A huge Flesh and Blood collector, Peng Joon AKA Foil Degen is known for a variety of exciting collector-oriented videos, such as his notorious “Pick a Card, Any Card” series. He also plays competitively, often seen in the Top 8 of Battle Hardeneds, National Championships, and more. For Collectors Week 2024 we sat down with him to hear his thoughts about collecting the game.
Why do you collect TCGs?
I started collecting a long time ago with another TCG and it was one of those things that I really loved doing. The crazy thing is, over 30 years some of the gems that I held over time really went up in price and in 2020 all of my alternative assets; comics, cardboard, watches, actually went up a lot more than real assets, they outperformed stocks and real estate, and to me that was huge. I collect TCGs because it’s my passion and hobby and also I think of it as alternative assets.
How did you first get into collecting Flesh and Blood?
In 2023 it had been about 20 years since I had played a TCG. I walked past a store, and at that point I was going through a very tough time in my life, and I wanted to distract myself. So I thought to myself, maybe I’ll start playing my old TCG again, and as I walked past this store I asked the owner “hey man, I’m thinking about starting this TCG again, what should I do?”
The owner looked at me and he said “bro nobody plays this game anymore - try this new game instead.” And I’m so glad he did because I wasn’t really sold on starting the old TCG again, I’m so glad someone talked me out of it and got me into Flesh and Blood instead.
Why should people collect Flesh and Blood?
I think of it as two aspects. Number one, collect the thing that you love. When it comes to the investment side of it, you are trading a piece of paper with faces of dead people on it (money) for pictures on cards that you love. So why not do that?
Number two is from the investment side of things. Don't take out a mortgage to buy cards, but I think of these people, the kids, the teenagers, the young adults, that play this game, 10-20 years from now when they actually make money, they’re not going to want to buy Picasso, because Picasso means nothing to that demographic. They’re going to want something that means something to them. Just like today, I want to be able to buy the stuff I couldn't afford back then. I'm still a kid inside (I’m a lot older than I look!). I want to be able to buy the comics, cards, and toys I couldn't afford back then.
Even though right now this game is five years old, there will come a point in time in 10-20 years when people will look back and be like “oh man these are the cards I couldn't afford back then and I want to be able to do it.”
What was your first Cold Foil?
I started off playing Fai, so I started by fully foiling Fai first. I’m playing Kayo right now, so I have most of the Brute foils, but still missing a few pieces.
What is your favourite Flesh and Blood booster set, and why?
Probably Part the Mistveil. In terms of gameplay, LSS really outdid themselves over and over again. Heavy Hitters was also a homerun.
What is your favourite Flesh and Blood card, and why?
In terms of sentimental value, the Gold Foils that I earned myself. The first ever Gold Foil I won on my own was Breaking Scales, from a Pro Quest. The others were Quiver of Abyssal Depths from National Championships Top 4, and finally Twelve Petal Kāṣāya from the finals of Battle Hardened: Bali. In terms of gameplay, probably Command and Conquer.
Is there a particular Flesh and Blood card you don't have that you hope to own someday?
Because this game has played a huge role in my life in the last year and a half, my goal is to be able to complete a full Gold Foil set. The ones that I want are the ones that will complete the collection. I’m still missing some of the older Welcome to Rathe pieces.
Tell us about your experience collecting Part the Mistveil.
I always feel like it's really hard to monetise artists. I have friends who are artists who really struggle. LSS has provided an amazing opportunity for artists to be able to monetise and get exposure, so I love collecting artist proofs. Also judge packs. Judging is a really, really tough thing to do, the stress, the pressure, sometimes conflict, so I like collecting judge packs to support them.
What are you hoping for from Rosetta and beyond?
From a collector’s point of view I’m going to take advantage of this moment right now to talk about the change I really hope to see. It doesn't make sense for Gold Foils to not have an Extended Art version when the Extended Art Cold Foil exists. If there’s an Extended Art Cold Foil, the Gold Foil version should also have an Extended Art.
Show us your FAB collection! What's the crown jewel?
Check it out below. If you want to see more stuff, more Gold Foil openings, and more questionable investment advice, follow Foil Degen!
