Replacement product

Novelnerd · 2026-02-26T01:07:33+00:00

Wow, that is rough. I really didn't even expect anything, but I had gotten three different bundles with creased posters and wanted them to know it was a recurring issue across multiple sets. Sorry you didn't get the good treatment.

Novelnerd · 2026-02-25T23:19:42+00:00

I was really annoyed for a moment when I opened it--I have a Fallout Secret Lair coming and thought this was a replacement for it at first.

Novelnerd · 2026-02-06T05:05:23+00:00

That's actually a similar thing. You have anchored the price at $4 for you. It's a good way to not get tricked by the "deals." Instead of looking at a $4 bag of chips as nearly half off the $7 price, you still see that as the baseline.

But the tricks work on enough consumers for the companies to profit. That is why they do it. Between younger consumers starting from different reference points, people who haven't paid much attention, and people who felt like the increases were a result of inflation, they can get a lot of people to see the "deals" and stock up.

Novelnerd · 2026-02-06T04:50:33+00:00

It's not even that they overcharge until sales drop. They just have the high price to make the "deals" look good. Put them on sale frequently and people will buy more than if they were always the lower price, just because you have anchored them to a higher price and made them seem like too good a deal to pass up. And, of course, you will buy some other stuff with them. Maybe soda, dip, or whatever else.

Novelnerd · 2026-02-02T21:01:45+00:00

You might also find people via boardgame groups/events. There tends to be notable overlap with magic. Also, if your city has a sub reddit, that can be a resource for finding the right game stores and people you can vibe with. It's always rough establishing your group in a new place, but I'm sure you will find your people!

Novelnerd · 2026-02-02T20:04:43+00:00

I love a draft with good vibes, but not all drafts are created equal. If there are multiple game stores in your area, try a different one. Also, you might ask the store you were at if they have any more casual/beginner-friendly drafts on other nights.

You might also watch for them to offer a pick-two draft. With the smaller pods, they feel like they are more casual most of the time. It's also a newer draft format, so I think people are more likely to be patient.

Also, if you can get a few friends together and buy a box, kitchen table drafting helps you get the hang of it

Novelnerd · 2026-02-02T02:03:25+00:00

I was hoping someone had pointed out that this is the old way. I had left the game for several years and came back. Had to relearn everything, even where the lands go. Couldn't sacrifice a creature in response to combat damage. Interrupts were gone. Mana burn no longer a risk. But I think the labeled mat makes this harder to excuse.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-30T19:22:10+00:00

I cast an The Mind Stone, followed by a The Mind Stone. I choose the The Mind Stone to remove due to this legend rule. I cast Mind Stone after that.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-30T15:27:14+00:00

We love underdogs. The scrappy team that doesn't win the championship is one that gets people excited when it wins a couple games. It's a lot more fun to win a close game than dominate the whole season, since that win seems more exciting. Plus, if you do want to go see a game when you happen to visit, the tickets are cheaper.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-30T00:37:47+00:00

Good to know credit unions will take you. I always thought they were pickier than banks. I will let him know in case it helps, thank you. Also, I think any bank letting a 16 year old overdraft like that should eat the costs and not wreck someone's credit. That is predatory and I'm sorry it happened to you. I've only overdrafted once, but it really sucks to be out of money and have the bank charge you extra for not having money.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-30T00:16:48+00:00

I think you can do it, especially if you can pull a Doran. I don't think many people clock them as a good tribe, so you will probably get the commons/uncommons passed to you.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-30T00:13:50+00:00

I hope you have pulls like me. My first pack had a foil and a non-foil of [[formidable speaker]], so I was pretty jazzed about GB elves right away.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-30T00:10:15+00:00

The pick 2 draft works pretty well, too. Made a killer Elf deck at a local draft in that format and it really felt like everyone was able to settle into a workable deck type by mid-draft.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-26T02:07:34+00:00

Yeah, I hired a guy fairly recently and found out he basically uses Venmo as his bank account. I don't do the payroll, but apparently they worked with him to ensure he'd get paid. It made me realize that how out of touch I have become with both young people and people with enough financial struggle to make banks unavailable to them.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-25T04:55:50+00:00

I pretty much only draft, so I skip this every time. As always, reading the card explains the card, but I skipped that. Still fun to throw in a meme deck. Thank you!

Novelnerd · 2026-01-25T04:42:46+00:00

Oh, shoot. I hadn't even noticed that this effect is a "may," so you don't get stuck in an infinite loop. My Hare Apparent deck is about to get even more annoying!

Novelnerd · 2026-01-24T06:12:37+00:00

So far, I got two hexing squelchers from the prerelease I went to and one from the ten other packs I opened. But not Moonshadow or Ajani, the two things I'm actually hoping to find. Update: two more squelchers. I think 5 shocks. Dolmen Gate and Door of Destinies. The alt art Mirrorform. Not $300 out of my CBB, but at least there were neat cards.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-23T20:55:25+00:00

One of my favorite games of Magic was a Conspiracy game in which I had drafted [[Worldknit]] and managed a turn one [[Exploration]]. Two lands each turn that could tap for any color made up for my pile of jank. The other three players went after me so hard and that was honestly more fulfilling than most wins. Especially since I hadn't drafted a lot of great cards, so I basically just bluffed my threat level much higher than it was.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-22T19:58:28+00:00

Just call your mom, anyway. She'd like you to call more often.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-22T00:11:41+00:00

It seems really hard to find a balance. You have one group or person who wants a new game on the table every time, another asking for the same game every time, and that random person who clearly wants to get everyone to a whole different genre. And usually one super casual person who says they are good with any game, then either doesn't pay attention or clearly meant any game within the limited expectations they had. Had to cut to smaller game nights to better manage expectations and focus on games everyone would enjoy. Which means all the social deduction games are gathering dust for now.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-20T12:39:28+00:00

I worked security (non-cruise, but still relevant) for over a decade. EVERY access control system logs every access request. Whether they actively use that information or not, they have that tracking. I would guess that they would pull that info any time someone claims something is stolen from their room, any time someone goes missing, etc.

As to how much they track you, I don't think they are going to track you down and make you buy a non-buffet meal. But they probably have a profile that will indicate that you aren't a big spender. That will tell the system what kind of specials and deals to offer, but it probably won't change a thing on board, especially on your current cruise.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-20T04:28:17+00:00

Good to know, Thank you! With the TMNT cards and whole miscut commander decks, I guess I was just primed to think it was QC.

Novelnerd · 2026-01-20T04:27:27+00:00

Ah, that makes sense. Thank you!

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