Foiliage

 A couple things happened which led to the post today. First, 401games was having a sale on foil MTG cards of 15% off which was good enough excuse to pick up some cheap missing cards on that end. Second, I received two different "$5 off" items in my Shop app which didn't require anything more than to use them in an order. Since I could order from 401games through the app and do by pick up, this led to a couple quick pick ups for those $5 each amounts, and I used those on a couple more expensive cards I wouldn't normally pay that price for.

Side note - I did check and at least the price of the cards through Shop was the same as the direct purchase price on the website in case you were wondering. Not sure if that would always be the case, but that's what I found here.

The two cards I picked up for basically $5 each, but for which I paid nothing were the Flute and Mightstone (top left and middle left above. The Shop app is not my favourite, and I am not necessarily a big fan of it, but I have done a few orders through it from a few vendors and each time, only when there are Shop related sales - I mean, why pay more directly at the website when the app is cheaper - at least as a consumer. I do wonder how much the app helps or hurts the LCS on them - maybe you open to a larger market with being on the app, but how do the sales/discounts in the app hinder the LCS? I have no idea, but would be curious where the cost goes and if they end up ahead.

As you can see from the varying level of quality scans, the foil can make for interesting scans, but trust me, cards all look fine in hand!

Junktroller - enjoy the flavour text - One man's trash is another man's troller - very nice.

I will allow the retro border subsets (or inserts - not sure how they really classify as they are numbered as a continuation of the base set, but I think are inserted to packs more like inserts), though with the foil, they scan with almost a red tint to them instead of brown. Still, the throwback will always get my thumbs up - artifacts are supposed to be brown border, not silver.

A picked up a bunch from more recent sets because generally, the foil cards are a bit more expensive right off the bat and then settle down in price, so good to get them on the drop down but while the quantities are still readily available. The price may never bump up much, but quantities do dwindle out from stores, at least with 401, over a couple years. They do get a bunch of cards traded in for old sets which come available, but then it's a matter of checking often and picking them up as they come in, doable, but not as easy.

We end with some more retro frames, and a few more foil cards from Final Fantasy into the collection. Not that I really felt the need for a Blitzball, but the traumatic reminder of the in game....game....well, it's something to go with the card.

It took me a while to really get the Blitzball game in Final Fantasy, and I can't say it was "good", but honestly, I don't think they will ever top the card game in Final Fantasy VIII. I didn't play a lot of VII, so I can't compare it specifically, but anyone with better knowledge/experience with the card game in VII, would be curious on the comparison to Triple Triad from VIII.

A great bunch of cards, and another thumbs up for my experience with 401games.