Sponsored.  The path of Earth rewards the slow and steady, patiently planting seeds for a bountiful harvest.  The path of Lightning rewards the fast and fervent, burning bright like a shooting star.  Will you outlast… or will you outblast?  It's time to begin your journey.  It's time to take your 1st Strike.

1st Strike is the latest thrilling way to learn how to play Flesh and Blood!  With two ready-to-play out of the box Blitz decks featuring brand new Elemental heroes and exciting yet simple mechanics, 1st Strike is the perfect starting point for any brave adventurer setting their sights on the world of Rathe.  Designed to teach new players the basics, 1st Strike has everything they need to harness the forces of nature and dive into battle!

Stand firm with Terra, a Guardian who's unbreakable Earth Bond keeps him alive while he cultivates a late-game smackdown!  Terra teaches players the strengths of defending and setting up big attacks.  By planting Might tokens, Terra can "go tall" on the next turn with a beefed-up blow that keeps the opponent on the back foot.

Feel the Lightning Flow with Aurora, a Runeblade who fries her opponents to a crisp with a barrage of electrifying attacks! Aurora teaches players how to use go again to attack several times in a turn.  With Embodiment of Lightning tokens, Aurora can "go wide," while simultaneously shocking the opponent with arcane damage.

1st Strike debuts with early access events at Gen Con in Indianapolis from August 1-4.  Players can show up to the Flesh and Blood booth during any of the four days to learn how to play the game and begin their pathway from the Ira Welcome Deck to fully fledged Blitz battles!  They'll also have the chance to experience new products like Armory Deck: Azalea, and get their hands on exclusive prizes such as the highly coveted hero Blaze, Firemind.

Releasing worldwide on August 23, 1st Strike hits shelves just in time for Skirmish Season 9.  After learning how to play with Terra or Aurora, players can then upgrade their Blitz deck and get a taste of what competitive Flesh and Blood has to offer!  Skirmish events are aimed at casual players, allowing them to hone their skills, learn from veteran players, score sweet promo cards, and have an absolute blast!

1st Strike is the recommended stepping stone into the next major Flesh and Blood set release - Rosetta!  1st Strike teaches players how to attack, defend, pitch, arsenal, prevent arcane damage, and most importantly - harness the Elemental talents of Earth and Lightning, which feature prominently in Rosetta gameplay.  Aurora is a featured hero in the set, acting as a beginner-friendly bridge from 1st Strike.

Rosetta returns players to the mythical sanctuary of Aria, through thorny thickets and volatile thunderstorms, deep into the dense undergrowth where the forces of Earth and Lightning converge.  Releasing September 20, Rosetta marks the first set featuring all-arcane classes, introducing two new Wizards and two new Runeblades to fans of Flesh and Blood!

With a brand new two-class / two-talent set structure opening up new Sealed Deck and Booster Draft possibilities, the return of the Elemental talent to Constructed, and a collection of 24 stunning Full Art Marvel cards, Rosetta will enchant players and collectors alike.  Stay tuned for exciting reveals during Preview Season, beginning August 27.

Fresh from their experience with 1st Strike, players can then join us in Tampa Bay, Florida, from September 6-8 for the World Premiere of Rosetta!  Here they will get the chance to rip open booster packs of the new set, build a deck, and engage in dynamic and exciting gameplay!  Most high-rarity cards in Rosetta are being kept secret until the World Premiere, which means players who attend will be able to see these special cards before anyone else in the world!

Taking place alongside the World Premiere is the Calling, a huge open entry tournament with promos, prizes, and $20,000 up for grabs!  Taking on board what they learned in the World Premiere, players can engage once more in Rosetta Sealed Deck, followed by Rosetta Booster Draft.  With the set being so fresh and everyone on even footing, anyone could enter and become the next champion!

Beyond that there will be more than 1,500 Rosetta Pre-Release events taking place in local game stores worldwide from September 13-16, and casual Play Day events taking place during Release Weekend, September 21-22.  These are awesome opportunities for new players to join their local community to celebrate the new set in a fun, low-stakes environment.

With the grand return to Candlehold ushering in a new arcane age of Flesh and Blood, it's one of the most exciting times ever to pick up the game.  Whether you join Team Earth or Team Lightning, your destiny awaits… all you have to do is take your 1st Strike!

More information for retailers can be found at https://fabtcg.com/products/booster-set/1st-strike/.

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