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steampunk52 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 2:44 pm As I understand it, Redemption is tied to your current status. Since you are currently at Manic, you are viewed under that lens. If I'm not mistaken, former Patron's (not currently members), do no receive the Redemption series - not sure about this though. Perhaps a former Patron can way in.

Yes, I believe Lotrek clarified at some point that the Redemptions are for active patrons for the continued delays.

I too moved up from Golden to Manic this year. I wonder if people would've been swayed to move up a tier had they known there was a different gift deck offered.

i would have done.....

steampunk52 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 2:44 pm As I understand it, Redemption is tied to your current status. Since you are currently at Manic, you are viewed under that lens. If I'm not mistaken, former Patron's (not currently members), do no receive the Redemption series - not sure about this though. Perhaps a former Patron can way in.

You are correct; I was a patron for year two only and haven’t received any Redemption decks.

As a 4 year former Patron (only didn't do this year) I can confirm that the 4 years of support was not enough to deserve either of these decks.

Should I be concerned if I never received Redemption VIV? EDIT: Or VIII

hsbc wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 3:32 am Should I be concerned if I never received Redemption VIV? EDIT: Or VIII

If you are a current patron and ordered them through the web site for $0, yes.

both of those things need to be true.

hsbc wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 3:32 am Should I be concerned if I never received Redemption VIV? EDIT: Or VIII

Evilgamer is correct, but reach out to Lotrek since you're an active patron.

Just got an email from Deutsche Post that a label was uploaded.

Should be Qalif.

Some shots of Mystery Crafts. The foils look very nice under the sunlight. Hoping to get Qalif next week.

Foil is not my thing and I am pretty sure I have those court pics on some other deck

Saw this earlier today.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FLxvz ... tid=wwXIfr

Well this is unfortunate to say the least. I didn’t plan on opening these but now I feel obligated to. I know Lotrek mentioned some cutting issues but it seems to be more than that (there’s alot of scratches on the cards). And why are the edges discoloured? I will say the changes he made to Crafts are great and it looks stunning but the scratches are a bit of a problem.

Should rename it schrodingers deck. Could be perfect, could be flawed. Never open and you’ll never know.

Unless if it's a case of: missing one card or one card appears to have been folded, I think I am fine with these flaws.
Nothing is ever perfect when it comes to complex printing with hot foiling. Learn it after a few decks acquired from Lotrek

I’ve seen a few people now that have posted pics with bad scratches on alot of the cards and the discolouration looks odd but It’s hard to fault someone for trying something different. I will always be a supporter of Lotrek - he is the . I love 99% of his stuff but not a fan of the discoloured edges.

I will be opening one , I like the new R & B colours . Hopefully he works out something is alot of people get damaged cards

laitostarr777 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2025 10:14 am Unless if it's a case of: missing one card or one card appears to have been folded, I think I am fine with these flaws.
Nothing is ever perfect when it comes to complex printing with hot foiling. Learn it after a few decks acquired from Lotrek

Nah , that shouldve been mentioned earlier , Lotrek said all error cards are scraped off and tbh all my Oath decks are flawless , nothing this bad

I believe the edges are intentional and the "plot twist" he mentioned about the deck, so I'd want to stop that train. A lot of people were asking if the deck was gilded and he said no, for good reason. I imagine this is why.

Nevertheless, the scratches are very disappointing to see. I know I'd be upset if I opened a deck and saw the scratches. Lotrek should print extra cards and make sure to have plenty to replace these problematic ones.

That's why I call unopened Damask "Schrodinger's Damask" so I'm amused someone else thought the same. Still a very unfortunate situation. I have 3 of these coming my way, so it'll hurt more than if I had just paid 10€ for one copy.

I don't think thats even feasible based on the volume of damaged cards in some of the decks people have shared. I’m not sure how some of these passed the quality check but I don’t blame Lotrek (he’s always been a stand up guy and he has so many projects on the go) - I do think he needs to reevaluate his printer as it seems some his recent decks have had some printing issues.

kevork wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2025 10:53 am I believe the edges are intentional and the "plot twist" he mentioned about the deck, so I'd want to stop that train. A lot of people were asking if the deck was gilded and he said no, for good reason. I imagine this is why.

Nevertheless, the scratches are very disappointing to see. I know I'd be upset if I opened a deck and saw the scratches. Lotrek should print extra cards and make sure to have plenty to replace these problematic ones.

That's why I call unopened Damask "Schrodinger's Damask" so I'm amused someone else thought the same. Still a very unfortunate situation. I have 3 of these coming my way, so it'll hurt more than if I had just paid 10€ for one copy.

If those edges are intentional, it was a bad choice. That doesn't look good. I'm hoping it was just a few decks that have issues and the rest are fine, but it doesn't look like a one off type issue.

Shouldn't Lotrek take this up with his printer? The machines are scratching up his cards and that is hurting his business.

shoutout to my fellow patrons who chose to grab the one free deck and nothing more! I'd be asking for a refund.

kevork wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2025 5:26 pm Shouldn't Lotrek take this up with his printer? The machines are scratching up his cards and that is hurting his business.

Totally agree Kevork

If I were Lotrek I would definitely be having some words with my printer. Not sure if Lotrek has any alternative printer options though based on the intricate foiling he does. Seems there's been quite a few issues with his printer in recent years so I would definitely be looking at other options.

On a totally unrelated topic, I have two questions for folks given there are some collectors with some pretty impressive collections here.

1) What are your top 10 Lotrek decks of all time and what makes them stand out to you?
2) If you had to make an ultimate brick (12 decks), what decks would you include? (it can be from any designer)

Leachy19 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2025 10:10 pm On a totally unrelated topic, I have two questions for folks given there are some collectors with some pretty impressive collections here.

1) What are your top 10 Lotrek decks of all time and what makes them stand out to you?

Your second question is much harder and I can't see myself boiling my collection down. Your first question was already hard enough.

• Venexiana Gold (1/200) - Lotrek's first attempt at hot foiling has a place in the history books. The art on the cards is wonderful and truly opened up the path for everything we know today.
• ICONS Imperial or Reverse - The amount of effort it took to make this deck a reality was painstaking and the velvet tuck adds another layer of elegance
• Liturgy Treasure (1/130) - The silver and gold on these backs are phenomenal and I remember being taken aback when I first saw them.
• Golden Oath (1/250) - This is a deck that I fell in love with when I first started collecting and I definitely overpaid for one. Nothing but foil. When I explain it to people, they don't understand at first but are wowed when they witness it.
• Damask Blue (1/120) - So much foiling and probably the most in-demand and coveted Lotrek deck to exist. I don't even know how he pulled off so much foil to the degree of accuracy needed. I can spot this tuck from a mile away and have inquired if an uncut tuck exists. I get happy every time I look at it. I sent a deck to the card guy to review and it's forever immortalized for others who may never own it to enjoy.
• Arabesque Silver (1/160) - My favorite of the series. The Japanese silver foil used is an added layer of shiny that is blinding. I'd say the pinnacle of the series.
• Silk Blue (1/380) - Probably my favorite tuck and the use of white on the art really adds a unique element I've never seen on another deck.
• Crypt (1/500) - Oh man, I've told the backstory and shown this deck to people in real life. It makes them feel special and it does for me too. I can't speak much about it but those backs are one of my favorites ever made.
• Redemption Series Vol. VIII - Mystery III Craft Edition (1/750) - I was the first person to ever see this deck in person when I visited Lotrek. I am a huge fan of the stock and honestly find this deck to be perfect minus the courts being a tad too dark.
• Royal Silk Red - Gold/Silver (Gift deck) (1/180) - Another deck I find to be perfect. The silver adds another layer to break up the monotony of the gold foil in the alternative version. It's remarkable.

Others were honorable mentions, of course, but each of these decks in the list, I open and admire from time to time and the feeling of awe does not dissipate. While I understand keeping decks sealed and the rewarding feeling of having a certain deck in one's collection, I can't fathom doing that with Lotrek. There's a few duplicates I have to try to keep some pristine. Those include the Damasks, Blue Silk, Arabesque Silver, Crypt, Golden Oath, and any deck released 2022 onward except a few Redemptions now.

Thanks Kevork! Appreicate the thoughtful reply. I think my top 10 is more or less the same as yours! The only changes for me would be including Icons Signature Edition, Sanctus and Arabesque Gold and removing Mystery Craft and Royal Silk Red and maybe Icons Imperial even though all 3 of those are amazing.

To be clear I don't own most of these so just basing that on pics I've seen!

Leachy19 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 17, 2025 12:54 am Thanks Kevork! Appreicate the thoughtful reply. I think my top 10 is more or less the same as yours! The only changes for me would be including Icons Signature Edition, Sanctus and Arabesque Gold and removing Mystery Craft and Royal Silk Red and maybe Icons Imperial even though all 3 of those are amazing.

To be clear I don't own most of these so just basing that on pics I've seen!

ICONS Signature was definitely in my honorable mentions! That too has an incredibly shiny back and a unique tuck to boot. Sanctus surprisingly isn't as popular it seems but for those who like it, they REALLY like it.

If we ever get a chance to cross paths, I'll have to show you both Arabesque Gold and Silver and see what you think

Thanks Kevork.

I am actually fortunate to own an Arabesque Gold! Also Black Patrons is an incredible deck and one that I could make an argument for being in my top 10!

Leachy19 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 17, 2025 1:14 am Thanks Kevork.

I am actually fortunate to own 2 Arabesque Gold and 1 Arabesque Silver, as well as Silk Blue, Liturgy Treasure, 3 Mystery Crafts and Royal Silk Red - Gold/Silver but the rest I don’t have - way too out of my budget haha. Also Black Patrons is an incredible deck and one that I could make an argument for being in the top 10. Would be great to meet in person at some point - I’m in Canada, you’re in Cali right?

Thanks for reminding me to take a look back at Black Patrons. That's another flawlessly executed elegant deck. Have nothing but good things to say about that one.

And Cali, that's correct!

I'm halfway in between you guys; come to Seattle for a meet-up!