Embedded Files
The test set saw a twelve-week trial run in some areas of the United Kingdom in the Spring of 2006. Starting on the 19th of April 2006, 7 magazines were released ending on the 12th of July 2006 along with the test run of the Exterminator Set which contained only the first 85 cards.
The test set saw a twelve-week trial run in some areas of the United Kingdom in the Spring of 2006. Starting on the 19th of April 2006, 7 magazines were released ending on the 12th of July 2006 along with the test run of the Exterminator Set which contained only the first 85 cards.
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.
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:
The Test Set consisted of:
60 Common Cards (8 in every pack)
60 Common Cards (8 in every pack)
14 Rare Cards (1 in every pack)
14 Rare Cards (1 in every pack)
7 Super Rare Cards (1 in every 6 packs)
7 Super Rare Cards (1 in every 6 packs)
4 Ultra Rare Cards (1 in every 24 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.
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.
Run down on the Test Set.
Run down on the Test Set.
Description of the cards themselves.
Description of the cards themselves.
Differences on the Reverse
Differences on the Reverse
The only notable difference on the rear of Test Set cards is the lack of the battles in time website, showing only "BBC 2006".
Differences on the Front
Differences on the 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.
Different Power Symbol
Different Power Symbol
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.
Super Rare 'Waves'
Super Rare 'Waves'
As seen in the image 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.
Text Edits
Text Edits
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.
Image Changes
Image Changes
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.
Announcement of National Release
Announcement of National Release
With every Test Set issue 7, there was an additional insert which, in short, announced the national main release of Battles in Time. The initial paragraph detailed that they would begin their release in Autumn, and would begin again with Issue 1.This also confirmed that what we now know as the Test Set magazines and cards would feature the same material but in a different order, as well as a larger set of cards with subtle differences. This confirmed that the original 85 cards would be unique and never issued in the same form again. While stocks lasted, you could buy Test Set Packs from the website.If you did not want to continue, GE Fabbri offered a refund on all bought issues if you sent them back to the company. If you did want to continue they also offered the first issue completely free, which is why this leaflet had not been seen by myself untill now.
View the Test Set:
View the Test Set:
Please click on the Test Set Tick -list poster to view the full Test Set. I have scanned each card and placed them in one coherant file for your viewing pleasure. Due to compression of PDF file's they are not as high resolution as my initial scans, however I believe they are still the highest definition scans you will find in one place.
This is the Test Set Tick List that was issued with every Issue 1 Special. Please click it to view the full Test Set.
This is the Test Set Tick List that was issued with every Issue 1 Special. Please click it to view the full Test Set.
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