I was thinking about this article last night; I have all the same objections as the Anonymous above (the very first thing I thought of when I read the methodology and saw the Grunts first was that this was clearly an artifact of mana cost). But rather than just discounting the information entirely (as I was wont to do yesterday afternoon), what if we take this approach: instead of thinking that these are good cards, perhaps we should say that "decks which are capable of playing these cards are more successful." That is, instead of saying that the Grunts is a good or bad card based on the data, we can accept at face value that players who got into a position where they were able to play the Grunts one. Thus, our goal is to create decks (building in sealed, to a lesser degree, picking in drafts) that enable us to get to the point where we can cast the the Grunts. That is, perhaps these lists point us to thoughts about the overall shape of the format and of various archetypes than of the individual cards. For instance, this might lead us to think that saying "Zendikar is an extremely fast format" is less useful than saying "Zendikar is a format that rewards players for having enough control over the early game that a hasted 3/3 on turn five may be enough to lock the game in your favor." Somehow I feel like I'm not articulating this as clearly as I want to...does anyone else get what I'm saying enough to tell me if what I'm saying makes sense?
could be fun, i'll def try putting together some decks for it, but i can see it becoming dominated by certain decks through fliker/nightmares.. maybe not, only a test run would tell i guess
My first thought was "Oh man, he's just complaining about decks that lose because someone was greedy with their mana curve. He's experienced. He should know better." Mana screw isn't just part of the game, it's a part of the game that skilled players can _manage_.
But after the Goblins example, I was won over. I like the strategy behind "Against a control deck, you're the mountain, and against an aggro deck, you're the mountain instead." So I'll give this a try.
/join blackblade in the client? The room is empty right now. Did the first event start two hours ago?
What's wrong with Balance? Or Flash for that matter? It looks like 100cs just arbitrarily bans some Classic staples. But good call on Mind Funeral.
Okay, I did a practice game and Rally the Horde and it strips you of your entire library. So it basically causes you to lose unless you can give your army haste. I therefore don't think it needs to be banned.
Fun. I've been running a Dakkon classic vanguard deck which uses land- and permanent-removing nightmares other than the dragon to cheat fat into play, it should be adaptable to this.
My apologies, I assumed everyone knew that Extended 2 mans do not pay out Zendikar. If they did, they'd be a much better deal. As you can see in the following link: http://wizards.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wizards.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?... they are paying out Alara Reborn, which is nearly worthless right now. :/
Not entirely sure how Rally the Horde works with the final 1-2 cards in your library, but isn't there a very real possibility you'll just deck yourself? Or does it stop if it can't remove 3 cards at once?
R3G2 I like holding back with 4 open mana on the turn you cast the Shortcutter. That way you have the mana to pump, or to cast Trap, or do both if he attacks big.
However, playing something like Darksteel Colossus, Sundering Titan, Red Akroma as your lands then casting Through the Breech for a Worldgorger Dragon seems busted enough to be ban worthy in Blackblade where it wouldn't be in regular 100CS.
cool, I'm watching this
That does let me take one less Marauder hit, staying on 2 higher life. I think that may well be the better play there.
Thank you very much for the excellent and useful subject.
I was thinking about this article last night; I have all the same objections as the Anonymous above (the very first thing I thought of when I read the methodology and saw the Grunts first was that this was clearly an artifact of mana cost). But rather than just discounting the information entirely (as I was wont to do yesterday afternoon), what if we take this approach: instead of thinking that these are good cards, perhaps we should say that "decks which are capable of playing these cards are more successful." That is, instead of saying that the Grunts is a good or bad card based on the data, we can accept at face value that players who got into a position where they were able to play the Grunts one. Thus, our goal is to create decks (building in sealed, to a lesser degree, picking in drafts) that enable us to get to the point where we can cast the the Grunts. That is, perhaps these lists point us to thoughts about the overall shape of the format and of various archetypes than of the individual cards. For instance, this might lead us to think that saying "Zendikar is an extremely fast format" is less useful than saying "Zendikar is a format that rewards players for having enough control over the early game that a hasted 3/3 on turn five may be enough to lock the game in your favor." Somehow I feel like I'm not articulating this as clearly as I want to...does anyone else get what I'm saying enough to tell me if what I'm saying makes sense?
could be fun, i'll def try putting together some decks for it, but i can see it becoming dominated by certain decks through fliker/nightmares.. maybe not, only a test run would tell i guess
The rules are simple. Everyone plays a 60 card classic singleton deck, and a Dakkon Blackblade Avatar, and a 15 card sideboard.
One More Question - sideboard? yes/no?
I'm waiting for feedback until finalizing a time and date for the first of the weekly tournaments.
Once I set a date, I'll include it here and post a message on the PRE forum on the mothership about it to gather some more interest.
My first thought was "Oh man, he's just complaining about decks that lose because someone was greedy with their mana curve. He's experienced. He should know better." Mana screw isn't just part of the game, it's a part of the game that skilled players can _manage_.
But after the Goblins example, I was won over. I like the strategy behind "Against a control deck, you're the mountain, and against an aggro deck, you're the mountain instead." So I'll give this a try.
/join blackblade in the client? The room is empty right now. Did the first event start two hours ago?
What's wrong with Balance? Or Flash for that matter? It looks like 100cs just arbitrarily bans some Classic staples. But good call on Mind Funeral.
I never considered Mind Funeral.
I'm guessing that most decks will have somewhere around 5 or fewer lands so I'm guessing Mind Funeral by itself would be too easy a win.
Therefore I'm going to add Mind Funeral to the banned list.
I think two card win conditions are fine... but 1 card win conditions are a bit too easy....
Okay, I did a practice game and Rally the Horde and it strips you of your entire library. So it basically causes you to lose unless you can give your army haste. I therefore don't think it needs to be banned.
And yes, Flickerwisp combos are legal.
Let's see how insane they get...
Fun. I've been running a Dakkon classic vanguard deck which uses land- and permanent-removing nightmares other than the dragon to cheat fat into play, it should be adaptable to this.
I would keep an Eye out for Mind Funeral. Without Lands, this is also an easy one card win.
My apologies, I assumed everyone knew that Extended 2 mans do not pay out Zendikar. If they did, they'd be a much better deal. As you can see in the following link: http://wizards.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wizards.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?... they are paying out Alara Reborn, which is nearly worthless right now. :/
I would be in for Monday or Tuesday night. I'm willing to throw a couple tickets toward the prize pool also if I'm playing.
RoryTheGreat on magic online
Kinda like dumping your whole library on the 2nd Oath trigger naming blue with Iona and using Krosan Rec on YWill to recur Time Vault+Vol Key?
Yes puppie choking on nails is soo hot
I like the replays, but for sure keep posting up links to premiere events decklists as soon as they come up. Especially Extended events.
Not entirely sure how Rally the Horde works with the final 1-2 cards in your library, but isn't there a very real possibility you'll just deck yourself? Or does it stop if it can't remove 3 cards at once?
If Goblin Charbelcher is banned, Rally the Horde probably should be as well. True, it takes one turn longer, but it's still a one-card win.
I assume Flickerwisp combos are legitimate?
Looks interesting. Articles about the Planeswalker format would be a nice addition to PureMTGO.
Nice article :) short but sound.
R3G2 I like holding back with 4 open mana on the turn you cast the Shortcutter. That way you have the mana to pump, or to cast Trap, or do both if he attacks big.
i see this coming down to "who has the money' cards like all other formats!
That does sound like a lot of fun.
Non-colored artifacts like the Colossus and Titan can't be played as lands, but other than that, your point is well valid.
I'm keeping World-Gorger on the banned list for now.
However, playing something like Darksteel Colossus, Sundering Titan, Red Akroma as your lands then casting Through the Breech for a Worldgorger Dragon seems busted enough to be ban worthy in Blackblade where it wouldn't be in regular 100CS.