The application is built on Silverlight, so while it runs in the browser, it installs like an Adobe Air application and in doing so gains access to the hard drive to store your information. It will store decks and such locally. I got this from Ryan Dhuse, one of the developers.
Also it will cache the images locally, though they aren't sure if you will need to do the updates to download them all beforehand, or if it can be cached after the first time you need to download it.
While it doesnt seem entirely false, I think aggro is being a little overhyped in draft. Everyone and their mother are trying to force B/x aggro like it is the Zen version of Esper. The best part about zendikar limited is that there are very good cards, and more importantly very good commons in every color. People think aggro is the gold standard because alot of those creatures are meant to be truned sideways. If Zendikar went at the light speed its being presented then Into the Roil and Whiplash Trap and Shieldmates Blessing and Kraken Hatchling and Oran-Rief Recluse would be much less playable than you mention they are, and therein lies the rub.
Hey Hamtastic :) dude did they give out any info as to what data may reside on the client's side? Seriously if this is going to consume as much bandwidth as I think it is, im out of MTG! :(
Im a bit concerned, we have tight bandwidth constrictions here in South Africa, like 2-3 gig caps per month, if playing through the browser, wont it consume alot more bandwidth?
Props for posting a list of our local hero and citymate Michael Diezel :) Very good article. Interesting to see that the Dreadnought of Phyrexia is back.
I have played some matches of Zendikar standard by now and my initial impressions are that Bant would have such a hard time against the various aggro decks thats not worth playing. Even loving Stoic Angel as I do. Anyway, let´s hope that I'm wrong and bring up the subject on the next article. Thank you for the feedback and hopelly I'll be back soon with some more words about our beloved game.
I can't imagine the format would very playable without the duals considering those who have them would have such a leg up. Force of Will? Maybe not so much but if you have Force you need Mana Drain (also expensive).
I think your points are quite valid in the context of tournament level play (which is officially off the radar now with vanguard) but I think Cotton's focus is more on the creative casual side of the format. Not to knock Spiky endeavors (I am spiky myself) but the point of the article is geared towards those looking for the unusual aspects of the format. Hope that helps explain the lack of tier 1 decks here.
Um, I don't really play vanguard, so I don't know the ins a nd out of the format, but...
Why would you play mayael without sensei's divining tops?
And, if you're talking about OPTIMAL (in a spike sense of the word) builds, wouldn't maelstrom angel, with a maswsive +7 hand bonus, be ridiculous in a storm combo build? think stephen menedian's build at the invitational a few years back, but even faster, more consistent, and deadly. +7 hand size makes it easy for a tendrils to go lethal very, very fast
What happened at the tripal combocalypse this weekend?
Well thats not too bad then, so what you are saying is that the data usage will gradually decrease the more you play, as things get cached?
Some good news at least, phew.
The application is built on Silverlight, so while it runs in the browser, it installs like an Adobe Air application and in doing so gains access to the hard drive to store your information. It will store decks and such locally. I got this from Ryan Dhuse, one of the developers.
Also it will cache the images locally, though they aren't sure if you will need to do the updates to download them all beforehand, or if it can be cached after the first time you need to download it.
If you want to see screenshots of the new interface: http://www.mananation.com/magic-online-prototype/
Trick, ManaNation.com
While it doesnt seem entirely false, I think aggro is being a little overhyped in draft. Everyone and their mother are trying to force B/x aggro like it is the Zen version of Esper. The best part about zendikar limited is that there are very good cards, and more importantly very good commons in every color. People think aggro is the gold standard because alot of those creatures are meant to be truned sideways. If Zendikar went at the light speed its being presented then Into the Roil and Whiplash Trap and Shieldmates Blessing and Kraken Hatchling and Oran-Rief Recluse would be much less playable than you mention they are, and therein lies the rub.
My first thought on browser-based is concern for programming tricks that savvy people could implement to affect outcomes or whatnot.
Hey Hamtastic :) dude did they give out any info as to what data may reside on the client's side? Seriously if this is going to consume as much bandwidth as I think it is, im out of MTG! :(
Great interview Hammy.
Yes, you can definitely see the increase in focus on MTGO, not only since Beta all those years ago, but even since V3 came out.
really good article, a great ressource for anyone interested in GRO.
what is happening with hyppos ? it seems you're in love with them currently :p
I played with it on a smallish laptop screen while the test site was live. It scaled beautifully!
Im a bit concerned, we have tight bandwidth constrictions here in South Africa, like 2-3 gig caps per month, if playing through the browser, wont it consume alot more bandwidth?
Props for posting a list of our local hero and citymate Michael Diezel :) Very good article. Interesting to see that the Dreadnought of Phyrexia is back.
Love the huge monitors, but I hope someone is testing on a laptop size screen too, because that's what I got.
I have played some matches of Zendikar standard by now and my initial impressions are that Bant would have such a hard time against the various aggro decks thats not worth playing. Even loving Stoic Angel as I do. Anyway, let´s hope that I'm wrong and bring up the subject on the next article. Thank you for the feedback and hopelly I'll be back soon with some more words about our beloved game.
ok but is info like our decks and collection also to be stored online? not sure if i trust that part of it...
I can't imagine the format would very playable without the duals considering those who have them would have such a leg up. Force of Will? Maybe not so much but if you have Force you need Mana Drain (also expensive).
Fully in the browser with no client to download?? Wow! Amazing info Hammy thanks for getting the scoop!
Excellent recon, more please!
I think your points are quite valid in the context of tournament level play (which is officially off the radar now with vanguard) but I think Cotton's focus is more on the creative casual side of the format. Not to knock Spiky endeavors (I am spiky myself) but the point of the article is geared towards those looking for the unusual aspects of the format. Hope that helps explain the lack of tier 1 decks here.
Um, I don't really play vanguard, so I don't know the ins a nd out of the format, but...
Why would you play mayael without sensei's divining tops?
And, if you're talking about OPTIMAL (in a spike sense of the word) builds, wouldn't maelstrom angel, with a maswsive +7 hand bonus, be ridiculous in a storm combo build? think stephen menedian's build at the invitational a few years back, but even faster, more consistent, and deadly. +7 hand size makes it easy for a tendrils to go lethal very, very fast
Not in MED BLock Constructed.
My mistake, I read your article too quickly and didn't catch that it was for Standard Pauper instead of regular pauper.
yep, I saw. :( I've got a request in to Mike to see if he can track down someone on the web team to fix that for me.
It's like a cross between 'trogdor' and 'friborg', which does sort of fit, but sadly, is not my true name.
BTW Ham, they keep calling you Triborg over at mtg:
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/eventcove...
so does oblivion stone
lol what a joke