Table of contents:
Announcements
MTGO Discussion Items
Editorial Section
Server Log In Availability
MTGO Price Movers and Shakers
Public Hide List
Outstanding Issues
Bug Complaints
Conclusion
Rules at a glance:
04-04-08
| Announcement | Link | Summary |
| SCR's Back on | SCR's on | New rules, rule breakers beware. |
| Planar Chaos Redemption Off line | Planar Chaos Redemption - Off line | PLC redemption removed due to no more product |
| Lorwyn Redemption Back | Lorwyn Redemption | Lorwyn Redemption is back online. |
| MTGO Article Submissions being acccepted | Articles for MTGO | The MTGO website will now publish a user submitted article |
| Leagues offline | Leagues are now OFF | This is heralded as the first sign of the apocolypse.... |
MTGO Discussion Items:
People breaking the SCR Restrictions:
03-28-08:
It seems that each release event has at least a few people who seem to feel that the rules don't apply to them and that they can keep running multiple accounts as they see fit. Essentially this turns the SCR's into a self penalizing system where the only ones impacted are those who follow the rules. Luckily, Worth is around to put the smack down on those who don't feel the need to follow the rules. Discussion can be found here.
Community Submitted Articles:
03-28-08
As I mentioned above, the Magic Online web page is accepting submissions for user created content. However, due to the time delay in the posting process, anything that revolves around an active meta game or pricing structure will likely be out of date relatively fast. I see the most successful articles being linked to how to guides, format information, etc. More information can be found here.
WotC Hiring Computer Professionals:
04-04-08:
The one and only elf has put out a call for all local candidates to apply for positions at Wizards of the Coast. You can see the requirements stated here: http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1012490
Editorial Section:
Last week, I stated a theory. The theory, in a nutshell, is that you can predict most of the cards for a certain format based on the relative power to the current cards and taking into account the cost of the card to achieve such an impact. Which I guess is just a fancy way to say: if you know the good cards in the format, you can figure out when one's better and if it fits the speed of the format. Essentially.
So I'm going to go over a few of the cards that WotC has officially spoiled on their own site (located here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=magic/shadowmoor/spoiler ).
| Card name | Converted Mana Cost | Alternate Method of Payment | Impact | Relative Power (Classic) |
| Shard Volley | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Chameleon Collosus | 4 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
| Swords to Plowshares | 1 | 1 | 8 | 10 |
| Demigod of Revenge | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Dusk Urchins | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Kinscear Harpoonist | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Wilt-Leaf Liege | 4 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
Looking at three of the new cards we have a solid playable, a very weak, and a medium level card listed. Dusk Urchins gets a bonus point for being 2B, which isn't just a nod to Shakespear, but is also a great cost in Classic where Dark Ritual hangs out (although he usually just winds up sleeping on my couch... lousy mooch!). His ability to refuel its owners hand after attacking and blocking is a solid effect in the format where you'll be giving up cards to power him out faster. The only real worry I have for him is Swords to Plowshares, which is perhaps the sillyist concern to have, since only Pro-White creatures get around it which means it kills just about everything anyway and this is no different.
Next up, we have the Kinscear Harpoonist who ends up at four points. Sure, it's a filler common, but sometimes a filler common surprises us (*high five's Ghazban Ogres*). However, this one doesn't have the sheer aggro touch needed for such a rags to riches story. Its cost is too high and his stats are too low and his ability too narrow to actually accomplish anything in the format at hand (Classic).
Last up is the Wilt-Leaf Liege... finally, a toughy for the formula. His 'power' is really hampered by being in G/W... the color combiniation with the least raw power in Classic. His stats are great, and his ability is solid (especially in a format where Pox, Smallpox, Hymn like to cause a ruckus). I have a feeling that IF he sees play, it will be because of the discard into play clause. I giggle like a school-girl about drawing two of these in my opening hand and discarding both to something aimed at me. Tee-hee-hee-giggle-giggle!
So there you have it... pumping them through the formula (and applying a bit of commons sense) you get:
Dusk Urchins: 13
Kinscear Harpoonist: 4
Wilt-Leaf Liege (if cast): 8
Wilt-Leaf Liege (if discarded): 12
V2.5, Leagues, Nightlights, and YOU!
Excerpts from the Book of Ham:
... In the beginning V3 was revealed from on high and the people cried 'nay!'. "The people shall not support such aching of heads nor lack of size". And Worth, Optimus Worth, heard their pleas and rescinded the V3 for it was bad.
And again, V3 was revealed to the people and there was furious anger from the people. And lo, he did hearken unto the people. And there was much rejoicing, for it was bad.
And yay verily Optimus Worth was beloved, yet he did smite the Leagues and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth. And yay he did smite the multiplayer, and there was yet more wailing and consternation
And now, NOW the end is nigh. The time of darkness quickly draws upon us. Like a skilled hunter preparing to spear an unexpecting antelope, the darkness of V3 waits to skewer the people and their hopes of entertainment-th.
Woe, Woe upon all the inhabitants of MTGO, for the time of Darkness has come!
Thus endeth this chapter of The Book of Ham...
Translated:
Leagues are now OFF, this is the first sign of V3 being launched, as is discussed here. Leagues will be off for a week, then MTGO 2.5 will go 'dark' (read: turned off) for a week or so, and then V3 will be brought back up and items turned on as they co. Then, the missing items (such as Leagues and Multiplayer) will be worked into the V3 Client as completed. The important thing in all of this... Don't Panic, according to The Guide I found, anyway. I know that there are many people that are going to be upset that their favorite way to enjoy MTGO is no longer available (namely Multiplayers and League'ers). There's not much I can say to help ease these pains, frustrations and concerns. Except that Worth has so far proven that he's a man of his word. When he says he'll do something, he does it. When he says something will be a focus, it will be. As such, he's said that Multiplayer and Leagues are on the top of the list to get put back into the client (behind any surprise bugs that they may encounter) and I trust that he will live up to his word, as usual.
SCR's and the Wrath of Worth
The second announcement that really should be covered in a bit more depth is the Single Client Restrictions, and that are back on now. There seems to be a lot of confusion about what exactly they're meant to stop and what exactly they mean for players/dealers/bot runners. Hopefully I can clear up a bit of confusion.
SCR's (Single Client Restrictions) are meant to limit each PERSON to one client on the server. Meaning that even if I have ten computers on ten different IP's and ten different usernames, I'm only allowed to connect to the server with ONE of them at a time. No exceptions. What's different about this latest round of SCR's? Two words: Optimus. Worth. He's a lean, mean, rule enforcing machine. If he catches you breaking the rules, you will get punished. And, to be completely frank... good. There are dealers who follow the rules with no enforcement needed. There are players who follow the rules despite being inconvenienced by them. Nothing makes any one dealer, player, bot runner special or above the rules. Anyone found completely ignoring the rules deserves whatever gets thrown at them for not only trying to get an unfair advantage over the rule followers, but also by putting their own desire for profit above the well being of the players. That is an extremely selfish and self-centered action and I have no sympathy for anyone who gets hit by Worth's Hammer of Vengeance (tm).
What the SCR's aren't. They aren't to keep multiple player households from logging in. They aren't to keep multiple real users from logging in. For example, if you're in a house where you and your spouse and your child all play MTGO, you should be fine with three clients logged into the system. I would caution you not to leave your computers unattended for long. The Worthinator (or his millions) will likely be asking players to validate that they are not bots on occasion, and it's best if you answer real quick like. If you have to step away, be sure to use an away message, or simply log off for the duration of your absense. A few minutes preparation will save you a lot of hassle.
Long term, the SCR's should no longer be an issue. As with V3, we're supposed to not have to worry about these types of issues, assuming all goes to plan.
Server Log In Availability: 
IPA... oh my sweet, crumbling IPA... How I love thee. The sell off of IPA rares continues unabated it seems. Sure, they've leveled off a bit lately, but each week we see a little more slippage in the prices somewhere or other. I imagine that this will continue for quite some time. I'll probably drop this chart again until something else worth noting happens though, as it's mostly the same chart each week right now.
I don't have any new card prices this week, but I did go back through some old data to look at some requested information. Some folks were interested in seeing the set prices as each set entered Standard, so I grabbed the prices from when Future Sight, Lorwyn and Morningtide. Just a note of caution though, Future Sight's numbers aren't from the first five weeks of availability like Morningtide and Lorwyn's are. Instead, they're from the first week of the month for the first five months. This is because I wasn't collecting weekly information when Future Sight was released. However, it's still pretty close to the same curve, which I found interesting.
Then, I found myself interested in where each of these average of card prices are now:
Perhaps interesting, perhaps obvious, but Future Sight's average per card is higher than either Lorwyn or Morningtide. Likely on the back of one Green Meany... aka Tarmogoyf.
PayPal payments not going through for some users:
10-12-07 through Current:
Overseas Paypal issues have been experiencing many issues trying to order product from the Magic Online store via PayPal. Since WotC has no control over what PayPal does they're stuck until PayPal gets it fixed.
PayPal issues
Bug Fixes:
Again, a big 'thank you' to Solice, WotC_Eric, and Dhuse for getting a hold of this information and posting it with the Server Maintenance thread.
04-04-08:
03-28-08 - Boldwyr Heavyweights search is now optional.
- Rhox now deals damage when it is not blocked.
- Game no longer crashes when Hinder is used to counter a spell while Guile is in play.
- Fix for Spawnbroker targeting.
03-21-08 Bug fixes: - Stinkdrinker Bandit no longer produces phantom triggers after killing an attacking unblocked rogue.
- Lignify does not remove protection from Elves (Nath's Buffoon can be destroyed by elf spells).
- Stenchskipper no longer triggers (heads to GY) when only it and Boggart Shenanigans are in play.
- Updated 'Recent Sets' to be MOR, LRW, WL (In collections, scroll down tab)
- Implemented a fix for a bug reported on technical forums here: http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1003545 (Thank you for taking the time to report!!) Copying an effect that refers to the power of the source of the effect no longer crashes the game.
- Fix for kinship triggers not doing anything if kinship source is killed before the trigger resolves.
04-04-08 (
Kenzo the Hardhearted)'s Bushido not triggering. Flipping a Bushi Tenderfoot into Kenzo leaves the Kenzo without a working Bushido trigger.
03-14-08
Chains of Mephistopheles + Anvil of Bogardan/Forced Card Draw:
01-25-08 through 02-27-08:
Chains is causing entire hands to be emptied due to its own effect when forced to draw from another source. This bug impacted the last Classic tourney and is probably going to happen again if it isn't fixed soon. 03-14-08 Update: Chains should now be functioning properly.
Eyes of the Wisent tokens:
12-28-07 to Morningtide Release
The tokens from this card say that they have 'Flying', but they actually do not have flying. This is only a textual bug, but has already caused lost games through the confusion.
03-14-08 Update: These tokens should now be produced correctly.
Shah of Naar Isle No card draw:
The fix is going out with the 3/12 update.
Collective Restraint / Ghostly Prison Crashing games
Fixed with the Morningtide updates.
A Lignify'd Thoughtweft Trio can no longer block more than one creature.
Stonehewer Giant now shuffles your library only once.
Rhox now always asks it's controller about how to deal it's damage. Previously, it could ask another play
Fix for bug with Bridge from Below.
Fix for bug with Stalking Vengeance Bug Complaints:
Retether Randomly Working:
Retether has been bugged since day one, in one way or another. Right now it appears to randomly work and randomly do a steaming pile of nothing. Use at your own risk.
Thieves' Auction only returning one permanent:
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=15148181#post15148181
Graveyard Choice Cards Crashing the game:
Play any card that targets cards in a graveyard from the game. Note that it must be optional to target them, like with Shred Memory or Decompose. Then don't choose any targets, and just hit OK. Until you concede all you can do for the rest of the game is hit the OK button with the card on the stack. (Quoted from authenticsimpsonian). According to a developer, this should be fixed when V3 goes live. Newest thread located here. Shielding Plax + Targeting:11-30-07 through Current:
Shielding Plax is not granting untargetability correctly.
Colfenor's Plans + extra draw:
11-30-07 through Current:
Colfenor's Plans is not handling extra draw actions properly. Link
Lignify + Layers:
11-23-07 through Current:
Lignify + Spirit Loop does not appear to follow the correct rules for timestamps and loss of abilities. More information can be found here. Sutured Ghoul + Tarmogoyf
10-19-07: through Current:
Sutured Ghoul + Tarmogoyf doesn't pump the Ghoul correctly. And before anyone starts to yell about the Ghoul not caring about the Goyf's dynamic power, look up the Future Sight rules update information. Or better yet, you can read about this question here and here.
This interaction is still broken. And based on the latest Pro Tour results, this will be a popular deck in Extended and likely Classic. This is not the first time that an MTG rules update has lagged far behind on MTGO and thereby invalidated a deck type. Phyrexian Dreadnought, Flash and suspend cards like Lotus Bloom have had similar issues in the past year.
Update: this is currently being investigated by the devs for a fix. I don't have any ETA as to when it wil be resolved, but rumor has it that this is in the works as we speak.
Some weeks there are a ton of little things to report on, some weeks there are just a few huge things to report on. This is the latter. The SCR's warnings and more importantly, the Leagues being shut off are pretty big deals. The quick rundown of topics this week: April Fools, V3, Commander, Do you like MTGO. This gave me some time to delve into some of the topics a bit more deeply than usual in my editorial sections, which was kind of fun.
~Erik
0 Comments
I didn't realize how popular BaCooN had become! It'll be back next week, for sure! :)
no BaCCoon=Shardfenix is a sad panda
bacoooon : (
"Woe, Woe upon all the inhabitants of MTGO, for the time of Darkness has come!"
Too funny...
Where's the BaCooN!?
Every week I wait for Friday to come just so I can read your article. Nice job.
Ernham djinn
D'oh! My bad, Hollow! I thought I had added that in. :(
I'll fix that up ASAP. :)
~Erik
... you forgot to mention a bug I found again, Bushido is borked, on Kenzo the Hardhearted its not triggering. Maybe on other cards as well.
/me event tried to tell you not to forget this in client.... T_T