What's the crown jewel of your collection?
Firstly, it’s my Gold Foil Mask of Momentum. I spent nearly two years tracking it down, asking, trading, becoming “the Mask guy” at events. At one Nationals alone, more than 100 people came up to ask if I’d finally found it. When I did, it wasn’t just about owning a rare card, it marked the end of a journey that connected me with people in ways I never expected.
Along the way, some people rolled their eyes or told me I was making too big a deal out of it. But the truth is, everyone has something they’re passionate about, something that matters deeply, even if others don’t see it. This was mine. And it meant everything.
Second, from a player and story perspective, this one hits different. I won a Road to Nationals last season, and historically every Gold Foil I’ve pulled was for a class I didn’t play or couldn’t use at the time. But this season, a new Gold Foil was introduced… and as I cracked it, I said out loud, “all I want is a Spider’s Bite.” And I got it. When I flipped that card over and saw Spider’s Bite gleaming back at me I completely lost it. Jumped out of my chair, yelling with pure joy. It wasn’t just luck, it felt like the game finally gave me something that fit, that meant something to me as a player. I’ll never forget that moment.
Is there a particular Flesh and Blood card you don't have that you hope to own someday?
Honestly? Not yet, and I say that with a deep sense of gratitude. As a collector, I’ve been incredibly blessed to get my hands on everything I’ve truly wanted.
That said, my imagination definitely runs wild sometimes. I’d love to see a card that doesn’t exist yet, maybe a hero wearing the Mask of Momentum or Mask of the Pouncing Lynx in the actual art. Or a Marvel Lexi, or even some kind of custom 1-of-1 that feels like a true collector’s holy grail, so I can have that framed and gain a new story of how I acquired it.
At this point, it’s not so much about chasing what’s already out there for me, it’s about dreaming of what could be. And beyond the cards themselves, I want the experiences that come with this journey. A dream of mine would be to have the chance to work with an artist to design the artwork for a Ninja hero one day, so that I can main that hero and be able to tell that story. To be part of the creative process, to shape a piece of the game I love, that would be just as valuable to me as any card in my collection.
But more than anything, I want experiences that go beyond just owning cards. I want to do the things most people never even think to chase. I want the kind of moments that turn into stories, unforgettable ones that I’ll tell for the rest of my life. Stories about how a card game brought me somewhere I never imagined, introduced me to people I never would have met, and gave me memories that mean more than anything sealed in a pack.
How did you first get into collecting Flesh and Blood?
Like many others, my journey into Flesh and Blood began after spending time with other TCGs. Two key factors really drew me in, the first being that I needed a game that fit my lifestyle. As someone who travels extensively and loves to play often, the play patterns of other TCGs simply weren't working for me anymore. I was seeking a game where skill was the ultimate decider.
But the true hook, the card that absolutely compelled me to try it, was the Mask of Momentum. So I decided to Board the Ship (pun intended). Funnily enough, my very first hit was a Heart of Fyendal from my first Welcome to Rathe Unlimited box, and I distinctly remember feeling a bit disappointed because it wasn't the Mask or a Ninja card! I had no idea how rare that was at the time! Then, from my second box, there it was....the Mask. That moment, of finally pulling the card that initially captured my imagination, solidified my commitment to Flesh and Blood and cemented my path in the game. I then needed the whole deck in foil. That's when the "I must collect a master set (foil of course)" mindset started...
Why do you collect TCGs?
I collect TCGs because each card is a treasured vessel of personal memories and shared experiences. It's not just about the rarity or the artwork, it's about the stories and connections they represent. I vividly remember opening packs with friends, moments that solidified existing friendships, and even sparked new, lifelong bonds, like the one with Shimi, whom I met years ago at Nationals, now it's a yearly tradition for us to open First Edition boxes. And of course, there are the intimate memories, such as opening a special Gold Pack Marvel Enigma, New Moon with my wife. These cards allow me to revisit those cherished feelings and the people with whom I shared those unforgettable moments.
Why should people collect Flesh and Blood?
For me, collecting Flesh and Blood has become so much more than just stacking up shiny cards. It’s about the connection, the journey, and a deep appreciation for a game that’s both visually stunning and strategically rich.
What makes Flesh and Blood unique is how seamlessly it blends collectible beauty with meaningful gameplay. Every card feels deliberate not just in how it plays, but in how it looks. From the dynamic artwork that captures the intensity of battle, to the Marvels and Cold Foils that turn a card into a centerpiece, the design elevates the collecting experience. You’re not just chasing rare cards, you’re curating a gallery of playable art. And whether you’re sleeving up a fully foiled competitive deck, or hunting down the last obscure foil for your master set, the game supports both sides of the passion. It respects the player, the collector, and the in between.
What’s kept me hooked, though, is the community. The people who remember what you’re looking for. The trades made not for value, but for joy. The locals who slide a card across the table just because they want to see your set complete. That kind of generosity, that real human connection is something I’ve never experienced in any other TCG. In the end, collecting Flesh and Blood isn’t just about owning cards. It’s about being part of something beautifully crafted, deeply played, and genuinely shared.
So yeah, shoutout to Chase, Chris, Keith, James, and the whole Milwaukee crew, all 40+ of you. You’re a big part of what makes this hobby feel like home.
Tell us about your experience collecting High Seas.
In short… I can’t get enough.
I’ve ripped so many cases with my friends, it’s honestly become a core memory at this point. One of our openings recently was about 15 cases deep between the group of us, and it was nothing short of a blast. It’s exactly what collecting should feel like. And yet… even after all that ripping and all the post-session trading, my master set still feels far from done. Thanks to the Treasure Packs, the chase is real. My checklist somehow keeps growing instead of shrinking. But that’s the beauty of High Seas. It’s the joy of hunting down that next shiny slot and doing it all surrounded by a community that’s just as obsessed as you are. I haven't heard anyone who was even slightly disappointed opening this set, lol. Now we just need more of it!
What was your first Cold Foil?
This one’s pretty funny… My first Cold Foil was a New Horizon from Tales of Aria, but I didn’t even realize I pulled it. I didn’t know the pack order back then, so I just flipped through the cards, totally oblivious. Two weeks later, I was going through my bulk and suddenly stopped like… wait a second... turns out I’d been sitting on my first Cold Foil Legendary the whole time without even knowing. Safe to say, I triple-check my packs now.
New Horizon
What is your favourite Flesh and Blood booster set?
Honestly, I have two answers: one from the heart of a collector, and one from the mind of a player.
Opening experience? Arcane Rising, hands down. There was something magical about cracking those packs… Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe it’s the fact that I seemed to hit Eye of Ophidia or Art of War way more often than I deserved (RIP Art of War, us Ninjas still miss you dearly). Every pack felt like a chance to find something powerful, beautiful, or both.
Draft and play experience? High Seas! I can’t even begin to explain how incredible it feels to sit down and draft this set. The play patterns, the tension, the decisions, and then you add in Treasure Island? It creates this layered, dynamic gameplay that’s just on a whole other level. It genuinely feels like the pinnacle of limited design. I don’t know how any future set is going to top it.
What is your favourite Flesh and Blood artwork?
Anyone who knows me probably already saw this coming, it’s Mask of Momentum. No question. I’ve gone to the ends of the earth to collect every version of this card from the Cold Foil to the elusive Gold Foil. But since everyone already knows that, if I had to pick one more it would be the Nuu, Alluring Desire Japanese alternate art promo. Being there in person to get that as a promo was the clincher for me.
