Spec’ing (Speculating) on cards

Disclaimer: ClockOneDrawTwo is not a financial advisor by any means. Everything posted here is based on pure opinion. ClockOneDrawTwo takes zero responsibility for your actions following your reading of this article. The below references an opinion and is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice.

Before this article begins, I want to mention that this post is highly speculative. This is very heavily biased and based on my personal opinion. Even with the disclaimer, I would like to remind readers that this purely advice. I am not here to provide you with financial strategies. I am giving an information on a topic which is up to the reader’s discretion on how they want to handle it.

What is spec’ing? Well, in lighter terms, in context of this card game, it is when players identify cards that may change value due to the announcement and arrival of an upcoming set which usually offers additional support for the series they are interested in. Players would spec on existing cards they see which offer high value potentially. Then they may or may not buy extra copies for whatever reason they please. It is not illegal or unethical by any means; it is simply a basic prediction and action which for most players I assume is to reduce further spending costs.

So how exactly does one begin to spec’? Well, spec’ing is a very complicated concept to explain because it differs vastly from game to game depending on what players value. Spec’ing usually asks for a good fundamental understanding of deck building and an eye for discerning and separating potential strong card designs. Alternatively, it may be about looking out for potential support for a certain archetype.

Now Weiss Schwarz is a game in which series releases are generally more simplified compared to certain other games. This is due to the fact that set releases only work for the series printed directly in that set, meaning only sets in that series get support and no other series does. But this may not always be the case for example in the Key 20th Anniversary set which offered multiple support to many series. However, these are usually more rare cases.

Now one of the biggest fears when it comes to spec’ing is the possibility of reprints. Reprints overall are good for the player base since it allows more copies to fluctuate in the market and into player hands. However, when it comes to spec’ing, if you were to want to buy extra copies of said card and it is reprinted, it is more than likely that the price of the original will drop as well. This may make the speculation not worth it. Alternatively, the new booster set may reprint the card but in a far better form which makes the older form obsolete or the other way around. There is realistically no way to know this aside from looking at spoilers and hoping. Spec’ing is just a prediction and estimation on upcoming events. It may or may not fail, but I mean, if you are spec’ing you understand and have taken the risk of possible loss.

So what cards should I spec in Weiss Schwarz?

Good filter cards and evasive cards are always good cards to consider. Usually with newer cards, they still work together as their purposes and abilities are super generic and easy to work with. Another consideration is alternative finishers, particularly those that work without a combo climax and/or heal soul damage.

Cards that net you hand advantage through some cheap means are always a good idea to consider as well. The key to many speculated cards is their flexibility in adapting into new combinations with the upcoming sets.

Because newer stuff usually overpowers the older cards, I highly recommend being more wary when it comes to climax combo cards. Yes, sometimes old combos are used again, but for a vast majority of set releases, the newer combos are usually straight up better in many ways whether that be the climax trigger for the combo or just a better power value on the combo card. Two more types of cards to be more wary when considering for spec’ing come in the form of backrow assist cards and counters. Counters, more often than not, are being printed in the newer set in some way or form. They are very common reprints. Newer backrow assists usually have better secondary effects compared to older cards.

Strong events that have some immediate game-changing effects are good too. Value based events are nice as well.

One important thing to note is to pay attention to set spoilers released by Bushiroad in one form or another. As more and more cards are released, your opinion on which cards in the older boosters/sets may change, making some worse or others better. Indefinitely though, newer booster additions will add more powerful effects to buffer up your decks or more often than not, make an entirely new deck. That is important to keep in mind when spec’ing. Always try to use spoilers as a way to decide and consider which cards are worth the attention.

Lastly, many of the stronger effects in Weiss Schwarz that are hands-free and not tied to anything are usually in the higher rarity slots. Keep that in mind. As you continue to spec, the costs may start adding up as you buy more and more extra old cards. Not to mention, just as you are spec’ing, likely many others who play the same set are also spec’ing as well, maybe with the same strain of thought.

Do your best and best of luck in your predictions.