Tom ‘The Boss’ Ross Joins the CoinGeek Weekly Livestream to Talk About Champions TCG, Now Rebranded to Otherworldly

On episode 10 of the CoinGeek Weekly Livestream Season 5, legendary Magic the Gathering player Tom ‘The Boss’ Ross joined Kurt Wuckert Jr. to talk about the latest happenings with Champions TCG.

On episode 10 of the CoinGeek Weekly Livestream Season 5, legendary Magic the Gathering player Tom ‘The Boss’ Ross joined Kurt Wuckert Jr. to discuss the latest happenings with Champions TCG.

The game, which has now rebranded to Otherworldly, continues to pick up steam, and Wuckert congratulates the team for being real entrepreneurs in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

To discuss the game further, they were joined by Tom Ross, a legendary gamer and strategist who is now working with the Otherworldly team to make the game even better.

Tom is a familiar face and ear to those in the Magic The Gathering community. He was a pro-MTG player and content creator who also made a few games of his own. He came across Champions TCG, started winning, and then offered to help with the upcoming set, which he is “super proud of.”

The two types of people who are typically into card games—collectors and players—might seem at fundamental odds with one another, but Ross doesn’t believe they have to be. Every card can appeal to someone, and even collectibles should have functions for gamers so the two can complement one another.

What percentage of players are trying to go pro versus remaining casual players? Ross estimates that the number is probably 5-10%, but only a fraction of those ever make it. Champions do have tournaments—including monthly $1k tourneys—but most players are in it for fun and to try new games right now.

Giving a rundown of the basics of the game, Ross explains that each player has a 35-card deck, and with each turn they get a mana. These mana get them more turns and thus give them opportunities to play more cards. All cards attack/defend and have effects, and games last between five and thirty minutes.

There are two formats for the game: standard and drafting. In the latter, each player takes a card, passes the deck, and repeats that process until they have 40 cards from which they need to make a deck. Drafting is the best way to get into the game, learn card interactions, and explore the game.

Tom and the team are always working to improve the game and thinking about the next set. This involves working on the art, integrating heroes into the game, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. As a group, they can get a new set done every few months, whereas it might take an individual a year.

The biggest difference between Otherworldly and MTG is that it’s free, Tom says. They have one tournament per month that costs $1, but the daily ones are free: everyone gets a randomized deck, and there are always prizes.

What about other pro players? Tom says a bunch of MTG players took part in the invitational, and he has tested the game with several others. The game particularly appeals to MTG players as they can transfer their skills over easily.

To learn more about what it’s like working in a blockchain-based game, what the next year looks like, and to hear some tips from a legendary gamer, view the livestream via this link.