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You
know, back in my pre-gaming days I used to buy tradeable art cards in
bulk. I can't recall all of the names, but I had plenty of sets of cards
lying around and in 3-ring binders galore. Every once and a while, I'd
look at them and that's about it. Then Magic: The Gathering hit. I stopped
buying art cards that had no value and started buying game cards that I
could finally do something with. Well, those days of fairly useless
arts cards are over, thanks to Larry Elmore.
What's changed you ask? Well, the art is the same - fabulous as usual, I must say. And yes, they are still printed on cardboard with squared corners. What's changed is the "useless" factor that I felt from my personal collection. These cards now have the added value of being useful in your fantasy d20 role-playing games!
How you ask? Well, listed on each card is not only a little write-up about
the person, persons or "beast" in question, but there is also a web link
that takes you to a PDF file of that character that you can use in your
d20 fantasy role-playing game!
Each of the PDF files is represented in a sort of "certificate" form, as you can see from the image here at the right. All of the character's vitals are presented, as well as a little more details regarding the character. A second page is included as well, but that only details the Open Gamin License that Wizards of the Coast requires of all companies that produce d20 products.
Now, you don't get new art with the PDF files - at least not from any that I have seen. The picture that you see in the example is the same art that is represented on the card. That, in a way, is kind of silly, since it makes the card virtually useless other than for the collectible/tradable aspect. Once you have the code, why keep the card? Well, for collecting of course. Not a collector? Well, put the card somewhere safe, should you need to make a trade.
Another complaint that I have is that with all of the space available in a printable document such as a PDF, there could have been far more character detail. That first paragraph that you see in the image above is the only extra details that you are given. Not a whole lot for a gamer to go on, if you were to ask me. Then again, I guess some would see this as an opportunity for a Dungeon Master/Game Master to add his/her own flavor, but I would have liked more info.
One way to look at it is that for $3.29 a pack, you not only get 9 cards with spectacular artwork on them, you also get 9 characters that players and DM's/GM's alike could use in gaming sessions. 'Nuff said.
Overall, I like the idea of the tradable cards with the accompanying PDF files. Different art would have made a huge difference for me as a fantasy art enthusiast, and more character background would surely have helped. If you are someone who collects art cards, these cards may be up your alley, especially since gamers would be interested in buying and/or trading cards to get special characters or a complete set. There are 90 cards in the set, and an added bonus is you do have a chance to win an original piece of Elmore art. How cool is that!?
Written by Gene Vogel
(Posted 03-04-2004)