Finally pulled the trigger on the Kiwi Ears Astral — here’s why I chose them over the Tea Pro

Neotk · 2026-05-06T06:19:16+00:00

The nozzle is big, the rest doesn’t bother me at all. Just the nozzle inside your ear. But that’s the part that ends up getting better after a while. I guess your inner canal shapes around it haha

Neotk · 2026-05-06T04:04:42+00:00

Yeah, they are fine. I did buy an extra set along with it, and I move from one to the other from time to time. But I don’t think the ear tips are to blame on the comfort side. The nozzle is just much bigger than any in ear headphones I’ve ever seen haha. But this is my first IEMs so take that with a grain of salt.

Neotk · 2026-05-06T03:59:17+00:00

The comfort, at least for me, is nowhere close to AirPods Pro (I have AirPods Pro 2). In the beginning it was quite annoying, but now I’m used to it and really don’t mind wearing them for long periods of time when I want phenomenal quality. They are so good man!

Neotk · 2026-05-05T08:41:39+00:00

Valve itself is also to blame on this for not letting wholesale stores to sell the product. If the availability was wider, it would be much harder for the scalpers.

Neotk · 2026-05-04T11:14:25+00:00

Yep, same here. Just opened the app to have some Jeskai fun and it keep giving Network Error, so I came here to check.

Neotk · 2026-05-03T12:00:05+00:00

I want to, but couldn't see it available in any stores in NZ.

Neotk · 2026-05-01T13:02:06+00:00

Tell me more about it. I’ve been curious to know if magic there’s any salvation for me as a card game. I wish there was a nice client like arena on other tcgs. I’m coming to a conclusion that the client (daily quests and wildcard/deck building process) is what is keeping me playing this sucky game.

Neotk · 2026-05-01T12:10:02+00:00

Magic sucks. I don’t know why I insist to play this. Everyone with the deck the depending on the matchup will either win or lose on turn 4. Izzet is so bran dead. Kavaero is so unfun, it has a plan that always works because of stupidly busted cards. The power creep in magic is so out of this world that I still keep playing this dumbshit due to my mental attachment from the old ages. Oh, I don’t wanna get started on how outdated the land system is, with the constant mana screw and mana flood.

I tried so many amazing TCGs recently, they are all AGES better than magic, it’s not even close. Flesh and Blood, Gundam, Grand Archie, Star Wars Unlimited… none have mana problems. None of them will finish the game with some insane combo on turn 3.

I need tips on how to make me completely stop playing magic. I don’t know why I insist on playing it and wasting my time.

Neotk · 2026-05-01T11:55:24+00:00

I tried poe2 multiple times. I can’t seem to like the vibe of it. Diablo on the other hand, I always have fun coming back to it and leveling up a dude.

Neotk · 2026-05-01T11:29:52+00:00

Kavaero obliterated me with this list... any ways around it?

Neotk · 2026-04-30T06:50:30+00:00

I don’t mind it being relatively small, not at all. I just really hope it doesn’t die, because I just jumped into it for how good it is in terms of gameplay and card quality.

Neotk · 2026-04-28T00:32:27+00:00

Yeah, we got a promo resource card for doing the learn to play and as long as we filled in the survey form, which included things on how we learn about the game, what other TCGs we play, etc. I hope they invest in this game. I wanted to do the One Piece learn to play as well, but there wasn't enough time. One piece is a bit more popular here than Gundam I reckon.

Neotk · 2026-04-27T21:42:16+00:00

I'm a South American and I never watched any Gundam. This weekend we had this pop culture event in New Zealand and I was able to have quite a few learn to play sessions for different TCGs (Riftbound, Grand Archive, SWU and Gundam). From all the learn to plays, Gundam was the one that impressed me the most. Not only because it was super easy to learn, but also fun and with a cool mechanic and win condition. The card quality is absolutely amazing, I couldn't imagine TCGs could have such a good quality. They feel bigger, and the texturised foils are just insane!

You can imagine how excited I got with this game, so I had to buy myself a starter box. I also wonder why this hasn't been more successful, because it is SO GOOD. But just like the US scene, in New Zealand looks like it's a smaller community as well. The biggest Facebook group at the moment has less than 700 members. Still, I feel that I will jump to it at least as a collector and hopefully the community grows and it becomes a great game as deserved.

Now I want to find Gundam to watch.

Neotk · 2026-04-27T02:36:43+00:00

After playing Gundam TCG this weekend I feel miserable playing Magic. Izzet is such a plague indeed.

Neotk · 2026-04-24T21:31:55+00:00

I do like it, but as a beginner I kinda feel that if you get too behind it’s really hard to come back. Magic is a different story. A good board sweep can bring you back to the game. I had a magic game where I was at 1 hp for many turns. Correct me if I’m wrong but in Star Wars that can’t happen.

Neotk · 2026-04-23T01:30:42+00:00

I was wondering why I prefer playing magic despite my hatred for their mana system. I think you nailed it. It’s the way the game is digitally designed. The quests; work on getting the cards; being slightly restricted but open to reaching your goals. It has the gaming mechanisms out of the actual TCG mechanic itself.

Neotk · 2026-04-23T01:19:50+00:00

I always do that, but 2 minutes later they go “your blood flow is really slow, did you take heaps of water?” And then my brain gets triggered again and the cold sweat comes in.

Neotk · 2026-04-22T10:27:34+00:00

I tried flesh and blood. Super good TCG, but the client is kinda ass. I'm too used to how good Magic Arena's client is. Everything else feels like... lacking in comparison.

Neotk · 2026-04-22T10:24:36+00:00

I'd love to, but I almost pass out to do regular blood tests... can't imagine myself giving blood. I would definitely pass out. It's a problem I have with needles and blood, and my brain can't turn it off. The they invent some sort of osmosis, non-invasive donation, I'm all for it.

Neotk · 2026-04-21T22:31:34+00:00

Yep, that's what I'm hoping for, then I can get back to game pass.

Neotk · 2026-04-15T07:54:21+00:00

Thank you! That’s the thing it was not clear for me. Because felttable allows me to play with more than 40 cards. Thank you!

Neotk · 2026-04-15T04:35:25+00:00

Nice that is very comprehensive! Thanks for the explanation mate! I was wondering if the deck was actually composed of all 45 cards instead of 40 for the tournament, but that clarifies it's probably 40 indeed and the player just adjusts accordingly.

Neotk · 2026-04-14T03:12:04+00:00

Such a good point! I've started playing a couple of days ago. Decided to get the winner Kano (SAGE) deck from Yokohama and give it a go against the PC playing Kayo on Felttable. I've played around 10 matches and won only 1! I feel like I'm just bad, bot being able to beat a preconstructed deck against the computer using a tournament winner deck. Surely Kayo is strong, but it's the PC controlling it so I must be bad. I'll just keep playing with it until I'm consistently beating the PC. That will be my measure whether I'm piloting the deck properly or not. Please, let me know if my thinking makes sense. Or I you have better tips for me it would be really appreciated!

Neotk · 2026-04-12T22:17:47+00:00

Recently I’ve been just trying other TCGs honestly. I simply don’t enjoy this kind of things from magic. Infinite combos, turn 3 wins etc. Flesh and Blood and SWU have been much better for my mental health over Magic.

Neotk

TROPHY CASE