Battle Cry(tm) is due for release in September, but there have been rumors that both it and the C-23(tm) expansion Uprising(tm) might be delayed. (Quelle shock!) No official word from WotC yet about any delay, but they usually don't say anything until the product is already a wee bit overdue in the stores. Time will tell, I suppose.

Meantime, the ads for Battle Cry(tm) tell us that, "Get ready for a wild ride when Callisto makes her appearance in the Battle Cry(tm) expansion for the Xena: Warrior Princess™ trading card game. Throw in Joxer, the Amazons, and the Centaurs, and things will really get out of hand." You can get your Battle Cry(tm) cards either in starter decks "built around" the Battle Cry cards, or you can buy booster packs. I have no idea if the starter decks will contain only Battle Cry cards or a mix of Battle Cry(tm) and the original cards. (I'm betting that it'll be a mix, since that's the way WotC does the Magic expansion decks, but I could be wrong. It wouldn't be the first time.) Also, the booster packs are supposed to contain 13 cards, instead of the usual 12, since there was a bit of a mix-up with the original starter decks. So you'll get a free card with your booster pack purchase.

If I hear anything else about the expansion release, I'll be sure to post it here.

I have a couple of bits of news for everyone. First, I have read on the internet that Wizards has announced that the Battle Cry(tm) release has been delayed until November 14. I haven't been able to confirm this yet, but I'm inclined to believe it. Second, the number of cards in Battle Cry will be 75. (I have found this info in several different places, most importantly at Wizards' web page, so it should be accurate.) Finally, on the inside cover of Topps'® Xena Magazine #4, there is a contest from Wizards that shows 5 of the new cards. For those who haven't picked up the magazine yet (shame on you; it's quite good!), or aren't subscribed to the Arena mailing list (and you should be; it has lots of good information), I'll put the card text below for you to peruse.

Callisto is card with power of 6 and a cost of 7. Her text reads, "Unique. If this character is attacking, when you're allowed to play combat cards, you may instead choose 1 character blocking this one and discard it. This counts as playing your combat card."

The new Gabrielle card has a power of 4 and a cost of 5. Her text reads, "Unique. When this card is put in play, you may put any number of cards with Xena in the title from your discard pile into your hand."

The new Xena card has both a power and a cost of 6. Her text reads, "Unique. If this character attacks, you may put 1 card with Gabrielle in the title from your discard pile into your hand."

The Velasca card has a power of 5 and a cost of 7. Her text reads, "Unique. Whenever you're allowed to play an action card, you may discard one card from your own hand in order to choose 1 of your opponent's characters in play and discard it."

The Joxer card has a power of 1 and a cost of 4. His text reads, "Unique. When this card is put in play, discard 1 card from your own deck. At the beginning of each of your turns, if this card, put it in play without tapping resources."

From these new cards, it sounds like Battle Cry(tm) helps beef up the Xena set, especially since I have heard folks complaining that Xena seems like the weakest of the ARC games. (Okay, so I think so, too.) Hopefully several more of the character cards will also have additional cool abilities like the ones mentioned above.

I have just a quick two little things to mention. One, the contest in Xena magazine #4 has been extended until October 30th, according to the Wizards' Xena CCG website. Second, according to my source at Wizard, the release of Battle Cry(tm) is set for November 16th, not 14th. Could have been a typo, but I'm betting not.

Update as of November 12, 1998

Well, Battle Cry is almost here, and apparently WotC is gearing up to promote it. Like many other fans, I got the following letter in the mail earlier this week:
Dear Xena: Warrior Princess(tm) fan,
We have exciting news about an upcoming event: the release of the Battle Cry(tm) expansion, the first for the Xena: Warrior Princess trading card game. On November 14, 1998, we're giving you an opportunity to see the Battle Cry cards before the official release date. Don't miss your chance to take an early peek at this eye-popping new set of cards, featuring images straight from the Xena: Warrior Princess television series! Our Battle Cry release parties will feature tournaments, demos, drawings, and giveaways, all two days prior to the actual release date and all for only $15 (US funds). For $15 you get one Battle Cry deck and two Battle Cry booster packs plus entry into all tournaments and drawings.
We hope you'll take advantage of this exciting event and preview the new Battle Cry expansion at one of the following locations on November 14:

Jacksonville, IL

217-245-0306

Salt Lake City, UT

801-466-5544

Glendale, AZ

602-930-9149

Mountain View, CA

650-947-0398

Oneonta, NY

607-433-2697

Geneva, IL

630-232-1515

Wichita Falls, TX

940-692-7571

South Bend, IN

219-277-1133

Lincoln, NE

402-466-6066

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

330-922-4263

Minneapolis, MN

612-322-4417

Salina, KS

785-827-1133

Burnaby, BC

604-526-4263

Alhambra, CA

626-289-3128

Richfield, MN

612-861-6718

Bremen, OH

740-569-4564

Seattle, WA

206-675-1608

Of course, none of these are even remotely near me. So, if you have a chance to go, would you be kind enough to let some of the rest of us know how it went? :)

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