Ark Light Series [KS Sept. 7]

[hsbc]

REBIRTH - white/purple

The design adopts the shape of the leaves and the writhing posture of flames, extending outward from a central point. Inspired by the tree of life. It symbolizes hope and the beginning of new life.


Gorgeous purple-gold/platinum-gold color scheme
Limited to 1000 decks, with unique numbered code
Gilded version limited to 100 decks, with unique numbered code
Pearl paper imported from Germany, with a delicate and bright texture
Double 3D embossed tuck box
Printed in Taiwan
Crushed stock

REMINISCE

The original intention for this deck of Playing Cards was to pursue the purest state of the playing cards themselves. The design adopts the style of playing cards from 1831 to 1870. During this period, playing cards had moved away from and lost the label of being ‘toys of the Nobles’, and adopts a mainly graphical design. At the time, the convenient ‘corner indices’ and ‘Symmetrical Court Cards’ have not been adopted. This deck maintains the visuals of the primeval playing cards.


Renaissance art style
Limited to 1000, with unique numbered code
Gilded version limited to 100 decks, with unique numbered code
German imported pearl paper with a delicate and bright texture
3D embossed gilded tuck box
Printed in Taiwan
Crushed stock

VERTICAL

The design is inspired by the visual image of ‘criss-cross weaves’. The tuck box adopts an all-new semi-automatic mechanical box structure with a dynamic single push and pull action for opening and closing the box.

The back of the card is comprised of high-tech-armor-like X patterns and the Vertical LOGO at both ends. Its neat and bold design allows cuts and fans to effectively enhance the visual aspect of your cardistry flourishes.


Innovative semi-automatic mechanical opening and closing tuck box structure
Kurz laser gilding. Shimmering colors from different angles
Limited to 1000, with unique numbered code
Gilded version limited to 100 decks, with unique numbered code
Imported paper stock. Excellent handling and feel
X-shaped design composition. Adept and concise
Printed in Taiwan
Crushed stock

[PiazzaDelivery]

I'm always highly skeptical when a company uses FIRST as a point of differentiation, especially when they're not first.

[MagikFingerz]

I'm always highly skeptical when a company uses FIRST as a point of differentiation, especially when they're not first.

And 3 times, no less.

[GandalfPC]

I hate this company with a passion.

Had another company put out the renaissance style cards, I would be in for them.

Of course no other company would expect me to get a half brick just to get the gilded - and then keep me out of the running for the holo gilded unless I dropped nearly a grand.

I imagine if I looked around in there I could figure out how to get a few decks and perhaps some of the gilded as well for less - but the company and its tactics put me off as a whole so I’m walking away with my wallet intact.

[vasta41]

This campaign seems like it should have been 3 separate campaigns. I like the Rebirth decks so I'm in for 2 standards at the moment but I'll be thinking it over.

[james001a]

Nah. I liked their last KS though they promised me a replacement on my black pearl kingdom deck and keep telling me to wait. So until then, I will not back them anymore. Too confusing anyways.

[STLBluesNut]

i like the rebirth deck but the other 2 are meh. even then, i think it is the pretty awesome tuck that does it, not sure i like the art on the cards a whole lot. i am on the fence with this one. i would probably only do a purple rebirth. the price isnt bad at $12. i am very happy to see more going with the bottom deck seals though! please become a collecting deck standard.

[MagikFingerz]

My initial thoughts on the decks, company aside:

Rebirth: Back design looks like a cheaper version of Encarded's Aurum. Nothing inherently wrong with it, but nothing stands out. Nice courts, though.

Reminisce: Back design is unique and colorful, looks like it would work well being foiled (which it isn't). Faces are terrible IMO, both visually and thematically. I wouldn't expect to see this type on anything other than vintage reprints, because they're not aesthetically pleasing IMO. And why would you use face cards with no indices and one-way courts on a deck supposedly made for cardistry??

Vertical: Very reminiscent of the fairly recent Tempo decks. Nothing that stands out here either, but why would they bother when they have an "innovative semi-automatic mechanical opening and closing tuck box structure" as a selling point?

[Entaro]

This campaign seems like it should have been 3 separate campaigns. I like the Rebirth decks so I'm in for 2 standards at the moment but I'll be thinking it over.

This is exactly what I thought, the decks don't match styles

[Strag]

They just released a new add-on with what must be a record, a whopping TWELVE colour variants (in addition to the two already released) of the ARK Rebirth deck. In a Walnut box for the low price of $199 plus shipping. Clearly going to set the record for most variants in a single campaign. Stuff like this is not good for the hobby.

[Decknowledgy]

Clearly going to set the record for most variants in a single campaign. Stuff like this is not good for the hobby.

Unless you know they're the same company as TCC, and you don't give 2 farts about these variants.
Cash grab has always been at the core of their value. I'd advise just get the decks that interest you and move on to better things.

[STLBluesNut]

at least they recolored the card backs as well. getting the set is not for me. i still am on the fence about ordering the white one that i do like.

i just thought about this though while i was in the middle of thinking about how 12 variants was ridiculous and this set was ridiculous. there are many people that buy bricks of THE SAME DECK, at least this is 12 different-ish decks. so if you are into buying bricks, you cant really poo poo on this too much.

[shermjack]

It's just a variation/spin-off of the Luxury T-Sword Series, which was emulating Alex Chin's prototype Elixir decks...TCC = ARK Playing Cards

[Strag]

Yup it's very much Luxury T vibe, think it's another TCC clone/spin-off. Anyway, the whole thing is way too huge with too many variants so I am out

[Entaro]

This is nuts lol already should have been three different campaigns and they come in and add like ten more decks? Lol get outta here every campaign they do is like $1000 to get every deck

[Daisho]

This is nuts lol already should have been three different campaigns and they come in and add like ten more decks? Lol get outta here every campaign they do is like $1000 to get every deck

He is not lying. As much as I am okay with these decks, I have better things to spend $700 on.



That is the bare minimum for this campaign to get one of each deck, including the gilded.

[Strag]

$130 shipping is an impressive amount.

[Entaro]

That's not even one of each right? To get the 12 colors of the one deck you gotta pay for that box set which is only available as an add on right?

[Daisho]

That is with the limited series add-on, the "Ark Rebirth Exclusive Limited Edition Wa" is the walnut box with the 12 different colors... I think.

This campaign was so complex I could write a full dissertation on it. And even that would still be easier to understand than this campaign.

[Decknowledgy]

This campaign is fulfilling atm, but I want to ask, has anyone been asked of their personal ID number?

Artisan aka TCC just messaged me asking for my ID number because of shipping, and I was shipping to Taiwan. Back when I used to ship to UK with their projects, or any other projects hosted in Hong Kong, I have never been asked to provide my private information just for "shipping's" sake. This is a pretty odd scenario.

[Eric Lee]

That is very unusual. Geopolitics getting that bad that it's actually affecting shipping now? Hope not the case.

[vasta41]

I'm not sure how it works in other countries but there are no such things as "ID numbers" in the US. Social Security numbers, yes. And drivers license numbers. But neither of those 2 numbers have anything to do with shipping playing cards and therefore should not be given out.

This confuses me more than their campaign. And that's saying something.

[Harvonsgard]

In Europe passports and ID cards have a specific number.

[Cardamon]

In Europe passports and ID cards have a specific number.

Still not something that relates to shipping. So it feels off

[Decknowledgy]

I'm still waiting for their reply and will give an update when I get one.

However, there may also be a chance that the Taiwanese customs have tightened their control over the goods that are shipped from China, because between 2019 and now there were multiple accounts of people and packages smuggling Chinese pork sausages that carry African Swine Flu into Taiwanese borders for no apparent reason, and Taiwanese pork is basically swine flu free. Many of these packages are from anonymous senders or that the buyer in Taiwan never ordered pork sausages in the first place but it was included "as a free gift" in their parcel...

"Chinese pork snacks found in Taiwan amid African swine fever fears"
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4171462

[vasta41]

I'm still waiting for their reply and will give an update when I get one.

However, there may also be a chance that the Taiwanese customs have tightened their control over the goods that are shipped from China, because between 2019 and now there were multiple accounts of people and packages smuggling Chinese pork sausages that carry African Swine Flu into Taiwanese borders for no apparent reason, and Taiwanese pork is basically swine flu free. Many of these packages are from anonymous senders or that the buyer in Taiwan never ordered pork sausages in the first place but it was included "as a free gift" in their parcel...

"Chinese pork snacks found in Taiwan amid African swine fever fears"
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4171462

You better hope OPC/RiffleShuffle never releases a "Porkers" deck or you'll probably never get it.

[Decknowledgy]

An update on the shipping situation. Per my last message, I was asking them to identify which party is asking for personal IDs, but still didn't specify and only vaguely said that it was the logistic company, and the it was asking for the recipient's ID. But when I said I'll request the decks to be sent to UK, no ID is needed anymore, just local number. All I can see is that the issue seems to be regional, but I can't tell whether it's the Hong Kong side or Taiwan side that's asking for the ID.

(No way I'm gonna easily hand out sensitive personal info just like that...)

[hsbc]

[brownsl]

Thanks for the photos! If anyone knows where to get these let me know. I like the rebirth and reminisce decks.

[Eric Lee]

So glad I dropped my pledge to just the Rebirth deck. The best looking of the lot IMHO. Now that they're fulfilling , you'll probably find them soon on the online retailers.