TOPIC: Condensed packs vs conventional packs

This was my 1st year for a big(ger) purchase of tokens. My question for everyone that buys enough to do the condensed packs is what is/are your preference for condensed vs conventional packs? Do you prefer the condensed packs or conventional packs. Any suggestion for newer players considering a bigger purchase?

The orders I place are an accumulation of what different folks commit too. I have been getting super condensed and then go to a reseller for individual common uncommon and rare tokens I want.

Condensed packs can be time-saving and convenient--sorting through all those common tokens can be a pain. That said, there's usually 1-2 common tokens that are worth getting every year (e.g., this year's 50 GP canteen, which is an ingredient in the Canteen of Quaffing). Also, having common tokens on hand makes it easier to hit exactly 25 units of the trade goods that are measured in units. This year, my guild did mostly condensed packs with one uncondensed pack. We'll probably stick with that for a while.

I just placed my first 1k and I went for un-condensed. With the good type being printed on the top of each token, it's really not too much trouble to go through a single un-condensed. I don't think I'd ever bother getting more than one, though.

As far as ancillary advice - check out the spreadsheet and see which URs are totally not in demand. Make sure you don't order those and opt for the high-value URs for your choices. You should have no problem trading a Gold Nugget for a Crossbow+stuff, for example. It seems there was little demand for Ring of Fateful Heroism, Flail, Crossbow, and kinda/sorta - Charm of Quick Strike & Shoes of the Sneak.

My team opted to go for the non-condensed for our 8k order. We have multiple people in our group that just like the feeling of popping open packs.

I, personally, would much rather go full condensed, but I got outvoted on that one

For me it depends on how much I would be ordering. If I every ordered only 1k it would be noncondensed. I usually order 2k and get 1 of each. This year it was 4k all condensed. If I every get up to 8k it will be supercondensed. Really I only want to deal with so many tokens each year. I get enough commons and uncommons out of packs and treasure each year to get any of those that i may have wanted.

With the addition of canteen of quaffing to the preorders, I got all mine condensed this year.
Honestly, sorting commons is a chore to me.

I’d go condensed since canteen of quaffing is included (the most important common this year) and plan on getting other semi important commons on runs.

If you’re worried about getting to 25 like BeLinda said, find a trade with your other token’a’holics with a rare you were going to trade in for the third mystic silk, and get three commons to turn in for mystic silk and you’re at 25 in three unique transmutes. After a few 1k orders I found that I keep a bag of play backed commons and uncommons that don’t usually make it into my conversions for some reason, but if I ever need one, or ten points to fill out a transmute order I have the spares.

And if you need the uncondensed next year, you can swap years too. Welcome to the champions sir, next stop premier league.

There is a method for dealing with lack of commons.

How should these tokens be bagged as it's not an easy division of tokens for each into 25 pts?

Answer: Please try to avoid this situation if possible. If you cannot, in the above example please place 24 pts of tokens seperately in 3 bags, and then place the left-over 3 pts token in a seperate non-labeled bag. Then, take all four bags and place them together in a larger ziplock bag. This is how we will know that this special case has occurred.

As much as I enjoy opening the packs, sorting and mailing off 840 commons is not my idea of a good time.

I sort of wish there a "half super condensed" option. Get 4K worth of uncommons and rares, and less to sort Nd return.

I do Condensed because I'm more than happy to not have to deal with Commons in my order. Sorting Rares and Uncommon are still plenty to sort. And I'll have ample opportunities to see them during the TD season between the packs you get before every run and treasure draws so I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.