Transformers TCG Series 3 out June 28th

[griffin]

The Transformers Trading Card Game seems to be rushing out its new sets, with the third series coming out just four months after the second series (which was only released five months after the first series).
This third series is called War For Cybertron, and looks to include a number of concepts from the current toyline with that same name.
It includes Battlemaster and Micromaster cards, as well as Ultra Magnus and Shockwave as Super Rare character cards.
There will be 48 new character cards and 64 new battle cards (some examples can be seen here (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/04/08/transformers-trading-card-game-soundwave-ultra-magnus-major-shockwave-and-more-coming-in-wave-3-386777), with a heap of wave 1 battle cards for some reason). They detail what the new Battlemaster cards are, but their Micromaster promo image shows another Battlemaster card by mistake, so we don't yet get to see one. With Battlemasters being upgrade cards that are the size of Battle Cards, it doesn't leave too many regular Character cards in the 48.
Each pack comes with a regular sized Character card, a small sized Character card (Micro or Battle master), and 6 Battle Cards.



It also looks like there will be some extended promotions at participating collectable stores, with special promo packs (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/04/10/transformers-tcg-wave-3-launch-event-news-and-new-card-reveal-386861) that those stores can order in and use for these promotions... which includes exclusive cards that won't be released through other means (making it even more expensive for those trying to get all of the TCG cards).


From these early reveals we get to see some new game gimmicks - Secret Action and Brave.

[KELPIE]

Can't believe there's going to be a 4th card size :(

Flywheels/Skytread better be in this set.

[griffin]

Can't believe there's going to be a 4th card size :(

Flywheels/Skytread better be in this set.


I was thinking that the smaller character cards would be the size of battle cards (which was the size of the folded combiner cards)... but we'll have to wait and see I guess.

[Maruten]

Yeah, that is the case.

I must say I think bots who transform into action cards is a much cooler gimmick (in the context of a card game!) than combiners.

[KELPIE]

I was thinking that the smaller character cards would be the size of battle cards (which was the size of the folded combiner cards)... but we'll have to wait and see I guess.

Ahh okay, that's not so bad then I guess :)


I must say I think bots who transform into action cards is a much cooler gimmick (in the context of a card game!) than combiners.

While I agree with you, combiners really lend themselves to that collectability aspect. Heard that the combiners sold well.

[griffin]

Another preview of a card from series 3 (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/04/18/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-private-trailbreaker-387146) - Private Trailbreaker, who can automatically begin the game with a forcefield battle card (if you have one in your deck). The forcefield card means you will only end up sustaining a maximum of 4 damage, and if you are in robot mode at the time, your opponent must attack this character, pretty much neutralising the attacking ability of your opponent while Trailbreaker is alive, and you have forcefield cards in your hand to use. (it has also been noted that this was a battle card in the first series, with the same instructions, but different art - something that was considered odd because re-released battle cards in series 2 had the same art but different card numbers and noting it as part of wave 2)

Scrolling down that news posting, we also see that there is a new colour icon - black... which from the two examples shown, appear to be useful items, that can come with a cost. The Erratic Energy Grenade appears to be a suicide bomb, which does your bot damage while you have it as a utility upgrade, and only does damage to your opponents when your character dies (KOed).... so it should only be added as an upgrade just as your character is almost dead. Like the expression goes, if you are gonna go, take out as many of your enemy as you can in the process.

[griffin]

We now get a look at a Micromaster from series three - Mudslinger (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/04/23/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-specialist-private-mudslinger-387388), who is noted as being part of the Off-Road Patrol.
This should be one of the smaller sized cards, that are the size of a battle card, and despite being a Common card with just 5 stars, it comes with a lot of special abilities, which you'd expect from a Character with 10 stars.
(cutting back on the star count might have been seen necessary, otherwise, the 25 star limit wouldn't allow you to have more than one main bot if you also wanted to have a Micromaster and Battlemaster on your team.


EDIT - it looks like a Micromaster has already been revealed in the past (Redheat), and this very comprehensive review on Seibertron (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/detailed-description-and-strategies-of-new-mechanics-and-cards-for-transformers-trading-card-game/43249/) of the 3rd series reveals, is a must read for those interested in the TCG.

[griffin]

Looks like a lot of the characters are getting ranks... or at least, the ones who already have had cards released of them in the first two series. And we get to see more examples of specialised pairings of cards with the characters, so that in this third series, you are getting a more complex dimension of play by being able to fully deck out a Character card with not only the options of a weapon or utility upgrades, but also specialist upgrades with Battlemasters and Micromaters. It will really start to get complicated... or interesting for those who have had a fair bit of experience with the two easier series. (in other words, if it was a bit of a challenge to just jump in with series 2, it might not be a good idea to just start on series 3 without any practice on the more basic format of play with series 1)

Here is Captain Wheeljack (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/04/24/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-captain-wheeljack-387425) and Specialist Ratchet from here (https://www.facebook.com/notes/transformers-trading-card-game/confessions-of-a-lazy-game-designer-by-scott-van-essen-spoilers/2109626689159145/), which gives more detail on how it utilises specific Battle Cards, which are apparently from earlier series, but have been re-released with new art, to better highlight their new additional purpose.

[griffin]

More Micromasters - Stormcloud and Visper (https://www.facebook.com/notes/transformers-trading-card-game/nagles-notes-air-strike-patrol/2112601598861654/), plus commentary on how they are best played, and what battle cards they are best suited to use.

[reillyd]

I love the look of Needlenose as a tetra-jet. I wonder if its a tip off about a future release? If not, I'm sure some customisers are going to come up with a version.

[Sharky]

Hi guys i have had a few collectors reach out to me on the various platforms with some questions, and i contacted Wotc and got some input from them.

but for wave three directly



WotC Responses in Red.
My Responses in Blue

The Upcoming Wave Three Promos (including posters) being previewed on Facebook by the Transformers Card Game Account, some collectors are curious if these will be easily available here (Australia) as they seem to be not getting much information from their local card stockists

This is still to be confirmed

When Wizards of the Coast pass on the information about how we can get our hands on the promos i will let you all know, But i am Expecting it to be similar with Omega Supreme and the Purchase a Box get the promo incentive.


Full Post (https://atouchofsharky.blogspot.com/2019/04/answers-to-some-questions-transformers.html)


(on a side note, should the trading card game possibly get its own subsection in the forum? There is half a dozen posts now in different section for all the different aspects of it?)

[griffin]

More card reveals for the third series (which appears to be all done in-house this time, unlike the second series being released through several fansites).
- Private Arcee (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/04/30/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-private-arcee-387671) with some more simplistic special moves, because it is a common card. (they really should have a reference guide for all of the bold font words they have now)
- Micromaster Raider Road Hugger (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/01/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-raider-road-hugger-387703) - noting that there are 6 Micromaster teams in the third series... I think they have revealed at least one member from 5 of them, and the sixth one...
- Soundwave with Ravage and Laserbeak (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/01/transformers-trading-card-game-issues-priority-alert-from-teletraan-i-387723) - a teaser on instagram suggests that maybe the special stand-alone box set for series three could be Soundwave and two of his cassettes.
- Battle Cards - EMP Wave and Full Loadout (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/02/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-emp-wave-and-full-loadout-387752) - two cards that potentially can do a lot of damage, so they have a star on them (to count in your total star character count).


Looks like Canada is having a late release of series 2 (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/04/29/transformers-trading-card-game-rise-of-the-combiners-and-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-canadian-releases-387621) (end of May), but then will see series 3 come out in late June with the rest of the world... so a very short period for Canadian fans to buy up the Combiner cards that they want before then having to buy up the Siege cards. As if it wasn't short enough for non-Canadians to only have a few months between series, to collect/buy and work out through much gaming.





(on a side note, should the trading card game possibly get its own subsection in the forum? There is half a dozen posts now in different section for all the different aspects of it?)


If this TCG looks like it will be ongoing, for more than a year, I'll look at it, as it might encourage more trading and gaming among members here.

[KELPIE]

(on a side note, should the trading card game possibly get its own subsection in the forum? There is half a dozen posts now in different section for all the different aspects of it?)

Or we could just have a mega thread?

[griffin]

Mega threads often don't work if the subject matter is too active with updates and postings, as new news can be missed, and replies can end up making no sense if people don't quote the particular news topic they are commenting on (which happens on TFW at the moment with their TCG mega threads).

[Sharky]

Or we could just have a mega thread?

i am was struggling to find the six or so current threads i made a bookmark group of them all, having a mega thread i am sure i would not be able to follow anything going on.. and sometimes some things require their own attention.

[KELPIE]

Mega threads often don't work if the subject matter is too active with updates and postings, as new news can be missed, and replies can end up making no sense if people don't quote the particular news topic they are commenting on (which happens on TFW at the moment with their TCG mega threads).

We don't have the same volume as TFW though.

In the past month, there have been:

This whole thread, 16 posts.
TCG 2nd Starter Pack - Bumblebee Vs Megatron - May 3rd, 1 post.
Rise of the Combiners Booster Packs, 10 posts.
Transformers TCG Devastator Pack out March 29th, 1 post.
Wizards of the Coast Transformers card game, 1 post.
Transformers TCG Omega Supreme card in Australia, 0 posts.
Ozformers facebook TCG competition, 0 posts.

Total = 29 posts. Less than a post a day.

Seems quite easy to keep on top of and might generate more discussion instead of splitting it all down. The cards are designed to be played together, not stand alone.

But it's cool. I'm fine keeping them all separate, just offering a suggestion.

[griffin]

Flamewar (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/07/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-specialist-flamewar-387925) from facebook.

[griffin]

Soundwave and the cassettes Ravage & Laserbeak (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/08/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-raider-laserbeak-raider-ravage-major-soundwave-387981) from facebook... which are regular cards (not a special pack which I had mistakenly guessed a few posts back).
Each one has a rank/role like most of the 3rd series Character Cards, with Soundwave being a Major, and the cassettes being Raiders.
They all use their WFC toy modes on the cards.

[griffin]

Rare character card Skywarp (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/09/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-sergeant-skywarp-388019) (with special abilities relating to Secret Actions), and battle cards (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/09/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-pop-a-wheelie-and-unconventional-flying-object-388012) that utilise the element of transforming between modes... but the cards are only useful if the characters have a special ability that is activated when they transform.

[griffin]

From the latest battle card reveal (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/10/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-calculated-strike-388054), I think I might have an idea of what the new black icon cards might be for (if not already revealed and I just missed it).

The different coloured battle cards so far (the icon on the top right of the card), when drawn during a battle...
Orange - for attack.
Blue - for defence.
White - to draw two more cards if drawn first.
Green - allows a swapping of green cards between hand and in battle? (introduced in series 2)
Black - "Pierce" during attack. (introduced in series 3)

In other words, if you draw a black icon during a battle and you are the attacking party, it looks like you add one "pierce" (guaranteed damage) to your "pierce" count (up to your total attack number).

[griffin]

Some more card reveals while we were offline...


Firecons (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/20/transformers-trading-card-game-firecons-revealed-388513) - Raider Flamefeather, Raider Cindersaur, Sergeant Sparkstalker.
Those were revealed on the Kotaku website, so it looks like WOTC are having some series 3 reveals done through other sites (most are being done through their own sites this time though).


Captain Elita-1 (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/14/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-captain-elita-1-388164) - who appears to have some special abilities relating to an episode of the cartoon, in which she can do a fair bit of repairing of others, at the expense of herself though.


Emergency Defence shield (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/16/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-emergency-defense-field-388319) - a "rare" upgrade card that protects against "even numbered" damage in battle, of any amount, for a single use only.



Callous Leadership & Heroic Team Up (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/17/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-heroic-team-up-and-callous-leadership-388347) - a couple of allegiance-specific battle cards, which only applies to Autobots or Decepticons on your team.

[KELPIE]

Those Firecons are amazing. Marcelo knocked them out of the park!

I hope this kicks Hasbro up the whazoo and gets them made into toys. Though that Kotaku article wouldn't have helped :(

[griffin]

Three battle cards have been revealed (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/22/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-infiltrate-take-cover-battlefield-report-388601), which are all from the new "Secret Action" gimmick, which allows you to have a card in play that only gets revealed if needed.


And following the reveal of the three Firecons, comes a Firecon Battle Card (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/21/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-firecon-flame-388542).

[griffin]

More character cards revealed (can there be too many more?)...



General Optimus and General Megatron (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/23/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-generals-optimus-prime-and-megatron-388714).


Raider Blowpipe (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/23/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-raider-blowpipe-388723).

[reillyd]

Any word on which retailer(s) will be offering the bonus/incentive cards? I will probably buy a case or two but not sure where to.

[Sharky]

Any word on which retailer(s) will be offering the bonus/incentive cards? I will probably buy a case or two but not sure where to.

i had a asked WotC about the promos and they told me (at the time of asking) that this was still to be determined

i might drop them another batch of questions

[KELPIE]

Those Firecons... Heavenly.

[Bladestorm]

Thanks to Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro Australia I've been fortunate enough to get to reveal a new card from the next wave of Transformers TCG: War for Cybertron Seige... Sergeant Skrapnel
https://lisamaree.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/sergeant-skrapnel.jpg?w=610


Check out the reveal on my blog here (https://lisamaree.wordpress.com/2019/05/31/transformers-tcg-war-for-cybertron-exclusive-reveal-sergeant-skrapnel/).

[BigTransformerTrev]

Like Bladestorm on Life... With Sprogs (https://lisamaree.wordpress.com/), my site BigAngryTrev (http://www.bigangrytrev.com/) also got given another Exclusive Card Reveal. This time we get to look at a new card from the Seige line - Private Stakeout.

READ Exclusive Card Reveal: Private Stakeout - Transformers TCG (http://www.bigangrytrev.com/exclusive-card-reveal-private-stakeout-transformers-tcg/)HERE

http://i68.tinypic.com/90ukn7.png

[griffin]

Excellent work again guys.
It is good to see WOTC are still wanting to use some Australian fans for their global marketing.

[KELPIE]

do we know if the ranks will play any roll in the game, or is it just a way of re-using characters?

[griffin]

Maybe there are some battle cards that refer to certain ranks, like some do for certain functions or allegiances.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Excellent work again guys.
It is good to see WOTC are still wanting to use some Australian fans for their global marketing.

Cheers mate. Our contact at Hasbro seems to be pretty consistently happy with the coverage and interest that my and Bladestorm's blogs seem to generate so hopefully they continue to use us in the future. And thank you for letting us post our reveals on here - Hasbro Australia is always very keen on Ozformers getting kept up to date with all the TCG stuff :)


do we know if the ranks will play any roll in the game, or is it just a way of re-using characters?

Until I saw Bladestorms reveal about Sargent Skrapnel I didn't know that 'Priavte Stakeout' (http://www.bigangrytrev.com/exclusive-card-reveal-private-stakeout-transformers-tcg/)was anything more than a moniker put on the front of his name. There has also now been revealed a 'Private Sideswipe' and 'Raider Runabout' so I presume the ranks must mean something, but I haven't received any info about it.

[Bladestorm]

do we know if the ranks will play any roll in the game, or is it just a way of re-using characters?

I have no idea what the ranks are intended for either and have the same question. I wonder if it is game specific or something that will tie the game characters into the toys in the future...

I did find the spelling intriguing when I was given my card to reveal but I guess we will have to wait and see.

[griffin]

Some more battle cards revealed this week...

A couple of Upgrade cards for Defence and Utility (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/06/04/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-point-defense-system-and-w-5-gyro-blaster-389278).

A Weapon card exclusively for Shockwave (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/06/03/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-lv-gamma-disruptor-launcher-389241).

An Action card to do damage to multiple opponents (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/06/03/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-squish-them-like-bugs-389246), if your character has a high star count.

And a look at some of the limited edition gold cards (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/31/transformers-trading-card-game-previews-gold-foil-in-store-play-promo-cards-389077), to be released/sold at some locations to promote the 3rd series. (no word yet if they will be released in Australia)

[griffin]

A couple of character card reveals from last week that I seemed to have missed...


Starscream and Sideswipe (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/28/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-captain-starscream-and-private-sideswipe-388961).


Hound, Redheat, Runabout, Runamuck, Firedrive and a battle card (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/28/transformers-trading-card-game-introduces-war-for-cybertron-siege-i-raider-runabout-sergeant-hound-more-388949).
(it is interesting to see that if you have the two Battlechargers on your team, you can transform them both at the same time between both modes)


And if it has been hard to keep track of all of these scattered reveals, the official facebook page has now posted up galleries of the Character Cards and Battle Cards that have so far been officially revealed.
They have 45 of the 48 Character cards (https://www.facebook.com/TransformersTCG/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2140584766063337) on there, and 41 of the 64 Battle cards (https://www.facebook.com/TransformersTCG/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2140593379395809) for Series 3 (they might not be including the re-released cards though).

[griffin]

Seibertron has posted up this GREAT review (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/sideboarded-latest-reveals-and-strategies-from-the-transformers-trading-card-game/43381/) of quite a few of the recent reveals of Series 3 cards, hyping up the specific features of various cards, and noting that there will be some new rules being released for "competitive" gaming (like tournaments and other organised events of multiple players), including the option of "sideboarding" (an option for competitive gamers to have on hand extra cards to swap out between games, if they feel they need to adjust their team or battle cards, so that they aren't required to use the same deck during a tournament).
If you are planning to get into Series 3 when it is released later this month, you should really read this review.



BTW, I had noticed that both of you (BigTrev and Bladestorm) posted up your cards on TFW, but they seem to be the only ones being skipped on their front news page so far... in favour of the American reveals perhaps?
Seibertron posted them up on their news page (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-tcg-siege-stakeout-and-skrapnel-cards-revealed/43371/), within a day of your exclusive reveals.

[BigTransformerTrev]

BTW, I had noticed that both of you (BigTrev and Bladestorm) posted up your cards on TFW, but they seem to be the only ones being skipped on their front news page so far... in favour of the American reveals perhaps?
Seibertron posted them up on their news page (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-tcg-siege-stakeout-and-skrapnel-cards-revealed/43371/), within a day of your exclusive reveals.

Yeah, don't know what happened there. They have put up some (but not all) of my TCG reveals/reviews as news stories before. Maybe this one wasn't that big a news as none of the youtubers picked it up either.

But at least Seibertron and Tformers ran the stories and put up links to our blogs :)

[griffin]

The boxed sets like Devastator were sent to those fansites as well, so they won't post up other people's reviews if they are wanting people to stay on their site. But the exclusive card reveals to just one fansite are ones that they would need to credit, otherwise they won't be able to post them up until they are added to the official site.

[griffin]

Just noting that I found at a Toyworld in Brisbane, both the Metroplex set and Devastator set, for $30 each... for those yet to find them here.

Also, today is the 28th, which means that the third series can be sold by retailers now.

[KELPIE]

Also, today is the 28th, which means that the third series can be sold by retailers now.

Yup, seems to be on queue (https://gamesempire.com.au/products/transformerstcgwarforcybertronsiegeboosterdisplay)

[griffin]

Yup, seems to be on queue (https://gamesempire.com.au/products/transformerstcgwarforcybertronsiegeboosterdisplay)

Has anyone actually bought any of the series 3 yet... as we are about to be bombarded by series 4 reveals and we only just got the second series showing up at BigW (and I can see series 1 still listed everywhere).
That link above has a box of booster packs for $154 shipped, while Amazon Australia has a box from Amazon America (https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07QSCYSTH/ref=cbw_direct_from_1) shipped for $141 for Prime members. Those options are about $5 per pack, compared to $6-7 at most places here.

[robwin1974]

i bought 2 boxes off ebay when there was a large ebay plus discount just before release. I have not seen any stock locally at normal stores like K Mart etc. but haven't checked any of the card game stores