Should FFG sell cards without ships?

[Cubanboy 6,528]

I was thinking about this when reading another post. It makes some sense to me if FFG starting selling the cards by themselves, here are a couple of thoughts.

1. There is always one or two cards that every person wants/needs for their collection. (Example refit, C3PO or advance Senors)

2. There is a second hand market which proves there is a need.(often charging 3-5 per card)

3. I would rather give FFG more money then vendors or third parties

4. Often I have 1 extra dollar not 15. (If the cards were 1 per upgrade I could find a way in a tight budget where the cost of a new ship is just out of my reach most months)

I really feel like FFG could make this work by selling singles or even a set of cards, it would be more exciting if they gave a pack of 5cards with one being a gold boarder for 3. Just some thoughts, what say you forum.

[dante005 66]

+1 

 

Good idea

[jeepnut42 37]

individuals could be a pain to manage for distributors and retailers, but $5.00 packs so you can get the extra cards that come with large/huge ships would be good.

[tintip 11]

yes

[barriecritzer 479]

yes, yes and yes. I refuse to buy a ship I don't want just for a card, but would buy a booster pack of upgrade cards. 

[Galactic Funk 831]

Nope.

Sure it would help my wallet but that's probably not the best business model for them. And yes, somebody could probably come up with a way to make it work and be profitable but why try and fix what isn't broken (from their vantage point)?

[darthjeff81 106]

My money is on alternate paint scheme ships with new pilots and upgrades rather than card packs. That seems the model they are going with. They have already done this with the transport and x-wing, the imperial aces for the interceptor, the rebel aces for the A- and B-wings, the most wanted pack for the scum Z, Y, HWK and firespray, and they announced the imperial raider with a TIE/ad. This way they can sell new ships and include new cards there.

[oneway 1,878]

Not this... again...

It makes no sense for them to do this...

They get more money for you buying the ship and cards, why lose money by selling just the cards... yes some people will not buy certain ships just for cards, but many of us will..

Take this new Raider.. I just really want the advanced TIE and the cards for it.. but I'll be buying the thing to get it unless I can find someone willing to part with it for 20 bucks..

If they were going to do this... probably would have happened by now.. with the cards that have been FAQ'd they would have/should have done it already..

That said.. they have thrown us off by doing something many of us figured that they wouldn't.. 3rd faction anyone... but I really dont think this is on their radar...

[Tuls 215]

Here's a thought. Sell a mission pack. It has a mission tha is thematic and some of the upgrades that are needed to make it happen.Maybe toss in an alt art card. Plus side you don't have to buy ships you dislike. Down side it wouls cast about as mucha s a small ship.

Like Battle of Yavin. Mission for trench run. Upgrades like Stay on Target, Alt Luke card.

[ficklegreendice 34,362]

my business sense says hell no

 

my wallet says "PLEASE!"

[oneway 1,878]

Here's a thought. Sell a mission pack. It has a mission tha is thematic and some of the upgrades that are needed to make it happen.Maybe toss in an alt art card. Plus side you don't have to buy ships you dislike. Down side it wouls cast about as mucha s a small ship.

Like Battle of Yavin. Mission for trench run. Upgrades like Stay on Target, Alt Luke card.

I like where you're going here, but it would be better if they added a ship from either side that are integral to the mission/scenario. Pricepoint 30 bucks..

I dont see them selling cards alone. But something where they can use ships and missions seems like an interesting idea..

This Yavin battle pack idea .. which is conceptually a decent idea.. would be perfect to add in a Y wing or X wing, and then either a TIE or advanced for the respective sides.. probably an X wing and TIE fighter now that Ys and Advanced have thier boosts...

[L0STHER0 82]

This is a mute point. FFG is not releasing separate cards of existing upgrades and through ace and epic expaintions they are giving us alternate miniatures and pilots there is no need to release pilot cards. There has also been a pattern of some upgrades being released in multiple ship packs, except engine upgrade.

No they should not release separate cards, their is several websites that sell these cards already.

[YwingAce 2,546]

It's called visit the Team covenant store, they have individual cards for sale I think

[taintedcereal 15]

I'm not sure why anyone is saying this doesnt make good business sense because they already do this with their other games. For example, the adversary and talent card packs for the Star Wars RPGs. They charge $6.95 for 22 cards.

 

Suppose they released X-wing upgrade cards using that same model. I imagine that profit on 22 cards for $6.95 is much more than a plastic ship model, 10 cards, and a bunch of cardboard counters for $14.95

 

And all the people who are holding back buying that 1 ship just for 1 card, would go and buy the upgrade card packs. I know I would.

 

I guess none of us can really say what's financially viable for Fantasy Flight anyway, but I think it's within the realm of possibility considering they've already done it.

[oneway 1,878]

I'm not sure why anyone is saying this doesnt make good business sense because they already do this with their other games. For example, the adversary and talent card packs for the Star Wars RPGs. They charge $6.95 for 22 cards.

 

Suppose they released X-wing upgrade cards using that same model. I imagine that profit on 22 cards for $6.95 is much more than a plastic ship model, 10 cards, and a bunch of cardboard counters for $14.95

 

And all the people who are holding back buying that 1 ship just for 1 card, would go and buy the upgrade card packs. I know I would.

 

I guess none of us can really say what's financially viable for Fantasy Flight anyway, but I think it's within the realm of possibility considering they've already done it.

Those card sets for the RPG you mention are... in addition to other products. They enhance the game play.. they are a good business decision.

Upgrades in this game, though would be nice, are not a good decision for them. You can buy the one side you like and get all the upgrades for cheap.. not in their best interest.. if you have to buy all the expansionss to play tourneys... more money in their pocket.. it's simple really, and those that refuse to buy ships for cards.. are a minority..

[UnfairBanana 2,251]

It'd be nice, but it's not gonna happen. FFG makes too much money the way things are now, and they have no reason to change it. Personally, I don't mind because I love collecting ships.

[JaggedLittleFel 162]

This is the most wallet friendly game I've ever played.

I worked it out. This year playing X-wing I spent about a quarter of what I spent last year (playing a ccg).

 

If you cant afford to drop a few bucks for some upgrades then I'm afraid you can't afford this game.

 

Save up. Buy the Raider. USE it!

You won't regret it.

[DagobahDave 1,621]

YES, they totally should. Most Wanted is sort of doing that. I'm more interested in new pilots than old upgrades, but I'm very much in support of model-free expansions.

Edited December 20, 2014 by DagobahDave

[Marinealver 8,073]

My money is on alternate paint scheme ships with new pilots and upgrades rather than card packs. That seems the model they are going with. They have already done this with the transport and x-wing, the imperial aces for the interceptor, the rebel aces for the A- and B-wings, the most wanted pack for the scum Z, Y, HWK and firespray, and they announced the imperial raider with a TIE/ad. This way they can sell new ships and include new cards there.

I agree with this. However I wish that the alternative art cards would come from the big ship packs such as the ones from the Rebel Transport and Tantive IV. Instead of alternative art cards that we have from the core set. It would be nice for tournaments to be able to expand the options for those who have not / cannot get the entire set.

[TasteTheRainbow 8,726]

I think there are enough singles resellers to keep demand happy and FFG would lose on the deal. They are also competing for flgs shelf space, and would cost them something too.

[oneway 1,878]

There is never a need to pay for alt art cards.. they give them away for free at tourneys... that people pay 40 or 80 bucks for them is insane...

[Dagonet 7,246]

No.

[ScottieATF 2,867]

There is never a need to pay for alt art cards.. they give them away for free at tourneys... that people pay 40 or 80 bucks for them is insane...

Well you know some people can not make the events. Thus thier only option is to purchase the item. The item has a limited availability and is likely a one time offering, thus the price goes higher. I actually find it curious that people find that concept difficult to grasp so frequently

[Pygon 375]

I tend to think FFG sales would be hurt by this, so I'm hesitant.

 

Second market sales at least forces those suppliers to purchase the full sets from FFG so they can keep making more XWing stuff.

[shakedown47 86]

I think FFG's current model is in everyone's best interest. A strong bottom line for them means a long-lived and well-supported game for us. They cannot be hurt in any meaningful way by a secondary market, since any products sold in a secondary market will have originated from FFG anyway. 

 

As someone who really wants a couple Engine Upgrade cards but has no interest in buying a Falcon, and who wants basically every card in the VT-49 box but doesn't have plans to actually fly one, I feel the pain. I also think FFG is far better off making my buy a Decimator and sourcing the Engine Upgrade cards from someone that FFG or one of their distributors sold a Falcon to.