Tag Archives: Ultra-Pro

SpartanNerd Review Update…Customized Ultra-Pro Pro-Tower Deck Box!

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Faithful readers, go back and read my review of the Ultra-Pro Pro-Tower Deck Box, first, and then read this article to be more informed about what product I am talking about!

So, I actually DID get the SpartanWife to do some work on the box for me!  I chose art from some comics I had doubles of, “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #8 and #9,” cut it out, and she decoupaged the art to the box.  See my results below!

1 BACK

 

This is the back of the box.  I chose a splash page, so that I might have a large image of He-Man holding his sword.  When you open the box, you get to see the full image!

2 STAND UP

This large image is SOOO IMPRESSIVE!

I chose smaller art for the two sides.

3 RIGHT SIDE 4 LEFT SIDE

 

And instead of comic art, I chose the paper branding from a MOTUC figure that I hung onto for some occasion someday, such as this!  When the box is closed and you are looking at it, there is no mistake what brand of entertainment I am into!

5 FRONT FLAP

 

As far as ease of project…I cut out the art that I wanted, and then she trimmed it up.  The splash page cut the sword into two, but she was able to work it so that it appears seamless.  She decoupaged with “Mod-Podge,” and it feels really natural, like it was branded there at the factory!  The intricate texture of the box didn’t hamper the process at all, as some people seemed to be afraid of when I mentioned this project to them.

And as far as the results I got at the Magic tournament on Saturday, many people said WOW when they saw it!  A few people wanted to touch it, which was cool…It was dry and all.  And I had double the EDH matches, so it worked for getting attention as well!

The SpartanNerd give the SpartanWife a full 5/5 on this project!  Please leave comments and let me know what you think.  She would also like to hear from you, oh Hub City Geeks!

SpartanNerd Review…Ultra Pro Pro-Tower Deck Box

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Looks like I have a new problem.

From my WordPress stats, it seems I have had 62 views of my “Sworn To Darkness” post.  So that means many readers already know that I think that deck is great!  So time for some sleeves…

1 stock box

See my conundrum?  When sleeved, (I am using Dragon Shields), the cards do not fit in the box properly.  Much less can you put that oversized planeswalker card in there!  Bummer!

Let’s try another box.  The Legion Iconic Skull 100-card box.  (Approximately $5.00.)

2 skull box 3 skull box opened

This deck box with top down design can hold 100 sleeved cards.  But that’s it.  Oversized Ob Nixilis has to sit out.  Also the divider.  AND you’ll have to bring another container for dice and tokens.

There is now a solution!

The Ultra Pro Pro Tower Deck Box!

4 table

Here is a picture of it on the playing table at The Tangled Web, before I opened it.  Notice the price…$19.99.  There is a more expensive version that comes with sleeves and has art on it.  I didn’t care for the art, so I went for the cheaper black version.  I don’t know if other colors of this box exist.

So, on to the review!

5 house

Cellophane removed, the deck box has a rough finish.  It is rather nice, actually.  The texture captures the light different ways when viewed from different angles.  Not sure if that can come through on the photo.  The box seals from the top via a magnet that is surprisingly effective.  It is easy to open the box, though.  I’m sure dropping the box with cards in it might cause the magnet to let go.  (But that probably won’t happen, right?)  Other things about the appearance of the box; the words “Ultra Pro” are tattooed on both sides.  and it is pretty clear where the flap is looking at it in normal light.

6 empty

What makes this a great box is all that it has to offer!  Opening the box from the top reveals a compartment where you can store a deck.  Then there is a door that swings out, revealing a place to store your oversized cards!  Perfect for those big planeswalker and legendary Commander cards, and one of the only solutions for that problem I have seen!  With this door open, you can see another compartment below the top compartment.  This pulls out jewelry box style.  This piece is slightly smaller than the top compartment though.  I believe the intention was to store dice and tokens here.  Also notable…both compartments have a ribbon that makes it easier to grab hold of the cards if you can’t grasp them for some reason.

7 filled

Here is a pic of it loaded.  I stood the tokens up only for display here.  You can see Ob Nixilis’ big card staring at you through the access hole in the door.  You can see his small card in the access hole in the top compartment.  This is a great home for the Sworn to Darkness Deck!

8 drawer

Finally, I would point out that the bottom drawer can be removed..(I said it was jewelry box style)…and you can actually fit another sleeved commander deck here, if you load it flat rather than side loading.  Great for carrying two decks around with you!  Maybe you want to play with a friend and they forgot their deck.  If you lugged the Ultra-Pro Pro-Tower Deck Box with you with two decks, then you can still have a fun game!

Some things I love about this box…

I have all five 2013 Commander sets, and Sworn to Darkness from this year.  If you’ll recall, last year’s decks came with three oversized legendary cards.  All 15 of those fit in the drawer, as well as Ob Nixilis and Garruk, The Slayer.  It is safe to say that is AWESOME!

I love the multi-purpose compartment on the bottom!

I love that the top compartment allows side loading easily!

I love the handy ribbons that assist in getting the cards out easily.

What could be improved?…

Not much really.  I suppose the bottom compartment could be the same size as the top, allowing a second side-loaded deck.  But like I said, I’m not sure it was the full intention that that bottom compartment be for a second deck.  Sill, you can’t side load the bottom up with token cards either.  It is great for all of those dice though.

The other thing is more personal.  The SpartanWife is quite crafty…I believe she can really personalize this box for me.  The black color and interesting texture are great.  But if she could get some Masters of the Universe artwork on there, then this would be truly the ultimate deck box experience!

What do I rate the Ultra Pro Pro-Tower Deck Box?

I can’t see any reason to mark points off of this product.  While it might have a little room for improvement, I am really having to nit-pick at it just to point that stuff out.  It is a marvelous box, and every player should get one.  Maybe even two or three!  And since it is Christmas soon, this is a great present for a MTG player from a non-player who might not know what to get.

The box has a dedicated space for oversized cards, two storage compartments, is easy to carry, has a reasonably strong magnetic latch, and is quite affordable in the plain black version!

My rating is 5/5!  Do you agree with the SpartanNerd?  Let me know in the comments!