Entry #4: BREAKING NEWS! KeyForge is Dead. Long Live KeyForge!

 Welcome back to the tavern! Had some breaking news from just a few days ago to share! Keyforge is back! And since Keyforge is one of my favorite all time games, I had to talk about it. What is it? A procedurally generated deck game created by Richard Garfield. The game was here. Made a splash, than faded away. But it's back!

INFO---

Game: KeyForge

Type: Unique Card Game

Release Date: November 15, 2018

Players: 2

Age: 14+

Play Time: 45+

Difficulty: 2.45 (out of 5)

Creator: Richard Garfield

Developer: Fantasy Flight Games (Now Ghost Galaxy)

Price: $10 a deck

Official Website: https://keyforging.com/

In the game players take on the role of Archons in the world of the Crucible. Each Archon races to be the first to collect a resource called "Æmber" (pronounced Amber! Not ember! Look it up.) and forge three keys. To date 2.7 million decks are registered. This is impressive because every single deck is unique!

The game is fun and plays fast. Instead of the traditional beat the other player to 0 life, you race to forge keys. Also since every deck is unique no one can net deck you. Of course there is a downside that since you buy a complete deck, the deck might be sub par. But that's what the adaptive format was for. I won't get into formats though as those are subject to change under Ghost galaxy. Anyways, check the game out. There's never been a better time to get in on the ground floor...again!

Long live KeyForge!

Entry #3: (Insert Battle Theme Here!) Final Fantasy TCG

 It's hot outside isn't it? So pull up a chair and grab a tankard of ale! I've got a game to introduce you too! Now this game is not new. It actually came out in 2016 in North America. But it's a great game that fixes a lot of the issues Magic the Gathering has. And it features the cool characters from the video games! What's not to like?

INFO--------

Game: Final Fantasy Trading Card Game

Game Type: Trading Card Game/Collectible Card Game

Release Date: October 2016

Players: 2

Playing Time: 1 Hour+

Difficulty: 3.30 (out of 5)

Publisher: Square Enix/Hobby Japan

Price: Varies Starter decks are $15

Originally released in Japan in 2011 the game was rebooted when it was released worldwide. The premise of the game is simple. Each player brings a pre-built deck of 50 cards (no more than 3 copies of any one card). Players play cards by discarding cards for crystal points (CP). You can also play backups which dull (tap, turn sideways) for 1 CP a turn. You also control forwards, which attack, and summons which have game altering effects. To win the game you must deal 7 damage to the opposing player.

A Forward

A backup

A Summon

One of the cool things about this game is the EX burst you see on that summon (it can be on any card type). When you get damaged by the other player you put the top card of your deck into your damage zone. But when they hit a card with EX burst you get to still do the ability! Awesome right?

The game plays quickly and is fun to collect. Highly recommend it!

Entry #2: New Game Alert! SolForge Fusion!

 Hello friends and future friends! Welcome to the tavern. I have a game alert today!

Stoneblade Entertainment is releasing a new game soon. It's called SolForge fusion! It's a card game where two players battle for control. It's a hybrid deck game created by Richard Garfield (creator of Magic the Gathering) and Justin Gary (creator of Ascension Deckbuilding game). Here's the info for a quick glance.

INFO---

Game: SolForge Fusion

Type: Expandable/Hybrid Card Game

Release Date: July 2022

Players: 2-4

Age: 14+

Play Time: 30+

Creators: Richard Garfield, Justin Gray

Developer: Stoneblade Entertainment

Price: Starter- $30 (Deluxe $50) Booster Display $120

Originally SolForge was a computer game. It was canceled but has come back in card game form! Like the excellent Keyforge, decks are procedurally generated. So no two are alike. However unlike Keyforge you aren't stuck completely without deckbuilding. You get two halves of decks in SolForge and mash them together to make a complete deck.

Thematically the game is set on the frozen world of Solace. The world was threatened by a cataclysm so the inhabitants built the SolForge. The SolForge is a massive structure that imbues the world with a magical sun energy. You take the role of one of the Forgeborn. Beings imbued with magical powers by the SolForge itself. Choose your Forgeborn and battle for control!

I have tried out the game on Tabletop Simulator. And you can too for free! So here's the pros and cons I see so far:

PROS

1. Procedurally generated. So no one can net deck.

2. Rules are simple but strategy is deep. Draw 5 cards, play one, pass. Play another, pass. Then you battle. Straight and to the point! Lanes in the game make it simple to learn as well.

3. Organized Play! Going to be supported tournament wise!

4. Pre-sales are going well so from the start the game will be supported.

CONS

1. Generic fantasy theme might turn some off.

2. Will it fall into the Keyforge trap of burning out early?

I personally want to check this game out. Looks amazing. And I wanted to alert everyone if you want to get in on the ground floor. So check it out!

Also stay tuned for more gaming tavern content!

Entry 1: Welcome to the Tavern!

 Greetings friends and welcome to the tavern! Maybe you have read my other blog, Four Eyez.  I started that blog way back in 2010. It was dedicated to all things nerdy. Flash forward 12 years and I have to say while I am still a nerd, the blog didn't really reflect me anymore. I actually had it on hiatus for years.

Now, I am still geeky and nerdy. But I realized gaming in general is my hobby. Anything from TCGs, video games, board games, and everything in between! I also am a beer fan (hence the name tavern!) but to read about my beer adventures check out my other blog  Here .

Now this blog will cover tons of gaming stuff. I'll share my thoughts, and pics from my gaming. Also I will share videos and blog posts from other content creators which add to the gaming landscape. 

So are you a gamer too?  Welcome to the tavern!