I believe I know what he means. He means it is going to be a set that rolls over him because it will be hard to obtain the good cards and as a result it will suck to be him. I can see this being a general problem with those who do not have the $ or means to join draft queues/Sealed Decks or just buy and crack packs for cards. I expect the initial market on Zen will be ridiculous. Hopefully the popularity will keep speculation low and card prices in a sane range.
That's great news for you and for the site, Erik, grats! Given how controversial the online PTQs have been, I would seek out a pro that's strongly against them and a pro that's all for them and have a crossfire discussion.
@pierrebai: Yavimaya Elder was just printed in one of the EDH decks, and it doesn't exist otherwise. Nobody has been opening those, so none are to be found. Hence low supply, which leads to big (and increasing) prices until the market balances.
Hammy, congrats! They picked the right guy.
Your Urza's Rage link is broken though, it should be http://puremtgo.com/sites/default/files/u530/2009_09_24_Urza's_Rage_IN.png
None of those mistakes allowed in the official coverage! :)
There is only 1 way (except for buying it from someone else, which is quite hard) to get your hands on 1. Buy Xira Arien Commander deck for 20 in the store... Since it is 1 out of 2 new cards in that deck (the other is Massacre) it is quite expensive.
I'm really glad that you got this opportunity. I read SotP every week, and I forgive you for missing a week. As you said, you have a good excuse. :D
I look forward to your report of the Pro Tour.
Aaaaah! I didn't know Wizards errata'ed cards from older sets and added functionality. It was a vanilla 2/1 for the past 5-6 years before then, I gather? Or were the rule texts hidden on MTGO. the last update fixed that bug and people realized it was a good cards and everyone started buying it? Please tell me, I'm confused.
Lol, I don't understand you. "Zendikar is not that great", but in your opinion its overpowered and landfall ridiculously amazing. And you also love kicker. But why is it then "not that great"?!
That's the whole point! In Zendikar everything is great! We got ourselves tons of lands we always wanted! Pay 1 life lands, gain 1 life lands, those lands, that lands and all the other powerful creatures! WE got ability that is better with lands which we always wanted and loved. We got Kicker again as you sad, it's simply great and why is it "not that great", then!? :P
Can't think of a person I would trust more to represent all the players of MTGO as equally as possible. Really excited to see how this goes.
On another note "And despite that disproportionate income to player ratio we were always relegated to lower than second class citizens."
It's about darn time this was changed!
In my opinion Zendikar is way to overpowered. The landfall ability is just ridiculous and some of the creatures abilities are ridiculous as well. The only thing I like about this set is kicker is making a comeback.
I used the Seshiro avatar with mass animate land cards... and Rakdos, the Defiler. It gets pretty damned unfair when every card you have satisfies the 'nondemon permanent' exception. True, I've not played it in years, but that's the way it goes.
I registered just to say CONGRATS! I read your columns every Tuesday and Friday, used to read your posts on the forums and am definitely a fan. You deserve it - I know you'll do a good job, but make sure to have fun too! Don't cheat yourself by taking it too seriously and stressing yourself out.
Wow, fantastic news Hammy! I'm so pumped that at last people who've given so much to MTGO are being recognized at the top level. It all began with FFreak breaking into the pro-tour, Wizards recognized the writing on the wall. Good job!
I would think that going there believing "there will be another" can help you stay focused and not try to over-do it. You're knowledgeable and usually level-headed and fair and command good knowledge of Magic in general, so you should do well. Trying to lure as many Pros sounds like a good strategy.
Some quick advice for the PT. Now you will be hanging out with the coverage team, which will probably involve a couple meals out, and probably some drafts, maybe EDH, etc. Enjoy!
My best peice of advice for judges - bring a second set of shoes in your bachpack, and switch shoes halfway through the day. The floors are almost certainly going to be concrete, and you will probably be on your feet a lot. (Although, unlike judges, you will be in the coverage area, writing, some of the time. Sitting. We judges envy you that perk.)
Odds are really good that some members of R&D, probably some folks from the MTGO side, and possibly some of the Wizards execs will be present. The coverage staff can probably let you know who, once that gets finalized. Ask them, and think about what you'd like to ask. You may be able to do semi-formal interviews, and you may be able to talk to them over dinner or otherwise. If you are in the staff hotel, you may be able to catch the in the lobby, or whatever room in the hotel is devoted to playing Magic after hours. (There will be one - always is.)
You might also check with Wizards about matching some of the pros with their online nicks. If Wizards and the pros themselves are okay, it would be cool to know that the online names of at least some of the Top 8 competitors.
Most of all - have fun. The big show is just that - a really big show. Savor it.
if they do have these treasures in mtgo, its not going to be the same, you can make 1000 copies of x card, but irl ones? much more flavorful in that context.
i just hope my pre order box doesnt go 'missing' be4 i get it.
I have to disagree with Seshiro being unfun. I used to to fuel a very fun Rebel variant back in the day. Nothing broken but when you can tool box 1 ofs with 4x searchers things get interesting. It let me expand on my (r)evolutionary conspiracy deck all the way from Masques. I found this deck could handle a great variety of threats from aggro tribal to control/combo. The key was to be sure to include a decent chain of searchers. (Sadly No Lyn Sivvi :/)
No one cares what you've done
I believe I know what he means. He means it is going to be a set that rolls over him because it will be hard to obtain the good cards and as a result it will suck to be him. I can see this being a general problem with those who do not have the $ or means to join draft queues/Sealed Decks or just buy and crack packs for cards. I expect the initial market on Zen will be ridiculous. Hopefully the popularity will keep speculation low and card prices in a sane range.
Read the card: http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/TD0_Yavimaya_Elder.html
No errata. This is the original text of the card. It was amazing in Urza's Destiny and it is amazing now.
Nice Erik. This news is awesome.
Congrats Hammy.
Ivo.
I just updated the WOTC Vanguard page at http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=magic/magiconline/vanguard in case it is of any use for Vanguard fans.
Great articles and great web site as always!
Mike Gills
That's great news for you and for the site, Erik, grats! Given how controversial the online PTQs have been, I would seek out a pro that's strongly against them and a pro that's all for them and have a crossfire discussion.
@pierrebai: Yavimaya Elder was just printed in one of the EDH decks, and it doesn't exist otherwise. Nobody has been opening those, so none are to be found. Hence low supply, which leads to big (and increasing) prices until the market balances.
Hammy, congrats! They picked the right guy.
Your Urza's Rage link is broken though, it should be http://puremtgo.com/sites/default/files/u530/2009_09_24_Urza's_Rage_IN.png
None of those mistakes allowed in the official coverage! :)
There is only 1 way (except for buying it from someone else, which is quite hard) to get your hands on 1. Buy Xira Arien Commander deck for 20 in the store... Since it is 1 out of 2 new cards in that deck (the other is Massacre) it is quite expensive.
echo the sentiments of all - there's no one else to better represent the MTGO community. SotP has been an awesome article series forever.
Congratulations Hamtastic!
I'm really glad that you got this opportunity. I read SotP every week, and I forgive you for missing a week. As you said, you have a good excuse. :D
I look forward to your report of the Pro Tour.
Enjoy, and have fun.
Aaaaah! I didn't know Wizards errata'ed cards from older sets and added functionality. It was a vanilla 2/1 for the past 5-6 years before then, I gather? Or were the rule texts hidden on MTGO. the last update fixed that bug and people realized it was a good cards and everyone started buying it? Please tell me, I'm confused.
Lol, I don't understand you. "Zendikar is not that great", but in your opinion its overpowered and landfall ridiculously amazing. And you also love kicker. But why is it then "not that great"?!
That's the whole point! In Zendikar everything is great! We got ourselves tons of lands we always wanted! Pay 1 life lands, gain 1 life lands, those lands, that lands and all the other powerful creatures! WE got ability that is better with lands which we always wanted and loved. We got Kicker again as you sad, it's simply great and why is it "not that great", then!? :P
Thx~
Klemzo
In my opinion Zendikar is way to overpowered. The landfall ability is just ridiculous and some of the creatures abilities are ridiculous as well. The only thing I like about this set is kicker is making a comeback.
I used the Seshiro avatar with mass animate land cards... and Rakdos, the Defiler. It gets pretty damned unfair when every card you have satisfies the 'nondemon permanent' exception. True, I've not played it in years, but that's the way it goes.
Nice article.
Yavimaya Elder fetches two lands and draws a card. That in itself is enough.
Could anyone fill me in why such a big jump? Is there a new extended deck running around? Are the new landfall and new lands somehow involved?
I registered just to say CONGRATS! I read your columns every Tuesday and Friday, used to read your posts on the forums and am definitely a fan. You deserve it - I know you'll do a good job, but make sure to have fun too! Don't cheat yourself by taking it too seriously and stressing yourself out.
Wow, fantastic news Hammy! I'm so pumped that at last people who've given so much to MTGO are being recognized at the top level. It all began with FFreak breaking into the pro-tour, Wizards recognized the writing on the wall. Good job!
I would think that going there believing "there will be another" can help you stay focused and not try to over-do it. You're knowledgeable and usually level-headed and fair and command good knowledge of Magic in general, so you should do well. Trying to lure as many Pros sounds like a good strategy.
Excellent news. Congrats! You've earned it.
See you in Austin.
Some quick advice for the PT. Now you will be hanging out with the coverage team, which will probably involve a couple meals out, and probably some drafts, maybe EDH, etc. Enjoy!
My best peice of advice for judges - bring a second set of shoes in your bachpack, and switch shoes halfway through the day. The floors are almost certainly going to be concrete, and you will probably be on your feet a lot. (Although, unlike judges, you will be in the coverage area, writing, some of the time. Sitting. We judges envy you that perk.)
Odds are really good that some members of R&D, probably some folks from the MTGO side, and possibly some of the Wizards execs will be present. The coverage staff can probably let you know who, once that gets finalized. Ask them, and think about what you'd like to ask. You may be able to do semi-formal interviews, and you may be able to talk to them over dinner or otherwise. If you are in the staff hotel, you may be able to catch the in the lobby, or whatever room in the hotel is devoted to playing Magic after hours. (There will be one - always is.)
You might also check with Wizards about matching some of the pros with their online nicks. If Wizards and the pros themselves are okay, it would be cool to know that the online names of at least some of the Top 8 competitors.
Most of all - have fun. The big show is just that - a really big show. Savor it.
if they do have these treasures in mtgo, its not going to be the same, you can make 1000 copies of x card, but irl ones? much more flavorful in that context.
i just hope my pre order box doesnt go 'missing' be4 i get it.
Well done Hammy thats the best news I've heard in a long time in regards to MTGO, I hope it all goes well and you have a good time.
I also voted for core constructed it's a format I may actually try where events are concerned.
I have to disagree with Seshiro being unfun. I used to to fuel a very fun Rebel variant back in the day. Nothing broken but when you can tool box 1 ofs with 4x searchers things get interesting. It let me expand on my (r)evolutionary conspiracy deck all the way from Masques. I found this deck could handle a great variety of threats from aggro tribal to control/combo. The key was to be sure to include a decent chain of searchers. (Sadly No Lyn Sivvi :/)