Chronos by Lotrek (Oath Playing Cards)

[hsbc]

more important things in life

More important than cards?!?

[RWPPFFShuffle]

More important than cards?!?

Haha, right? Blasphemy, I know. To be serious though, I'm trying to balance work and school and trying to have a social life in my 30s, and a recent death in the family along with the regular chaos around the holidays doesn't leave much time to keep up with releases or to sit at a computer at 7am constantly refreshing a webpage. It's nice to look forward to something being released and actually being able to get it, rather than seeing that "Sold Out" tag.

[Harvonsgard]

I couldn’t agree more. Always nice to have stuff from the original seller available for longer. Great to hear that Lotrék plans to do more of this.

[Eric Lee]

This is a good trend to see. First JR announced that he'll always have at least 3 flagship decks for sale at standard prices. Now Lotrek is doing that as well. Can't wait to see more individual producers follow this rather than play the rarity/ LE game. (Yes, I'm referring to Ellusionist and the cardistry brands here; Fontaines, Any1, etc.)

[Bradius]

While Lotrek will have a few decks readily available on his website (I agree that this is a very good thing also), he will always be producing low run editions of very expensive decks. It is what he does to challenge himself as an artist. I think that is also a great thing. I can't wait to see some of those wonders. I just like that you can collect really great decks by Lotrek without having to spend insane amounts. Of course, you can (and will) spend insane amounts if you want many of his custom foil pieces.

[Harvonsgard]

... he will always be producing low run editions of very expensive decks. It is what he does to challenge himself as an artist. I think that is also a great thing.

Agreed. I would say though, that this limitation is not due to artificial scarcity. It is mainly due to limits in capacity with his workshop and the complex process that comes with producing the cards for his more bells and whistles decks. I think if he could, he would bring these decks as well in larger quantities and for lower prices, but with test runs and everything experiment in mind it's just not possible. At least that is what I make myself believe .

Scrape expensive though. Seeing what goes for similar prices these days, I consider Lotrék decks as steal deals now

[Eric Lee]

Scrape expensive though. Seeing what goes for similar prices these days, I consider Lotrék decks as steal deals now

After seeing Exquiste Fortuna going for $85 for EPCC's triple foil breakthrough, I'm inclined to agree that Lotrek decks are now reasonably priced (not quite a steal yet), since 4-5 foils on 1 card was something which Lotrek achieve in 2018 .

[Harvonsgard]

(not quite a steal yet)

My comments are mostly a bit exaggorated . In all seriousness though; Lotrék decks imo were and are always reasonable and fair priced for what they are. Some were/are steep of course, but artisan craftwork costs its money. Maybe I'm too biased and too forgiving towards Lotrék, but seeing what some companies pull of makes the steal deal comment halfway true.

[RWPPFFShuffle]

Finally got to really handle my Chronos Collector's Edition. The borders are ever so slightly uneven, but pretty thankful none of the cards have major registration issues like PrincessTrouble's. The stock is definitely...something. It's sparkly, which I didn't expect, and really soft and snappy, but it feels...I guess the word is fragile? Like, I don't really want to touch the cards too much for fear that they'll just fall apart or something. I'm not too used to Lotrek's decks, and the stock was something I was curious about, but I definitely won't be handling this deck very much. With that being said though, I love everything else about it, and now I'm REALLY excited for the Players Edition, especially with the news that it'll have a different (maybe better?) paper stock. Can't wait for those!

[Harvonsgard]

it'll have a different (maybe better?) paper stock.

Varnish. Stock is the same.

They definetly feel like they have a certain point that you don't wanna cross. I guess that is what you meant by fragile. But I played around with them a lot too, springed them, did flicker shots with them, dribbled them; they hold up pretty dope.

[RWPPFFShuffle]

Ah thanks for the correction. And yeah, maybe not fragile...but delicate? I guess that means the same thing though lol. Maybe it's just something I'm not quite used to. I do really like the thicc Superluxe stock, so maybe just by comparison it feels fragile, but it's not really. I agree they dribble and spring really nice though, very light and springy.

[Harvonsgard]

Ah thanks for the correction. And yeah, maybe not fragile...but delicate? I guess that means the same thing though lol. Maybe it's just something I'm not quite used to. I do really like the thicc Superluxe stock, so maybe just by comparison it feels fragile, but it's not really.

Interesting. I dislike the thicker Superlux because it feels ironicly flimsy and way too soft to me. Cartamundi cards glide like a dream but they are way too soft to really go nuts on them, imo. The lighter Superlux with C9 was great at least in the first generation/batch (touch Origins). I do feel that it is somewhat oily and more flimsy at Ravn III though. Dunno if they toyed around with the varnish/finish or what. Maybe it is all just in my head, LOL.

[irtjames14]

@Lotrek,

Any updates on the shipping for the Black Chronos decks from Black Friday sale? Thanks!

[Bradius]

RWPPFFShuffle, if this is your first Lotrek deck, he tends to use many different stock variations. Silk and Arabesque for instance are going to be more traditional white stock, even a bit heavy. Some of the really early stock is really thick and stiff, like the Grotesk and Imperial Icons decks. The more recent decks are much more normal thickness and such.

[Eric Lee]

@Lotrek,

Any updates on the shipping for the Black Chronos decks from Black Friday sale? Thanks!

You missed his Dec 10 email on the shipping? It was with the Chronos launching announcement. Anyway, resposting that part here:

FULFILLMENT of "CHRONOS" and "LESS"
Well... you know me. I can't help touching here and there in my pursuit of perfection.
Due to the time of the year, our providers are much slower than usual. We only yesterday got the finished tuck cases. This delay tempted me to work a bit on further improving the varnish and I think the result is very good and definitely worth the trouble, time and money (I had to re-varnish all sheets to apply the new formula over the old one).
I usually announce delays due to production issues but this time the delay was caused by an improvement. I believe that Player's Edition handles even better than Collector's edition.

Therefore, fulfillment of CHRONOS will be done at the end of next week.

"LESS" playing card orders are handled by Gambler's Warehouse. They were hoping to send the decks last week but the fulfillment of PARLOUR they're doing seems to be a huge task. In any case the decks will be shipped soon. You will get shipment notification with tracking number.

So this Friday hopefully if nothing happens.

[irtjames14]

@Lotrek,

Any updates on the shipping for the Black Chronos decks from Black Friday sale? Thanks!

You missed his Dec 10 email on the shipping? It was with the Chronos launching announcement. Anyway, resposting that part here:

FULFILLMENT of "CHRONOS" and "LESS"
Well... you know me. I can't help touching here and there in my pursuit of perfection.
Due to the time of the year, our providers are much slower than usual. We only yesterday got the finished tuck cases. This delay tempted me to work a bit on further improving the varnish and I think the result is very good and definitely worth the trouble, time and money (I had to re-varnish all sheets to apply the new formula over the old one).
I usually announce delays due to production issues but this time the delay was caused by an improvement. I believe that Player's Edition handles even better than Collector's edition.

Therefore, fulfillment of CHRONOS will be done at the end of next week.

"LESS" playing card orders are handled by Gambler's Warehouse. They were hoping to send the decks last week but the fulfillment of PARLOUR they're doing seems to be a huge task. In any case the decks will be shipped soon. You will get shipment notification with tracking number.

So this Friday hopefully if nothing happens.

Hmm... I sure do not recall receiving that email.. but thanks for the heads up!

[RWPPFFShuffle]

RWPPFFShuffle, if this is your first Lotrek deck, he tends to use many different stock variations. Silk and Arabesque for instance are going to be more traditional white stock, even a bit heavy. Some of the really early stock is really thick and stiff, like the Grotesk and Imperial Icons decks. The more recent decks are much more normal thickness and such.

Ah, yep, Chronos was the first Lotrek deck I touched (not counting Timeless), and the only other one I have is a Venexiana Revealed. Still a Lotrek nub since they've mostly been outside my price range

[Lotrek]

Blue Oath decks were sent last Wednesday and Chronos will be out this Friday.

[Adonael]

Blue Oath decks were sent last Wednesday and Chronos will be out this Friday.

Woo! Looking forward to the Chronos, I only have space for 4 more decks in my Lotrek shoe box lol. I'm so sorry I have to store these pieces of art in this way ;_; but I have plans oh yes indeed . Fun fact, the white Grotesque and Venexiana decks are from the original Kickstarter campaigns I was a backer of and also some of the first decks I ever had.

[Bikefanatic]

I received my tracking number.

[brownsl]

I received an email that says my order shipped but I did not get a tracking number.

[Lotrek]

Although you're getting shipping notifications now, the decks were sent last week. Tracking numbers will be given upon request (as I always do).

I guess due to the time of the year the delivery may be slower than usual.

[Gonzalo]

Although you're getting shipping notifications now, the decks were sent last week. Tracking numbers will be given upon request (as I always do).

I guess due to the time of the year the delivery may be slower than usual.

Hi, Lotrek,

Can I ask, where did the decks finally ship from? Greece? GW?

Thanks.

[Bradius]

For those asleep, Lotrek and Keller have made some significant improvements to the campaign. The red deck is no longer limited and anyone purchasing another deck during Kickstarter can add on onto their pledge. This still will be a Kickstarter exclusive deck. Those with bricks now will get a 4/4/4 mix, and a new red gilded deck in a special tuck. There is even a great EB for double bricks if you have any money left, but they are nearly gone. Check the latest Kickstarter update for complete information.

Edit: EB double bricks are gone. You can still by a brick at a great price as a tier, which still includes a13th deck.

[Decknowledgy]

Does anyone know what other Lotrek deck uses German 310gsm casino grade stock with Maestro V2 finish?

Chronos or Less Gold/Silver?

[Bradius]

I would prefer the expert to answer that question, Lotrek. It would be great if we could get a comprehensive list of all stocks and finishes, but that would be an insane amount of effort, as it isn't just the main issues, but there are demos and versions that have changes in stock and finish. Suffice it to say, Lotrek is always changing and adapting the stock and finish. I am trying to remember now which deck it was that first used the "Mistro" finish (version 1 I guess). I think that distinction goes to DeNovo. So, any v2 of the "Mistro" finish would be after those decks were created. Again, personally, I don't see Lotrek's finishes in terms of names as much as an evolving effort to improve. I would assume each new deck uses a slightly altered finish.

[Gonzalo]

Although you're getting shipping notifications now, the decks were sent last week. Tracking numbers will be given upon request (as I always do).

I guess due to the time of the year the delivery may be slower than usual.

Hi, Lotrek,

Can I ask, where did the decks finally ship from? Greece? GW?

Thanks.

Never mind. Just received today the Chronos deck from Greece. I take Less will come through GW.

[RichK]

Although you're getting shipping notifications now, the decks were sent last week. Tracking numbers will be given upon request (as I always do).

I guess due to the time of the year the delivery may be slower than usual.

Hi, Lotrek,

Can I ask, where did the decks finally ship from? Greece? GW?

Thanks.

Never mind. Just received today the Chronos deck from Greece. I take Less will come through GW.

Less came to me from GW.

[Bikefanatic]

I received my deck today. It's been a first time in years I had to use my signature for a deck.

Well I didn't throughly check the deck yet, I play a certain game first for me to use and look at all the cards. The deck had a smell to it, tuck looks ok and backs are decent. It's worth the price.

[james001a]

Got it today and it looks fantastic. Looks like Lotek did 500 of them. These are a nice value for the price. But I am such a sucker for black and gold decks! I just love that combination. Anyone else?