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Golden Horde Edition:









Ilkhanate Edition:











Golden Horde & Ilkhanate Editions side-by-side:



Back Designs: Ilkhanate (left) & Golden Horde (right)

I knew I saw this deck before: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8133" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Too bad now is NPCC, what a waste... A great design deserved way better printer...

sms69x wrote:I knew I saw this deck before: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8133" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Too bad now is NPCC, what a waste... A great design deserved way better printer...

dang, you're right! I'mma have to try and figure out this merging thing... unless another mod beats me to it lol

NPCC though makes great tucks. The cards are nice, but I agree are not nearly up to cardistry standards. That said, as a collector, I am okay with them. They do seem to really be interested in improving and being active in playing card production. So, I am fine with supporting NPCC projects. Slow on the draw though and missed an EB for a pair.

I quite like the Golden Horde deck, can't back anything for a few months though thanks to Lotrek lol, on the wish list it goes.



Edit: I don't play or do cardistry with my decks so the printer isn't that big of a deal, besides NPCC tucks are generally first class.

Everything looks good other than the back designs. B-list printer.

TwoPiece wrote:Everything looks good other than the back designs. B-list printer.

I think we had this discussion in the thread for the latest Nicolai Aaroe deck - NPCC are not quite in the same league as USPCC/EPCC/LPCC or Cartamundi but they are improving and, in any event, in my view, their decks look better and the cards handle better than MPC who are still rubbish most of the time.

I like this deck, but money is tight right now so can't get one. Maybe in the aftermarket if the deck turns out nice.

Shame that Roman doesn't seem to come to this forum anymore. He tried to be part of the community and I think he donated to the Decks of the year awards for like there years straight. But can't really blame him though, certain people here seemed to be hell bent on bullying him off the forum, crapping on everything he ever did and on every single NPCC thread. I guess when you have to take shit for several years straight you'll just get fed up with it.

I like Roman. He's a stand-up guy. He and I did some trading on the side, and I very much enjoyed our interaction. I have also appreciated how, for a while, he seemed keen upon improving the quality of the cards that NPCC produced.

Last time I saw him interact here, a bunch of folks were commenting on a project and how it was too bad that project was going to be printed by NPCC, and Roman asked (quite justifiably) why members of this board were being critical of NPCC.

Several of us (including myself) responded. We each talked about the many good qualities that NPCC cards have, from the amazing artwork to the vibrant colors and expert printing alignment/registration, to the very well crafted tuck boxes. Some of us mentioned how much we liked the stock (although, if I recall correctly, that might not have been a universally shared opinion.) We constructively pointed out that our single issue was with the finish. We gave specific examples about how to compare finishes, and how to determine objectively how effective a finish was at attaining the desired slipperiness. We asked him to consider that once the finish improves, we're totally ready to embrace NPCC. We are, in fact, cheering for him to join the fold of playing card manufacturers whose decks work for cardistry and game play.

We never heard back from Roman, which is disappointing. But, I can understand if he either doesn't see anything wrong with his finish, or is locked into a style of production that doesn't allow him to experiment much with changing the finish, he probably doesn't have much to say in response. I still have backed another NPCC project because the art is so good, and it's not like I *have* to play with *every* deck I collect. But, that said, until I learn that NPCC has improved their finish, projects that are printed by NPCC will have a disadvantage when competing for my limited financial resources when butting up against other decks.

Yes, I know that some folks here can be pretty harsh in their criticisms, but the last time Roman participated in a conversation here, I do think that the tone was constructive. We said what we did not because we wanted to outsnark each other, but because we genuinely want him to make amazing decks that we can't help but collect. Let's face it: the art is often amazing, and the cut, the stock, the printing, and the tucks are all quite fine. NPCC really is only one step away from putting the big boys on notice. I'm still holding out hope that we'll see Roman here again, regardless, and if he eventually finds a way to address our concerns with regard to NPCC's finish, so much the better.

Well I see most have now started to receive their decks from Roman. Thank you to whoever uploaded the decks onto the P2P site but extremely disappointed with the final product.

I read through the comments during his funding period and someone brought up the embossing on the tuck box and how the folded tuck crease goes through the word "Empire" on the tuck. He not only responded to that backer stating "That's a good point, will try to adjust" but completely failed to do anything of the sort during final production. What would've it taken to move it a few millimetres up or down?

Now, I'm not saying these decks a complete right-off nor should the artwork be put aside, but when people make suggestions and the creator agrees, it's sad to see Roman chooses not to do anything about it. I guess it's his way or no way at the end of the day.

One thing for certain is that the printer can make or break a deck, without question.

I remember a few years back - say 2 or 3 years ago - that I didn't really expect much out of but the end result turned out to be spectacular (or at least much more special than I expected). In every case the printer was one of the big boys. I know that we have seen issues with a few decks, maybe more so with some of the China printed products, but in most cases the results are not 100% known until the decks are in the hands of the creator.

Mike Ratledge wrote:One thing for certain is that the printer can make or break a deck, without question.

I remember a few years back - say 2 or 3 years ago - that I didn't really expect much out of but the end result turned out to be spectacular (or at least much more special than I expected). In every case the printer was one of the big boys. I know that we have seen issues with a few decks, maybe more so with some of the China printed products, but in most cases the results are not 100% known until the decks are in the hands of the creator.

Good to see you around and contributing, Mike.

It seems like it has been forever that I've seen a post from you!

TwoPiece wrote:Good to see you around and contributing, Mike.

It seems like it has been forever that I've seen a post from you!

Glad to be back from my self imposed sabbatical. Things are not really better with the family - mom's not doing well and my dad (soon to be 90) is being treated for cancer, but I have to get back to something similar to normal it will drive me crazy(er?)...

Mike Ratledge wrote:

TwoPiece wrote:Good to see you around and contributing, Mike.

It seems like it has been forever that I've seen a post from you!

Glad to be back from my self imposed sabbatical. Things are not really better with the family - mom's not doing well and my dad (soon to be 90) is being treated for cancer, but I have to get back to something similar to normal it will drive me crazy(er?)...

Getting old sucks, right? Hopefully things get better.

Having/making time for your hobbies is good for your own sanity and happiness. You need a good balance!

codybear wrote:
I read through the comments during his funding period and someone brought up the embossing on the tuck box and how the folded tuck crease goes through the word "Empire" on the tuck. He not only responded to that backer stating "That's a good point, will try to adjust" but completely failed to do anything of the sort during final production. What would've it taken to move it a few millimetres up or down?

Glad that I read this and adjusted the file. A Motley Pack Heritage Gilded Edition tuck also had something similar where the folded tuck crease would have gone through the debossed text title on the front. Just updated it and now it should be good to go there

Speaking of NPCC tucks, here's the Ilkhanate edition, just arrived:

Nice. NPCC does make nice tuck boxes. I just wish their card handling would improve.

Does anyone who backed the set mind to share the back design of the Golden Horde deck?
The Ilkhanate is black as said in the campaign, just interested to know if Golden Horde used gold metallic or foil ink, or is it just plain yellow?

Decknowledgy wrote:Does anyone who backed the set mind to share the back design of the Golden Horde deck?
The Ilkhanate is black as said in the campaign, just interested to know if Golden Horde used gold metallic or foil ink, or is it just plain yellow?

To me, it looks like gold metallic ink. I could be wrong, though. Definitely, it's not "plain yellow".

Also, I think NPCC has improved their cards handling. At least, they now make a nice fan. I'm not a cardist, though.

Gonzalo wrote:Also, I think NPCC has improved their cards handling. At least, they now make a nice fan. I'm not a cardist, though.

I agree, the Ilkhanate deck fans better and more balanced in comparison to the earlier Muertos Iluminados El Recuerdo deck I have.

That is my impression as well although the same cannot be said about “Don’t kill the messenger” deck that was also produced by NPCC. So it looks like they are now offering a better handling stock but not everyone is opting for it.

This is good to hear. I would love for NPCC to be a viable option for cards on par with the other big printers. I would also like Roman to return and tell us about their improvements in detail, would be really interesting.

I've been playing with this deck a couple of days now, and I have to say the handling is surprisingly good. It's a shame NPCC never lists what finishes they have, but apparently this one must be a higher quality finish. The deck has smooth broken-in edges straight out of the box, and no clump issues are found while fanning. To give you a better understanding of how well this deck handles, here's a video I shot showcasing its fanning capability:









As for the artwork, NPCC's artwork has always been its saving factor, especially when the details of this deck goes as far as having 0.3mm designs distinguishable. Adding the superb handling, this deck is one of a kind in terms of NPCC!

Full Card Scans:

Mongol Empire: Ilkhanate
https://www.flickr.com/photos/167981955 ... 7269402147" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mongol Empire: Golden Hoarde
https://www.flickr.com/photos/167981955 ... 6055854941" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

macstrat wrote:Full Card Scans:

Mongol Empire: Ilkhanate
https://www.flickr.com/photos/167981955 ... 7269402147" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mongol Empire: Golden Hoarde
https://www.flickr.com/photos/167981955 ... 6055854941" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for this!
Is the Golden Horde gold metallic ink on the back? Can't quite tell from the scan

Decknowledgy wrote:

macstrat wrote:Full Card Scans:

Mongol Empire: Ilkhanate
https://www.flickr.com/photos/167981955 ... 7269402147" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Mongol Empire: Golden Hoarde
https://www.flickr.com/photos/167981955 ... 6055854941" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Thanks for this!
Is the Golden Horde gold metallic ink on the back? Can't quite tell from the scan

I want to say yes, but TBH, I cant tell. If it is, its VERY dull. The courts and aces are definitely metallic.

Is anyone else disappointed or confused that the final tucks are white whereas the campaign pics made them appear black/blue?

aardvarkgod wrote:Is anyone else disappointed or confused that the final tucks are white whereas the campaign pics made them appear black/blue?

I was kind of questioning this during the campaign as well. I think maybe this is a pearlescent paper and the lighting in the campaign pics made them look blue.

Sent from my Galaxy 8 using Tapatalk

STLBluesNut wrote:

aardvarkgod wrote:Is anyone else disappointed or confused that the final tucks are white whereas the campaign pics made them appear black/blue?

I was kind of questioning this during the campaign as well. I think maybe this is a pearlescent paper and the lighting in the campaign pics made them look blue.

Sent from my Galaxy 8 using Tapatalk

One of the side by side photos shows the white tucks. I think you are spot on with the lighting as it only seems to be the cases that are low lit. Another possibility is they were prototype cases.

I see a reminiscent of this: