Order Imperium vs Apocalisse: Which Themed Deck Fits?
By Thirdway Industries | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Comparisons
Order Imperium and Apocalisse both come from Thirdway Industries, but they serve different collectors. Here is how to pick the right themed deck for your shelf.
Quick Answer
Order Imperium is the stronger pick for collectors who want a cohesive, award-recognized series starter with metallic inks and four ad cards instead of jokers. Apocalisse suits buyers drawn to darker, narrative-driven art and a deck that reads as a standalone statement piece. If you are building a Thirdway Industries shelf, start with Order Imperium and add Apocalisse when you want contrast.
What Sets These Two Themed Decks Apart
Both decks come from Thirdway Industries and both are printed by USPCC, so the handling baseline is similar. The real split is in theme and finishing. Order Imperium opens the Order Series with metallic inks and a structured, regal visual language. Apocalisse leans into a heavier, end-of-world narrative that reads differently on a table or display shelf.
If you are searching for a themed playing card deck that matches a specific mood, decide whether you want order and symmetry or tension and drama. That single question usually settles the choice faster than spec sheets.
Print Details That Affect Everyday Use
Order Imperium uses Bicycle Stock with superb metallic inks and swaps the usual jokers for four different ad cards. That ad-card choice matters if you perform cardistry or magic: you get more variety for reveals and packet work, but you lose the traditional joker pair some routines rely on.
Apocalisse is also a USPCC print, so fans, dribbles, and shuffles feel familiar. The difference shows up in how the deck reads under light and how quickly the theme wears on you during long sessions. Metallic-heavy decks can glare under stage lighting, while darker art decks can be harder to read across a table.
Collectibility and Series Positioning
Order Imperium is the first deck of the Order Series and was printed in a run of 2,500 decks. It earned recognition from United Cardists in 2019, including first place for Best Extra Cards and an honorable mention for Best Deck Overall. That combination of a defined series start and external recognition gives it a clear place in a collection.
Apocalisse sits as a thematic counterpart rather than a series opener. If your goal is a curated Thirdway Industries deck comparison shelf, pairing the two gives you a light-versus-dark narrative without duplicating the same visual job.
How to Decide Before You Buy
Ask yourself three questions: Do you want a series starter or a standalone? Do you prefer metallic brightness or darker, moodier art? Will you actually use the deck, or display it? If you perform, the four ad cards in Order Imperium are a functional advantage. If you display, Apocalisse's theme often photographs with more atmosphere.
Trade-Offs at a Glance
- Order Imperium: series anchor: First deck of the Order Series, 2,500 printed, and award-recognized by United Cardists in 2019. Choose it if you want a deck with a documented place in a series and a proven collector track record.
- Order Imperium: four ad cards instead of jokers: You get more variety for reveals and packet tricks, but you lose the standard joker pair. Skip it if your go-to routines depend on two matching jokers.
- Apocalisse: thematic contrast: A darker, narrative-driven counterpart to Order Imperium that reads as a standalone statement. Pick it when you want visual contrast on the shelf rather than a series starter.
Product Facts
- Order Imperium: Order Imperium is the first deck of the Order Series, printed by USPCC on Bicycle Stock with superb metallic inks and four different ad cards instead of jokers. 2,500 decks were printed. It won United Cardists 2019 Deck of the Year honorable mention, first place for Best Extra Cards, and third place for Best Courts. A defined series start, a limited print run, and external recognition make it a safer long-term collectible and a practical performer thanks to the extra ad cards.
- Flare Playing Cards: Flare Playing Cards is the official deck of Flare.io, designed by Thirdway Industries, printed by USPCC with pure silver metallic ink on cards and a luxury tuckbox with custom paper and silver foil. If you want a Thirdway Industries deck with a corporate-collaboration angle and silver metallic finishing rather than the Order or Apocalisse themes, Flare is the alternative to consider.
Who Should Buy Which
Best for
- Collectors who want a series-opening deck with a limited print run and award recognition
- Performers who value four different ad cards for reveals and packet work
- Buyers building a Thirdway Industries shelf who want a metallic, regal theme
Not for
- Buyers who need two matching jokers for standard routines
- Collectors who prefer darker, apocalypse-themed art over structured, regal design
- Anyone looking for a standalone deck rather than the start of a series
