Kumagoro42's picture
By: Kumagoro42, Gianluca Aicardi
May 09 2014 12:00pm
0
Login to post comments
4517 views


I love this game. I love writing about it. Compiling lists about it. Evaluating it. Sometimes, I even play it. I'm an Accidental Player.

 The Tolarian Academy of Arcane Arts and Pictures presents: THE TOPDECK AWARDS!
 The best way to celebrate 20 long years of this silly game, by rewarding all those beloved cards that, at one point or another, starred in our personal tragicomedies and psychodramas.

 Today's category: Outstanding Equipment. An equipment is a type of artifact first appeared in Mirrodin block. As of Theros block, there are 179 of them. They represent all the weapons and tools the creatures can wear (often allowing for comical effects, like giving an helm to a headless horseman). The nominations are given by category (Aggressive, Protective, Utility, Combo and Larger-Than-Life) and accompanied by a brief profile of the nominees, which are listed alphabetically. Winners will be published with the announcement of the next category. Last month's winners are here.

 And the voting duty, ladies and gentlemen, is all yours.

 But first, here's the Hall of Fame of the Equipments. All the Hall of Famers aren't eligible for Awards.

   

   

> GO DIRECTLY TO THE BALLOTS <

> PREVIOUS CATEGORIES <


 Category A: Outstanding Aggressive Equipment

 The nominees are: 

1. 

  • Name: Behemoth Sledge
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: April 2009
  • Birthplace: Alara Reborn
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's a more balanced Loxodon Warhammer. 

 

2. 

  • Name: Bonesplitter
  • Rarity: Common
  • Birthdate: October 2003
  • Birthplace: Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's the Rancor of Pauper... when you can't use Rancor.

 

3. 

  • Name: Darksteel Axe
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: October 2010
  • Birthplace: Scars of Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's indestructible, which makes it Phylactery Lich's BFF.

 

4. 

  • Name: Empyrial Plate
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2003
  • Birthplace: Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it can cause a lot of troubles.

 

5. 

  • Name: Godsend
  • Rarity: Mythic Rare
  • Birthdate: May 2014
  • Birthplace: Journey into Nyx
  • Reason for Nomination: Because its wielder becomes very scary to block.

 

6. 

  • Name: Loxodon Warhammer
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: October 2003
  • Birthplace: Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it still makes a big impact on the board.

 

7. 

  • Name: O-Naginata
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: June 2005
  • Birthplace:  Saviors of Kamigawa
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it has the best potential damage/cost ratio.

 

8. 

  • Name: Ring of Kalonia
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: July 2012
  • Birthplace: Magic 2013
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's the real equipment answer to Rancor.

 

9. 

  • Name: Sword of Kaldra
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2003
  • Birthplace: Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it packs the biggest punch.

 

10. 

  • Name: Sword of Vengeance
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: July 2010
  • Birthplace: Magic 2011
  • Reason for Nomination:  Because it's the Swords of X and Y's proud little brother.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <


 Category B: Outstanding Protective Equipment

 The nominees are: 

1. 

  • Name: Basilisk Collar
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: February 2010
  • Birthplace: Worldwake
  • Reason for Nomination: Because you just need to put it on a first striker to live the equipment dream.

 

2. 

  • Name: Champion's Helm
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: June 2011
  • Birthplace: Commander
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's your commander's favorite headwear.

 

3. 

  • Name: Darksteel Plate
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: February 2011
  • Birthplace: Mirrodin Besieged
  • Reason for Nomination: Because indestructible is indestructible.

 

4. 

  • Name: General's Kabuto
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2004
  • Birthplace: Champions of Kamigawa
  • Reason for Nomination: Because protecting your guys may also involve dealing in stylish Japanese antiques.

 

5. 

  • Name: Lightning Greaves
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: October 2003
  • Birthplace: Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination: Because equip 0 is always relevant.

 

6. 

  • Name: Magebane Armor
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: July 2009
  • Birthplace: Magic 2010
  • Reason for Nomination: Because the weight of its protection is so impressive to make you earthbound.

 

7. 

  • Name: Pariah's Shield
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2005
  • Birthplace: Ravnica: City of Guilds
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's a portable Pariah, for all your necessities of universal damage lockdown. Buy one for your indestructible pet today!

 

8. 

  • Name: Shield of Kaldra
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: February 2004
  • Birthplace: Darksteel
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's not just a more expensive Darksteel Plate – there's a surprise inside!

 

9. 

  • Name: Swiftfoot Boots
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: June 2011
  • Birthplace: Commander
  • Reason for Nomination: Because being the main rival to Lightning Greaves is nothing to sneeze at.

 

10. 

  • Name: Whispersilk Cloak
  • Rarity: Common
  • Birthdate: February 2004
  • Birthplace: Darksteel
  • Reason for Nomination:  Because it's equally aggressive while being mostly used defensively.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <


 Category C: Outstanding Utility Equipment

 The nominees are: 

1. 

  • Name: Blazing Torch
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: October 2009
  • Birthplace: Zendikar
  • Reason for Nomination: Because sometimes all you need is to have 2 cheap damage at hand.

 

2. 

  • Name: Explorer's Scope
  • Rarity: Common
  • Birthdate: October 2009
  • Birthplace: Zendikar
  • Reason for Nomination: Because sometimes all you need is land ramping/deck thinning.

 

3. 

  • Name: Fireshrieker
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: October 2003
  • Birthplace: Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination: Because sometimes all you need is double striking.

 

4. 

  • Name: Flayer Husk
  • Rarity: Common
  • Birthdate: February 2011
  • Birthplace: Mirrodin Besieged
  • Reason for Nomination: Because sometimes all you need is a cheap creature trigger you can fetch in unconventional ways.

 

5. 

  • Name: Gorgon Flail
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: July 2009
  • Birthplace: Magic 2010
  • Reason for Nomination: Because sometimes all you need is deathtouch on your pinger (but you're still willing to pay 1 mana more for the extra boost).

 

6. 

  • Name: Grappling Hook
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2009
  • Birthplace: Zendikar
  • Reason for Nomination: Because sometimes all you need is a big provoke.

 

7. 

  • Name: Infiltration lens
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: October 2010
  • Birthplace: Scars of Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination: Because sometimes all you need is a quick punisher mechanic that makes you draw a lot.

 

8. 

  • Name: Manriki-Gusari
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: June 2005
  • Birthplace: Saviors of Kamigawa
  • Reason for Nomination: Because sometimes all you need is killing that damn sword.

 

9. 

  • Name: Mask of Memory
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: October 2003
  • Birthplace: Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination: Because sometimes all you need is some good, old-fashioned looting.

 

10. 

  • Name: Sylvok Lifestaff
  • Rarity: Common
  • Birthdate: October 2010
  • Birthplace: Scars of Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination: Because sometimes all you need is a tonload of life.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <


 Category D: Outstanding Combo Equipment

 The nominees are: 

1. 

  • Name: Cranial Plating
  • Rarity: Common
  • Birthdate: June 2004
  • Birthplace: Fifth Dawn
  • Reason for Nomination: Because there's nothing scarier in an artifact deck.

 

2. 

  • Name: Livewire Lash
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2010
  • Birthplace: Scars of Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's the main tool of a smart infect deck.

 

3. 

  • Name: Mortarpod
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: February 2011
  • Birthplace: Mirrodin Besieged
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's the finisher of weenie swarm decks.

 

4. 

  • Name: Nim Deathmantle
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2010
  • Birthplace: Scars of Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it makes your Fleshbag Marauder even more dangerous.

 

5. 

 

6. 

  • Name: Shuko
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: February 2005
  • Birthplace: Betrayers of Kamigawa
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's the best way to infinitely trigger Cephalid Illusionist.

 

7. 

  • Name: Sunforger
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2005
  • Birthplace: Ravnica: City of Guilds
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's just the coolest equipment to build a deck around.

 

8. 

 

9. 

 

10. 

  • Name: Umbral Mantle
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Birthdate: May 2008
  • Birthplace: Shadowmoor
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it means infinite mana if given to the right guy.

> GO TO THE BALLOTS <


 Category E: Outstanding Larger-Than-Life Equipment

 The nominees are: 

1. 

  • Name: Argentum Armor
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2010
  • Birthplace: Scars of Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's the equipment you always dream to cheat into play.

 

2. 

  • Name: Deathrender
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2007
  • Birthplace: Lorwyn
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it can cheat into play a 17/17 Emrakul!

 

3. 

 

4. 

  • Name: Hedron Matrix
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: April 2010
  • Birthplace: Rise of the Eldrazi
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it makes Timmy creatures even Timmier.

 

5. 

 

6. 

  • Name: Konda's Banner
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2004
  • Birthplace: Champions of Kamigawa
  • Reason for Nomination: Because that's some serious leadership.

 

7. 

  • Name: Moonsilver Spear
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: May 2012
  • Birthplace: Avacyn Restored
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's Angel galore!

 

8. 

  • Name: Quietus Spike
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2008
  • Birthplace: Shards of Alara
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's an evil, evil trick Stonehewer Giant always tries to do.

 

9. 

  • Name: Tatsumasa, the Dragon's Fang
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2004
  • Birthplace: Champions of Kamigawa
  • Reason for Nomination: Because it's a veritable Dragon Sword.

 

10. 

  • Name: Worldslayer
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Birthdate: October 2003
  • Birthplace: Mirrodin
  • Reason for Nomination:  Because the hilarious part is: the sword remains among the ashes of the previous world. Now you just have to re-equip it and do it again.

Time to cast your vote!

 You can first review specific profiles here: Aggressive, Protective, Utility, Combo, Larger-Than-Life


And the winners are...!

 Outstanding 1-Damage Burn (Outstanding Zap): Searing Blaze!

 Runner-up: Gut Shot

 

 Outstanding 2-Damage Burn (Outstanding Shock): Electrolyze!

 Runner-up: Magma Jet

 

 Outstanding 3-Damage Burn (Outstanding Bolt): Lightning Helix!

 Runner-up: Chain Lightning

 

 Outstanding 4-Damage Burn (Outstanding Blast): Fireblast!

 Runner-up: Flame Slash

 

 Outstanding Outstanding 5-Damage Burn: Goblin Grenade!

 Runner-up: Shrapnel Blast

 

 Outstanding X-Damage Burn (Outstanding Fireball): Tribal Flames!

 Runner-up: Rakdos's Return

 

 Most Voted Burn: Lightning Helix

 Runner-up: Goblin Grenade

CONGRATULATIONS!

Check the complete statistics