Some of the most WTF cards in the game

One of the greatest things about this game is some of the zany, funny and just plain weird looking cards.

Like this gangster pinepple. Its so random you can't help but to crack a smile at it.
And this tiger with binos on its back. Why?

Look at this guy. What is he supposed to be? The brave little toaster's mutated brother?

I'm not sure what this is either but it looks like the love child of hello kitty and an Xbox.


I would like to see you guys post in the comments what you think the funniest looking cards are or some funny things that have happened to you during a game of vanguard.

Learning from you losses- A second look

My apologies for my inactivity. I have been pretty sick recently and life is a bit hectic at the moment.

In my last entry I spoke about how to improve your game. One of the topics in the list was "Learn from your losses". I feel I didn't really explain enough in depth about it. Sure it fits nicely in that entry but it also deserves its own article. Its not something easily summed up in a simple paragraph like I did before.

When we lose, we need to look at why we lost, instead of feeling crappy about it. In my first few games in CFV I lost quite a few of them. I took these as opportunities to better understand the game and my deck. I the first thing I observed was my slightly improved trial deck was going to need an overhaul as I expected. (I wanted to make sure I enjoyed the game before I invested back then) The second thing I learned was that I was focusing too much on attacking the opponent's vanguard and not using triggers effectively.

What I did to fix this was I went back to the drawing board with my deck, and sorted out all the cards that stuck in my hand and wasted space and replaced them with what I really and truly needed. The second thing was improving my play style. I found it is sometimes more important to take out the rear guards than to deal a damage. If you can't take out your opponent this turn and he has the chance to attack you with 3 units, it might be a good idea to take some of those out before you get run out of shields or take too much damage.

The issues you run into could be similar. It takes observation of the event and the result to gain understanding. Over time I have come to learn what works and what does not in most situations. Sometimes situations are beyond our control and try as we might, we end up losing. There are sometimes where you just get dealt a crap hand, get grade stuck and it is beyond your control. Sometimes you can play out of it, other times you can't. The key is to observe. Don't make changes based on just a few games. Try to find those things you overlooked and decide what works best for you in the given situation.

Stuff I have noticed-
Damage is damage, don't take it too early and rely on your counter blasts/limit breaks. Especially with high limit breaks where your opponent's crit will put you at 6.

Use triggers effectively. What is the use of attacking with all units for a stand trigger if none of your rear guards can hit the target without a +5k?

Don't clog your field with grade 3's. You might think this is a good late game play but without the ability to intercept your thinning hand can be your downfall.

Keep a cool head and think before you make plays. If you are one to get overly exited or tourney jitters just slow down, chill out and think it though.

Guard with as few cards as possible. It makes your hand a mystery to your opponent, gives you shield advantage, and helps make sure you can use a perfect guard when you need one.

How to better your game- Mentally

Often times when playing we don't do so well. Sometimes you win and sometimes you just get stomped on. These are some things I learned personally or have observed by others. Its going to be a long post so lets get right to it!

I would like to know what you do to improve your game so please post a comment!

Always do your best!-
Yeah, I know it sounds cliche. If you don't put any effort forward then you can't really expect to gain much knowledge.

Don't be cocky-
Okay, story time. I end up going to a mall to wait for one of my friends. I noticed some guys hanging out and playing vanguard. Only one of them was not busy with a match so I asked him if he would like to play a game. He laughs at me and says that I won't win. I brush it off as a ribbing. His friends also chime in about how I am about to lose. I say to him to just let the match play out before the winner is decided. First game I get out Overlord and attack him for game. He gets kind of annoyed and asks for another game. I say sure. This time he gets grade locked and I get out my Lawkeeper and shut him down. Third game was basically the same. He ends up getting all pissed off and walks away in a huff. It is better to let go of the ego and learn what you can from others even if you think your game is ahead of theirs. They might know something you overlooked.

Accept the fact that you will lose-
Its not very much fun. Winning feels a lot better. Not playing someone you know is skilled or setting yourself up for defeat will screw you over in the end. Just get out there and challenge yourself.

Learn from your losses-
Likely you are going to be frustrated after a string of losses. Instead of getting down on yourself or angry think about why you lost. Were you not drawing what you needed? Is the deck too slow? Did you make any misplays? Think about what you can do better next time and try that. Keep using trial and error and you will learn so much about the game, your deck and your opponents.

Understand probability-
Cards = options. Options win games. If you know what units you want to get out use cards that will help you get to them faster. Cards that help you draw and search will help you win. If you have a card that is essential to your strategy, run as many as you can, yet keep things balanced. Sure 16 crits will deal a high amount but reducing that so you can fit in 4 heals will help you last longer in the game. Also cards that your deck centers around should be ran in a high number, usually 3 or 4 to be consistent. Make every card count, each one should have a reason to be there, not just a placeholder or "because it looks cool".

Learn from others-
Play many different people, challenge people who might know more or play at a higher level than you. Have a friend look over your deck and see what they think. Watch others play. Also ask if you don't know, others are usually willing to help.

That was a lot of reading. Congrats to you!

A review of regionals 2013 promo cards

For signing up we received:

Its kind of meh but can make a pretty decent beatstick. Kind of like Dual Axe Archdragon in a way. You don't have to wipe out your opponent's rear guards or wait for Lawkeeper's limit break to get that +3K. There are better things to run especially for Kagero. I have to say he does look like a demonic godzilla in the artwork.
I give it 2 out of 5.

The first of two cards earned by free fight:

There are so many better cards to be used in Gold Paladins really. Its a solid 7K which isn't horrible and the effect is somewhat situational. G paladins do have ways of calling units to the field which can be either very powerful or a bit of a gamble. I think it will be staying in the shiny box from the last post.
I give it a 1 out of 5

The card we all have been waiting for:

Any starter that can move to the RG is good in this state of the game, if it has the chance to search even better. The only drawback is you have to look at the top 5 so you might not get anything you need. Though by the time its effect goes off you should have a grade 3 in hand or in the top 5 cards. Its only real competition is Fullbau, at least for decks that rely on any Blaster Dark ride chain. With Fullbau if you don't ride into blaster javelin he is as good as a vanilla starter. I would rather use Creeping Dark goat over Fullbau for this reason.
I give this a 4.5 out of 5

Agree? Disagree? Comment me!

My experiance at Seattle regionals

To set the stage this event was held at the Redmond Mariott which is near Seattle. I like that the event was not in the city because parking in Seattle is terrible. Also the location was near 2 card shops so that helps publicity. The ballroom was large enough to contain 114 players who attended while still having enough space to not feel overly crowded. It was a very fun event and I can't wait till next time!

First round-
First round I go against Oracle think tank. This match is sort of a blur to me because I was a bit overwhelmed by the atmosphere. Lots of noise and excitement. Near the end of the match I have Lawkeeper on VG, Dual axe on RG and Nehalem on the other RG. We are both tied at 5 damage so I use Lawkeeper's counterblast to get Dual axe's effect off. I attack with Lawkeeper and get a crit and my opponent was unable to stop the attack. 1-0

Second round-
I got paired with a Gold paladins player. He set up his field very quickly and kept taking out my RG's before I could really launch an attack of my own. I finally get a somewhat decent field set up when he hit me with Spectral Duke for game. Oh well. 1-1

Third round-
Kagero VS Kagero mirror match. I get a hand with no grade 1's even after my mulligan. (Should have swapped out my whole hand, lesson learned) I take a beating and once I am able to ride Gojo I cycle so I can get some better boosting units. I am put in a position where I had to keep guarding and intercepting to stay alive and eventually ran out of shields. 1-2

So that ended my chances of staying in the tourney. I can't complain because I had a good time and losing did teach me some things about what worked well in my deck and what did not. Then I went off to free play where I was able to have a blast meeting other players and playing against different decks. I faced, Gold Paladins, Aqua force, Kagero, Pale moon, Prisim and Narukami.


Here are my Promos. I have Graphite Dragon, Shield Knight on the Clouds and Creeping Dark Goat.


Also a shiny box!

The good:
- Getting to meet and hang out with others who play CFV
- Parking in Redmond is so much better than in the City of Seattle
- Promos were decent (Creeping dark goat yay!)
- Everyone was friendly
- We had vendors that sold singles (I got some cards for my next deck)
- Free Play with chances to earn promos in both CFV and weiss schwarz

The bad:
- Losing in the 3rd round
- Matches were best of one so luck was too big a factor
- Not very much signage (If the Mariott had put a sign that stated there was an event today it would have made things easier and if someone from the card shops in the mall saw a sign for CFV they might get curious and learn about the game)

Good things come to those who wait- Why you might want to wait on purchasing perfect gaurds

If you are low on cash then you might just want to wait till newer sets come along.

As you can see there is one card in English that is a perfect guard for Kagero decks. This specific card is roughly 15-20$. So for a full set you are looking at 80$ which might be more than you wish to spend.

This yet to be released card from BT11 is called Sealed Dragon Rinocross. (BT11 should be out in October 2013) It does the same thing as Barri. When this gets released it will essentially be a reprint of Barri and should lower the cost. I know this for a fact because for Gold Paladins two perfect guards have been released. The current price of each is roughly 8$ as opposed to the 15-20$ that Wyvern Gaurd, Barri costs.
(Ebay, Troll and toad and Amazon were my sources for prices)

Stealing sucks-How to keep your stuff safe

Theft isn't something that happens often but when it happens it is a bummer. Chances are if you go to a large event with hundreds of players, maybe even thousands one person might try to take someone's cards. I can only remember a few instances of theft in my TGC playing career. The first was at school we were allowed to bring cards or other items to use in between classes. One boy kept leaving his binder on the table and go to class without anyone of his friends to look after it. The binder eventually was taken. The other was a guy who kept using "control" cards to use his opponent's cards and then keep them.

-Some common ways thieves take your cards are-

Taking things when you are not looking

Using "control" cards (these are cards that allow you to use your opponent's cards like change of heart for Yugioh players)

While you are distracted ask to "See" something and wander off with it

How I personally combat theft is fairly easy to do. The first step I take is knowing where my items are and keep them in my bag and in my sight at all times. Also, keeping tradeable cards inside a binder in your bag you are making it harder for a thief to just grab. When it comes to playing and trading I only trade with one person at a time and not while playing a game. I often sit my bag between my feet because if someone reaches their hand between my legs, I will know. I think most people are good people and don't steal because they intend to. I think that gamers- usually young men are at an age where we are still impulsive and may make mistakes. Therefore most would be thieves are deterred by these measures since they are most likely not determined to take your stuff.

If I go to a convention or a large scale event with many people I use luggage locks on my backpack. They only cost a few bucks at the hardware store if you don't have one at home already.

Something like this.

All set for Seattle Regionals!

I finished my deck and have everything ready for Sunday's event. Shiny new sleeves and my deck register sheet all filled out. I am very exited because this will be my very first Regional event of any kind. At first I was nervous about registering but I figured I would go ahead and give it a try. (Claustrophobia + crowds = a personal challenge for me) I decided that it wasn't worth it to give up on having fun because I am a bit afraid of being in a closed in space with many people I don't know. I am going to do my best and focus on having a good time. I don't think I will get very far in the tourney but you never know so I am going to give this my very best.

As for what deck I am running I will be running Kagero (I refer to this as Kagz). They are my favorite deck at the moment.