Free Comic Book Day

Traditionally, the first Saturday of May is Free Comic Book Day. however, due to concerns about large crowds, the sponsors have pushed it back to August 14. However, since we are loath to mess with tradition, we will offer a small selection of books from previous years. Get one form coming in, one with your Preferred Customer Card and 1 for each stamp you earn on your Castle Card.

Dungeons and Dragons as Therapy

 

An article in our local newspaper one again reminded me just how far Dungeons and Dragons has come since the days of Jack Chick’s Dark Dungeons tract. Although the store never had any protests in our early years, I do remember one of our (former) customers who decided to abandon the darkness of Dungeons and Dragons protesting the game at a game convention in town in the early 1990s and sending a letter to the local newspaper telling readers how evil the game was and how his 1^st edition books had screamed when he burnt them.  I used to have the letter laminated and posted on the wall of the store. Sadly, it got lost when we moved a decade or so ago.  Still Dungeons and Dragons remained a niche interest. Even during the late 90s Pokemon boom, parents bringing their children in for cards commented on how the store was “not what they expected” and that they never would have come in if their kids did not want cards.

Contrast that with today, when shows like Stranger Things incorporate Dungeons and Dragons as a major part of the storyline, celebrities play D&D and educators recognize it as a method by which younger players can improve their reading, math and problem solving skills https://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/40166/rolling-initiative-six-reasons-you-should-play-dungeons-dragons However a recent front page article in my local newspaper struck me with just how “mainstream” the game has become .

A counselor for Centerstone,  a local facility offering outpatient services for those experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues, noticed the ways that friends on the autism spectrum has been helped through playing RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons. That, along with reading about other therapeutic programs using mechanics similar to Dungeons and Dragons’ character building and dice rolling, led her to create a virtual Dungeons and Dragons group for therapy. From the press release announcing the group, the councilor who developed the program, Dani LaPLant, said “From playing D&D even outside of a therapeutic context, I’ve seen the way it can serve people as a comforting creative outlet. A D&D group provides a safe environment for people to talk through and process relationship issues, grievances and successes, and can even help boost self-esteem.”

During the course of the game, LaPlant takes personal details from client’s histories and weaves them in to their characters’ histories and the world and story they create. Such things could be something such as a place the player misses visiting during quarantine or a previous life situation they want to revisit through the character’s viewpoint rather than their own. Unlike a more traditional Dungeons and Dragons game though, if a character “dies” during the game, the player briefly removes the character from play, then, after a short respite, brings it back into the game. Though similar Dungeons and Dragons based therapy groups can be found in larger cities, LaPlant says finding such a program is very unusual in a comparatively small town like ours.

Next time you sit down at the table and pick up dice and pencil (or laptop), remember how far the game has come. Actually, don’t remember. After all, you are there to have fun.

Sherlock Files

The store recently started stocking The Sherlock Files  from Indie Board and Cards, the same company that publishes The Resistance and Coup, both of which  have sold hundreds of copies for us  over the years. I thought it would be similar to Clue when I first read the description but it has more similarity to the recent spate of “puzzle room” games that have hit the market. There are three sets currently on the market and each set contains three single play cases. To play, players open the deck for that game, read the set up and then take turns playing cards on the table. Each card contains a clue and players have to decide if the clue is relevant or irrelevant to the case. Relevant cards stay in the game, irrelevant ones get discarded. When the deck is exhausted, the players then discuss the case and clues, with the ability to refer to the relevant clues .

 However, they can only use what they remember from the cards discarded as irrelevant.  Players then complete a checklist of villain, motive, method, etc. . Once they complete the list, they refer to the case guide again and score 2 points for each correct answer and subtract 1 point for each irrelevant card deemed relevant.  It is a fun game for those who like puzzle solving and suitable for 1 to 8 players.  Each case is, as noted above, only playable once, unless you are really good at forgetting, the clues, and the designer only used the Sherlock name to indicate the theme of the game, as Holmes, Watson and Mrs. Hudson make no appearance. Still, we have been pleasantly surprised by its sales and will keep it in stock.  

Long Comic Boxes

 We are shifting the comic boxes we use to store our back issues in from corrugated cardboard to corrugated plastic. That means we have some leftover cardboard long comic boxes. We have about 5 that  have some damage to them that are free on the table in the front room and some more that have little or no damage for $4 each in the back room Get them before someone else does.

Strixhaven Promo Packs

According to WOTC we now expect the Strixhaven Promo Packs to arrive this week. We have a list of those who prepaid for booster boxes and each will receive one promo pack per box purchased.

Strixhaven Draft Boosters

 Geez, WOTC is having an interesting time with Strixhaven boosters. WOTC has already told stores that draft booster will be allocated greatly to start and now we were told earlier this week that we would not be getting that allocation until Monday. Appears we will get it tomorrow now so should have enough to cover pre-orders of Draft boosters.

Batman/Fortnite

 We have already sold out of our issues of Batman/Fortnight #1. If you would like to get on the list for subsequent issues, which will also include codes, please ask at the register.

Used D&D

 To complement the used boardgames that went out today, we traded for a stack of 5th edition D&D books. Campaign books, except for a copy of the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. You can see the books here and come check them out tomorrow.

Used Boardgames

 Just got in a stack of used board games. Processing them and will put them out on the shelf tomorrow. You can see the list of a good number of the used boardgames and some of the RPGs we have in stock by clicking on this link

New Games Workshop

 Here is the new GW releasing next Saturday. Just a note that GW capped us on most of these items and we have sold out of our allotment of  Be'Lakor, the Dark Master

Broken Realms: Be’Lakor   • Narrative expansion for Warhammer Age of Sigmar, following Be’lakor’s schemes as he tries to reclaim the favour of the Dark Gods of Chaos... • Includes 6 linked battleplans, and rules for areas in Ghyran, Shyish and Chamon • Battletome updates for 7 Age of Sigmar factions: Stormcast Eternals, Fyreslayers, Disciples of Tzeentch, Seraphon, Kharadron Overlords, Nighthaunt, and Slaves to Darkness • Includes Warscroll Battalions for the The Celestial Stampede, Atra’zan’s Blazing Cavalcade, Drongon’s Aether-Runners and The Sorrowmourn Choir products (80-36) US $40/ CAN $50 For sale in your shop on Saturday 4-24-21

Be’Lakor, The Dark Master   • 1 multipart, plastic Citadel Miniature, nearly 7" tall • Can be used in both Warhammer Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000 with basing options for both • Includes 2 arm and 3 head options • A fan favourite and a must have for any fan of Chaos   (97-19) US $140/ CAN $170 For sale in your shop on Saturday 4-24-21

Broken Realms: The Celestial Stampede • Contains 3 plastic Citadel Miniatures, at excellent value • 2x Stegadon / Engine of the Gods and 1x Bastiladon • Warscroll Battalion in Broken Realms: Be’Lakor • Approx 37% added value (88-17) US $130/ CAN $160 For sale in your shop on Saturday 4-24-21

Broken Realms: The Sorrowmourn Choir Contains 19 plastic Citadel Miniatures, at excellent value 1x Lady Olynder, 10x Dreadscythe Harridans and 8x Myrmourn Banshees Warscroll Battalion in Broken Realms: Be’Lakor Approx 36% added value   (91-40) US $90/ CAN $110 For sale in your shop on Saturday 4-24-21

Broken Realms: Atra’Zan’s Blazing Cavalcade Contains 31 plastic Citadel Miniatures, at excellent value 1x Burning Chariot of Tzeentch, 10x Pink Horrors, 10x Blue Horrors, 10x Brimstone Horrors Warscroll Battalion in Broken Realms: Be’Lakor Approx 55% added value   (83-99) US $80/ CAN $100 For sale in your shop on Saturday 4-24-21

Broken Realms: Drongon’s Aether-Runners Contains 7 plastic Citadel Miniatures, at excellent value 1x Endrinmaster with Dirigible Suit and 6x Skywardens / Endrinriggers. Warscroll Battalion in Broken Realms: Be’Lakor Approx 55% added value   (84-45) US $80/ CAN $100 For sale in your shop on Saturday 4-24-21

Nighthaunt: Krulghast Cruciator Hero and Leader for use in Nighthaunt armies Optional multi-purchase unit for Nighthaunt customers Contains 1 single pose, multipart plastic miniature   (91-50) US $35/ CAN $45 For sale in your shop on Saturday 4-24-21

Stormcast Eternals: Gardus Steel Soul Iconic Stormcast Eternal Hero from Black Library’s Hallowed Knights series – a true fan-favourite Depicted recreating the cover art of Black Pyramid Contains 1 single pose, multipart plastic miniature Includes choices for helmeted or unhelmeted

New Games Workshop

New Games Work shop goes on sale tomorrow. We have the new White Dwarf, New Spike Magazine, Blood Bowl Black Orc and Imperial Noblility teams and cards, Ademptus Titanicus and the Book of Rust.

Strixhaven Pre-release

 If you preordered your pre-release kits for Strixhaven, you may pick them up tomorrow. In addition to the kit, you will receive 1 Strixhaven draft booster and one random Magic Promo pack. If you pre ordered a Strixhaven Set booster box you may pick it up tomorrow, along with the buy it by the box card and one Magic promo pack. A limited number of Commander decks and additional Set booster boxes are available as well. We have "sold out" of pre-release kits however.

WOTC In-store Play Update

 In store play restrictions on Magic play have been lifted in Japan and Africa but still stay in place in North America until May 14th

As of April 14, 2021, the in-store play suspension in North America, Latin America, and Europe will remain in place.

The suspension has been lifted in Japan and will be lifted in Africa on May 1.

The next update will come on May 12.

Cardboard Card Box Prices

 We have not raised our prices on cardboard storage boxes for several years but the latest shipment of card storage boxes has increased in price as has most cardboard and plastic. The price on the card storage boxes has increased by 50 cents on the single long box and by $1 on the shoebox and larger boxes.

Strixhaven Commander Decks

 A case of 5 Strixhaven Commander decks is $199.99. We are getting 4 sets in this Friday and have 3 spoken for already. let us know quickly if you want the one remaining one.

Strixhaven Status

 We are sold out of Strixhaven draft booster boxes for pickup on April 23. You may still prepay for them but will have to wait for a later shipment. Only 15 pre-release kits for Strixhaven left.

Magic In Store Play

 Here is the latest from WOTC regarding in store play. Basically, stores in North America currently cannot run sanctioned in-store events. We cannot report any sanctioned events to WOTC and cannot run an in-store pre-release tournament, even unsanctioned. Unsanctioned pre-release events are banned because pre-release materials can only be used at official pre-release events and the only official pre-release event is the Strixhaven Pre-release at home. Ergo, you can get the pre-release kit and run an even at home, but not here.

Pokemon

 More Pokemon arriving tomorrow.. Not sure what but looks like an assortment of Shining Fates and Battle Styles sets.

Funkoverse Games

 We never brought in any of the Funko boardgames, since the POP figures included with the games are not full size figures. However, if you are a POP collector and are looking for some of the small POP figures, or just want to try out the game, we have sever in the used game section now:  Batman, Harry Potter, Rick and Morty and The Golden Girls. I would love to see the Golden Girls go up against a few of Batman's villains.

Strixhaven Allocations

 For some reason, WOTC  has under produced Strixhaven Draft boosters and we have gotten severely allocated on them. Currently, it looks as if we will receive one case upon release.  Plenty of Set and Collector boosters, of course, but draft boosters will be highly limited.

Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC) Day 2021

 DCC Day is June 26 and we have just signed up for this year's DCC Day kits. We will have 20 copies of the free DCC Day 2021 Adventure Pack and 20 of the $9.99 DCC Day 2021 Limited Edition Adventure

What’s inside the DCC Day 2021 Adventure Pack? This FREE title has three new adventures inside: “Temple Siege” for DCC by Julian Bernick, “Fathoms Beneath Witch Isle” for DCC Dying Earth by Marc Bruner, and “The Neverwhen Rock” for MCC by Bob Brinkman.

DCC Day #2: Beneath the Well of Brass is an all-new level 0 adventure by Harley Stroh. This $9.99 module is only available at participating DCC Day stores!

Strixhaven Cut off Date

 If  you want to preorder Strixhaven at our pre-order prices, we will need you to put in your order and payment by next Sunday, April 11. Draft boxes are $109.99, Set boxes are $129.99 and Collector booster boxes are $274.99. Pre-release kits are $25 and you will need to select which School you want. We are limiting your choice to a total of 2 from each school, so you can order up to 10 kits but only 2 of each type. You can pick up your pre-release kits and Set boosters on April 16, while the other Strixhaven items can be picked up on the 23rd. WOTC has told us that draft boosters will be short supply for the first couple of weeks after the release date.

Pokemon

 Pokemon is still move briskly here. We still have a couple of gift boxes with more arriving this week and 2 of the Battle Styles Pre-release kits. No idea when more will be arrive.

Great Games for Great Grades Program

 Received an email from someone complaining about the pictures of kids we post on the store website who receive store credit from our "Great Games for Great Grades" program. They were not bothered about pictures of the kids on the website (We always get permission and NEVER tag them or use their names). Nope, the problem was that the kids in pictures from the past all have masks and the emailer was complaining about us "dehumanizing" the people in the pictures.

Of course, the person who emailed us through the store website included a fake email address so we were unable to respond to them.

Magic Decks

 Wow, we are seeing a lot of interest in Magic Intro and other decks from WOTC this month. We are working on bring in more decks and even found some of the Arena starters so will have them in stock next week.