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, 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 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 - 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, 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 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 and Specialist Ratchet from here, 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, 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.