Correct. So if a game has 5 cards in a set and 5 levels, you will need 25 cards equating to 5 completed sets.

Yes. You have to buy or trade for the full 5 sets, not including the foil badge.

Thanks!
Do you get any of the game's additional decorative content (post emotes, profile backgrounds, animated avatars, etc) as a result of leveling badges or is the only way to obtain those with real money or Steam Points?

Originally posted by Xureman:

Thanks!
Do you get any of the game's additional decorative content (post emotes, profile backgrounds, animated avatars, etc) as a result of leveling badges or is the only way to obtain those with real money or Steam Points?

For every badge (level) you craft, you may get a background or emote associated with the game which can be sold on the market. Most games also have foil cards do but these are only one level. The cards can be very scarce, therefor expensive on the market. it's also only 100xp for the one level too.

Originally posted by J4MESOX4D:

Originally posted by Xureman:

Thanks!
Do you get any of the game's additional decorative content (post emotes, profile backgrounds, animated avatars, etc) as a result of leveling badges or is the only way to obtain those with real money or Steam Points?

For every badge (level) you craft, you may get a background or emote associated with the game which can be sold on the market. Most games also have foil cards do but these are only one level. The cards can be very scarce, therefor expensive on the market. it's also only 100xp for the one level too.

So if I super-love a game and am willing to spend gems or real money to grind its badge to max level... I am still not guaranteed to get all the other goodies (emotes, backgrounds, avatars) and might still have to buy/trade for them separately?
And the leveled up badge is only good for showing off in my profile (to nobody) and the profile XP (which only changes friends count and showcase count)?

Sorry, I guess I'm underwhelmed. I figured after 20+ years the system would be way more robust.

Originally posted by Xureman:

Originally posted by J4MESOX4D:

For every badge (level) you craft, you may get a background or emote associated with the game which can be sold on the market. Most games also have foil cards do but these are only one level. The cards can be very scarce, therefor expensive on the market. it's also only 100xp for the one level too.

So if I super-love a game and am willing to spend gems or real money to grind its badge to max level... I am still not guaranteed to get all the other goodies (emotes, backgrounds, avatars) and might still have to buy/trade for them separately?
And the leveled up badge is only good for showing off in my profile (to nobody) and the profile XP (which only changes friends count and showcase count)?

Sorry, I guess I'm underwhelmed. I figured after 20+ years the system would be way more robust.

Any backgrounds you don't receive can just be purchased in the market or got through the Points Shop if you want them. The badge is just a cosmetic for your profile and you cannot show off previously levelled badges so if you like the look of a level 3 one let's say, don't craft another. The majority of people craft badges for XP to level up their profile mainly. All of these can be comfortably avoided if you just want to play games.

Sounds like yes, I am not guaranteed to get all the other stuff while crafting my badge so it just might be easier to buy those emotes/backgrounds separately. Gotcha.

As for avoiding it - sure, but I'd like to make a sweet profile so I can show my mom how cool I am. Ya dig?