Unnecessary, IMO.

I feel that it is the worst hockey product to ever have been released. Yes, even worse than Black.

I would like to purchase a pack or two, but I won't out of fear of pulling a "natural history artifact", or jersey from another sport. I'm a hockey fan. I'm sure there are a lot of fans of other sports out there, but wasn't that the point of Superlative? I love baseball, and will collect a bit of it and therefore have purchased UD Series 1 and 2 baseball. And as for all the artifacts, that just stings. I just can't believe there is so much support.

And to all those who are about to say "Well, if you pulled it you could just flip it", then I have to refute that that isn't the point of the hobby, folks.

All my opinion, of course

Eric

TBH i think the fossils are dumb too. but hey i would love to pull one just to sell it. the point of box breaks is to pull pc cards or get cards to trade for pc or sell to buy pc. if i can do any of em great.

I think champs is cool. i wouldve loved it if they didnt have fossils or the natural history cards.

in my opinion i really love this product, we all cry and go on saying that there all the products are the same with no orginallity, this is a great product through and through

in my opinion i really love this product, we all cry and go on saying that there all the products are the same with no orginallity, this is a great product through and through

i agree the whole dinosaur thing is original but this is just weird. i would love this product due to the mini cards and the design but i just think with the dinosaur cards its a downfall to me.

I have to agree with Raptor. The non-sports cards are just inserts, and they add value to the product. There are plenty of great hockey cards to pull, and there aren't any non-hockey cards in any of the full size or mini base sets. The autos add originality, they are hard signed and look ridiculously nice. UD made the artifacts redemptions so they could take time on the fossil cards, and they arent easy to detect.

The designs are nice, the cards are made of something that is condition sensitive, so if youre making a set you actually have to look at the cards for quality.

Plus the mini RCs are the perfect kind of chase. Hard... but not impossible.

Superlative was an ITG product so whatever they did doesnt matter in terms of Upper Deck products.

Base set is nice, the little cards suck the player selection for the autos is pretty average for the price... and I'm ****** that there's no Gord Downie auto (He was on the original checklist)... Overall it stinks... In my opinion.

The fossil cards are redemptions... I guess 150,00,000 years wasn't enough time to make the cards... Way to go UD...

Am I the only one hoping that Panini gets a license after next year???

P-C
--

it is the best product that upper deck had ever come up with.
in my opinion upper deck is nothing compared to itg.
itg has a way better product.
everything on the champs set is better than anything i have seen on anything that ud has produced except for the cup or course.
as for the low end products that ud puts out, we should just throw them in the trash and move on

To me, Champs is a knock off of Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball. It's a different product, which is good, because of the mini's and such.

I MIGHT buy a few packs, but not much else.

As sad and hard as this is to say, this set will likely be UD's best effort of the year, and I say effort loosely due to the fact UD basically ripped off Topps A&G with this product.

I agree with Nashrules in regard to the collectibility of the set with the mini rookies, just enough to make it a challenge.

I personally think the autograph checklist is weak. I could have been deeper, especially in the non-sport/celebrity type cards. Not having Mike Myers as originally stated was a huge letdown for me personally. That was the one card in the entire set I was really looking forward to.

Overall though I think it is a solid product. I like the design and I like the extras like the Natural History cards, mini parallels, etc.

The rest of the year coming from Carlsbad will be ho-hum. SPA. Check. Ultimate. Check. Cup. Check.

(Yes, Cup check!)

OPC Premier is back again and looks like a lot of last year this year. Totally uninspired and the quad rookies this year look awful in their vertical design as opposed to last years horizontal version.

Yup, good UD hockey products for 2009 kind of start and end here folks..................ITG owns the hockey segment when licensed.

The rest of the year coming from Carlsbad will be ho-hum. SPA. Check. Ultimate. Check. Cup. Check.

(Yes, Cup check!)



BAP, Check!

:sign0020:

Yup, good UD hockey products for 2009 kind of start and end here folks..................ITG owns the hockey segment when licensed.
I agree with most of your post, but these 2 sentences specifically.

Itg rules all

Added a poll to the thread

1st vote! 1-0 for no! haha.

but yes ITG needs a license. I already LOVE most of their stuff and want to see more cards from them. when is the exclusive deal done? barrie?

People insult this product like they're being forced to buy it... If you don't like the concept just ignore the product, what's the problem? People complain that Upper Deck rehashes the same 20 or so products every year, so they go out and make something totally different and still get insulted. I'm starting to think they just get bashed out of spite now.

I can honestly say this will probably be my favorite product of the year. Sure the autograph checklist is weak and the collation very bottom-heavy (can't count the number of Kronwall and Cleary autographs I've seen so far) but that's not what attracts me to the product. I loved the concept behind A&G and I love this. I enjoy history and was a huge fan of dinosaurs when I was a kid so the idea of pulling fossils and artifacts is awesome to me. I also can't wait to get my hands on some of the Natural History cards so I can read the backs, they look very interesting to me. If someday a company released a product based solely on natural history cards and fossils I'd probably buy it more than hockey.

If people want to complain about this product then they shouldn't complain about the countless other repetitive products Upper Deck releases, at least this one is different.

I can not make up my mind at this time. I would have to bust a few packs first. The one thing that i wish they put in there is a Silverback-my personal mascot

People insult this product like they're being forced to buy it... If you don't like the concept just ignore the product, what's the problem? People complain that Upper Deck rehashes the same 20 or so products every year, so they go out and make something totally different and still get insulted. I'm starting to think they just get bashed out of spite now.


i'm not being forced into buying it. but i am trying to do a player pc and my player has cards in this set. i LOVE the design of the cards and all the mini cards. the problem I have is i just really don;t like the dinosaur cards. i think the concept of putting dinosaurs and hockey is just weird.

I get the feeling this will be split 50/50 in the end vote.

I like it for a lot of reasons:
- The minis are cool looking, and the look is pretty authentic
- The cards are printed on a retro-feeling stock
- The minis are tough to chase even for the commons (5 boxes and im still missing a lot)
- The mini RCs are even harder to chase at 3 per box
- The full size RCs are easier to get so those not chasing minis can finish sets pretty easily
- The auto checklist, while not as great as it could have been, is still pretty good when you take into account the parallels

i'm not being forced into buying it. but i am trying to do a player pc and my player has cards in this set. i LOVE the design of the cards and all the mini cards. the problem I have is i just really don;t like the dinosaur cards. i think the concept of putting dinosaurs and hockey is just weird.

Then just pick up the cards of the players you need, don't have to buy boxes or packs of the product to do that. If you do, and pull any dinosaurs, trade them to me :)

i'm not being forced into buying it. but i am trying to do a player pc and my player has cards in this set. i LOVE the design of the cards and all the mini cards. the problem I have is i just really don;t like the dinosaur cards. i think the concept of putting dinosaurs and hockey is just weird.


But like you said, youre after your PC, so the dinosaur cards don't hurt you at all. I could see parallel autos bothering PC folks, but the challenge of getting those cards is what makes it worth doing.

I'm starting to think they just get bashed out of spite now.

It has nothing to do with spite, it has to do more with originality. This is my issue with the product overall. However, when you don't have other companies that have the ability to make a licensed product, originality goes away because it is monopolistic.

Scott, Please do me a big favour, please remove my comments from this thread, Thanks

Scott, Please do me a big favour, please remove my comments from this thread, Thanks

done

It has nothing to do with spite, it has to do more with originality. This is my issue with the product overall. However, when you don't have other companies that have the ability to make a licensed product, originality goes away because it is monopolistic.

I can see your point in that it's a knock off of Allen and Ginter, but A and G was actually a bit of a knock off of Pacific Private Stock in terms of recent sets. They had minis based on old style designs a ways back with rookies at an impossible chase level as well.

1st vote! 1-0 for no! haha.

but yes ITG needs a license. I already LOVE most of their stuff and want to see more cards from them. when is the exclusive deal done? barrie?

Last time I talked to the Carlsbad brothers they hinted it may not be over after next year. I got the same feedback from Brian Price a few months ago when I spoke with him.

So I guess it really is "Who Knows?" at this point.

I hope someone else steps in soon, the market sucks...........

People insult this product like they're being forced to buy it... If you don't like the concept just ignore the product, what's the problem? People complain that Upper Deck rehashes the same 20 or so products every year, so they go out and make something totally different and still get insulted. I'm starting to think they just get bashed out of spite now.

I can honestly say this will probably be my favorite product of the year. Sure the autograph checklist is weak and the collation very bottom-heavy (can't count the number of Kronwall and Cleary autographs I've seen so far) but that's not what attracts me to the product. I loved the concept behind A&G and I love this. I enjoy history and was a huge fan of dinosaurs when I was a kid so the idea of pulling fossils and artifacts is awesome to me. I also can't wait to get my hands on some of the Natural History cards so I can read the backs, they look very interesting to me. If someday a company released a product based solely on natural history cards and fossils I'd probably buy it more than hockey.

If people want to complain about this product then they shouldn't complain about the countless other repetitive products Upper Deck releases, at least this one is different.

I am not sure everyone is indeed buying the product. I know I am not. I am basing my opinions of what I have seen of it. That said, we're all entitled to said opinions. UD is not bashed out of spite, they are bashed because they screw the consumer in many ways, namely redmeptions and laziness. They get bashed because they are uninnovative, they don't go outside the box anymore, show no effort. Dude, I can barely tell the past 3 years of MVP hockey apart in design.

Is this product a new idea to the hockey market? Yes. Is it new to trading cards in general. HECK NO! Again, they straight up ripped off A&G. I think most people are also sick and tired of UD not bringing their "A game" with this exclusive. In 2005/06 they had a banner year and, while I still think they made WAY too many sets, I think overall they made their products well start to finish. Unfortunately, it has been a steady decline down the hill since then.

Until they "wow" people again, they're gonna take the heat and rightfully so. Look at ITG. They have to work with freakin' head shots now and still their efforts are FAR above and beyond Lazy Deck.

But hey, each to their own..............

Then just pick up the cards of the players you need, don't have to buy boxes or packs of the product to do that. If you do, and pull any dinosaurs, trade them to me :)

i don't plan on buying any. but the reason being is the natural history cards/dinosaurs. if this was a hockey only product i wouldve had a box by now

i don't plan on buying any. but the reason being is the natural history cards/dinosaurs. if this was a hockey only product i wouldve had a box by now


You do know that if you're buying a box of these, unless you hit a "dinosaur card", there are only 6 cards out of a box you wouldnt care about. everything else is hockey.

Not a big fan of the product.But I sure wouldn't complain about it if I was to pull a Tiger Woods auto.

I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in.........anyone think of Topps C55, when they think about this product........

I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in.........anyone think of Topps C55, when they think about this product........

Good point. A and G, Topps C55, Pacific Private stock, its all just rehash of old stuff, but realistically there are only so many NEW things to do. Bringing back the old and adding something unique doesnt hurt in my mind.

Good point. A and G, Topps C55, Pacific Private stock, its all just rehash of old stuff, but realistically there are only so many NEW things to do. Bringing back the old and adding something unique doesnt hurt in my mind.


I agree completely. Football did it withTopps Mayo as well, and Allen and Ginter was a HUGE success for Topps,

Exactly. Cant call it a copy of A and Gand be made that UD ripped of topps, be mad they all ripped off hundred year old ideas.

Exactly. Cant call it a copy of A and Gand be made that UD ripped of topps, be mad they all ripped off hundred year old ideas.

true

Exactly. Cant call it a copy of A and Gand be made that UD ripped of topps, be mad they all ripped off hundred year old ideas.

Well I guess then we've all been ripped off since I know all of have thought of something the companies have done at some point!:winking0071:

But seriously, there are new ideas that have yet to be done and the card companies need to explore those possibilities. I mean I can think of about 10 things that should have been done by now and they haven't.

I might say what they are but then, you got it, I'll get ripped off! Plus I want UD to actually earn their paycheck and THINK!:sign0020:

Well I guess then we've all been ripped off since I know all of have thought of something the companies have done at some point!:winking0071:

But seriously, there are new ideas that have yet to be done and the card companies need to explore those possibilities. I mean I can think of about 10 things that should have been done by now and they haven't.

I might say what they are but then, you got it, I'll get ripped off! Plus I want UD to actually earn their paycheck and THINK!:sign0020:

Oh I have stewing on a dozen ideas for years, I need to lobby myself at UD, and get hired as a consultant........

I think it's an OK product, not my favorite, really don't like the mini's.

Would have been better is UD had just kept Hot Prospects or Sweet Shot instead of having all these different products - For example Habs Centennial set and now Champs. Just my opinion.

Id rather see them dump BD, collectors choice, redesign MVP and lower the price $10 a box, bring back HP, Merge sweet shot and ultimate into one product (Ultimate Shot?), Premier and Black (Preimer Black?) and keep champs, and leave The CUp alone.

see I disagree with the Habs Centennial. While I'm not a Habs fan, that set is to recognize arguably the best franchise in Pro-Sports. It is the same when UD did the Yankee Stadium set, there is a HUGE market for a set like that.

The Steelers would have the same type of excitement if UD did this for them.

Id rather see them dump BD, collectors choice, redesign MVP and lower the price $10 a box, bring back HP, Merge sweet shot and ultimate into one product (Ultimate Shot?), Premier and Black (Preimer Black?) and keep champs, and leave The CUp alone.

I like your thinking. A lot.

I have been wishing for this type of a lineup for the past few years.

I think today they need less products with MUCH deeper effort and value in each one. I think 8-10 really solid products a year would be perfect.

see I disagree with the Habs Centennial. While I'm not a Habs fan, that set is to recognize arguably the best franchise in Pro-Sports. It is the same when UD did the Yankee Stadium set, there is a HUGE market for a set like that.

The Steelers would have the same type of excitement if UD did this for them.


yeah the Habs set was a good thing, maybe the should "borrow another idea and do an original six set.......

and I think they might have dropped the ball or should I say puck with canceling hot prospects this year, HP is like the poor-mans cup you know, and a great set for people that dont have the deep pockets for the Cup rcs

id try a couple packs. i think it looks cool

Id rather see them dump BD, collectors choice, redesign MVP and lower the price $10 a box, bring back HP, Merge sweet shot and ultimate into one product (Ultimate Shot?), Premier and Black (Preimer Black?) and keep champs, and leave The CUp alone.


I like your ideas besides the ultimate/sweet shot and BD. I like BD. it is a good investment box. Sweet shot to me was always and still is hideous. Ultimate was BEAUTIFUL last two years. Merging Premier and Black is a good idea. Redoing mvp would be good. I'd scrap champs though. BRING BACK HP!!!

I like your thinking. A lot.

I have been wishing for this type of a lineup for the past few years.

I think today they need less products with MUCH deeper effort and value in each one. I think 8-10 really solid products a year would be perfect.

So:

UD1 & 2
MVP
Ultra
Hot Prospects
Premier Black (Premier card layouts, black design tell me thats not cool)
Ultimate Shot (Ultimate style RCs, unique autos and jerseys, Sweet Shot like)
Champs (explore the history of tobacco cards. plenty of years worth)
OPC Old School (use a different old design every year)
The Cup

Supplement it with one or 2 retail only products, and youre good to go.

OPC Old School (use a different old design every year)


I hope when Topps gets back in (if) they bring back Heritage.

I like your ideas besides the ultimate/sweet shot and BD. I like BD. it is a good investment box. Sweet shot to me was always and still is hideous. Ultimate was BEAUTIFUL last two years. Merging Premier and Black is a good idea. Redoing mvp would be good. I'd scrap champs though. BRING BACK HP!!!

BD would be useless designwise if black was utilized properly with premier.

Sweet Shot merged with Ultimate would provide the best of both worlds, theres a lot of good ideas in Sweet shot, poorly implemented.

I hope when Topps gets back in (if) they bring back Heritage.

That would be the idea. Heritage++. I dont expect topps back. itll never be more than 2 licenses.

I actually like black diamond. I think it's a nice looking set year in and year out, especially this year, with all jerseys being quads. They have been improving BD and they shouldn't scrap that. But I agree with everything else you say. Maybe they will bring back HP next year.

Rather than divert this thread away from the topic of Champs, I created another thread where we can discuss our ideal product lineups since there are a lot of ideas coming out of this. Check it out :)

Rather than divert this thread away from the topic of Champs, I created another thread where we can discuss our ideal product lineups since there are a lot of ideas coming out of this. Check it out :)


Actually, this was the point of my OP. I wanted to see what kind of support there was on the (belief/fact) that there are too many products being produced.

There seems to be a general consensus that a few products should "merge", and I do agree.

Although I do prefer ITG, I am not bashing Upper Deck.

Look at is this way, if we had too FEW products on the market, then the base/master sets would be completed much easier as even more of these products would be purchased (as there is less of others), and a lot more effort could be placed into actually completing these sets.

As i believe there are TOO MANY products, I gave up on my Borje Salming Collection. Seventy-seven jerseys was too much. How can you possibly appreciate the sentimentality?

I would like to thank everyone for their opinions as it has definitely put me into perspective about everyone's perspective!

Eric

I do prefer ITG


i 2nd that.

So:

UD1 & 2
MVP
Ultra
Hot Prospects
Premier Black (Premier card layouts, black design tell me thats not cool)
Ultimate Shot (Ultimate style RCs, unique autos and jerseys, Sweet Shot like)
Champs (explore the history of tobacco cards. plenty of years worth)
OPC Old School (use a different old design every year)
The Cup

Supplement it with one or 2 retail only products, and youre good to go.

I'll be honest. I like your lineup but I think I would drop the Ultimate Shot combo in favor of a product that merged SPA and SPX. I personally could care less for SPX but SPA is still solid. Remember, it has the initial hard-signed rookies of the season and is all about autos, no memorabilia, which, to be honest, is one of UD's big problems.

I believe those two products are staples and the rookies within would bridge the gap between UD 1 & 2 and your Premier Black product.

You have to have low-end, middle-end, and high-end products. Obviously Upper Deck has issues in some aspects of the program. And another company would make Upper Deck better. ITG should ALSO have the license, not exclusive. It would make both products better. But there is no way Upper Deck can get rid of low-end products. As for Champs, it has one thing everyone loves... ON CARD AUTOS! There is a plus.

Opened a box yesterday and to be honest I don't like it much.

Cardboard is cheap and no glossy finish, cut is poor. Many corner damaged. For the price... I will pass comenting.

Design. I can understand some like it but I don't. I think it's different but not to my like. Lack of color might be one reason I don't like it, to creamy overall. Taste are taste and the design is OK just not to my like.

I hate the mini. Way to small. I did put them all in a team bag and in a box. I don't think I will ever buy this product. Might only get the player I collect and put my money else where.

Dinausor cards and bones... I don't get it and don't care for them. This is like the set of auto from hockey player on baseball skin. Where is the link.

Again I don't like it but understand other do as I see this more a question of having different taste. Just not my bag.

Now get those SPA out.