This is a whole print run that served as a "guinea pig" deck, on which we tested various techniques, foiling methods and artwork solutions in order to choose the best ones for a flawless final production that is happening right now.
Despite the slight imperfections in foiling (bear in mind that we tried things which didn't turn out as expected) this deck is still a feast for the eyes. It's probably the most insanely detailed artwork that can (or cannot) be printed using foil and the result is literally unique: Every suite is different since we tried as many options as we could to serve the artwork concept.
MYSTERY III Test is now ready and we will assembly ONLY the decks that will be sold during a 10-day period starting from now. The test print has a simple but elegant tuck box (the official edition is just insane) and will be shipped towards the end of July. There is no limit to the number of copies you can get and the cost (€60/deck) includes shipping.
We debated for long as to whether we should reveal pictures or not, and we decided that this should be your call. YOU will decide if you want to see pictures or not. In any case, the official edition is significantly different from the TEST, so technically, even if you see pictures, the mystery remains!
I kept writing responses but nothing will capture how remarkable I find these to be. I see why they're a test print with him trying different foiling patterns, but my goodness. I'm speechless. And new courts! <3 The court image was cut off on mobile, so I hadn't seen the full preview until this post.
It's nearing a year ago when I caught a first glimpse of what turned out to become Mystery III Craft edition. This deck continues to evolve into something superlative.
I love seeing custom courts from Lotrek (and new ones at that)! I ordered 2 mystery IIIs, I'm still waiting for Qalif, and now 1 of the test prints. It's going to be an time mail day whenever these arrive
laitostarr777 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 2:53 am
A bit frustrated that it is another Islamic art theme, but the silver lining is that the court is fresh new illustration!
I still waiting for the time Lotrek dabbles on Christianity art
Yea it looks like or is a colorful Arabesque deck back. Good that the courts are new.
"When I like something, I buy. No matter who did it, how many were printed or how many (re)colors exist.
When I don't like something, I pass. No matter who did it, how many were printed or how many (re)colors exist."
It’s certainly impressive to achieve that level of detail but it’s not a beautiful deck in my opinion. It’s more like a showcase of as many techniques as one could put in a single deck.
laitostarr777 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 2:53 am
A bit frustrated that it is another Islamic art theme, but the silver lining is that the court is fresh new illustration!
I still waiting for the time Lotrek dabbles on Christianity art
He has dabbled. Sanctisimmus in particular is based on Byzantine illuminated manuscripts, especially biblically inspired ones.
Lotrek is becoming as good at hype as Dan & Dave, The Virts, Fontaine or Alex Pandera.
It's not a €60 deck to me and it's a pass, I really just want the decks (many) which I have already paid for. As far as I'm aware I'm still waiting on decks from years 2, 3 and 4 from Patreon plus Mystery III plus Redemption plus who knows what. Redemption status was "The decks are ready and will start shipping just after the first week of July." which I guess is now, but let's see. I shouldn't have ordered them tbh, that one's on me.
Let's see, Mystery III was ordered in February '24. €100 ea for 2 decks. Hopefully before 2026 we see them.
laitostarr777 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 2:53 am
A bit frustrated that it is another Islamic art theme, but the silver lining is that the court is fresh new illustration!
I still waiting for the time Lotrek dabbles on Christianity art
He has dabbled. Sanctisimmus in particular is based on Byzantine illuminated manuscripts, especially biblically inspired ones.
He needs to do another one!!!
He musttt!!!!
Really want a Christianity deck that shouts "it's like the treasure coming from the Vatican" - and Lotrek will be the excellent guy to be able to make it!!!
Strag wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:55 am
As far as I'm aware I'm still waiting on decks from years 2, 3 and 4 from Patreon plus Mystery III plus Redemption plus who knows what. Hopefully before 2026 we see them.
We plus others feel this way. I'm extremely selective now plus I definitely wanted to see the test print deck. I figure Patreon Year 2 still being worked on while printing other stuff that's less of a pain to print.....
"When I like something, I buy. No matter who did it, how many were printed or how many (re)colors exist.
When I don't like something, I pass. No matter who did it, how many were printed or how many (re)colors exist."
It's nice, but it's not €60 nice (to me). At the same price as Fragmenta, I would absolutely buy some. I know €60 isn't that much relative to standard Lotrek prices, but it still feels high for a test deck.
Strag wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:55 am
Let's see, Mystery III was ordered in February '24. €100 ea for 2 decks. Hopefully before 2026 we see them.
The test prints of mystery III were going to be made available right before Mystery III gets shipped out. Kev probably could confirm but I believe these will be shipped out by end of the month, possibly sooner.
Unfortunately in the midst of a rather pricey bit of landscaping and general home maintenance so I only grabbed a pair - which will do, but on a good day I would have certainly grabbed a few more - if anyone has a few they want to trade at some point in the future give me a poke
Swiski66 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 5:04 pm
Can someone explain to me where I can order the Mystery III "final" edition, not the test print? I don't see it on the ordering page.
Mystery III final edition, the name of which we don't know yet, was initially up for sale back in February 2024.
He came out with his first iteration dubbed "Mystery III Craft Edition" and wanted to change the borders and brighten the courts. This ultimately became Qalif. He was still not satisfied with his initial vision and decided to shift gears. In order to maximize his efficiency, he used the Mystery III Test Print to try different techniques on one deck by having each suit have different approaches and patterns. From that, he ultimately picks what is truest to his vision along with further refinements. This is slated to be the final version we had paid for already.
Bikefanatic wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 7:26 am
........
I figure Patreon Year 2 still being worked on while printing other stuff that's less of a pain to print.....
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KoD - my initials, no wonder I grew up a lover of playing cards Avatar - Honeybee (No.15+17) Tuck pic by Randy Butterfield for PM
Strag wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:55 am
Let's see, Mystery III was ordered in February '24. €100 ea for 2 decks. Hopefully before 2026 we see them.
The test prints of mystery III were going to be made available right before Mystery III gets shipped out. Kev probably could confirm but I believe these will be shipped out by end of the month, possibly sooner.
Yeah, I don't like the odds on that one Strag. Fold.
I kinda agree the price bites for me right now. I still picked up six because I am a nut. Had they been a bit less I might have picked up one or two more and I was wavering on just picking up two or three but I liked Qualif a ton (one open next to my computer to fondle). The long waits get old...literally.
Strag wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:55 am
Let's see, Mystery III was ordered in February '24. €100 ea for 2 decks. Hopefully before 2026 we see them.
The test prints of mystery III were going to be made available right before Mystery III gets shipped out. Kev probably could confirm but I believe these will be shipped out by end of the month, possibly sooner.
I'll take the over
The Mystery Test decks are already printed, so he just has to box and ship them.. ...So they'll end up going out in September.
I went back in for another dip - and rounded out for a half brick.
figured my hanafuda credit card was going fairly unused at this point - having bought the world out of its supply long ago and it could pull a bit of double duty
and yes, it is barely exaggeration to say - “I have a hanafuda credit card” - which I imagine is not the thing to say on a first date, outside of a hanafuda convention
GandalfPC wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 12:18 pm
I went back in for another dip - and rounded out for a half brick.
figured my hanafuda credit card was going fairly unused at this point - having bought the world out of its supply long ago and it could pull a bit of double duty
and yes, it is barely exaggeration to say - “I have a hanafuda credit card” - which I imagine is not the thing to say on a first date, outside of a hanafuda convention
and yes, it is barely exaggeration to say - “I have a hanafuda credit card” - which I imagine is not the thing to say on a first date, outside of a hanafuda convention
GandalfPC wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 12:18 pm
I went back in for another dip - and rounded out for a half brick.
figured my hanafuda credit card was going fairly unused at this point - having bought the world out of its supply long ago and it could pull a bit of double duty
and yes, it is barely exaggeration to say - “I have a hanafuda credit card” - which I imagine is not the thing to say on a first date, outside of a hanafuda convention
Same here. I ordered 3 yesterday and 3 more today.
I ended up buying just 2 of the test prints because I had ordered 5 of the final version, plus we're getting a "special edition" as part of Year 3. At least that's my logic.
At this time, 247 have sold. Print run will be equivalent to how many sell in the ten days since the announcement.
@playingcardophile
