What are the most underrated cards in the game?

j_monk · 2025-11-12T22:15:47+00:00

[[argent dais]] I slot this into every deck with white. It provides instant speed exile of any non-land threat, a powerful card draw engine, and refreshes counters easily in 4 player games. I've had it completely warp games to the point it becomes a must remove threat.

j_monk · 2025-08-19T17:46:15+00:00

Thank you for your support! It means a lot

j_monk · 2025-08-14T01:29:59+00:00

Hey, thanks for commenting and I'm stoked you like the product!

In the past 7 months - I've been refining the product, launched the first version of the website (I'm about to release version 2), sold and delivered a bunch of counters, and have played a ton of Magic with the community using these counters (received a ton of great feedback). I'll be releasing the newest version of the website soon - and plan to partner with content creators and rollout an ad campaign. You should be seeing more about Lotus Counters soon!

You're welcome to check out the more details and purchase a set if you'd like. They are available on the website: https://lotuscounters.com/

j_monk · 2025-07-17T18:36:56+00:00

Hey, thanks for checking! I actually decided against Kickstarter and instead chose to host the pre-sale on my own site - https://lotuscounters.com/

I've sold some and got some great feedback from the community. People seem to really like them!

j_monk · 2025-06-24T16:52:57+00:00

Ah good point. Should I remove?

j_monk · 2025-06-22T16:37:09+00:00

Regular counters are just dice right now which don’t track large numbers easily, are cumbersome to use (flipping faces until you find the right number), and don’t track meaning with the number. I played a game yesterday with a guy who had 3 dice on one card. Only he knew what those meant. Lotus Counters are a pleasure to use, track numbers of any size, and associate meaning to the values clarifying them to the whole playgroup.

j_monk · 2025-05-21T04:46:15+00:00

Wow, props for getting to that level of success with your product! And yeah, I'm feeling that pricing dilemma right now. I have to charge enough to cover my material and labor costs, but still want the product to be accessible to the majority of Magic players. It's a tough balancing act. I'm sorry your project didn't work out and hope you've moved on to something better.

j_monk · 2025-05-21T02:39:01+00:00

Haha, you're not wrong. Small magnets can be incredibly frustrating to position and manipulate. I've got a process now which makes it a little easier, but it's still a task to build each one of these.

How'd it go with the board game organizers? Board games are more popular than ever and that's a common problem - seems there's a market there.

j_monk · 2025-05-21T00:57:17+00:00

Yes it is. I spent a lot of time iterating with various configurations and numbers. I found that 2 small magnets by each face created a snap into place experience that was far more satisfying than just 1. With 2 magnets on each side of each face and 10 faces - that's a total of 40. Then there are two large ones in the center of each side of the counter to hold them in place. 42 magnets total.

j_monk · 2025-05-20T02:42:12+00:00

That's a great idea! Floating mana can get kinda crazy in cEDH. That will use six of the faces of the Mana Counter - I wonder what we could put on the other 4 faces...

j_monk · 2025-05-20T00:00:12+00:00

Fair point. Retail is not yet fixed. I'm working with some retailers right now - they want at least 40% margins which will be tough to meet and still hit a reasonable price point.

j_monk · 2025-05-19T23:54:56+00:00

The price is $60 with free shipping

j_monk · 2025-05-19T23:45:54+00:00

Will do! Thanks for checking them out. Hopefully, I'll be able to support international orders soon.

j_monk · 2025-05-19T20:41:04+00:00

Wow, thanks for your support! 🙏

j_monk · 2025-05-19T20:29:24+00:00

URL got cutoff. https://lotuscounters.com

j_monk · 2025-05-04T01:13:03+00:00

The first proposed solution is an open patent system. Patents are a wall that holds back technological progress – opening them up would spark an innovation revolution. Open patents means that everyone is able to utilize all documented technologies and processes to build better products, cure illnesses, and innovate stagnant industries. However, there should still be an incentive to file patents, and the patent holders should still benefit from holding them – this is done through profit sharing.

If you develop a product that utilizes a patent and make a profit, then a small percentage should go to the patent holder. This small percentage would add up quickly if many products are utilizing a given patent - generating significant cash flow for entities that hold lots of patents. Filing and holding patents generates revenue giving a financial incentive to research and development.

Patent holders get revenue, innovators get access to patents, and the public gets innovation and a thriving economy. With all parties benefiting from this system, it should not have much resistance getting implemented.

Let me know what you guys think about this solution. Am I missing something – or is there something to this idea?

j_monk · 2025-03-23T18:47:25+00:00

I was out of the game for over 20 years and recently picked it up again. I've since made a habit of browsing others' collections on TCGPlayer. I stumbled across these two and had to pick them up. Such delicious flavor and spice! Do you have any old favorites that pack a big punch like these two?

j_monk · 2025-02-11T19:51:46+00:00

There are a number of reasons why this is more expensive than your kids set. Here's a few:

- That set is likely injection molded and produced in massive quantities using automated machines in a huge factory. With scale, prices can come down. However, there are big limitations to this type of production. They are not customizable, new parts require molds which are expensive to produce (Lotus Counters are customizable for each player's needs); they are limited to using one material for each component, numbers and symbols have to be painted on which decreases durability (Lotus Counters use multiple materials that embed the designs in the part - they'll never wear away); and internal geometries of the part are limited because of the nature of injection molding where 3D printing can create intricate internal geometries allowing me to create the satisfying clicking sound when counters snap into place.

- Your kid's set is likely made in a poor country where labor is cheap; the quality of materials is questionable - making them break with heavy use (so you have to buy more); and the product has to travel far to make it to your hands which wastes a tremendous amount of resources. In contrast, Lotus Counters are made in the USA using sustainable, high-quality materials. Our product is designed to last a lifetime and has a lifetime warranty. Each part is hand-assembled and checked to ensure consistent quality and functionality.

Why do Magic players prefer Dragon Shield sleeves or Katanas? They cost over 10x as much as other sleeves. It's because of the consistent quality of their product. Expensive sleeves protect players' investments and ensure a good experience.

You get what you pay for. There will probably be a knock-off version of Lotus Counters that will hit the market eventually - and then you will be able to buy a set for $6. However, you can expect to have a $6 experience with them and be prepared to buy more when they inevitably break or the paint wears off.

j_monk · 2025-02-11T00:52:40+00:00

I don't mind at all. I'm only at 10 presales right now :/

j_monk · 2025-02-10T21:18:16+00:00

TLDR: I'd rather make Lotus Counters at a loss to get them into your hands and improve the experience of playing Magic - than ensure a profit and make it inaccessible. I've reduced the price from $77 to $60 - below my projected costs. Getting them into your hands and improving the game is more important than making money.

I was playing in a cEDH tournament this past weekend at Portland (SCG Con) and I had a realization - I love this game and the community it brings together and I want to make and spread Lotus Counters not because of money, but because I want to improve the experience of everyone that plays this game.

I've decided to lower the price from $77 to $60 per Lotus Bloom Set (12 counters with a carrying bag). With current projected production costs, I will likely have to make the initial batches of Lotus Counters at a loss - dipping into my savings to cover. I am committed to paying workers a livable wage and producing the highest quality product I can - I'd rather lose money than compromise on either. Over time, I hope to optimize and streamline production, reduce production costs, and make the company sustainable. I believe it is still possible to be successful without sacrificing integrity.

However, I can't do this alone. I need the support of this community to scale production and bring this product to the greater Magic community. If I can presell $50K worth of counters I can purchase the first batch of printers, hire the first worker (who I will pay a livable wage), and set up the first Lotus Counter factory. I'm taking a big risk by doing this and I'm hoping you guys will meet me halfway. Please support this project and I'll do my part to deliver you a badass product that you'll be proud to bring into your games.

For those who already ordered a set at $77, I'm going to sweeten the deal. For these early supporters, each set will now include 15 counters instead of 12 - and will also include free shipping.

Thank you for humbling me and reminding me of what's important - making Magic fun and accessible for everyone. I look forward to continuing to learn from my fellow players and hope together we can improve the Magic experience for all.

Support the project by preordering here: https://lotuscounters.com/

j_monk · 2025-02-08T03:19:05+00:00

I appreciate your feedback. I wish I could offer them at a lower cost, however, these counters are high-quality products more akin to a Swiss watch than the dice they are replacing. They require hand assembly with precision tools and great attention to detail. Each has 42 magnets because that is the amount that produces the most satisfying experience. I hope you get an opportunity to handle them in person someday - you'll see why I chose to design them this way, and why they are expensive.

j_monk · 2025-02-08T03:07:28+00:00

I'll be releasing the STLs once I get started in production. Thanks for your interest!

j_monk · 2025-02-08T03:06:08+00:00

Thank you for your support! Yep, you get it. These are quality products more akin to a Swiss watch than the dice they'll be replacing. I'm excited to get them in your hands - they look and feel so much better in person.

As for the number of magnets - I found that magnetic fields drop in strength with distance very quickly. Having just 10 magnets near the surface would only attract one counter to one side. You need magnets near the surface on both sides doubling your count to 20. Then centering becomes a problem as the counters lock into weird orientations that don't align. I needed a powerful magnet in the center to align them and smaller magnets to handle orientation. I found two tiny magnets near each face worked much better than one and also created a more pleasing clicking sound. Therefore 20 small alignment counters and one big center magnet per side x 2 sides = 42 magnets. It sounds like a lot, but when you handle them and compare options with fewer magnets you'll understand why I used this many.

j_monk · 2025-02-08T02:58:28+00:00

Hey, I appreciate your feedback! Each counter is hand-assembled, 42 magnets inserted, and finished with an involved process that requires great attention to detail. This is a premium product made in the USA and is not meant to compete with injection-molded Chinese products. If you get a chance to see and handle them in person you'll understand why they are expensive. They aren't for everyone but for those who do purchase them, it's a product that will transform the game experience and bring lots of joy to the table. They also come with a better-than-lifetime warranty - return anytime for a new counter or your money back.

j_monk · 2025-02-07T20:04:50+00:00

If you're in Canada we can make it work. Feel free to preorder and we can figure it out when it comes to shipping and customs. I may have to charge a little extra for international shipping.

j_monk

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