Help me understand the difference? (Space Marine Index cards)

[Helias_Tancred]

When 10th edition launched GW released the index cards. Space Marine index cards were some 200 and something in number, with rules for the Gladius detachment. That was a little over 2 months ago, and they were $25.

 

Fast forward to yesterday with the codex and new marine product release. The new pack of space marine index cards are 99 in number, with rules for the Gladius detachment, and an added card with the faction's Combat Patrol rules, AND now they have gold foil on the edges ... $40.

 

So correct me if my Math is wrong (it was lol), but thats an 80%  60% price hike on a product that offers, for all intents and purposes, barely anything new of added value over the same product released slightly over 60 days ago?

 

Am I missing something here in the new marine index cards that would explain this very large price hike?

 

Edited October 1, 2023 by Eilio Tiberius

[WrathOfTheLion]

The packaging is certainly different, with an enclosed, more substantial box, and there's the gold gilding on the edges. So in that regard, there is some material cost increases for them.

 

The index cards, which are still up on the store, has 126 cards. So they're not so different in card count. The dimensions are slightly smaller, at 161.5mmx107.1mm, versus the index cards at 190mmx126mm, which works out to the new ones being 15% smaller in both dimensions.

 

Other than that, they're just more expensive as far as I can tell. I guess it's some combo of increased material costs + wanting to keep profit on that + probably just some price increase/increased expected margin.

Edited October 1, 2023 by WrathOfTheLion

[Helias_Tancred]

You are most definitely giving them the benefit of the doubt lmao. Personally I think they reviewed the sales data for the index cards and decided based on that they could push that retail price 60% higher!

 

I might be a bit jaded? But patterns speak truths too.

[WrathOfTheLion]

4 minutes ago, Eilio Tiberius said:

You are most definitely giving them the benefit of the doubt lmao. Personally I think they reviewed the sales data for the index cards and decided based on that they could push that retail price 60% higher!

 

I might be a bit jaded? But patterns speak truths too.

Functionally that's the same as what I think as far as results. I think it was probably more the other way around where they decided to lower what they'd normally do for the index, and then didn't for the codex ones. My reasoning there being that the Codex card prices are much closer to the AoS warscroll card prices than the index cards were.

 

(AoS Warscroll cards are normally like $35 in the US)

Edited October 1, 2023 by WrathOfTheLion

[Helias_Tancred]

As a non AOS player, I didn't know that?  hmmm does that mean its more fair or that the AoS cards are significantly over-priced too? lol.

 

 

[Lemondish]

Wouldn't surprise me. A business adjusting its pricing to reflect what the market can bear? Big if true.

[WrathOfTheLion]

Just now, Eilio Tiberius said:

As a non AOS player, I didn't know that?  hmmm does that mean its more fair or that the AoS cards are significantly over-priced too? lol.

 

 

Both, depending on your opinion 

 

I think it was expected and thus not surprising, but that they're generally a bit overpriced.

[Dracos]

I’d assumed the simplest answer was the Index Cards were never meant to be more than a temporary game aid until each faction’s codex is released with its “proper” set of cards. 

[Paladin777]

Which I why I made a point to not get the index cards. I prefer to get a bit more longevity out of my purchases than that. 

[Marshal Reinhard]

1 minute ago, Paladin777 said:

Which I why I made a point to not get the index cards. I prefer to get a bit more longevity out of my purchases than that. 

Yeah, stayed the heck away from that. If GW wants me to pay for such cards they bloody well make sure they're gonna  be relevant for the entire edition. Even then it might be debatable if I'd get such a product as the edfition will last all of 3 years? 

 

Printed products that are charged for are just incompatible with the attrition rate due to rule updates, errata and edition changes.

[RWJP]

1 hour ago, Dracos said:

I’d assumed the simplest answer was the Index Cards were never meant to be more than a temporary game aid until each faction’s codex is released with its “proper” set of cards. 

Bingo, this is as simple as it is.

The Index cards were temporary, and GW priced them lower than the price point for their "proper" datacard packs as a result. 

[Helias_Tancred]

1 hour ago, Dracos said:

I’d assumed the simplest answer was the Index Cards were never meant to be more than a temporary game aid until each faction’s codex is released with its “proper” set of cards. 

 

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or not? But the cards are the same. The logic that these are "proper" which warrants a 60% price increase is a crock of foul smelling substance that would make Nurgle proud.

Edited October 1, 2023 by Eilio Tiberius

[Dracos]

Well we haven’t seen the cards side by side yet so I assume there are going to be differences added units rules and the such. 
 

If not then your Index cards should be fine right?

[Forté]

Problem with any cards like the Index or Data cards is as soon as balances happen they're effectively invalidated. Same with datasheets in any codex books.

 

Personally, they should go down the digital route for rules based stuff and make the books all fluff, art, and descriptions of unit types.

 

Even if less people picked up a book they'd likely pick up more models.

[Karhedron]

I suppose we will not see an online version of the Codex cards like we did for the Indices?

[Dracos]

If we did I’d guess Tyranids  would be first and I don’t think I’ve heard a peep 

[Forté]

6 hours ago, Karhedron said:

I suppose we will not see an online version of the Codex cards like we did for the Indices?

No, we won't. The Index's were only for a short time until the Codex for each army invalidates them.

[Helias_Tancred]

I have yet to see a valid reason why a product that sold for $25, then slightly over 60 days later with little to no changes, gets a 60% price hike.

 

I highly doubt the index cards were sold at a loss. Hell didn't freeze over. We also know things can change every 4-6 months when they revisit balance issues, so I strongly doubt the codex release card data will remain exactly the same throughout the edition. An argument can be made sure AoS war scroll cards sell for $40, its a similar product, but thats like saying "Hey I'm selling you this grossly overpriced jar of mayonnaise for $40, and well I just made this bottle of Ketchup and since its a condiment I'm gonna sell it for $40 too!" Fact is their AoS cards are overpriced versus the marine index cards just being temporary.

 

I've been around this hobby for ten years, and I've seen some price gouges and shady GW actions in that time, but honestly the cards issue sorta takes the cake. I can afford the additional $15, but this was a moment for me, the first in ten years, that caused me to consider whether I want to keep supporting a company that pulls brazen crap like this on their customers? It's insulting, and a rip off. They do not respect their customers when they pull shady crap like that. 

Edited October 2, 2023 by Eilio Tiberius

[Emperor Ming]

9 hours ago, Karhedron said:

I suppose we will not see an online version of the Codex cards like we did for the Indices?

No, no online version. 

[Emperor Ming]

Is anyone actually surprised that the index cards are invalidated by the codex cards...

[Dracos]

2 hours ago, Emperor Ming said:

Is anyone actually surprised that the index cards are invalidated by the codex cards...

Apparently one person at least 

[Karhedron]

8 hours ago, Emperor Ming said:

Is anyone actually surprised that the index cards are invalidated by the codex cards...

 

Not particularly but I have been in the game long enough to know how it works. I didn't buy the Marines Index cads because I expected the to have a shelf life of about 3 months. I am considering the Eldar ones though as their codex is looking like being at least a year away. Although the actual Faction trait has already been errated. 

[Emperor Ming]

Ditto, I find it easier and cheaper to just memorise the units you use

[Orange Knight]

I went into a local GW shortly after 10th was released with the intent of buying the Marine and AdMech cards, and was pleasantly surprised and thankful when it was pointed out to me that the cards would soon be invalidated as these factions were due codex releases.

 

I ended up spending even more money on models that day lol

[Progenitor]

After using the cards in AoS I really like how convenient they make things as you have stuff at your fingertips at the table. Also, none of the armies I've played have had any Warscroll changes during a Battletome cycle (other than Morathi's ever changing Rend on her spear). They just are reluctant to change warscrolls on the whole unless necessary so I've considered them a useful investment for playing. 

 

Now we get them for 40k I've not bought any of the Index ones but I have pre-ordered the Marine ones with the Codex as I knew the full codex was going to be an early release so likely wouldn't get any use of the Index versions, which has proven correct. I'll get the cards with the armies when they get their book.