Card Date Variants

During the original Battles in Time run, two sets received later printings on newer card stock. These are commonly referred to by collectors as the “Date Variants”. The affected sets are Exterminator and Invader.

The date variants do not feature changes to the front design of the cards. Instead, they can be identified by differences on the reverse, most notably the copyright year printed on the card backs. These later printings were distributed through magazine-only dual packs and certain “NOT TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY” packs rather than the standard standalone booster packs. As the magazines were more expensive than individual card packs, these versions were less frequently encountered by collectors.

Exterminator – BBC 2007 Date Variant

The first date variant occurred during the later printing of the Exterminator cards. Following the release of Annihilator, Exterminator and Annihilator cards were distributed together in dual packs supplied with the Battles in Time magazines.

The later Exterminator printing can be identified by a BBC 2007 copyright date on the reverse of the cards. The cards also exhibit differences in overall print quality compared with the earlier Exterminator printing.

Only Common and Rare Exterminator cards were included in this later printing. Super Rare and Ultra Rare cards were not reprinted as part of the BBC 2007 version.

• BBC 2007 copyright date on the reverse.

• Higher overall print quality compared with the earlier printing.

• Only Common and Rare cards were reprinted.

• Super Rare and Ultra Rare cards were not reprinted.

• Distributed through Exterminator/Annihilator dual packs supplied with the magazines.

Invader – BBC 2008 Date Variant

A second date variant occurred with later printings of the Invader set. These cards were distributed in dual packs containing Invader and Ultimate Monsters cards, as well as certain “NOT TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY” Invader packs supplied with the magazines.

The later Invader printing can be identified by the BBC 2008 copyright date on the reverse. The card backs also omit the website address present on earlier Invader cards. As with the Exterminator variant, the later printing exhibits differences in overall print quality.

The reprint included Common, Rare and foil Super Rare cards. However, the other Super Rare variants and Ultra Rare cards were not included. Consequently, the later BBC 2008 printing does not include the glow or embossed Super Rare variants, nor any Ultra Rare cards bearing the BBC 2008 date.

• BBC 2008 copyright date on the reverse.

• No website address on the reverse.

• Higher overall print quality compared with the earlier printing.

• Common and Rare cards were reprinted.

• Foil “wave” Super Rare cards were also reprinted.

• Glow and embossed Super Rare variants were not reprinted.

• Ultra Rare cards were not reprinted.

• Distributed through Invader/Ultimate Monsters dual packs and certain “NOT TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY” Invader packs.

These later printings form a distinct part of the original Battles in Time production history. The differences are primarily found on the card reverse and in the physical printing quality rather than in the card artwork itself.