Dan & Dave Variety Box (combined topic)

[Siegismyname]

They did say during coffee with dnd that they would include the silver monarchs amidst the red n original ones. No white ones though. And Dan said that he heard that the silver were a one off printing as well. So no reprints for the silver monarchs. But who knows.

[Card Player]

What makes you say that?  The product description lists the Silver Monarchs as being an unlimited edition.  I'd say they simply sold out after all the holiday madness and are awaiting a new order from USPC.  The "original", Silver and Red Monarchs are all unlimited editions and some have been through more than one printing.  It's T11's flagship deck now.

Coffee with D&D makes me say that. No, Dan and Dave are not theory11 but you know they get industry inside info from friends. As for theory11, nothing in this life is unlimited forever, not even air and water. I've been told straight from theory11 support that Bee Stingers would be reprinted well over a year ago. We are still waiting. I wouldn't hold my breath on Silver Monarchs coming back. Theory11 is already probing customers on social media, what new color people would like to see next.

[Don Boyer]

Coffee with D&D makes me say that. No, Dan and Dave are not theory11 but you know they get industry inside info from friends. As for theory11, nothing in this life is unlimited forever, not even air and water. I've been told straight from theory11 support that Bee Stingers would be reprinted well over a year ago. We are still waiting. I wouldn't hold my breath on Silver Monarchs coming back. Theory11 is already probing customers on social media, what new color people would like to see next.

Damn.  Well, technically, yes - there's limits on even the Bicycle Rider Back, even though it's been in print since, what - 1893?

It's crazy to keep playing the color game.  It can't last forever - I'm already in fatigue over the Rounders.  They'd be better off just reprinting the Silvers, but whatever.  T11 also told me about two years ago that they'd be making "Propaganda II" but that never came to be (they said the Erlanger reprints - which they bizarrely don't even stock on their website but sell through other retailers - are NOT Prop2s).

[Sher143]

How long will these last, I wonder. I'm debating whether I should go for this or the sale over at Kings Wild. If this box is still available in two weeks, it'll be easier for me to choose Kings Wild (since that will end sooner).

[bhong]

How long will these last, I wonder. I'm debating whether I should go for this or the sale over at Kings Wild. If this box is still available in two weeks, it'll be easier for me to choose Kings Wild (since that will end sooner).

There's really no saying how long it'd last for. I can't remember exactly, but I remember the last Variety box took longer than two weeks to sell though I didn't keep track of it very well. Except for the Gold Reserve and Deckstarter deck, I'd think that a lot of collectors would have a lot of the elements in the box already.

[Sher143]

How long will these last, I wonder. I'm debating whether I should go for this or the sale over at Kings Wild. If this box is still available in two weeks, it'll be easier for me to choose Kings Wild (since that will end sooner).

There's really no saying how long it'd last for. I can't remember exactly, but I remember the last Variety box took longer than two weeks to sell though I didn't keep track of it very well. Except for the Gold Reserve and Deckstarter deck, I'd think that a lot of collectors would have a lot of the elements in the box already.

I only have one of the decks in the Variety Box (two, if I get a Blue Monarch). However, although a good spread, most of the decks in this box do fall under my "i'll-wait-till-i've-collected-my-absolute-must-haves-then-i'll-come-back-and-buy-this" list. I'm only considering purchasing the box because of the Gold Private Reserve, so right now I'm really just debating if it's worth spending $150 on. I know there are 11 other decks, so I can't really say the $150 is just for the Gold Private Reserve, but considering my lesser interest in the other decks and the fact that this currently seems to be the only way to get the Gold Private Reserve if you haven't already gotten one from the Black Club, to me it really just comes down to paying $150 to get that rare Gold deck.

When comparing it to the prices it was sold for on eBay, $150 is almost a steal. But $150 is still a huge chunk of cash. Since it seems to last longer than two weeks, I think I'll wait for now. Thanks.

[Card Player]

It's crazy to keep playing the color game.  It can't last forever - I'm already in fatigue over the Rounders.  They'd be better off just reprinting the Silvers, but whatever.

I agree. Or not reprinting Silver would be fine also. It does get sickening.

[ozfan30]

I picked up a box, I was looking to get another Ultimate Deck anyway, that paired with Gold Smoke and Mirrors, and Red Whispering Imps made it seem like a reasonable purchase. Hopefully I can use the HMNIM and Black Jaqk as trade bait to get something else with someone on the forum

[Aptombstone]

How long will these last, I wonder. I'm debating whether I should go for this or the sale over at Kings Wild. If this box is still available in two weeks, it'll be easier for me to choose Kings Wild (since that will end sooner).

Thanks for the heads up, I'm gonna pick up a Silver Certificate and a Reserve note (not black). They'll be my first Fed 52 decks. These will probably go in the "never to be opened" section of my collection.

[crazyfandecks]

i've never buy a variety box of D&D before, so correct me if i wrong, but
Fulton's Chinatown: 2 colors
Arristocrat: 2 colors
Arrco Tahoe: 2 colors
Monarch: 3 colors
so the total of variation would be 2*2*2*3 = 24 variations, how could be 144

[Don Boyer]

i've never buy a variety box of D&D before, so correct me if i wrong, but
Fulton's Chinatown: 2 colors
Arristocrat: 2 colors
Arrco Tahoe: 2 colors
Monarch: 3 colors
so the total of variation would be 2*2*2*3 = 24 variations, how could be 144

It's simpler than you think it is.

There are 144 boxes.  They do not insure your choice of colors, or any particular pattern of choices, for those decks that have more than one color - that's all.  It's entirely possible that some of the variations are repeated, as it is possible that some of the variations exist as a one-of-a-kind mix.

Monarchs have more than three colors:
"Gold": gold pattern on black background, only 144 exist, only 111 released.
Original: white on black.
Original (Modified): same colors, thinner border.
White: gold on white
Silver: black on white
Red: white on red

Gold is very unlikely to appear given its rarity, but the other colors are fair game - either totally common (Original, Original Modified, Silver and Red) or rare but not ridiculously so (White), much like the "Game of Death" edition of the Fulton's Chinatown deck.  That is, if you take their description to heart about available colors.  White are rare and aren't being sold right now, but T11 still has plenty for contest prizes and other promotions, and the Bucks are on good terms with T11.

[Sher143]

i've never buy a variety box of D&D before, so correct me if i wrong, but
Fulton's Chinatown: 2 colors
Arristocrat: 2 colors
Arrco Tahoe: 2 colors
Monarch: 3 colors
so the total of variation would be 2*2*2*3 = 24 variations, how could be 144

It's simpler than you think it is.

There are 144 boxes.  They do not insure your choice of colors, or any particular pattern of choices, for those decks that have more than one color - that's all.  It's entirely possible that some of the variations are repeated, as it is possible that some of the variations exist as a one-of-a-kind mix.

Monarchs have more than three colors:
"Gold": gold pattern on black background, only 144 exist, only 111 released.
Original: white on black.
Original (Modified): same colors, thinner border.
White: gold on white
Silver: black on white
Red: white on red

Gold is very unlikely to appear given its rarity, but the other colors are fair game - either totally common (Original, Original Modified, Silver and Red) or rare but not ridiculously so (White), much like the "Game of Death" edition of the Fulton's Chinatown deck.  That is, if you take their description to heart about available colors.  White are rare and aren't being sold right now, but T11 still has plenty for contest prizes and other promotions, and the Bucks are on good terms with T11.

I think crazyfandecks is commenting on D&D's claim that no two boxes are the same. With only 24 variations, of course there will be more than two boxes that are the same.

[crazyfandecks]

Sher143 got my points: these variety boxes must have duplicates in my opinion, and that's what i wonder about 

[Aptombstone]

Arrco Tahoes have at least 4 non-vintage colors (red, blue, black, inverse) and if we take the 6 variations of the Monarchs provided by Don, then the variation total becomes 2 x 2 x 4 x 6 = 96. Still not 144, but closer. There may be one or two more variants we are missing. I know its not a big deal but hey its fun figuring it out.

Anyone who is considering buying the variety box please use the code, if you haven't already, provided in the "Retailer Coupons" section of this forum, fancy426 as it will save you 10% ($15!) which will cover domestic shipping and then some.

[Don Boyer]

Arrco Tahoes have at least 4 non-vintage colors (red, blue, black, inverse) and if we take the 6 variations of the Monarchs provided by Don, then the variation total becomes 2 x 2 x 4 x 6 = 96. Still not 144, but closer. There may be one or two more variants we are missing. I know its not a big deal but hey its fun figuring it out.

Anyone who is considering buying the variety box please use the code, if you haven't already, provided in the "Retailer Coupons" section of this forum, fancy426 as it will save you 10% ($15!) which will cover domestic shipping and then some.

I simply think that the claim of no two boxes being alike is overstated.

Count Monarchs as five variations - they couldn't possibly have laid their hands on enough to cover all possible variations, if any.  Plus that one deck could trade for as much as the entire Variety Box.

Tahoes - scratch the black and inverse black decks.  They rarely supply anything that isn't:
One of their decks
A USPC basic brand
A casino deck
A T11 deck
A CARC deck
A David Blaine deck
A Kickstarter deck

Believe it or not, it's actually more likely that they're supplying the VINTAGE version of that deck, because it's the only version they've sold to date, as far as I know.  In which case, the colors are only red and blue - they were the only colors they stocked, and probably the only colors made as vintage.

[Card Player]

Arrco Tahoes have at least 4 non-vintage colors (red, blue, black, inverse) and if we take the 6 variations of the Monarchs provided by Don, then the variation total becomes 2 x 2 x 4 x 6 = 96. Still not 144, but closer. There may be one or two more variants we are missing. I know its not a big deal but hey its fun figuring it out.

Anyone who is considering buying the variety box please use the code, if you haven't already, provided in the "Retailer Coupons" section of this forum, fancy426 as it will save you 10% ($15!) which will cover domestic shipping and then some.

I simply think that the claim of no two boxes being alike is overstated.

Count Monarchs as five variations - they couldn't possibly have laid their hands on enough to cover all possible variations, if any.  Plus that one deck could trade for as much as the entire Variety Box.

Tahoes - scratch the black and inverse black decks.  They rarely supply anything that isn't:
One of their decks
A USPC basic brand
A casino deck
A T11 deck
A CARC deck
A David Blaine deck
A Kickstarter deck

Believe it or not, it's actually more likely that they're supplying the VINTAGE version of that deck, because it's the only version they've sold to date, as far as I know.  In which case, the colors are only red and blue - they were the only colors they stocked, and probably the only colors made as vintage.

I know the max per order is 12. Maybe out of the 12, no two are alike? Since they can see through the box window, I can totally see order fulfillment mixing and matching orders of multiple VB's so that no two are the same. That's not a bad thing.

[DarkDerp]

You could also take it as a no two snowflakes are the same. I believe its just marketing.  Give me two variety boxes with the exact same decks, and armed with only a magnifying glass I will prove them different... if not I will differantize one with my foot.

[BiggerDee]

I looked at the VB this morning and personally, I wasn't terribly impressed. I have almost all of the decks available for placement in the box, and the ones that I don't have haven't impressed me enough to buy them before now. The gold S&M would impress me enough to buy the box if they hadn't already run the S&M line into the ground with seeminigly infinite colors and reprints on what I consider a blah design. I don't even consider the gold edition worth my time, and that says a lot since I buy almost everything that comes out. That's just how I view it in my own eyes, for my tastes and collection. It's not a bad price overall, especially if you don't have most of those decks. I probably would have supported a more expensive brick with more rare decks in it though.

[Sher143]

How long will these last, I wonder. I'm debating whether I should go for this or the sale over at Kings Wild. If this box is still available in two weeks, it'll be easier for me to choose Kings Wild (since that will end sooner).

Thanks for the heads up, I'm gonna pick up a Silver Certificate and a Reserve note (not black). They'll be my first Fed 52 decks. These will probably go in the "never to be opened" section of my collection.

Might want to consider picking up a Fed 52 or Gold certificate,  as thats probably the cheapest they'll ever be,  and he said that he will no longer be selling them on the website after the sale. 

[DarkDerp]

And with that I have successfully  harpooned one of my white whales. *humps air*

[Aptombstone]

How long will these last, I wonder. I'm debating whether I should go for this or the sale over at Kings Wild. If this box is still available in two weeks, it'll be easier for me to choose Kings Wild (since that will end sooner).

Thanks for the heads up, I'm gonna pick up a Silver Certificate and a Reserve note (not black). They'll be my first Fed 52 decks. These will probably go in the "never to be opened" section of my collection.

Might want to consider picking up a Fed 52 or Gold certificate,  as thats probably the cheapest they'll ever be,  and he said that he will no longer be selling them on the website after the sale.

I know I know, and it's probably a great investment too, but I've spent so much on cards already this month (stop me if you've ever heard yourself say that) that I just can't bring myself to buy more unless they are at like dirt cheap. And I'm lucky because the Silver Cert. and the Reserve Note are my favorites of the series and they turned out to be the cheapest, not by much, but still.

[Sher143]

How long will these last, I wonder. I'm debating whether I should go for this or the sale over at Kings Wild. If this box is still available in two weeks, it'll be easier for me to choose Kings Wild (since that will end sooner).

Thanks for the heads up, I'm gonna pick up a Silver Certificate and a Reserve note (not black). They'll be my first Fed 52 decks. These will probably go in the "never to be opened" section of my collection.

Might want to consider picking up a Fed 52 or Gold certificate,  as thats probably the cheapest they'll ever be,  and he said that he will no longer be selling them on the website after the sale.

I know I know, and it's probably a great investment too, but I've spent so much on cards already this month (stop me if you've ever heard yourself say that) that I just can't bring myself to buy more unless they are at like dirt cheap. And I'm lucky because the Silver Cert. and the Reserve Note are my favorites of the series and they turned out to be the cheapest, not by much, but still.

I know what you mean. I keep telling myself I've spent far too much already. My logic sometimes doesn't make sense, though. One day, I might be hesitant to buy a $5-10 deck on eBay, the next day, I'm bidding for a $50 deck. 

I wasn't insisting you get them, though. Just thought you'd want to know about the plans to take them off the site after the sale, in case that would somehow affect what you'd buy.

[Don Boyer]

And with that I have successfully  harpooned one of my white whales. *humps air*

Hey - put that air humper back in its holster!  You're scaring the normals! 

I looked at the VB this morning and personally, I wasn't terribly impressed. I have almost all of the decks available for placement in the box, and the ones that I don't have haven't impressed me enough to buy them before now. The gold S&M would impress me enough to buy the box if they hadn't already run the S&M line into the ground with seeminigly infinite colors and reprints on what I consider a blah design. I don't even consider the gold edition worth my time, and that says a lot since I buy almost everything that comes out. That's just how I view it in my own eyes, for my tastes and collection. It's not a bad price overall, especially if you don't have most of those decks. I probably would have supported a more expensive brick with more rare decks in it though.

The sad part is that this VB is probably one of the better ones they made.  First was great, second was almost as great, the rest were lame except for the Vintage Edition, which had people waking up with night sweats it was so good - but it was also a one-of-a-kind contest prize!

[DarkDerp]

What was in the vintage?

[Card Player]

Well my fellow card collectors, the VB(s) have arrived.

Do you want the good news OR the bad news?