Some of my thoughts on the upcoming Harry Potter TCG set due out in the near future.

Ok, so everyone knows that the next Harry Potter card set is based on the second book? Right? The card set shares the same title as that of the book! It is called “The Chamber of Secrets”. No firm date has been set, but it should be out in September!

What else do we know about this new set? Well for one thing, there will be 140 cards in the set. At least, that is the printed number of cards. If Wizards of the Coast (WOTC) follows the same format as the first set (aka Base Set), then there will be exactly 140 cards with all of the rares being holographic/foils. However, if they follow the format used in the last three sets (Quidditch Cup, Diagon Alley, & Adventures at Hogwarts), then, there will be holo/foil versions as well as non holo/foil versions of all of the rare cards. This meant that there were at total of 110 unique cards in an 80-card set.

Sooooooooo! What does this mean? It means we will get the largest set to date. The set will be 140 cards strong using the “Base Set” format or it will be about 180 cards strong (that 180 card number assumes 40 rares with holo and non holo versions of each)! Wow! WOW! Either way, a very large set!

So what is in the set? Here is some more of my expectations. Remember, this is just speculation on my part. I am not part of the WOTC decision-making process, and have no “inside” information. This is just pure guesswork.

How about another lesson type? This has been rumored for some time now. I am a believer in this line of thinking. The only problem is what will it be. Well, the consensus is that it will be one of two choices. A) Herbology or B) Defense Against the Dark Arts. I think either would be a good fit for the card game. Since this set is based on the “Chamber of Secrets”, which choice is featured more in this book? Herbology. Therefore, Herbology is my choice for the next new lesson type.

What about new cards? What can we expect to see? Well I just re-read the book and here are some possible cards to consider.

How about “Hover Charm”? Sounds like a cool card!

Ok, so how about this.

Floo Powder – This was the stuff the wizards used to transport themselves in fireplaces.

Whomping Willow – Eats cars and what not. Good anti-creature possibilities.

Memory Charms – Lots of possibilities here. More actions, or do something again, or do a characters action again.

Disarming Charm – Maybe get rid of Creatures?

Squib – Turn your opponent into a muggle for a turn!

Other possible spells would be:

Tickling Charm, Deflating Draft, Skele-Gro, Mandrake Restorative Draught,

Polyjuice Potion

How about Creatures and Plants?

Garden Gnome, Pixies, Mandrakes, Venemous Tentacula, House Elves, Aragog, Basilisk, Fawkes, Fluxweed, Knotgrass, Lacewing, Parselmouth

Adventures, Locations, Items:

The Dailey Prophet, Knockturn Alley, Howler, Dueling Club, Ford Anglia,

Shooting Star Broom, Muggle Artifacts Office

Characters?

Dobby, Ginny Weasley, Prof. Lockhart, Prof. Sprout, Moaning Myrtle, Percy Weasley,

Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin,

Colin Creevey, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Cornelias Fudge, Lucius Malfoy,

And lastly:

Thomas Riddle

Hope you enjoyed this,
Greg Hodgkinson