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Review: Ophidian deck (Shapeshifters Playing Cards)

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Review: Ophidian deck (Shapeshifters Playing Cards)
« on: June 14, 2018, 11:57:48 PM »
 

EndersGame

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 More Playing Card Goodness from Gamblers Warehouse

Playing Cards Dot Net is a division of Gambler's Warehouse, which has been a part of the playing card industry for over two decades.  Not only do they sell a massive amount of playing cards, but they are also involved in crowdfunding and producing custom playing cards.  Some of their previous projects include the Alloy decks (reviewed here); and the Regal deck, Royal Pulp deck, Double Black deck, Occults deck, Mystique deck, and Spirit II deck (all reviewed here).

In this review series of three articles I'll be covering some of the newest additions to the ranks of the Playing Cards Dot Net produced custom decks. We will meet the serpent inspired Ophidian deck, plus the newest incarnation of the Double Black deck, and we will also make a trip to a steam-punk inspired Wonderland with a grown up Alice!



Ophidian deck

The Ophidian deck is named after the reptile suborder Opidia (snakes), and is a word that refers to snakes.  Snakes alive!  Sure enough, this deck is all about what its creators describe as "the hypnotic beauty of a snake".

The artists at Shapeshifters Playing Cards have teamed up with Gambler's Warehouse to produce this elegantly designed deck, which they introduce as follows: "Enigmatic, dangerous, elusive ... its curves awaken a mixture of fear and curiosity provoking a hypnotic attraction. Since the devil himself used its form to tempt the first woman in Paradise, the serpent has always been a recurring element of allegorical expression in any artistic manifestation. "

The tuck box immediately introduces us to an intricate and artistic tangle of multiple snakes, with an engaging design that draws you in as you rove your eyes along the twisting shapes of our ophidian friends.



The hypnotic design of these slithering creatures is also a key feature of the card backs, which are bordered in a reptilian brown.  These are inspired by the classic rider back design in that they have two strong circular shapes that ensures a mirrored/symmetrical look.  Yet within this traditional pattern is a detailed and intricate design that is highly original, and is full of intertwined patterns that closer examination reveals to be snakes.  The overall background pattern also brings to mind the scales one might find on our reptilian friends.

All the Aces are oversized, and reprise the highly detailed artwork found on the card backs, with entangled snake-like coils.  The design of the card backs also returns on all the card faces in a faint watermark style.  The overall design of the faces is also highly reminiscent of the style of the Mystique deck, which was also created by Shapeshifters.



The court cards have a monochromatic look, in either black or red.  While clearly inspired by classical court cards, they also offer a fresh and fully customized interpretation.  A light yellow-brown serves as the soft background to the characters, and this colour complements the card backs nicely.

Especially noteworthy is the use of "scales" as part of the design.   Careful observers will also be rewarded by noticing lots of curled shapes, some of which turn out to be actual snakes.



The number cards have a very bold look, highlighting the customized pips that are found on all of the cards.  Especially noticeable on these cards are the use of pips on all four corners, which is an unique feature of the entire deck, as well as the arrows piercing the smaller pips used for the indices.



The Jokers complement the design of the card backs, but offer a completely new interpretation of the entangled shapes present there, with an hour-glass shapes that also incorporate ovals decorated with scales to look like serpent heads.  The text of the words Joker also features a snake wrapped around it.



This deck has been printed by USPCC, which means that the creative artistic vision of this project has been matched by a quality product that looks and handles great.  Like all USPCC decks, it also comes with two extra cards, which are a diptych, i.e. when placed together, they create a single large image not altogether unlike the design on the card backs.

The Ophidian deck is a brand new release, that has only just become available for the first time in early 2018.  It was produced in a limited edition of only 2500 units, so be sure to get one while you can.

Recommendation

Once again Gambler's Warehouse continues to produce the goods.  They have a lot of experience in the custom playing card industry, and offer services as a fulfilment company for many card designers, who rely on their expertise and experience to help produce custom decks.  But in addition to helping others make their crowd-funding projects a reality, they also collaborate to produce decks like the examples shown above.

Besides producing playing cards, Gambler's Warehouse also sells them at their online retail outlet.  All of the above decks can be purchased at their subsidiary Playingcards.net website, along with a wide range of hundreds of other quality playing cards for sale there, all of which include free US shipping in the price.


 
Want to learn more? 
Gamblers Warehouse: http://gamblerswarehouse.com
Playing Cards Dot Net: http://playingcards.net

Direct links for the decks featured in this review series: (prices listed include free US shipping from playingcards.net)
- Ophidian deck ($16.00)
- Double Black Classic deck ($18.95)
- Double Black Waterproof deck ($14.95)
- Alice of Wonderland Gold deck ($13.95)
- Alice of Wonderland Silver deck ($13.99)

« Last Edit: June 15, 2018, 02:25:34 AM by EndersGame »
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