*NOTE TO READER: I wrote this blog before packs were opening and the narrative was "there will be no packs in general sale". I never had the hive power to post it so it sat here. I logged on to write a different article but instead decided this was a still a nice reminder of what is was like one month ago. I will follow up at the end with my current situation and plan for general sale.
I have been apart of many TCG releases in my career. Magic the Gathering, Force of Will, Argent Saga, Pokémon, and Flesh and Blood. The physical TCG world has a distribution model that has been relatively unchanged for decades. The path from company, to printer, to distribution, to local/stores has never created a situation where a product potentially couldn't be purchased on release day because demand outweighed supply.
As a new player, I was excited to find out that I was going to be around for a set release. In the physical TCG's I was actively playing I purchased a case (6 booster boxes) in order to acquire a playset of most (if not all) the cards of a set. This was around 500 dollars every three months. I would sell foils and extras on TCGPlayer to offset some costs and recoup capital for the next set release.
Splinterlands is a whole different beast. In the majority of TCG's, lower rarity cards are worthless and plentiful. Often times your only buying boxes to smooth the randomness of opening packs. In this game though every card has value. The rulesets and mana costs can create a situation where any card is playable. The ability to combine cards to level them up means you need a lot till you have "extra". More importantly, every card adds to your collection power (CP) and this stat is mandatory to progress higher and earn more in game. If my physical TCG bulk had this kind of value I would be a millionaire!
So I couldn't copy and paste my physical TCG strategy into my Splinterlands game plan. I decided that I would buy 100 packs (get 110 with the bonus) spending $400 dollars on this set release, but then the FOMO started. I should inform the audience that I was 100% priced out of participating in presales in a meaningful way. My account is too new and I didn't come in with a big budget, but I was still unshaken in that I would have 110 packs...until this week.
All of a sudden every influencer and high end player is talking like they are going to be gone within hours. I personally can't believe it, but I have no reference point in blockchain gaming. Listening to the AMA today, I was relieved that Matt is as skeptical as I am but hearing Aggroed give more of a chance than his partner to the idea had me reassess my plan and the potential outcomes.
I have decided that I am moving about 600 dollars into SPS and staking for the next 2 million vouchers. This should give me about 16 vouchers and I will purchase a pack with each one as soon as I receive it. I originally was going to save up those to get the 10 free packs with 100 pack purchase but I now believe this may be the last chance I have to actually get a couple packs period. I will then be ready in January with whatever free cash I have to get packs. I will no longer be tied to the number 100 because I have given up on the idea of getting vouchers in a timely fashion. I will not waste time waiting for 10 more vouchers.
Long term, I will HODL vouchers. For ever set release going forward, all my purchases will be made in the pre release window. I will stake every ounce of SPS I receive to make sure going forward I don't miss anything else that comes down the pipeline. I may miss out and all the glory that is going to be Chaos Legion, but I will not miss anything else. I am here and ready to grind.
Hold strong friends. If you don't get what you want, then buckle down and prepare for the next one.
Much Love,
Rogue
TODAY: I didn't deviate to much from this plan but as prices for the singles continued to drop and the bulk sale didn't produce near the quantity I predicted, I am confident I will be able to purchase 100 packs on release day. I sold 15/16 packs purchased. I essentially traded 5 packs for 10 vouchers and left the remaining 10 packs as hive. Since all the packs sold for over 4 dollars I am not concerned about turning them back into packs if I want. I will watch the market and move when necessary but I will be eyeing singles, secondary market packs, and packs through the company and make a decision on the fly after general sale. I will still be holding vouchers and potentially making steady purchases through the coming months to prepare for rift watchers.