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Lotrek wrote: ↑Sat Jun 20, 2020 11:56 amLet’s save the wrath for someone who really gives it away...

Angry mob checklist for beginners:

1. pitchfork
2. torch soaked in fuel

I'm ready when y'all are, lol...

Something that may help anyone who are worried about damaging the box - I have a solution that could help. I sometimes received decks inside the plastic deck sleeves and some are so tight it is near impossible to open. Find a business card you don’t need, and on the short edge, fold in about the width of the thumb. Insert the fold-in side first facing the flap of the tuck box, pass the length of the flap, start pulling and the folded part of the business card should go between the flap and the deck. Now just keep gently pull the business card until the flap opens up.
If you are concerned it could still do damage, test it on some old decks first.

Any other US backers seeing a stall in the parcel tracking? My latest update was when my parcel left Greece on 6/15. I am so antsy to get this gem!

BaconWise wrote: ↑Wed Jun 24, 2020 10:34 am Any other US backers seeing a stall in the parcel tracking? My latest update was when my parcel left Greece on 6/15. I am so antsy to get this gem!

Not from the US (Canada) but from my previous package from Lotrek, that is the point the tracking has got to for me. Then it shows up at some point down the road.

My tracking shows my package with one more update than yours

BaconWise wrote: ↑Wed Jun 24, 2020 10:34 am Any other US backers seeing a stall in the parcel tracking? My latest update was when my parcel left Greece on 6/15. I am so antsy to get this gem!


Crypt Tracking.jpg

Mine looks same. CT destination.

It's kinda funny; while I wasn't excited at all to get my deck and truely didn't care for the mystery aspect, it changed after I got mine, now I'm pretty excited to see what verdict others have about this deck. The first time I care more about others receiving their deck, haha.

Going through my Facebook feed and someone posted a picture of the tuck. A bit disappointing that they did it but I would have seen it soon anyways.

Any other US backers seeing a stall in the parcel tracking? My latest update was when my parcel left Greece on 6/15. I am so antsy to get this gem!


Takes about 4 days to get to US from Greece when it says “Departure From Outward Office”.Once it says “Receive item at Inward Office” that means it’s in US. Then put the Greek Tracking Number in the USPS tracker and it should pick it up, it did for me. I bought 2, one early and one Late Bird. The Late Bird got here(North Carolina) first. Still waiting on the earlier package, Go figure!

Mine arrived yesterday. (I'm in the Seattle area, so hopefully BaconWise will receive his soon, too.)

At first, I was puzzled. Do I cut the seal? No. No, I do not cut the seal. I pry open the top and....

I like these A LOT. Keep in mind I've been backing Lotrek's stuff ever since Venexiana days. So, I've had the joy of opening and going through each of his previous decks. All of 'em. This one... yeah, it's different enough for me to not be just more of the same ol', same ol'. And, the more I looked at 'em, the more I liked 'em. I went through each of the faces first, and then looked at the back, and the back completely nailed it. Total home run. It matches the fronts perfectly. The overall design aesthetic took a moment to hook me, but it did. Also, as much as I typically hate smooth cards (as opposed to cards with a linen-like finish), these handle really, really well. I very much like the feel. I think if these were with a linen-style finish, they would likely handle perfectly, but the linen effect might detract from the design, which is... tasty as it is. So, I'm fine with the choice to make these smooth.

So, yeah. I think these are pretty damn fine, and I'd nominate the backs for best card backs of the year for this year's DOTY's.

These go on my list (which I still need to compile and post here) of Must Have Decks.

According to my tracking above my package got to the US on June 19. My USPS tracking says that it has not been received by the USPS yet. I would have thought it would show up in the USPS system after 5 days.

Misery loves company. Mine show it left Athens on 19 June. At least M'sia postal service has picked up the tracking. Gah... all the reviews have made the waiting even more painful.

rousselle wrote: ↑Wed Jun 24, 2020 6:24 pmAlso, as much as I typically hate smooth cards (as opposed to cards with a linen-like finish), these handle really, really well. I very much like the feel. I think if these were with a linen-style finish, they would likely handle perfectly, but the linen effect might detract from the design, which is... tasty as it is. So, I'm fine with the choice to make them smooth.

Nice to hear that the decks arrive overseas.

Regarding the finish. It would be a horror - or lets say even more - to apply the used amount of foils on an uneven surface (if pre-embossed stock) and/or it would definitely have a negative influence to the effect of the back design (if embossed after the foil).

Regarding the finish. It would be a horror - or lets say even more - to apply the used amount of foils on an uneven surface (if pre-embossed stock) and/or it would definitely have a negative influence to the effect of the back design (if embossed after the foil).

Well, that was cryptic

I am sorry, it was just laying there for me to pick up while I keep waiting for my decks as well.

You better pick it up before somebody trips over it, haha.
You'll understand when you hold it in your hand.

Got mine in NY today. Honest opinion: not my favorite. I have purchased other near $100 decks from Lotrek and this does not stack up to the others, but I give him credit for trying. I will still continue to support him, but I'm on the fence whether this will stay in my collection or not. I have to think about this.

james001a wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2020 2:51 pm Got mine in NY today. Honest opinion: not my favorite. I have purchased other near $100 decks from Lotrek and this does not stack up to the others, but I give him credit for trying. I will still continue to support him, but I'm on the fence whether this will stay in my collection or not. I have to think about this.

I scroll through this thread time to time while trying not to see spoilers. It's obvious Crypt may have some type of shine to it or so. So is Golden Oath, Venexiana Gold and collector Arabesque decks better to you than Crypt?

Yes, I would put this at the bottom of my Lotrek deck rankings, just above Entertainer which I really did not like at ALL for some reason. To me the Arabesques are the best, as well as the Grotesk signature, Damask Red, Sanctus and I really liked the White Chronos Deck. Unfortunately, I do not have the Venexiana Gold so I cannot compare it in hand.

Wait a sec... I just read a Lotrék ranking without Silk/Fable mentioned in the top3...

james001a wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:01 pm Yes, I would put this at the bottom of my Lotrek deck rankings, just above Entertainer which I really did not like at ALL for some reason. To me the Arabesques are the best, as well as the Grotesk signature, Damask Red, Sanctus and I really liked the White Chronos Deck. Unfortunately, I do not have the Venexiana Gold so I cannot compare it in hand.

@james001a Wow all the way at the bottom? Can I ask what u don’t like about it (without spoiling the mystery for others)?

As I digression I’m actually ok with Entertainer. I like the overall effect from afar, but I find the cold foils too grainy. I prefer the standard Oath GoB to the Entertainer.

Harvonsgard wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:28 pm Wait a sec... I just read a Lotrék ranking without Silk/Fable mentioned in the top3...

@harvonsgard I recall you also weren’t quite wow-ed by the deck. Where would you rank it?

I just unboxed a deck of red silk and I’m loving it so far

Though one since I'm pretty split. The foil aspect of Crypt is on an insane level, imo. Absolute gorgeous. But that's about it.

Silk, Fable and Arabesque are clearly in front of it, hands down. I personally would put the Entertainer above it aswell but I don't own it yet so I can't be certain.
Damask is on on a similar level. It depends which effect/aspect you prefer.
If Oath Standard gold on gold would offer more on the faces (e.g. better more fitting colour scheme, more customized courts, ...) I would put it above Crypt aswell.
If you take overall package (tuck and cards) I see others putting even more decks above it; like e.g. James001a.

To be fair, I did not actually open the deck as I do not break seals unless I have a second deck. At the $100 price point I'm not about to do that. The other decks that I could open by Lotrek without breaking a seal, I did. Someone mentioned I did not put Fable or Silk in my top 3 but they would be higher than this deck. Maybe the deck is amazing on the inside. Hey once you get past my exterior so am I. At least I think so...

james001a wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2020 10:24 pm To be fair, I did not actually open the deck as I do not break seals unless I have a second deck. At the $100 price point I'm not about to do that. The other decks that I could open by Lotrek without breaking a seal, I did. Someone mentioned I did not put Fable or Silk in my top 3 but they would be higher than this deck. Maybe the deck is amazing on the inside. Hey once you get past my exterior so am I. At least I think so...

i'm gettin a little lost here

there's a seal. u need to 'break' it (in some form) to access the cards.

you're ranking it bottom base on the tuck box?

You don't really have to break it. It is easily removable. It's like a stronger post-it.

james001a wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2020 10:24 pm To be fair, I did not actually open the deck

Wait, you rate C R Y P T at the bottom of my decks without having seen it? This deck has a concept behind it. The name itself says everything. It’s a deck you have to break in in order to appreciate it. It’s like seeing a wooden case that has a treasure inside and your reaction is: “Beh, that treasure is crappy. Look at that old wood, these rusty nails. Besides I don’t want to break the lock.”

Rating the deck without looking at the deck is... um... no. Just no.

You don't need to remove the seal *at all*. The top opens easily enough if you just assume it will. Trust me. I opened two of these. (I open 100% of my Lotrek decks and inspect them all, not including the ones produced by known manufacturers.)

If you examine the deck and you don't like it all that much, then we'll just have to disagree. If you don't open the deck and say you don't like it, then your opinion is not based upon anything and there's nothing to agree or disagree upon at all.

I can't wait for more of you to receive your decks and open them up so we can get a juicy, spoiler-free conversation going.

rousselle wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2020 2:09 am Rating the deck without looking at the deck is... um... no. Just no.

You don't need to remove the seal *at all*. The top opens easily enough if you just assume it will.

While this is true, the best is to open the deck from the side, as the seal indicates because there is more to see if you do it this way.

Lotrek wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2020 2:02 am

james001a wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2020 10:24 pm To be fair, I did not actually open the deck

Wait, you rate C R Y P T at the bottom of my decks without having seen it? This deck has a concept behind it. The name itself says everything. It’s a deck you have to break in in order to appreciate it. It’s like seeing a wooden case that has a treasure inside and your reaction is: “Beh, that treasure is crappy. Look at that old wood, these rusty nails. Besides I don’t want to break the lock.”

While I respect all tuckists (or semi-tuckists for those who open duplicates), I love the analogy .

One question though Lotrek - why did you put the sticker there in the first place?
I removed it completely, since... well it's justs a sticker, not even a real seal. Which I would have left there. It leaves no residue per se but you see a slight, very minimal circle, which I assume comes from the cardboard having absorbed some hints of a greasy/oily component of the glue used from the sticker. Nothing too bad.
It makes kinda no sense since it has another closing mechanism.

Harvonsgard wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2020 2:41 am

Lotrek wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2020 2:02 am

james001a wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2020 10:24 pm To be fair, I did not actually open the deck

Wait, you rate C R Y P T at the bottom of my decks without having seen it? This deck has a concept behind it. The name itself says everything. It’s a deck you have to break in in order to appreciate it. It’s like seeing a wooden case that has a treasure inside and your reaction is: “Beh, that treasure is crappy. Look at that old wood, these rusty nails. Besides I don’t want to break the lock.”

While I respect all tuckists (or semi-tuckists for those who open duplicates), I love the analogy .

One question though Lotrek - why did you put the sticker there in the first place?
I removed it completely, since... well it's justs a sticker, not even a real seal. Which I would have left there. It leaves no residue per se but you see a slight, very minimal circle, which I assume comes from the cardboard having absorbed some hints of a greasy/oily component of the glue used from the sticker. Nothing too bad.
It makes kinda no sense since it has another closing mechanism.

I noticed that most people were trying to open the deck from the top and I wanted to direct them to open it from the side. Of course it’s very hard to turn non-openers into normal people and they’ll still find a way to ignore or avoid touching a seal but at least I tried!
Some of the low number decks have a seal on the top flap too but I figured I was getting brutal so I left the side one.

Wouldn't you convince people that are hesitant to break/remove seals easier to open the deck from the side by simply having no seal. At least that's what I would think.
But, what do I know about tuckists... .