Base Card Design -
Artifacts really knows its own image. The base cards this year fit in perfectly with the long line of Artifacts base that have come before it. The base cards are elegant looking with the perfect amount of foil to make the card pop. Everything about the base card is clean and cool. Artifacts has always been able to provide collectors with a premium looking base set, and I'm glad the tradition continues with this release.
Like the fronts, the back of the Artifacts base has had attention paid to it. The back design matches perfectly with the front of the card. It's always great to see some art in the background as it makes the card have a textured look. All the needed information is presented in an easy to read way and a nice paragraph of information is also included.
I thought this card was a parallel at first, but as it turns out NHL stars have their own subset within the main Artifacts line. The stars have a dark green background and are numbered to 599 each.
Legends, like current stars, also have their own unique subset within the Artifacts set. These cards are also serial numbered to 599 but have a grey (rather than green) background. Rookie cards serial to 999 are included after these Legends cards. All this serial numbering and short printing of the set makes it quite a challenge to put together!
Base Card Design Score:
9/10
Inserts/Game-Used/Autos -
Each box of Artifacts comes with 8 packs. The box states that buyers can expect 3 autograph, memorabilia, or Aurum cards. There was a time when Artifacts boxes guaranteed and autograph. These past few years, however, aren't like that. Nothing is guaranteed at all. In fact, according to the box pulling 3 Aurum cards out with no other hits could be something that happens! Now, I'm sure that doesn't happen, but it stinks that there are no for-sure autographs to be obtained with a purchase of Artifacts box.
Parallels, parallels, parallels. Artifacts has a lot of these! It is a huge challenge to find all the parallels of a single player in this product. Trust me, I actually did it one year! You'll have to study the checklist really hard to know all the parallel cards in the set. Not only is the base set full of multiple parallels, the memorabilia/autographed cards are as well.
Speaking of parallel memorabilia cards, here's a rookie base set parallel card featuring two jersey swatches. It's a nice looking card - especially since the jerseys are two different colors - but it probably won't have too high of a value. Better values come with nice memorabilia pieces such as tags and patches.
The Tundra series of memorabilia inserts has always put multiple players on the same card. Usually it's by team, but in some cases Upper Deck decides to put together players that have unique connections to each other. I like these cards and I think they are great for team collectors. I would happily trade this Flyers one for one from the Sharks!
Since Artifacts releases before any skaters have hit the ice, redemption cards have been inserted to redeem for rookies. These have been in Artifacts for years now. Collectors can expect to find a team's rookie (in my case someone from the Preds) or a wild card rookie which will remain a mystery until Upper Deck releases the list of names that corresponds to the cards.
My best hit from the box was a purple redemption card for the number II rookie. I have no idea who it will be, but it'll be a nice card as it will have both a patch and tag embedded in it. I'm pretty excited to see who this player I got will be. The only annoying thing is waiting until Upper Deck releases the names of the rookies!
Inserts/Game-Used//Autos Score:
8/10
Overall Rating -
Artifacts was once the best bang for your buck product. It had a ton of great things to find and pull. Nowadays it's still 'ok', but I think the brand has lost some of the magic it once held. There was a time when I wanted to just buy box after box of it because I knew I was going to get autographs and patches. Those days are probably sadly long gone.
Artifacts is now a decent break. It's pricing is not as high as some other products, which still makes it a decent buy. I still enjoy purchasing it and I know many collectors will as well.
Upper Deck has given us a quality product in terms of look and design. There will certainly be cards that are drool worthy pulls. I would recommend Artifacts to any collector that is in its price range. It's the first 'serious' product for hits that Upper Deck has released for the 17/18 season. It's finally time to pull some sweet autos and mem!
Overall Rating:
7.75/10
Check out my box of 17/18 Upper Deck Artifacts:
Not as good as a product, but still love the look of the base cards.
ReplyDeleteYt: Jian Wang
I love Artifacts but I feel its a hit or miss. IMO, to many of the 'color' inserts. Jersey cards are OK. Rookie redemptions are always good.
ReplyDeleteYT: freshestemo
Very hit or miss boxes but overall very cool!!!
ReplyDeleteYt:Bostonbruinsfan4
Not my favorite product thats forsure.... nice hits tho
ReplyDeleteyt emkaybe
Nice break! Very nice redemption hopefully it is of Nolan.
ReplyDeleteYT: Paul Courcelles
I really do like the design of everything this year. Content wise, artifacts is mostly the same every year ,and is good as always.
ReplyDeleteYt:ZeroWolfGiven
I like the product, but I do miss the old Artifacts.
ReplyDeleteContact: Instagram @fuelledbypassioncollectibles
Ahoy, enjoyed your review of 17-18 artifacts. Base cards look sweet but the hits were disappointing for the amount of coin you spend on it. Makes the older years look better. Keep it the amazing work!
ReplyDeleteYoutube user name: sapphirecore
I agree, it's a very hit or miss product now. That redemption however is absolutely insane! Great box for you!
ReplyDeleteYT: Luke Christensen
Really enjoyed your review! I really like the base card design and the hits. Wish it was a little cheaper but overall pretty happy with the way it turned out.
ReplyDeleteYoutube Name: Brayden Morgan
The base cards and parallels look really good this year! Those hits look nice too. Hope to see that patch tag card sometime!
ReplyDeleteYouTube: Brennan Osinski
Nice hit, but I don't like all the parallels... I wish they'd have more patch or auto, instead of parallel.
ReplyDeleteYouTube: Edward Chan
Nice always loved artifacts I can't wait to I get my hands on one yt MG Cards
ReplyDeleteawesome love artifacts
ReplyDeleteyt: nick brady
Email:nickbrady2005@gmail.com
Nice stuff but I always hate redemptions.
ReplyDeleteYT:Jeeparooooo
That rookie redemption looks like some women's behind.
ReplyDeleteArtifacts is my go to for retail collection, the best of all the retail products with a short base set makes it easy to collect. I'm not big on redemptions, but I feel with Artifacts you get the excitement of opening the packs and then again checking the list later on.
ReplyDeleteYT: Michael Martin
Artifacts is not as good as it used to be, but is still one of their better products.
ReplyDeleteYT: Matt Gauthier
Artifacts is not a good product, but he have a good design.
ReplyDeleteYT : Julien Bouchard
Great review. Nice redemption hit
ReplyDeleteYT:Jess S.
Really nice redemption hit! Too bad it wasn't last year or the year before that, Laine / Eichel would have been insane!
ReplyDeleteYT: CY Lam
Great review! I personally like 14/15 artifacts the most and have not really been into the product ever since they've stopped guaranteeing 3 hits per box. Too bad eh?!
ReplyDeleteYT: thehabsguy
Great review. Always look forward to the videos on YT.
ReplyDeleteYT : Mark Siuda
Nice clean base card.Nice hit!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYt:Hockey Mtg
Sick
ReplyDeleteYT codiachobby
very nice cards. The serial number cards are very cool aswell as the jerseys. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteYT - Sebraider93
Awesome review! Love the look of the cards! May pick up a box
ReplyDeleteYT : Sniper87
Great box and review, wow!
ReplyDeleteYT name: OilersHobby123
Awesome review of Artifacts. I've always liked this set for when I get autographs on the cards. They leave a little matte space (which I hope the player signs on) between the player and logo.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the solid reviews!
This was a great box definitely better than last year
ReplyDeleteYT: David's NHL Goal Horns And Soccer Songs
thats sick......
ReplyDeleteMahudh Aslam
Nice box
ReplyDeleteYt Jayden 30
DeleteSolid box Luke! Congrats on the purple patch tag redemption! Overall, not a bad assortment of insert parallels.
ReplyDeleteYT/SCF: McBones
Gonna buy a lot of artifacts this year
ReplyDeleteYt: Seagull Halo
I should give this product a shot this year I love everything about it.
ReplyDeleteYoutube: TDOTRTZ
Thanks for making this video and all the others, helps me decide what I'm going to buy.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite annual sets, next to OPC Platinum.
ReplyDeleteYouTube: Dboutic617
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletenice cards!!
Deletemy youtube bunbun li
Great Break! Redemptions are the issue in the hobby today, unfortunately...
ReplyDeleteYT-Skroeker24
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI PULLED 3 WILD CARD ROOKIE REDEMPTION, 2 AUTO V1 AND V11 ROOKIE REDEMPTION AND 1 PLAIN ROOKIE REDEMPTION AS WELL AS 19 NUMBERED CARDS, SOME OUT OF 0/5 AND A CONNOR MCDAVID OUT OF 25 FROM JUST 4 BOXES. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE PATCHES.... I ENJOY THE GAMBLE AND DONT THINK I MADE OUT BAD!
ReplyDeleteOpened my first ever box of Artifacts just the other day. Always liked the look but thought the price way out of my league. However, I broke down and picked up a box of 17/18 Artifacts and scored HUGE! I hit a #04/25 Mike Modano Honored members Signatures! This card is sick! Also received a rookies redemption and 4 other #'d (and a patch) cards. As a first timer, I cannot complain. Let's just hope I'm this lucky on the next box.
ReplyDelete