From: bobmohney@aol.com (Bob Mohney) Newsgroups: rec.games.trading-cards.misc Subject: Re: [METW] rarity issues Date: 16 Apr 1997 15:07:02 GMT Greetings to everybody, Bob Mohney at ICE here, I have been following the discussion, and thought it best that ICE respond to some the issues that have been raised here. While I can't go into a lot of specifics (there are many issues yet to be worked out here), let me say that ICE has been aware of the issues raised in this discussion for some time. Having too many commons is indeed an issue that ICE is concerned about, and is looking to solve with the release of Against the Shadow in August. First off, where Lidless Eye is concerned, there will be a window in the back of the box so that you can tell which of the five fixed sets is in each pack. This should save people a great deal of time and money trying to get all of the fixed cards. We are also planning on there being 12 uncommons in each starter, which should help people a little as well. Boosters for Lidless Eye use the same 1/4/10 mix that our last releases have. Though going to a 2 rare booster was discussed, it came too late in the process to inform stores, distributors, etc., all of which had based orders on a 1/4/10 ratio. Consequently, we could not have made such a move without angering many of our own merchants. With Against the Shadow, however, such a move may well be possible. Though the details have not been finalized, ICE will probably move to a 2 rare per booster mix, and may well shrink the pack size. We would like to lessen the burden that people have to pay to get a complete set. Unfortunatly, this may not lead to a reduction in the price of a booster as some people have suggested we do. ICE pays a hefty royalty to the Tolkien Estate for the use of Middle-earth, and we have to make sure we can meet our payments to them (indeed, it is very intersting that WotC has raised their booster prices to meet ours, when they do not pay anyone a royalty for Magic). That is about all I can say for now. Over the next few months, you should see ICE address a number of your concerns. Thanks for your time, Bob Mohney Iron Crown Enterprises Events Dirctor