Battles in Time Sets
Here is a compiled informational page on all of the card sets GE Fabbri released. Understandably, the information is rather a lot to have on one page, therefore the information has also been compiled into sub-pages accessible from the drop-down menu or by clicking the title of each section.
Here is a compiled informational page on all of the card sets GE Fabbri released. Understandably, the information is rather a lot to have on one page, therefore the information has also been compiled into sub-pages accessible from the drop-down menu or by clicking the title of each section.
The test set saw a twelve-week trial run in some areas of the United Kingdom in the Spring of 2006, with only the first 85 cards available. These cards were from Series 1 of the revival era, with the first card previewing the then-new Tenth Doctor. There were some variances between the Test Set and the Main Release. Notably, these were the different warning symbols, the lack of a rarity symbol, the cards being out of 85, and the lack of the battles in time website on the rear of the card.The Test Set consisted of:
60 Common Cards (8 in every pack)
14 Rare Cards (1 in every pack)
7 Super Rare Cards (1 in every 6 packs)
4 Ultra Rare Cards (1 in every 24 Packs)Extra to the set was the Super Rose, a 'Golden Ticket' card with only 1 in every 1,000 packs. Although it is believed less than 50 were ever produced. So it may have been rarer still. Below are scans of the accompanying leaflet giving information on both the set, and the cards themselves.
60 Common Cards (8 in every pack)
14 Rare Cards (1 in every pack)
7 Super Rare Cards (1 in every 6 packs)
4 Ultra Rare Cards (1 in every 24 Packs)Extra to the set was the Super Rose, a 'Golden Ticket' card with only 1 in every 1,000 packs. Although it is believed less than 50 were ever produced. So it may have been rarer still. Below are scans of the accompanying leaflet giving information on both the set, and the cards themselves.
Fun Fact: This image taken from the original 'Battles in Time website, shows a very early design for the reverse of the cards.
Fun Fact: This image taken from the original 'Battles in Time website, shows a very early design for the reverse of the cards.
Run down on the Test Set
Run down on the Test Set
Description of the cards themselves
Description of the cards themselves
The nationwide release of this set was announced in a press release from GE Fabbri Ltd. on 7 June 2006, with the launch date confirmed on 12 September 2006. They launched later on the 20th September 2006 along with the magazine; the first issue included two packs of cards, and an exclusive "Psychic Paper" card, which had a window of red cellophane that allowed you to read hidden messages on six bonus cards. Additional packs were also available to purchase separately.The Exterminator series consisted of 275 cards, numbered from 001-275, featuring characters from TV: Rose-Doomsday. They were split into the following categories:
231 (C) Common cards (8 in every pack)
28 (R) Rare cards (1 in every pack)
10 (SR) Super-Rare cards (1 in every 6 packs)
6 (UR) Ultra-Rare cards (1 in every 24 packs)
1 Golden Ticket card (1 in every 1000 packs)Below are scans from informational pages that accompanied the first issues of the main set. Showing an in depth view of the set and the cards themselves.
231 (C) Common cards (8 in every pack)
28 (R) Rare cards (1 in every pack)
10 (SR) Super-Rare cards (1 in every 6 packs)
6 (UR) Ultra-Rare cards (1 in every 24 packs)
1 Golden Ticket card (1 in every 1000 packs)Below are scans from informational pages that accompanied the first issues of the main set. Showing an in depth view of the set and the cards themselves.
Run down on the Main Set
Run down on the Main Set
Description of the cards themselves
Description of the cards themselves
Main Differences between the Test Set and the Main Release Exterminator Cards
Main Differences between the Test Set and the Main Release Exterminator Cards
Main Differences Front
Main Differences Front
As shown in the image above, the main differences between Test Set and Main Release Cards are the absence of a Rarity Symbol on the Test Set Release and the numbers out of 85 rather than 275. Another thing to note is that on the Test Set, they used two digits, such as 01/85, whereas, in the Main Set, they used single digits, such as 1/275.
Main Differences Back
Main Differences Back
The only notable difference on the rear of Test Set cards is the lack of the battles in time website, showing only "BBC 2006".
The main telltale difference between Test Set cards and their Main Release counterparts is shown here. The Test Set card to the left has a generic yellow warning symbol. This was changed to the circular emblem, as shown on the card to the right.
Test Set Super Rare 'wavy' foil cards were horizontally aligned. So the wave peaks pointed left and right. On the main release, however, these were changed to top-to-bottom alignment for some reason.
Like the example shown to the left, some cards in the Main Release were edited slightly. Either the information on the bottom was changed, or in the case of Harriet Jones, the title was changed to accommodate a second card. Adding 'MP' on the later set.
Captain Jack was the only card from the test set to receive a complete image change. The likelihood was that they didn't want to show a gun. This card offers a shift in the informative text on the base of the card.
The set was announced in a press release from GE Fabbri Ltd. on 9 January 2007 and launched on Friday, 23rd February 2007. The Annihilator series consisted of a further 100 cards, numbered 276-375, featuring more characters from the first & second series, up to and including the most recent episode of TV: The Runaway Bride, with the final card - Martha Jones - being a sneak-peak for the upcoming third series. They were split into the following categories:
75 (C) Common cards (8 in every pack)
15 (R) Rare cards (1 in every pack)
6 (SR) Super-Rare cards (1 in every 6 packs)
4 (UR) Ultra-Rare cards (1 in every 24 packs)
1 Golden Ticket card (1 in every 1000 packs)No special was released for the Annihilator set. However, the Annihilator cards were sold with magazines in joint packs after issue 12. With the Annihilator cards needing to be differentiated from the Exterminator set, subtle changes were made to the colouring of the rarity symbol and the card number. For Annihilator, it was green. You can also see that the number of cards is out of 100. The most significant tell-tale sign is the "Annihilator" label on the base of the card. It also features "BBC 2007" on the rear of the card.
75 (C) Common cards (8 in every pack)
15 (R) Rare cards (1 in every pack)
6 (SR) Super-Rare cards (1 in every 6 packs)
4 (UR) Ultra-Rare cards (1 in every 24 packs)
1 Golden Ticket card (1 in every 1000 packs)No special was released for the Annihilator set. However, the Annihilator cards were sold with magazines in joint packs after issue 12. With the Annihilator cards needing to be differentiated from the Exterminator set, subtle changes were made to the colouring of the rarity symbol and the card number. For Annihilator, it was green. You can also see that the number of cards is out of 100. The most significant tell-tale sign is the "Annihilator" label on the base of the card. It also features "BBC 2007" on the rear of the card.
The Daleks vs Cybermen series of Battles in Time trading cards was a bonus set released exclusively with the Daleks vs Cybermen Special of the magazine. Released in packs, 'Daleks' and 'Cybermen', there were 18 cards; the first sixteen were shiny but "common" cards, while the remaining two were designated "rare" because of their texture. These came in four images, making a complete set of 24 cards.The unique magazine came with a Dalek cover on one side and a Cyberman on the reverse. Below is every DvC card. The Rares are shown differently to differentiate the two rarities.Also included was a board game designed specifically for the Daleks vs Cybermen set, as it came with a pair of dice, and card stands to use on the board. This is shown below the card showcase.More information on these cards, including scans, and images can be found following the link above.
The set was announced in a press release from GE Fabbri Ltd. on 14 August 2007 and launched Wednesday, 5th September 2007, with a special issue of the magazine, which included two packs of cards, an exclusive "Dalek Blaster" card and an A4 size card album with space for 432 cards. Additional packs were also available for purchase separately. The Invader series consisted of a further 225 cards, numbered from 376-600, featuring characters from TV: Smith and Jones-Last of the Time Lords. They were split into the following categories:
184 (C) Common cards (8 in every pack)
25 (R) Rare cards (1 in every pack)
10 (SR) Super-Rare cards (1 in every 6 packs)
6 (UR) Ultra-Rare cards (1 in every 24 packs)
1 Golden Ticket card (1 in every 1000 packs)The Invader cards show yellow rarity symbols and series numbers. As well as the "Invader" label on the bottom of the card. Shows BBC 2007 on the rear. These cards were based on Series 3 of the show.
184 (C) Common cards (8 in every pack)
25 (R) Rare cards (1 in every pack)
10 (SR) Super-Rare cards (1 in every 6 packs)
6 (UR) Ultra-Rare cards (1 in every 24 packs)
1 Golden Ticket card (1 in every 1000 packs)The Invader cards show yellow rarity symbols and series numbers. As well as the "Invader" label on the bottom of the card. Shows BBC 2007 on the rear. These cards were based on Series 3 of the show.
The set was announced in a press release from GE Fabbri Ltd. on 11 February 2008 and launched Wednesday, 5th March 2008 with a special magazine issue that included four packs of cards. Additional packs were also available for purchase separately.The Ultimate Monsters series consisted of a further 225 cards, numbered 601-825, featuring characters from both the "Classic" & "New" series, up to and including the most recent episode TV: Voyage of the Damned. They were split into the following categories:
185 (C) Common cards (8 in every pack)
25 (R) Rare cards (1 in every pack)
10 (SR) Super-Rare cards (1 in every 6 packs)
5 (UR) Ultra-Rare cards (1 in every 24 packs)
1 Golden Ticket card (1 in every 1000 packs)This card series has a few more differences than standard set modifications. The rarity and series counter are light blue. Ultimate monsters cards brought monsters from the classic era into the younger viewership. The Doctor they fought is on the card twice, one anywhere where the image allows and the other below the series name on the base of the card. BBC 2008 on the back.
185 (C) Common cards (8 in every pack)
25 (R) Rare cards (1 in every pack)
10 (SR) Super-Rare cards (1 in every 6 packs)
5 (UR) Ultra-Rare cards (1 in every 24 packs)
1 Golden Ticket card (1 in every 1000 packs)This card series has a few more differences than standard set modifications. The rarity and series counter are light blue. Ultimate monsters cards brought monsters from the classic era into the younger viewership. The Doctor they fought is on the card twice, one anywhere where the image allows and the other below the series name on the base of the card. BBC 2008 on the back.
Devastator
Devastator
The last of the leading sets, this set was announced in a press release from GE Fabbri Ltd. on 28 July 2008 and launched on the 17th September 2008 with a special magazine issue that included four packs of cards. Additional packs were also available to purchase separately.The Devastator series consisted of 250 cards, numbered 826-1075, featuring characters from Time Crash-Journey's End. They were split into the following categories:
209 (C) Common cards (8 in every pack)
25 (R) Rare cards (1 in every pack)
10 (SR) Super-Rare cards (1 in every 6 packs)
6 (UR) Ultra-Rare cards (1 in every 24 packs)
1 Golden Ticket card (1 in every 1000 packs)The Devastator cards show orange/red rarity symbols and series numbers. As well as the "Devastator" label on the bottom of the card. Shows BBC 2008 on the rear. These cards are predominantly based on Series 4 of the series.The fourth and final special of Doctor Who: Battles in Time was published on 17 September 2008. The card-mounted special was priced at £4.99 and came with four packs of Devastator trading cards. Unlike the previous specials, the Devastator special was not shown on the Battles in Time website.
209 (C) Common cards (8 in every pack)
25 (R) Rare cards (1 in every pack)
10 (SR) Super-Rare cards (1 in every 6 packs)
6 (UR) Ultra-Rare cards (1 in every 24 packs)
1 Golden Ticket card (1 in every 1000 packs)The Devastator cards show orange/red rarity symbols and series numbers. As well as the "Devastator" label on the bottom of the card. Shows BBC 2008 on the rear. These cards are predominantly based on Series 4 of the series.The fourth and final special of Doctor Who: Battles in Time was published on 17 September 2008. The card-mounted special was priced at £4.99 and came with four packs of Devastator trading cards. Unlike the previous specials, the Devastator special was not shown on the Battles in Time website.
The Adventurer series of Battles in Time trading cards was a bonus set of 10 limited edition additional cards (plus one cover card) released exclusively with Issue 62 of the magazine and packaged in a clear plastic wrap.With the magazine extended beyond its original 52-issue run, this special bonus pack of trading cards saw the series expand again by including the popular spin-off series, which frequently crossed over to the parent series.The Adventurer series consisted of 10 cards, numbered SJA01-SJA10 featuring characters from TV: Invasion of the Bane-Enemy of the Bane. All ten were (C) Common cards.These are the ONLY cards in Battles in Time with a BBC 2009 date on the reverse.
