So, I will be doing this review a little differently than most reviews, I will do it in two parts. The first will be my "Initial" thoughts, likes, dislikes, etc. etc. Then, in 2 weeks, I will post my "Final Thoughts" part of the review, since I don't want my review to be biased (like my review for the first edition was)
So, I do not think that any member here at Theory 11 needs to read the official SPAM on the Guardians, but I'll make you do it anyways.
The official spam:
The Feel:
Wow. When Theory 11 released the first edition of this, I think that many people (myself included) were disappointed by the feel. It was rough, they clumped together, humidity destroyed them. The list was quiet extensive. Well, 2 months later, the Second Edition was released, and before I even opened the cellophane I spent 5 minutes fanning, spreading, and just playing with the First Editions. Then I opened the Second Editions. And... Well, to be honest, they feel like a regular deck of Bikes. No better, no worse. They were maybe a little bit less smooth than your average deck of Bikes, but I honestly couldn't feel a real difference.
Initial Thoughts: Well, certainly an improvement, as the first batch was atrocious as far as feel goes. But it makes me think: They finally release their newest and greatest, but its about the same as the deck of cards that I can buy at Sam's Club? 8/10
Final Thoughts: These cards certainly are an improvement compared to the first edition of Guardians, however, they are nice and smooth, almost as smooth as a regular deck of Rider Backs, but not that smooth. I'm not a flourisher, and I'm not into XCM, so I can't say how well these are for said purposes, but for your average trick, you'll be able to ribbon spread, thumb-fan, and Le Paul-Spread just as fine as you would with your regular deck of bikes. There is still some very slight clumping, but nowhere near as bad as before.
8/10
The Handle:
Well, since they feel better, I think that they handle better, but I still think that they handle about the same as your average deck of Bikes.
9/10
Final Thoughts: Nothing really changed in this section, except for one move: I find it much more difficult to perform the Duck Change, aka, the Superflip. The decks that I've been using have a natural downward curve, and just don't perform this move well for me. If this isn't the case for some of you, then please, let me know so that I know that it isn't just me.
The Look:
The only aesthetic difference between the First and Second Edition Guardians is that they have made the back of the cards a darker shade of black, making it look sharper, and less faded.
If you would like my first review on the looks, I will provide a link to my first review at the end of this post.
Initial Thoughts: Ooooh, these look so amazing. Like the first series, but much better!
10/10
Final Thoughts: No change, still look amazing.
Well, these decks are a whole lot better than the First Edition, the feel is much better than it was, and they redesigned the back so that it looks sharper, giving the back a richer detail. The biggest issue (the feel/roughness.clumping) was resolved, however these cards, in my opinion, feel the same as a regular deck of Bicycle Rider Backs. It is slightly disappointing that even with their hardest effort put into these cards, they can only produce an average feeling deck of cards.
Would I recommend these cards to somebody? Yes. Would I buy a brick of them? No. If I'm going to buy a brick of cards, its going to be so that I can have a bulk supply of cards that I can sign, tear, scorch and mistreat the heck out of. With these cards, I would buy maybe 3 or 4, these cards are just too special to be mistreated, and honestly, I don't want to pay that much for an average-feeling deck of cards, even if they are hands down, the most bad-ass deck of cards that I own.
Q: What is the difference in the box?
A: Look really close, I'm sure you'll find it.
Initial Thoughts:: MUCH better look and feel than the First Edition, I am in mad love with these cards now. However, I was left wanting more out of all the hype that they received.
Final Thoughts: I was hoping that over time these cards would handle better than they initially had, however that's not the case. I like the way that these handle, they're very smooth, and sleek. However, they're only on par with your regular deck of Bikes.
Buy these cards, especially if you have had to deal with the first editions, they are like a breath of fresh, spring air.
9/10
So, I do not think that any member here at Theory 11 needs to read the official SPAM on the Guardians, but I'll make you do it anyways.
The official spam:
The Feel:
Wow. When Theory 11 released the first edition of this, I think that many people (myself included) were disappointed by the feel. It was rough, they clumped together, humidity destroyed them. The list was quiet extensive. Well, 2 months later, the Second Edition was released, and before I even opened the cellophane I spent 5 minutes fanning, spreading, and just playing with the First Editions. Then I opened the Second Editions. And... Well, to be honest, they feel like a regular deck of Bikes. No better, no worse. They were maybe a little bit less smooth than your average deck of Bikes, but I honestly couldn't feel a real difference.
Initial Thoughts: Well, certainly an improvement, as the first batch was atrocious as far as feel goes. But it makes me think: They finally release their newest and greatest, but its about the same as the deck of cards that I can buy at Sam's Club? 8/10
Final Thoughts: These cards certainly are an improvement compared to the first edition of Guardians, however, they are nice and smooth, almost as smooth as a regular deck of Rider Backs, but not that smooth. I'm not a flourisher, and I'm not into XCM, so I can't say how well these are for said purposes, but for your average trick, you'll be able to ribbon spread, thumb-fan, and Le Paul-Spread just as fine as you would with your regular deck of bikes. There is still some very slight clumping, but nowhere near as bad as before.
8/10
The Handle:
Well, since they feel better, I think that they handle better, but I still think that they handle about the same as your average deck of Bikes.
9/10
Final Thoughts: Nothing really changed in this section, except for one move: I find it much more difficult to perform the Duck Change, aka, the Superflip. The decks that I've been using have a natural downward curve, and just don't perform this move well for me. If this isn't the case for some of you, then please, let me know so that I know that it isn't just me.
The Look:
The only aesthetic difference between the First and Second Edition Guardians is that they have made the back of the cards a darker shade of black, making it look sharper, and less faded.
If you would like my first review on the looks, I will provide a link to my first review at the end of this post.
Initial Thoughts: Ooooh, these look so amazing. Like the first series, but much better!
10/10
Final Thoughts: No change, still look amazing.
Well, these decks are a whole lot better than the First Edition, the feel is much better than it was, and they redesigned the back so that it looks sharper, giving the back a richer detail. The biggest issue (the feel/roughness.clumping) was resolved, however these cards, in my opinion, feel the same as a regular deck of Bicycle Rider Backs. It is slightly disappointing that even with their hardest effort put into these cards, they can only produce an average feeling deck of cards.
Would I recommend these cards to somebody? Yes. Would I buy a brick of them? No. If I'm going to buy a brick of cards, its going to be so that I can have a bulk supply of cards that I can sign, tear, scorch and mistreat the heck out of. With these cards, I would buy maybe 3 or 4, these cards are just too special to be mistreated, and honestly, I don't want to pay that much for an average-feeling deck of cards, even if they are hands down, the most bad-ass deck of cards that I own.
Q: What is the difference in the box?
A: Look really close, I'm sure you'll find it.
Initial Thoughts:: MUCH better look and feel than the First Edition, I am in mad love with these cards now. However, I was left wanting more out of all the hype that they received.
Final Thoughts: I was hoping that over time these cards would handle better than they initially had, however that's not the case. I like the way that these handle, they're very smooth, and sleek. However, they're only on par with your regular deck of Bikes.
Buy these cards, especially if you have had to deal with the first editions, they are like a breath of fresh, spring air.
9/10
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