Torrential Tides Sales Numbers, Blister Packs and Aura Chases

During the July 8th edition of MetaZoo Mondays—the ongoing weekly Discord discussion between fans and the MetaZoo team—Charlie Hurlocker offered some key updates on the upcoming Torrential Tides set and the future of MetaZoo products. From booster box experiences to aesthetic upgrades and chase cards, Charlie provided a clear picture of how product design is evolving to meet player and collector expectations.

Torrential Tides: Orders In, Shipping Soon

Charlie confirmed that Torrential Tides is almost out the door, with most production wrapped and distributor shipping around the corner.

I am very excited for Torrential Tides. The final orders at distribution are being processed. Shipping to distro right around the corner. Printing mostly done.

- Charlie Hurlocker

While not offering specific numbers, Charlie did address a question relating to how Torrential Tides compared to the Base Set in terms of orders. His response focused less on raw volume and more on market trajectory:

Hard to answer because I can’t really give the underlying context that makes this useful, but up in all channels that I manage on the whole, significant new market penetration that will become very apparent in the next 5 months, and in a place currently where we could run off of this for a long time. I don’t want to overhype anything or send false signals so I’ll leave it at that.

- Charlie Hurlocker

This signals confidence in the health of the brand and its reach—but also caution against reading too much into raw sales figures. Instead, Charlie emphasized long-term sustainability and community building:

Future is bright, but the work is far from done. Customer acquisition and continuing to build a community where people want to spend their time is the key. Total sales are less important of an indicator right now than customer acquisition and reacquisition, given our long-term focus.

- Charlie Hurlocker

Hidden Rares Stay Atop the Food Chain, But Tweaks Are Coming

A hot topic in the community has been whether Torrential Tides would introduce a new highest-tier rarity beyond Hidden Rare. Charlie clarified that Hidden Rares are still at the top—but hinted at changes that could make chasing cards more satisfying over time.

The top rarity tier in Torrential is still Hidden Rare. But there is some adjustment to the rarities that I think makes things incrementally more satisfying. The opening experience feels really good and I think we have added some longevity to the experience so that you can open for a longer period of time and still have it feel fresh and exciting.

- Charlie Hurlocker

This emphasis on pack-opening longevity points toward an effort to improve how product feels over time, especially for collectors and sealed enthusiasts.

“Aura Bling” and the Future of Flash

When a fan suggested the idea of full-holo auras—perhaps with different patterns or color pairings—Charlie didn’t hold back his excitement:

Without a doubt there has to be some sweet aura bling in the future, right? I know I’m looking forward to it.

- Charlie Hurlocker

It wasn’t the only aesthetic upgrade discussed. Another fan asked about hologram-style chase cards—think 1990s Marvel cards, glow-in-the-dark, or “Kaboom”-type inserts common in sports products. Charlie made it clear these ideas are very much on his radar:

Generally, I love aesthetics and cool things. I think there are spaces in a given product line to do that really well and spaces where it doesn’t incrementally advantage you.

- Charlie Hurlocker

He noted that OP-exclusive cards—while not pulled from booster packs directly—will still be part of the overall product ecosystem, with design and rarity considerations tied into the broader booster “scheme.” His design goal is to introduce “awesome things” without undermining the gameplay ecosystem:

So what I would say is that I love all sorts of cool, goofy things and beautiful things and awesome things. And I always want to be making those and putting them in the place in the product mix that best supports where the product needs growth.

- Charlie Hurlocker

Old Favorites: Blister Packs, Spellbooks, and the Collector’s Touch

Charlie also responded to a question about the possible return of blister packs and spellbooks, a product category many old-school players remember fondly.

Blister packs would be really great. Especially if they had a promo in the front. I know I would buy some.”

- Charlie Hurlocker

This kind of product—low-barrier, promo-packed, and great for retail environments—could play an important role in continuing to expand MetaZoo’s casual reach. While no formal announcements were made, it’s clear the team is actively thinking about how best to bring these ideas back into rotation.

Stay tuned to MetaZoo News for continued coverage of MetaZoo Mondays and all the latest headlines!