With the upcoming release of the full line of the My Hero Academia Collectible Card Game inching closer, let’s take a look at the first introductory product, the 2-Player Rival Decks, featuring Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo!
Izuku Midoriya is the chosen successor of his idol All Might, the world’s Number 1 Hero, who passed his Quirk “One for All” to the quirkless Midoriya by letting him eat a strand of hair. After training hard with All Might to condition his body to handle his inherited ability, Midoriya joined U.A. High where he began to grow and take his first steps as a Hero. Midoriya’s gifted Quirk, when used at full power, allows him to unleash an incredibly devastating burst of strength. As the intensity of One for All is damaging to his own body, Midoriya prepares for this by using his advanced analytical skills prior to confronting his opponents. Clever players will be able to utilize One for All at just the right time to ensure Midoriya is victorious!
Katsuki Bakugo is determined and driven to be the Number 1 Hero! Bakugo’s Quirk, Explosion, allows him to ignite his explosive sweat on command, granting him incredible offensive might. Bakugo is always on the attack, as the more he exerts himself, the more he sweats, granting him even more powerful explosive abilities. While playing as Bakugo, players will unleash a continuous barrage of strikes, overwhelming their opponents with explosive power!
This Rival box contains two 51-card Rival decks and 2 random Ultra Rare cards from the My Hero Academia Collectible Card Game (104 cards total!) Use these decks as a building block in your training and take another step towards becoming the ultimate UniVersus Fighter!
Right out of the box, you and a rival can battle it out to see who will gain the upper hand and claim victory! Don’t miss out on this great item to start your epic journey into the My Hero Academia Collectible Card Game, releasing summer 2021!
Despite the many challenges of doing business during a global pandemic, hobby game sales in the U.S. and Canada grew 21% to $2.035 billion in 2020, up from $1.675 billion in 2019. Every category of games was up, fueled by stay-at-home orders that limited entertainment options. Collectible games contributed the biggest portion of the dollar growth, and RPGs the highest percentage growth.
Results by channel were mixed, with the hobby channel (especially its online portions), Kickstarter, mass merchants, and large online retailers all up, and specialty retail chains down.
Collectible games went into 2020 with good momentum; the category grew 19% in 2019. But 2020’s 24% growth eclipsed that rate, and it could have been higher if printing plants had been able to keep up with demand.
Games Workshop shut down completely for a period early in Covid and never caught up with demand, suppressing the non-collectible miniatures growth rate below what it could have been, but the category still grew 17% to $415 million.
Hobby board games had shown signs of maturing in 2019, but that was quickly reversed as board games emerged as one of the few activities that could be done by small household groups during a pandemic. The category grew 19% to $435 million.
The hobby card and dice game category was on a negative trend in 2019, but driven by the same Covid factors that affected board game sales, turned around in 2020, growing 19% to $155 million.
RPG sales grew rapidly in 2019, up 23%, but even faster in 2020, up 31% and breaking $100 million for the first time, at an estimated $105 million.
We define “hobby games” as those games produced for a “gamer” market, generally (although not always) sold primarily in the hobby channel of game and card specialty stores. We define the “hobby games market” as the market for those games regardless of whether they’re sold in the hobby channel or other channels. Our estimates include sales in the U.S. and Canada.
The total hobby games market estimate is derived from estimates for five individual categories: collectible games (which include Trading/Collectible Card Games, Collectible Miniatures Games, and Collectible Dice Games), miniatures (non-collectible), board games, card and dice games, and roleplaying games.
Our primary means of collecting data about hobby games sales is interviews with key industry figures with good visibility to sales in various categories and channels. We also review data released by publicly traded companies, publicly available NPD data, and Kickstarter data and analysis, especially that released by ICO Partners. There were no major changes in methodology for 2020.
Z-Man Games and Blizzard Entertainment offered up more details on World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King – A Pandemic System Board Game, which is set to release in November.
This game was originally teased back in early July (see “‘World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King’“). In Wrath of the Lich King, players venture into the frozen tundra of Northrend to battle the armies of the Lich King. It runs on the Pandemic System, which offers familiar gameplay to players who are acquainted with the Pandemic games, while adding the flavor of the Wrath of the Lich King world.
Players take on the roles of legendary heroes such as Thrall, Warchief of the Horde; Varian Wrynn, King of Stormwind; Sylvanas Windrunner, Banshee Queen of the Forsaken; and others to fight against the ever-growing undead scourge that progressively populates the game board. The goal of the game is to complete three quests while holding off the undead horde. The three quests, once complete, lead to a final quest which is an assault on the Icecrown Citadel. Once inside, they will have a final showdown with the Lich King himself to win the game.
The game box comes with 7 hero miniatures, a Lich King miniature, 3 abominations, 36 ghouls, an Icecrown Citadel, 3 strongholds, 100+ cards, and more. This game is for one to five players, ages 14 and up, and plays in 45 to 60 minutes. It will retail for $59.99.
Sales in Hasbro’s newly created Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming segment more than doubled in Q2 2021, behind record sales on two Magic: The Gathering products. Sales in the segment were $406.3 million in Q2 2021, up 118% over $186.7 million in Q2 2020. The increase was attributed to two record products, Strixhaven and Modern Horizons 2, released in the quarter, along with growth in digital games including a better-than-expected launch of Magic Arena on mobile. Dungeons & Dragons also grew, although Dark Alliance, the latest video game release, did not meet expectations, the company said.
Profits in the segment were also robust, up 160% from $74.1 million in Q2 2020 to $192.9 million in Q2 2021.
Hasbro’s total gaming sales, which includes franchise brands Magic: The Gathering and Monopoly along with all of its other game products, were up 63% in the quarter, meaning that the Wizards of the Coast growth rate was faster than the rest of the company’s games. Monopoly sales were down in comparison to a Covid-fueled Q2 last year.
Overall Hasbro sales were up 54% to $1,322.2 million vs. $860.3 million in Q2 2020 and up 9% vs. pro-forma 2019. That puts sales of the Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming segment at 31% of Hasbro’s total in Q2, up from 22% of sales in Q1 (see “WotC Segment 75% of Hasbro Profits in Q1“).
All of the company’s segments showed operating profits except Entertainment, which took a $109.1 million hit on the sale of eOne’s music division, primarily in a writedown of the value of the asset. Hasbro showed an overall loss of $22.9 million for the quarter, an improvement over the $33.9 million loss in Q2 2020.
Looking ahead to the second half of the year, the company emphasized that Q2 was expected to be the biggest quarter for the Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming segment in 2021, with two Magic: The Gathering releases in Q3 and one in Q4, less than the 2020 pace. Players returning to game stores is helping to boost backlist sales of Magic, but supply constraints due to manufacturing limitations are a limiting factor.
Input costs and freight costs are up substantially, with ocean freight up by a factor of four vs. a year ago, the company said, but price increases are expected to allow it to maintain margins.
Hasbro confirmed its guidance for overall double-digit revenue growth for the full year.
Hitting shelves this Fall on October 1, 2021, Battles of Legend 2021 (MSRP: $3.99 per pack) is an all-foil booster set that introduces never-before-released cards from the first 6 Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series into the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME! With nearly 60 new cards in all as well as more than 30 returning cards, each 5-card pack of Battles of Legend 2021 contains 4 Ultra Rares and 1 Secret Rare.
Arriving November 19, 2021, Hidden Arsenal: Chapter 1 (MSRP: $14.99 per set) allows Duelists to obtain historic cards from the first four Hidden Arsenal sets like they’ve never been seen before and learn the stories behind them in this epic collection! Each Hidden Arsenal: Chapter 1 box contains a total of: 1 Secret Rare 6 Ultra Rares (2 standard Ultra Rares, 4 colorful Ultra Rares) 30 Commons 1 Hidden Arsenal Storyline Insert with Game Mat 1 Special Collectible Dice
Brothers of Legend enters the fray this Fall! Multiply your fun with this all-foil booster set that introduces never-before-released cards from the first 6 Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series into the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME.
Brothers of Legend features cards from Yugi, Zane Truesdale, Syrus Truesdale, Sherry Leblanc, Yuma, and more! Here is a quick look at what Duelists can expect:
· Yugi’s Kuriboh Brothers are finally here! Kuribabylon and Five Star Twilight allow you to fill your field with “Kuriboh” monsters. Need an easy-to-Summon Level 5 monster to Tribute for Five Star Twilight? Joker’s Knight from King’s Court is a great fit!
· Duelists who built or updated their Utopia Deck with the cards from Lightning Overdrive and King’s Court will be thrilled to find even more cards to power up their Deck, including a new form of Utopia Ray and new cards to equip it with!
· More of Sherry LeBlanc’s cards from Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s make the jump from the screen to your Deck! Combine them with the “Fleur” cards from Legendary Duelists: Synchro Storm to maximize their potential.
· Empower your @Ignister Deck with brand-new cards that Special Summon monsters and help you dominate the field. If you haven’t tried this strategy yet, many of its basic cards will be available in the 2021 Tin of Ancient Battles Mega-Packs!
Brothers of Legend has nearly 60 new cards in all as well as more than 30 returning cards, including another chance to obtain the tournament mainstay, Forbidden Droplet!
Each 5-card pack contains 4 Ultra Rares and 1 Secret Rare.
Arriving December 3, 2021, The Grand Creators (MSRP: $3.99 per pack) is bringing forth 3 new strategies into existence and featuring a brand-new, World Premiere Spell Card for Inzektors, the winner of the 2020 Create-A-Card Project which was selected by the Yu-Gi-Oh! community! In addition, 15 more cards, a mix of old and new cards, will become Collector’s Rares in this 60-card booster set.
The Grand Creators booster set contains a total of:
10 Ultra Rares 15 Super Rares 35 Rares *15 cards in the set are also available as Collector’s Rares
Plus, each Grand Creators booster pack contains 7 cards, including:
1 Foil card per pack 6 Rare cards per pack
The Grand Creators wills 3 new strategies into existence and features a brand-new, World Premiere Spell Card for Inzektors, the winner of the 2020 Create-A-Card Project, selected by the Yu-Gi-Oh! community! In addition, 15 more cards, a mix of old and new cards, will become Collector’s Rares in this 60-card booster set.
Here’s a hint of what you can expect from each theme!
• Art that comes alive! These monsters pour their blood and sweat into their craft to create their masterpieces. Use as many Level 3 Psychic monsters in your Deck as you can to maximize the destructive potential of their Level 11 Synchro Monster. • A Dutiful Xyz Monster who saves souls! A theme with an Xyz Monster that repels evil. • An exciting adventure awaits you! Gather your fellowship and become the hero of your own Duel!
The Grand Creators will also contain the card created as a result of the 2020 Create-A-Card Project, a powerful Spell Card that will enhance “Inzektor” Decks and strategies to a whole new level! Make sure your Inzektor Deck is sleeved up and ready to go!
Inzektors were chosen by the fans through a series of single-elimination polls, emerging victorious out of the 16 themes that were part of the project. Fans were tasked with choosing which theme should receive a World Premiere card in a 2021 product, as well as what card type it should be, and what kind of product it should be released in. They chose an Inzektor Spell Card to be released in one of 2021’s 60-card booster sets, and fittingly, The Grand Creators is the stage this new card will debut on.
The Grand Creators booster set contains 60-cards: 10 Ultra Rares 15 Super Rares 35 Rares *15 cards in the set are also available as Collector’s Rares
Each booster pack contains 7 cards: 1 Foil card per pack 6 Rare cards per pack *Set content subject to change
Finish 2021 in style with OTS Tournament Pack 17! OTS Tournament Packs give Duelists an exclusive chance to acquire tons of tournament mainstays and some iconic cards like never before! OTS Tournament Packs are not-for-sale items and are only provided EXCLUSIVELY to Official Tournament Stores (OTS), so make sure to reach out to your local OTS for details. OTS Tournament Packs are the only way Duelists can get ahold of Ultimate Rare cards, a fan favorite!
Whether it’s Dueling your friends or crushing competition, one of the most powerful Trap Cards for any Duelist’s Deck has always been Infinite Impermanence, which will be available as an Ultimate Rare exclusively in OTS Tournament Pack 17. Also, one of the most sought-after Link Monsters, Black Luster Soldier – Soldier of Chaos is now getting an awesome Ultimate Rare treatment. With such powerful and fun cards inside, OTS Tournament Pack 17 will be sure to make your tournament experience top notch.
Aluber the Jester of Despia Level 4 DARK Fairy Effect Monster ATK 1800 DEF 0 If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can add 1 “Despia” Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand. If a face-up Fusion Monster you control is destroyed by battle, or leaves the field because of an opponent’s card effect, while this card is in your GY: You can target 1 Effect Monster your opponent controls; Special Summon this card, and if you do, negate the targeted monster’s effects until the end of this turn. You can only use 1 “Aluber the Jester of Despia” effect per turn and only once that turn.
Note: This proxy has an enormous translation error that basically renders the “Despia” Deck almost non-functional. Aluber in the Official Card Game searches “Branded” cards, not “Despia” cards.
Despain Quaeritis Level 8 LIGHT Fiend Fusion Effect Monster ATK 2500 DEF 2500 Materials: 1 “Despia” monster + 1 LIGHT or DARK monster During the Main Phase (Quick Effect): You can change the ATK of all monsters currently on the field to 0 until the end of this turn, except Level 8 or higher Fusion Monsters. If this face-up card in its owner’s control leaves the field because of an opponent’s card effect: YOu can add to your hand, or Special Summon, 1 “Fallen of Albaz” or 1 “Despia” monster, from your Deck. You can only use each effect of “Despian Quaeritis” once per turn.
Protecting Spirit Loagaeth Level 7 LIGHT Fairy Effect Monster ATK 2400 DEF 2100 If this card on the field is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can target 1 monster on the field; it cannot be destroyed by battle this turn. You can only use each of the following effects of “Protecting Spirit Loagaeth” once per turn. If an effect of a Fairy Monster you control is activated (except during the Damage Step): You can Special Summon this card from your hand. You can target 1 face-up card your opponent controls and 1 Attack Position monster you control; banish that opponent’s card, and if you do, change your monster to Defense Position.
Note: In so far as we know, no she is not Ecclesia.
Dramaturge of Despia Level 8 DARK Fairy Effect Monster ATK 3000 DEF 1500 If a Fusion, Synchro, Xyz or Link Monster is Special Summoned (except during the Damage Step): You can target 1 Effect Monster on the field; negate its effects until the end of this turn. If this card in your hand or field is used as Fusion Material, and sent to the GY or banished: You can Special Summon this card. You can only use each effect of “Dramaturge of Despia” once per turn.
Note: This is erroneous, but not as severe as Aluber.
Despia, Theater of the Branded Field Spell Card During your Main Phase: You can Fusion Summon 1 Level 8 or higher Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion material. If a face-up non-Fusion Fairy monster you control leaves the field by an opponent’s card effect, or is destroyed by battle: You can target 1 Level 8 or higher Fusion Monster in your GY; Special Summon it. You can only use each effect of “Despia, Theater of the Branded” once per turn.
Branded Opening Quick-Play Spell Card Discard 1 card, then take 1 “Despia” monster from your Deck, and either add it to your hand or Special Summon it in Defense Position, also for the rest of this turn after this card resolves, you cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck, except Fusion Monsters. If a Fusion Monster(s) you control would be destroyed by card effect, you can banish this card from your GY instead. You can only use each effect of “Branded Opening” once per turn.
Despian Proskenion Level 11 LIGHT Fiend Fusion Effect Monster ATK 3200 DEF 3200 Materials: 1 “Despia” monster + 1 LIGHT monster + 1 DARK monster During the Main Phase (Quick Effect): You can target 1 Fusion, Synchro, Xyz or Link Monster in your opponent’s GY; banish it or Special Summon it to your field. When this card destroys an opponent’s monster by battle: You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster’s original ATK or DEF (whichever is higher). You can only use each effect of “Despian Proskenion” once per turn.
Level 1 DARK Fairy Effect Monster ATK 400 DEF 400 If this card is sent to the GY, or banish, by a card effect: You can add 1 “Despia” monster from your Deck to your hand, except “Despian Tragedy”. You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 “Branded” Spell/Trap in your GY; Set it to your field. You can only use 1 “Despian Tragedy” effect per turn, and only once that turn.
Despian Comedy Level 1 DARK Fairy Effect Monster ATK 0 DEF 2000 When your opponent activates a card or effect that targets a face-up “Despia” card(s) you control (Quick Effect): You can discard this card; negate that effect. If this card is in your GY (Quick Effect): You can Tribute 1 Fusion Monster; Special Summon this card. You can only use 1 “Despian Comedy” effect per turn, and only once that turn.
Brother Of Runes 