As a new player, there are many getting confused about the difference between two foil versions in Flesh and Blood TCG (FAB). The value difference between two is significant. There are some misleading information over the internet that had actually confused me more than necessary. So how do you really tell the difference between rainbow foil and cold foil on Flesh and Blood TCG?
What’s cold foil?
Cold foil cards are a special part of Flesh and Blood that we created to showcase collectability.
https://fabtcg.com/resources/rules-and-policy-center/cold-foil-reprint-policy/
Legendary Story Studios (LSS) has been using this method of printing as the top premium form of cards. In the earlier sets, first edition and unlimited editions of given set were primarily distinguished by the fact first edition contained cold foils while unlimited replaced them with rainbow foil (ref).
LSS reprint philosophy is essentially any card can be reprinted (ref). This is only fair to new player in a game that is built as a tournament TCG with a non-rotating card pool. However, cold foil versions are specifically excluded from reprinting outside of their original sets. In my opinion this is a happy medium between play-centric players and collectors. Collectors who are looking for cards that retains true rarity i.e. limited number of prints in existence, cold foil cards are perfect option for them. While players, especially new comers, who want to build competitive deck without breaking the bank, can start building such deck by purchasing regular or perhaps rainbow foiled version.
How do you tell the difference?
The short, and most correct answer is rainbow foil has “rainbow”/chromatic color reflections while cold foil has metallic look.
The short, and most correct answer is rainbow foil has “rainbow”/chromatic colors while cold foil has metallic look. So simply put your foiled card to light source and tilt the card. If you see foiled parts have chromatic colors, that card is rainbow foiled. Otherwise, it is cold foil. These difference are obvious even if you have cards in double sleeve.
Rainbow Foil – Tide Flippers
See the circled area having chromatic colors. Upon tilting the cards, these changes to different colors.
Cold Foil – Marvel Dominia
See arrow area. Dragon breath has achromatic gray color. This persists even with tilting the card and never have chromatic color component.
Here are video comparison of the same cards.
Incorrect/misleading answer is rainbow foil cards do not have their border foiled, but cold foil cards do. This is misinformation. Although rainbow foiled card border may look less pronounced, they are still foiled.
Although rainbow foiled card border may look less pronounced, they are still foiled.
Rainbow Foil
Note this magnified image showing chromatic foil colors around the borders of defense value 3.
Starting with Uprising, to avoid value drafting cold foils are now on their token slot while rainbow foil cards are in middle. So if you are opening brand new pack and it is from Uprising set, and presumably all after, this is definite way to tell.
Why should you care?
Cold foil being much rarer, the difference in market price is significant. For example, at the time of this writing a legendary card from Uprising set, Tiger Stripe Shuko, has TCG Player market price of $165 for cold foil version and approximately almost halve $87 for rainbow foil version.
For Uprising set, the latest set/the first set without distinction of first and unlimited edition, LSS states 1 Rainbow Foil per booster pack, and 1 cold foil per display (24 packs).