please explain deck variants to me

[mtsedwards72]

Hullo, hullo! Sincere newbie question for you. I am not being facetious; I really want to know:

What is the purpose of buying decks with same faces but different card backs? Is it just a collector-y thing to do? Or a cardistry thing?

Context: I wanted to scoop up a copy of Stockholm 17's Gemini deck (because I'm a Gemini) but then found out that it had 3 different variants. Upon deeper research, it seems all three variants have the same faces. So if I wanted a copy, do I just choose which back I find the most aesthetically pleasing? Or should I invest in all 3?

Addendum: I am not so much a neophyte that I'm totally ignorant of the whole "multiple deck options" thing. But I'm trying to be fiscally responsible and only scoop up one copy of every deck I fancy. This is hard to do, however, because the FOMO is real, folks! And when I see Kickstarters selling 3 copies each of 3 variants, I get all kinds of discombobulated. Is there something I'm missing?

[kevork]

My advice is to only get things you like. A recent poll by Wondercraft Cards found that for collectors, the most important thing is the card backs, so you will find many collectors who will be swayed one way or the other simply on the card backs alone. If the collecting bug enters your veins, you may find that compulsion to collect complete sets. Only you can decide the level of restraints you want to put on your collecting.

But who am I to say? I have a severe case of completionitis.

[GandalfPC]

Get what you like and gladly pass the rest by.

“Invest” makes some bold assumptions, “Collect” knows few bounds - you will have to find your own happy place depending on what you enjoy and value

[mtsedwards72]

But who am I to say? I have a severe case of completionitis.

See, that's what I'm trying to avoid. I do have a strong tendency toward completionitis, but if I can beat it in the tarot collecting world, I can certainly nip it in the bud in the playing card collecting world. Wish me luck!

[mtsedwards72]

Get what you like and gladly pass the rest by.

“Invest” makes some bold assumptions, “Collect” knows few bounds - you will have to find your own happy place depending on what you enjoy and value

Explain, please? Do you mean "investing" implies an imagined and therefore false value? And "collect" implies acquisition in its insidious worst? If so, then I agree, which is why I'm trying to create personal boundaries as I dive into this new card realm.

Oh, and I PM-ed you about the thing, Gandalf. Did you get it?

[GandalfPC]

Don’t see the PM - I’ll hit you with one - as for investing and collecting, thats close enough to the meaning to get the job done

[Harvonsgard]

Is it just a collector-y thing to do?

Long story, short; you've answered your question right there.

The sane and fiscially responsible thing to do, is indeed to get only what really sings to you and slay the completist in you. I'm the former (but that's what an insane person would claim, too) but definitely not the later so I still get multiple versions as I find it sometimes hard to pick a clear favorite. For example I still am undecided which TWI Fantasma to get since I prefer the cards of one edition but the tuckbox of another one. I think in this case I will end with having either all or nothing .

[VillainousIndustries]

As someone with a small collection myself, I only buy to either support the creator i like (used to be EmilySleights52, not so much anymore, but smaller first time creators get my support if I like the deck) I just get things I like the look of.

I don't play a lot of games with playing cards (MTG is another story), nor am I a magician, or a cardist, so they just sit on a shelf in the tuck cases, so I usually go for what tuck cases look cool, and then if the deck looks cool it's a bonus. (I also barely collect any traditional faced decks)

However, if the deck has gone out of its way to do something different, I'll usually go for it.

I personally prefer the darker stuff, so decks that deal with the occult, macabre, gore, evil, demonic shizz, that's my jam.

I'm currently hoping to one day get an uncut sheet of The Ultimate Stranger deck.
(I know they're available but I can't justify getting it at the moment lol)

Sorry in advance for the long winded and overly wordy response. (ADHD lol)

Go for what you like!

Be wary of noobtraps, and have fun.

There's so many decks out there, and so many more to be made.

Always go with your gut.

[mtsedwards72]

As someone with a small collection myself, I only buy to either support the creator i like (used to be EmilySleights52, not so much anymore, but smaller first time creators get my support if I like the deck) I just get things I like the look of.

I don't play a lot of games with playing cards (MTG is another story), nor am I a magician, or a cardist, so they just sit on a shelf in the tuck cases, so I usually go for what tuck cases look cool, and then if the deck looks cool it's a bonus. (I also barely collect any traditional faced decks)

However, if the deck has gone out of its way to do something different, I'll usually go for it.

I personally prefer the darker stuff, so decks that deal with the occult, macabre, gore, evil, demonic shizz, that's my jam.

I'm currently hoping to one day get an uncut sheet of The Ultimate Stranger deck.
(I know they're available but I can't justify getting it at the moment lol)

Sorry in advance for the long winded and overly wordy response. (ADHD lol)

Go for what you like!

Be wary of noobtraps, and have fun.

There's so many decks out there, and so many more to be made.

Always go with your gut.

Ohh, I love long rambles. Never apologize for wordiness with me; I'm an English teacher/write/avid reader after all. And I shall reply in kind:

I think I'm the exact opposite of you in that I'd rather have cool decks than cool tuckboxes. Because I'm currently confining my collection to two photographer cases, the tucks are a moot point for me. I'd rather pull out a deck and be assured of unique courts and pips. Variety is my kryptonite, as is being a completionist (but I'm trying really hard to get over being the latter).

[Maybower]

First off, let's talk vibe. A great solitaire deck isn't just about the cards themselves, it's about the whole package, you feel me? It's gotta have that vibe that speaks to you, makes you wanna shuffle those cards up and get lost in the game.

Next up, we gotta talk about the feel of the cards. Ain't nothing worse than a deck that feels like you're shuffling a stack of cardboard, am I right? Nah, you want cards that feel smooth as butter in your hands, like they were made for you and you alone.

And of course, we can't forget about the design. I'm talking about artwork that pops, that makes you wanna stare at the cards even when you're not playing. Whether it's classic designs or something totally out there, it's gotta be eye-catching.

[rousselle]

If you have the means, the answer to any playing card-related question that starts, "Should I buy...?" is yes.