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The Exterminator Test Set was a regional test release of Doctor Who: Battles in Time conducted in the United Kingdom in 2006. The test distribution took place over a 12-week period in the South West and Grampian television regions, beginning on 19 April 2006 and concluding on 12 July 2006.
The Test Set preceded the national release of the Exterminator collection and consisted of the first 85 cards that would subsequently form part of the wider national release. The cards primarily covered Series 1 of the revived Doctor Who, featuring Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor, together with material from the 2005 Christmas Special, which introduced David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor.
Test Set cards were distributed through individual Battles in Time card packs and through the fortnightly test magazines. A total of seven Test Set magazine issues were produced during the trial period. The first issue was priced at £1.50 and included two bonus card packs. The inclusion of card packs with the magazines provided an additional method of obtaining cards from the Test Set.
Further information concerning the Test Set magazines is available in the dedicated Test Set magazine archive here.
Test Set Composition & Odds
The test run consisted of the first 85 cards of what would eventually become the national Exterminator release. The set focused entirely on Series 1 of the modern revival—featuring Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor—alongside characters from the 2005 Christmas Special introducing David Tennant.
The 85-card set was distributed with the following pack odds:
60 Commons (8 per pack)
14 Rares (1 per pack)
7 Super Rares (1 in every 6 packs)
4 Ultra Rares (1 in every 24 packs)
The Test Set therefore contained 60 Common cards, 14 Rare cards, 7 Super Rare cards and 4 Ultra Rare cards. A special Super Rose variant was associated with the Test Set and its stated distribution was 1 in every 1,000 packs.
The actual number of copies produced has not been independently established. Collector estimates have suggested that fewer than 50 copies may have been printed, which would make the card substantially scarcer than the published pack odds alone would indicate. This figure should therefore be regarded as an estimate rather than a confirmed production quantity.
My Render of what the packs for this set looked like, as it is incredibly hard to scan the packs themselves due to the foil packaging. Please do not re-use without permission as alot of work went into re-mastering these. Thank you.
Battles in Time Exterminator Test Set Packs and Boxes
Prior to the discovery of additional packaging in 2026, it was generally understood that Test Set packs were distributed exclusively with the Test Set magazines. As a result, surviving Test Set packs were commonly identified by the **“NOT TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY”** wording printed on the reverse.
In August 2026, a previously undocumented Test Set display box was sold at auction. The box contained 32 individual Test Set Battles in Time card packs, providing evidence that Test Set packs were also distributed in boxed quantities.
The packs contained barcodes, distinguishing them from the packs previously associated with the magazines. Despite this difference, they retained the characteristic appearance of Test Set packaging, including the matte finish and the statement that the collection consisted of 85 cards.
The discovery provides evidence of an additional method of Test Set pack distribution that was not widely documented prior to 2026.
The Test Set display box is visually similar to the display box subsequently used for the national *Battles in Time: Exterminator* release. Several differences, however, distinguish the Test Set version.
The reverse of the Test Set box contains information relating specifically to the 85-card Test Set, reflecting the composition of the collection at the time of the regional trial. The **die-cut opening** also differs from that used on the main Exterminator display box.
Another distinguishing feature is the inclusion of **“EXTERMINATOR”** on the front of the Test Set box. This wording does not appear on the front of the corresponding national Exterminator display box.
Although the Test Set box can appear larger when compared directly with the national Exterminator box, **there is no difference in the overall dimensions of the two boxes**. The apparent difference in size is attributable to their respective design and construction rather than to a difference in physical dimensions.
A side-by-side comparison of the Test Set and national Exterminator boxes can be seen to illustrate these packaging differences.
How to Identify a Test Set Card
Test Set cards can be distinguished from cards in the subsequent national Exterminator release through several differences in card design, numbering and production.
The principal identifying characteristics are as follows:
* Rarity symbols: Test Set cards do not display the circular rarity symbols normally found in the bottom-left corner of cards in the national release.
* Set numbering: Test Set cards are numbered as part of an 85-card collection, with numbering displayed in the format 01/85. The corresponding national release was numbered as part of a 275-card collection. National cards use a single digit for card numbers below 10, for example 1/275, whereas Test Set cards use two digits, for example 01/85.
* Warning symbols: The bonus cards included in the Test Set use a generic yellow warning symbol. This was subsequently replaced by a circular emblem on the equivalent cards in the national release.
* Website address: The reverse of Test Set cards does not contain the official Battles in Time website address that appears on cards from the national release.
* Super Rare foil pattern: Test Set Super Rare cards use the same wave foil effect found on the national releases. However, the orientation of the wave pattern differs, with the peaks aligned horizontally on the Test Set cards rather than vertically as found on the national versions.
* Design alterations: A number of cards underwent minor design changes before the national release. These changes include alterations to information printed along the bottom of the card. The Harriet Jones card provides an example of a title change, with “MP” added to the national version to distinguish it from a later card. Captain Jack is the only card from the Test Set known to have received a complete change to its image for the national release.
The Psychic Paper card is the only card from the Test Set that is known to have received no design changes between the Test Set and the subsequent national release.
The card was supplied face-up on the top of the card pack included with every Issue 1 Test Set magazine. Its design is identical to the version subsequently distributed as part of the national Exterminator collection, making the two versions indistinguishable on the basis of card design alone.
Test Set Exterminator Ticklist
Issue 1 of the Battles in Time Test Exterminator Set included a number of leaflets containing information about the card collection, its contents and the expected contents of subsequent magazine issues. Among the included material was a large checklist that allowed purchasers to record the cards they had obtained.
The checklist contains the 85 cards comprising the Test Set. The Psychic Paper card and the Super Rose variant are not included on the checklist.
The checklist was considerably larger than the accompanying magazine and was folded several times to allow it to be inserted into the publication. Its size and folded format made it susceptible to creasing, tearing and other forms of damage.
Original examples in good or pristine condition are consequently less frequently encountered. The checklist was intended to be used by collectors to record cards as they were obtained, meaning that surviving examples may contain ticks, markings or other annotations made during the original Test Set distribution period.
The combination of its intended use, large dimensions and folded format has contributed to the scarcity of examples surviving in unused or undamaged condition.
Announcement of National Release
Issue 7 of the Test Exterminator Set included an additional insert announcing the forthcoming national release of Battles in Time. The insert stated that the national collection was scheduled to begin distribution in autumn 2006 and would commence again with Issue 1.
The announcement provided contemporary information concerning the relationship between the Test Set and the forthcoming national collection. It stated that the national magazines would contain the same general subject material as the Test Set, but that the material would be presented in a different order. The national card collection would also be larger and would incorporate a number of design differences.
The announcement therefore established that the 85-card Test Set represented a regional test configuration and that the cards would not subsequently be reproduced in exactly the same form as part of the national collection. This provides contemporary evidence for the distinction between the Test Set and the later 275-card national release.
Test Set Pack Availability
The Issue 7 insert also stated that Test Set card packs could be purchased through the Battles in Time website while stocks remained. This provided an additional method of obtaining Test Set packs beyond the magazines and subsequently documented boxed distribution.
Options for Existing Subscribers
The insert provided existing Test Set purchasers with two options following the conclusion of the regional trial.
Customers who did not wish to continue with the national collection could return their previously purchased issues to GE Fabbri and request a refund. Customers who wished to continue with the collection were offered the first issue of the national release free of charge.
These arrangements were communicated to Test Set customers as part of the transition from the regional trial to the national release.
Leaflets and Prints included within the Test Set of Battles in Time
Test Set issues came with a questionnaire for all buyers of the magazine to gain demographics. The above is the covering letter.
Test Set issues came with a questionnaire for all buyers of the magazine to gain demographics the above is page 1.
Test Set issues came with a questionnaire for all buyers of the magazine to gain demographics the above is page 2.
The Grampian and West Country both recieved different styles of leaflet. The above is the Grampian version.
The Grampian and West Country both recieved different styles of leaflet. The above is the West Country version.
The rear of the leaflets looked identical no matter the area.
The TARDIS subscriber leaflet for the Test Set features Rose and the 10th Doctor.
Within the TARDIS leaflet showing the prizes for subscribing to the fortnightly magazine.
Scanned Cards:
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