Here’s a long list of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding MetaZoo, with detailed answers for all 44 questions.
44 Frequently Asked Questions
In an interview done by Peeweez0 on April 1, 2023, Michael Waddell informs that Japanese will be the first international language added to the MetaZoo trading card game and MetaZoo Games in general; when Yokai Island: Base Set is first introduced to the world in the Summer of 2024.
Mike Waddell changed his signature at least 4 times since the inception of MetaZoo Games.
It started off back in mid-2020 as the following:
Then in June 2021, it was changed to the following:
Then in February 2022, it was changed to the following:
The clockwise spiral in Mike’s first Choku Rei signature (seen above) indicates energy flow is spirit-to-matter.
Then on July 29, 2022, it was changed to the following:
The counter-clockwise spiral in Mike’s second Choku Rei signature (seen above) indicates energy flow is matter-to-spirit.
Then on October 22, 2022, it was changed to the following:
Mike’s signature here symbolizes The sigil of Archangel Michael.
A huge thanks to @Latest for the signature info, and @AbyssalArtorias for the card image.
On the afternoon of July 27, 2022, Mike announced the following on the official MetaZoo Discord server:
For full transparency, our artists are paid USD$380 for each card art! I will update you all annually on this number as it steadily increases.
Over the course of the first few weeks of launching MetaZoo HQ, I found myself watching a lot of Mike/Michael Waddell interviews in an attempt to learn as much as I can about him, MetaZoo Games and the MetaZoo trading card game to share with all of you.
I figured, since I have all of the links already, why not share it with all of you to listen and/or watch at your own leisure. It also includes notes that I’ve taken for some of the interviews, and some other really neat stuff! 🙂
The MetaZoo trading/collectible card game is based around cryptids and folklore from across the globe. The first set, named Cryptid Nation, was released on July 30th, 2021 and focuses on cryptids and powerful artifacts based out of the United States of America.
Future sets will focus on cryptids from other countries around the world, while new sets will also be created based out of the United States as well.
In the words of MetaZoo Games themselves:
MetaZoo™ is a Collectible Card Game with groundbreaking mechanics that break the 4th Wall. Choose where you play wisely, because your surroundings dictate how powerful your cards are! Cast Water Spells when it’s raining to increase their effectiveness and partner Dark Beasties during nighttime to augment their power. It’s not enough to build a powerful deck anymore, you might choose your Arena!MetaZoo Games LLC
MetaZoo Games LLC was founded by Michael A. Waddell in 2020 in New York City, New York, and now consists of over thirty people responsible for the ever-growing MetaZoo trading card game that initially launched through a successfully funded Kickstarter campaign backed by 255 people with a pool of $18,249 in late 2020.
Over the course of the months since, the team has worked hard to ensure that other MetaZoo products and accessories were made available, and has made quick partnerships with companies and people such as Topps and Steve Aoki.
MetaZoo Games continues to expand its line of available products with haste, and has ambitious but reachable goals for many, many years down the road, including, but not limited to a Netflix series, a movie, physical coin dispensaries, pre-built 4th wall game arenas, and so much more.
METAZOO GAMES SITE:
metazoogames.com
METAZOO STORE LOCATOR:
metazoogames.com/storelocator
METAZOO MARKETPLACE:
metazoomarketplace.com
METAZOO PLAY NETWORK (MPN):
play.metazoogames.com
METAZOO NFTs:
nft.metazoogames.com
Here’s a full list of every one of MetaZoo Games’ social media accounts to date:
METAZOO GAMES ON FACEBOOK:
facebook.com/metazoogames
METAZOO GAMES ON INSTAGRAM:
instagram.com/metazoogames
METAZOO GAMES ON TWITTER:
twitter.com/metazoogames
METAZOO GAMES ON YOUTUBE:
youtube.com/metazoogames
METAZOO GAMES ON TWITCH:
twitch.tv/metazoogames
METAZOO GAMES ON REDDIT:
reddit.com/metazoogames
METAZOO GAMES ON DISCORD:
discord.com/metazoogames
METAZOO GAMES ON TIK TOK:
tiktok.com/metazoogames
METAZOO GAMES ON LINKEDIN:
linkedin.com/metazoogames
Looking to learn the basics on how to play the MetaZoo trading card game?
Here is a ~6 minute video created by MetaZoo Games themselves that explains exactly how to play their MetaZoo TCG.
If you’re interested in playing the MetaZoo trading card game online with other players, you are able to do so via Tabletop Simulator (TTS).
Tabletop Simulator is available via Steam for USD$19.99 right here. It can only be played on PC, and you will need a free Steam account.
MetaZoo is not an official Tabletop Simulator game at this time, however a MetaZoo TTS mod was developed by Steam user Tiresome Lime that initially launched on March 29th, 2021.
Subscribe to the mod right here. This is required to play.
To learn how to install and play MetaZoo on TTS, have a look at this helpful YouTube video released by Kevin Cote.
MORE ABOUT TABLETOP SIMULATOR:
Tabletop Simulator was developed and published by Berserk Games and initially released on June 5th, 2015.
In the words Berserk Games themselves:
Tabletop Simulator is the only simulator where you can let your aggression out by flipping the table! There are no rules to follow: just you, a physics sandbox, and your friends. Make your own online board games or play the thousands of community created mods. Unlimited gaming possibilities!Berserk Games
In alphabetical order, here are all of the 4th Wall items that you can use in MetaZoo TCG gameplay:
- American Flag
- Balloon
- Banana
- Bandage
- Bell
- Bug-like Figure
- Camouflage
- Candy
- Coal
- Coin
- Cross
- Damaged MetaZoo Product
- Dirt
- Fire, Representation of
- Fishing Rod
- Flannel Shirt
- Gelatin
- Ice
- Jacket/Sweater
- Leather Belt
- Light Bulb
- Mirror
- NASA Symbol
- Neon/Glowing Light
- Official MetaZoo Merchandise
- Orange Pumpkin
- Piece of Cardboard
- Plant
- Radio
- Red Beverage
- Shorts/Dress/Kilt
- Stone
- Tinfoil
- Vampire Fangs/Jewelry
- Water
- White Clothing
The card rarities for the MetaZoo Cryptid Nation blocks are:
BRONZE / COMMON
SILVER / UNCOMMON
GOLD / RARE
PLATINUM / MEDAL
There are a total of 10 different Aura types in MetaZoo’s Cryptid Nation trading card game set block.
The Aura types and icons for Cryptid Nation: Base Set & Nightfall, in alphabetical order, are:
COSMIC AURA
DARK AURA
EARTH AURA
FLAME AURA
FOREST AURA
FROST AURA
LIGHT AURA
LIGHTNING AURA
SPIRIT AURA
WATER AURA
The Aura types and their new icons (announced in the MetaZoo Discord server on Dec 6, 2021) for Cryptid Nation: Wilderness, in the same order, are:
NEW COSMIC AURA
NEW DARK AURA
NEW EARTH AURA
NEW FLAME AURA
NEW FOREST AURA
NEW FROST AURA
NEW LIGHT AURA
NEW LIGHTNING AURA
NEW SPIRIT AURA
NEW WATER AURA
There is an official MetaZoo Store Locator that you can take a look at right here.
However, I want to make note that there are some store locations that either do not know about the Store Locator’s existence, or, would rather not be listed on the public Store Locator as it can become too cumbersome.
With that being said, I highly suggest giving your local game stores a call to see if they have any MetaZoo in stock.
MetaZoo products can be found at a number of places. Here’s how you can get your hands on some:
Official MetaZoo Marketplace – Straight from MetaZoo Games themselves, there is a wide array of MetaZoo card products, apparel and accessories up for sale.
Official MetaZoo Store Locator – Find a store near you that was open to being listed on this public map.
* Note that many business owners would rather opt out of having their stores listed on the publicly visible Store Locator page, as it can become cumbersome. Also note that some local game stores won’t be selling at MSRP.
With the notice above in mind, I highly suggest that you give your local game store(s) a call to see if they have any MetaZoo product in stock. You just may be surprised.
Added Dec 26, 2021: Exclusive MetaZoo packs will be available at over 4,000 Walmart locations across the United States starting in January, 2022. The first Walmart exclusive MetaZoo product will be a box that include 3x MetaZoo Cryptid Nation 2nd Edition booster packs and a Walmart exclusive Piasa Bird promo card.
Here are the prices directly from the MetaZoo Games Marketplace, and is what you would expect to pay at the time of their release.
As of the release of UFO, Partnered LGSs are required to abide by MAP (minimum advertised price) set out by MetaZoo Games for a number of weeks, and then can eventually drop prices by a maximum predetermined percentage.
CRYPTID NATION: BASE SET
KICKSTARTER
From Kickstarter:
- Booster Box: USD$40.00/$50.00
- Spellbook: USD$20.00
- Theme Deck: USD$7.00
- Blister Pack: USD$5.00
Later, from MetaZoo Marketplace/LGSs:
- Booster Box: USD$79.99 ↑ 59.98%
- Spellbook: USD$34.99 ↑ 74.95%
- Theme Deck: USD$8.99 ↑ 28.43%
- Blister Pack: USD$3.99 ↓ 20.20%
CRYPTID NATION: BASE SET
1ST EDITION
- Booster Box: USD$99.99 ↑ 25.00%
- Spellbook: USD$39.99 ↑ 14.28%
- Theme Deck: USD$9.99 ↑ 11.12%
- Blister Pack: USD$4.99 ↑ 25.06%
- Release Deck: USD$19.99
CRYPTID NATION: NIGHTFALL
1ST EDITION
- Booster Box: USD$139.99 ↑ 40.00%
- Spellbook: USD$49.99 ↑ 25.01%
- Theme Deck: USD$14.99 ↑ 50.05%
- Blister Pack: USD$4.99
- Release Deck: USD$19.99
OTHER NIGHTFALL PRODUCTS
- Halloween 2020 2nd Ed Promo Pack(?): USD$2.99
- Halloween 2021 1st Ed Promo Pack(?): USD$2.99
- Pin Club x Cryptid Nation Mystery Collection(?): USD$14.99
- Pin Club x Nightfall Mystery Collection(?): USD$14.99
- 10 Christmas Promo Packs + Wrapping Paper(?): USD$29.99
CRYPTID NATION: BASE SET
2ND EDITION
- Booster Box: USD$139.99
- Spellbook: USD$49.99
- Theme Deck: USD$14.99
- Blister Pack: USD$4.99
- Release Deck: USD$19.99
CRYPTID NATION: WILDERNESS
1ST EDITION
- Booster Box: USD$139.99
- Spellbook: USD$49.99
- Theme Deck: USD$14.99
- Blister Pack: USD$4.99
- Release Deck: USD$19.99
CRYPTID NATION: UFO
1ST EDITION
- Booster Box: USD$139.99
- Spellbook: USD$49.99
- Theme Deck: USD$14.99
- Blister Pack: USD$4.99
- Release Deck: USD$19.99
Here is a list of distributors that are being used by MetaZoo Games around the world.
STORES BASED IN THE UNITED STATES:
- Golden Distribution,
- Peachstate Hobby Distribution
Channel Fireball
STORES BASED IN CANADA:
- Universal Distribution
STORES BASED IN AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND:
- Let’s Play Games
STORES BASED IN EUROPE/UK:
- Asmodee Announced Nov. 24, 2021
As of November 2021, all MetaZoo cards and sets (Sample cards, Kickstarter cards, Cryptid Nation 1st & 2nd Edition and Nightfall 1st Edition), were printed by Bayaya Board Game Co., based out of Guangdong, China.
Going forward into 2022, as of the Wilderness or UFO set (unconfirmed which set will be first), MetaZoo cards will be printed by the more-reputable and premium company Cartamundi; one of the largest playing card manufacturers in the world, and is based out of Turnhout, Belgium, with over 2,200 employees worldwide. Cartamundi maintains manufacturing facilities in Canvey Island (UK), Altenburg (Germany), Saint-Max (France), Krakow (Poland), Mumbai (India), Soka (Japan), and Dallas, Texas (United States).
July 2022 Update: MetaZoo cards are still being printed by Bayaya as of the release of UFO.
MetaZoo booster box cases have undergone changes from set-to-set. Here’s the details for Cryptid Nation: Base Set 1st Edition and Nightfall 1st Edition.
Cryptid Nation: Base Set 2nd Edition and beyond will be using the same or similar case/master case configurations as Nightfall 1st Edition.
There are 18 Booster Boxes in a Cryptid Nation: Base Set – 1st Edition Case:
Thanks to LifeOfABean for finding this photo
Due to unexpected experiences with shipping and handling of MetaZoo’s premier trading card game set; Cryptid Nation: Base Set 1st Edition, changes to the case configuration (double brown-boxed) occurred as of their next set release; Nightfall.
There are 6 Booster Boxes in a Cryptid Nation: Nightfall – 1st Edition Case:
And 12 Booster Boxes (2 Cases) in a Nightfall – 1st Edition Master Case:
Huge thanks to Argos Anon for taking these two photos for me!
Newly released MetaZoo sets will always premiere in 1st Edition.
This will hold true whether or not 2nd Edition and/or other print runs are released.
MetaZoo cards are 63mm x 88mm, or 2.48in x 3.46in.
The cards are 330 GSM in thickness.
They have rounded corners.
Wondering where to grade your MetaZoo cards? MetaZoo cards are currently being accepted for grading and authentication by:
God packs are extremely rare, and you’ll be very pleased if you ever have the opportunity to open one.
Instead of getting one full/reverse holo card in your pack, every single card will be full/reverse holo!
I am pleased to inform you that, no, MetaZoo booster packs are not weighable. This includes, but is not limited to Cryptid Nation 1st Edition and Nightfall 1st Edition booster packs.
The reason for this is because every booster pack contains either a full holographic or a reverse holographic card; both of which are printed on full foil sheets.
There were a total of 93 different sample cards in the “set”, with each one having exactly 100 copies printed.
With a bit of easy math, this tells us that there were a total of 9,300 MetaZoo Cryptid Nation sample cards that have ever come out of the printers.
The MetaZoo Cryptid Nation Kickstarter project was initiated on July 30th, 2020. It was 50% funded by a pool of exactly 100 people in the first 3 days, with a goal set of $10,000.
By the time the Kickstarter campaign had ended on August 30th, 2020; 30 days after it had began, 255 people had pledged a total of $18,249.
The Cryptid Nation Kickstarter products were shipped out to pledgers in February & March of 2021; just a few months after the Kickstarter campaign had officially ended.
There are 9 cards in every Cryptid Nation: Kickstarter booster pack.
Those cards are:
- 4x Bronze Rarity Non-Holo Cards
- 3x Silver Rarity Non-Holo Cards
- 1x FH Gold or RH Gold or RH Silver Card
- 1x Terra Card
There are 10 cards in every MetaZoo Cryptid Nation: Base Set 1st Edition booster pack.
Those cards are:
- 4x Bronze Rarity Non-Holo Cards
- 3x Silver Rarity Non-Holo Cards
- 1x FH Gold or RH Gold or RH Silver
- 1x Terra Card
- 1x Aura Card
There are 12 cards in every Cryptid Nation: Nightfall – 1st Edition booster pack.
Those cards are:
- 4x Bronze Rarity Non-Holo Cards
- 3x Silver Rarity Non-Holo Cards
- 1x Gold Rarity Non-Holo Card
- 1x FH Gold or RH Gold or RH Silver Card
- 1x Token Card
- 1x Terra Card
- 1x Aura Card
Here are the full print-run numbers for MetaZoo’s Cryptid Nation: Base Set Kickstarter product releases.
BOOSTER BOXES:
- 2,500
SPELLBOOKS:
- 1,000
RELEASE DECKS:
- 0
TRIBAL THEME DECKS:
-
- 500 x Alpha Iceman
- 500 x Dingbelle Ring Leader
- 500 x Salamander Queen
- 500 x Hopkinsville Goblin King
- 500 x Pukwudgie Chieftain
- 2,500 total
BLISTER PACKS:
- 2,000
Here are the full print-run numbers for MetaZoo’s Cryptid Nation: Base Set 1st Edition product releases.
BOOSTER BOXES:
- 25,000
SPELLBOOKS:
- 20,000
RELEASE DECKS:
- 25,000
TRIBAL THEME DECKS:
-
- 5,000 x Alpha Iceman
- 5,000 x Dingbelle Ring Leader
- 5,000 x Salamander Queen
- 5,000 x Hopkinsville Goblin King
- 5,000 x Pukwudgie Chieftain
- 25,000 total
BLISTER PACKS:
- 25,000
Here are the full print-run numbers for MetaZoo’s Cryptid Nation: Nightfall 1st Edition product releases.
BOOSTER BOXES:
- 50,000
SPELLBOOKS:
- 50,000
RELEASE DECKS:
- 50,000
THEME DECKS:
-
- 10,000 x Elder Matlox
- 10,000 x Flying Manta Ray
- 10,000 x Reptoid Ruler
- 10,000 x Stikini Owl
- 10,000 x The Ghost Marshall
- 50,000 total
BLISTER PACKS:
- 50,000
We don’t know what the global Cryptid Nation 2nd Edition print run is as of January 2nd, 2022, however, we do know that the print-run for the United States was 62,500 per product.
Knowing that the print run for Nightfall, the set that was released prior to CN2E, had a print run of 50,000 per product, with 40,000 being distributed throughout the United States, and the final 10,000 being distributed throughout the rest of the world, I am making the assumption that the global print run for CN2E is around 72,500-75,000 per product. We don’t know for sure, but it is certainly less than the 100k-250k estimates that were floating around.
There are a total of 159 cards in the Cryptid Nation set, including 1 secret rare card (Red Ink).
To complete the Cryptid Nation master set, you would need a total of 213 cards, which includes an additional 54 reverse holos (but does not include the secret rare card because there were only ~100 copies ever put into circulation).
There are a total of 163 cards in the Cryptid Nation: Nightfall set, including 1 secret rare card (Old Scratch).
To complete the Cryptid Nation: Nightfall master set, you will need a total of 254 cards, which includes an additional 54 reverse holos and 37 non-holo gold rares (but does not include the secret rare card because there were only ~100 copies ever put into circulation).
There are also 7 token cards in Nightfall that do not have card set numbers on them.
Cryptid Nation: Base Set – 1st Edition was initially meant to be released in March 2021, but ended up releasing a few months later on July 30th, 2021.
Cryptid Nation: Nightfall – 1st Edition was released on October 22nd, 2021.
It is estimated that approximately 1.1 million booster packs of MetaZoo’s Cryptid Nation: Base Set 1st Edition have ever been produced and distributed in products such as Blister Packs, Spellbooks, Booster Boxes and Theme Decks.
It is estimated that approximately 2.2 million booster packs of MetaZoo’s Cryptid Nation: Nightfall 1st Edition have ever been produced and distributed in products such as Blister Packs, Spellbooks, Booster Boxes and Theme Decks.
Red Ink is the one and only secret rare card in MetaZoo’s Cryptid Nation: Base Set 1st Edition set. They were only randomly seeded through Booster Boxes.
There were a total of 100 Red Ink cards distributed globally, and it is the very first secret rare card released by MetaZoo Games.
Old Scratch is the one and only secret rare card in MetaZoo’s Cryptid Nation: Nightfall 1st Edition set. It isn’t entirely clear which MetaZoo products Old Scratch could be pulled from, but Booster Boxes have been confirmed.
There were a total of 100 Old Scratch cards distributed globally, and it is the second secret rare card released by MetaZoo Games.
Here is a look at the Secret Rare for CN2E. In the end, it was a Blue Ink. Go figure!
We estimate that the chances of pulling a Red Ink secret rare out of a Cryptid Nation: Base Set 1st Edition Boxtopper pack should be approximately 1-in-250 boxtopper packs based on knowing that 25,000 CN1E booster boxes were produced.
We estimate that the chances of pulling an Old Scratch secret rare out of a Cryptid Nation: Nightfall 1st Edition Booster Pack should be approximately 1-in-22,000 packs based on estimates stating that there were 2.2 million NF1E booster packs produced.