, as the player base continues to expand.

If you feel inclined, vote in the poll. If there is not a response that suits you, post your ideas here.

[Kenddrick]

I voted for "Print proxies for the starter-decks".

Ranofer has done a pretty good job with the starter deck pdfs. Pity he has only got one made. Let me see if I can upload it for you guys to download and take a look.

To me, starter decks are the best way to introduce the game to new players. Plus, now that there are printable proxies, we can actually give them the "starter decks".

[sharkey]

Print Proxies galore is my vote. We need to get tons of people playing!

[HawkeyeSPF]

I would like to go on record as "not being for" printed proxies, until which time Decipher gives a green light.

If/when that ever happens, I'm torn, to be honest. The cards are out there (more for some sets than others), it's just a matter of finding them. Once we get more people playing the game, availability in the secondary market is bound to pick up and make it easier to find whatever you're looking for.

[sharkey]

But we have to make it accesable and cheap for new players... second-hand market costs a lot. I think about 1/2 of the amount of cards that existed at the Age's End expansion are here today.

[Dogbert]

I would like to go on record as "not being for" printed proxies, until which time Decipher gives a green light.

That won't happen. LotR is a defunct game as far as Decipher is concerned.

[sharkey]

Umm... they have said otherwise, I believe?

[Kenddrick]

Big D has said they will consider the LotR TCG PC. Which could mean funds, templates for us to use. Let's hope it comes true.

[sharkey]

Fingers crossed! I know lots of upcoming new players, so there is a future!

[Ranofer]

Just saw this post.  I swear you guys are weird   almost a week goes by without anything new and then bam like 8 new topics and a bunch of stuff to talk about

As for what Kenddrick said, I did indeed do the Aragorn starter.  I took the original copy of the "free" starters that Decipher put out at the beginning and got better scans.

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_TJdQjMZa1kNzJhMTFkZDYtNGZjZS00ZWFlLThiOGQtMzIxMjAxOWJjM2Y1&hl=en

Download that PDF and you'll see what I mean.  Throw it in a color printer, or better even a Laser printer, and you have a demo deck you can use to show people how to play.

I like the idea of proxies in moderation or non-tournament play.  The cards are out there, and people that want the fancy foil, or the tengwal script cards will have to go find the real ones.  I actually don't even approve of doing EVERY starter deck.  I think the starters from Fellowship, Towers, and Return, is all I think needs to be done.  We're giving them a taste, not a complete game

[Kenddrick]

Cheers for Ranofer! Let's hope he does the starters from Fellowship, Towers, and Return!

[sharkey]

Awesome!

[Dogbert]

Umm... they have said otherwise, I believe?

Considering allowing a PC is basically functionally turning over all decisions, including decisions like tournament-legal proxies, to the PC. i.e., the PC would make that decision, not Decipher.

[HawkeyeSPF]

The PC would make that decision WITH Decipher, not alone. The game is still their property, after all.

[Kenddrick]

So it appears we are using proxied FotR starters? Can we form a committee to do this "officially"...or do we even need to?