In regard to the "Super Secret Rare" it has all but been confirmed now that people are opening old-school cards that have been inserted into Zen packs. Not "reprints" but the actual old school cards themselves being repackaged. Check out this thread: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=186720
I'm excited about what this might mean for MTGO when Zen comes along. As these cards are supposedly taking the place of basic land in some boosters, does this mean that we will be able to get some cards onto MTGO that have no previously been "printed" there? Much better than an MED4 set IMHO.
Finally, I will also support the Core Constructed format for the 4th tourney. I've always wondered what one woudl be like, and now that the Core Set is not just a bunch of reprints, it could get interesting.
Grats Hammy! :D I did some coverage of a couple PTs that came to NY in 2000 and 2001. One thing I did that seemed to work well was interview pros I knew with 6 quick questions and posted them on the Neutralground.net live event page the same day. I know that isn't going to happen with Austen but I am thinking interviewing various pros would still go over well. Particularly in the view of as an MTGO reporter you can ask them questions regarding MTGO. Good luck and have fun! :D Pro Tours are a lot of fun even for the spectators. (That is somewhat the point since its a giant ad for the game.)
Onto other news:
Wow I am really miffed that Yavimaya Elder jumped up there before I got to get my copy :/
Awesome book recommendations, I've read and enjoyed all of them. The advice is applicable to pretty much every person in pretty much every walk of life.
Second of all: Where do you see ppl selling Yavimaya Elders? I have not been able to find anyone selling them.
Ok I figured that 5 would be around the price level so I will have to increase my offer but I have not seen even 1 for sale for any amount of tix (except through the online store for 20 :/). E.g. as far as I can see MTGOTraders do not have anything in stock (and sets the price at 1).
I think Katastrophe's response is 100% correct, and I'm actually really surprised to read that an experienced player believes that recognizing you're on tilt in Magic is not a useful skill. Maybe this means I need to think about it some more, but to me it is fairly obvious. Just because it's not like poker where you can get out at any time, you can certainly try to bring yourself back to Earth and not make any more dumb mistakes in the near future.
Congratulations Ham, though I'm not playing MTGO very much these days (due to WOW), I do read your weekly articles on whats happening on MTGO. I just want to say Good Luck. I once hang out with the clan at puremtgo if you remember me, Ill drop by again in the chat room if I'm online.
Thanks for the feedback guys, glad you enjoyed the article.
You're right Paul that I did get some resistance to Affinitstorm from people who though it was just Affinity, but after I explain to them that it's cooler than that they usually end up complimenting the deck. It's such a bummer that Affinity in general is so universally hated.
As a long time player who's come and go and trolled on here for a long time, I've never commented in the articles, but for this I had to. Congrats Erik! Truly deserved and it's great to see the MTGO community get it's due!
Well, you have to say that all the new sets are stronger then old sets. I mean there use to be creatures that cost 2 mana and have 2/1 with no effect. Or you had to pay 4 mana just for 2/1 flyer.
Each new sets is better then older. For example M10 had some reprints like Goblin Piker which costs 2 mana for 2/1 and no effect. Then you have Child of Night for 2 mana and 2/1 with lifelink and then again you have Elite Vanguard for 2/2 and no effect and only for 1 mana.
What I also meant is that compared to ALA block, Zendikar seams overpowered. I mean all the lands we got, all the creatures we got and everything seams better then in ALA block or almost any other set. Even commons and uncommons.
Every man with his opinion, but that's just mine :)
I was hyped when the rares were coming out but when the uncommon and commons came out it got semi boring. only certain cards were good IMO. This set isnt overpowered. Sets which focus on too much tribalness tend to be overpowered compared to other sets. But I think the best set still is Saga/Urza's. It will be considered the best and strongest set to date for me.
Thank you for this thought and no, I didn't meant it to win by life gain. I just sad its one of the ways to win, as you can see by all the cards and Felidar Sovereign.
And I just realized I forgot to discuss lands separately at all. I know about Emeria, the Sky Ruin, as it's absolutely fantastic card. And this even proofs the point how Zendikar's cards are each so great.
And now I just saw the newest spoilers here: http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/zendikar/spoiler
and I just wished I would submit the article 1 day later. :)
If you see Blazing Torch and Grapling hook you can imagine how this goes well with white decks, or any other at that matter.
I myself can't wait to play the pre-release tomorrow and I'm pretty sure my colors will be white/green or something that uses white.
My only argument is with White winning through lifegain. That's one of the most non-sensical things I've ever hears, especially with Sorin around and Vampires a shoo in for ridiculous tribe of Zendikar. THat's not to say I'm discouting white though, as a matter of fact I'm developing a quite potent mono white control list that seems to have game with everything in the current meta and things that I've managed to extrapolate for the coming one. THis deck uses many of the card you mentioned, such as Felidar sovereign, Iona as a lonely one of, and the exceptional offering of World Queller, but it's strategy is not to win by lifegain, just survive till the ridiculous beaters or luminarch ascension make defeating the enemy easy.
Oh, I didn't mention the basis did I? Emeria, the Sky ruin. It's my choice for the most freaking rediculous card in the set. With the power of modern white removal paired with Day of judgment and World queller, the deck laughs at aggro as it slowly gets itself up to playing a world shattering beater then proecting it or resurrecting friend for it using the degenerate Emeria. Captain of the watch is absurd here, and though I know you're talking about block, the only three cards in the deck not from block are path to exile, oblivion ring, and captain of the watch, all of which are easily changable.
Just my two cents for a better direction with white. Not to say the kor can't play aggro, because it looks like they can do that fantastically well.
Congratulations Erik, I am sincerely very happy to see that your passion for the Program is finally paying off. Of course you have now a big responsibility on your shoulders but I'm 110% sure that you will do the job properly.
And now for the first time in my life, I'm anxiously waiting for a pro tour!
Great list, always glad to see someone sharing their thoughts on the avatars.
Where's Maelstrom Archangel on the most fun list? Disappointed that it didn't even make the list :(
Disagree on Hermit Druid: games always play out the same, search for Cloudposts or Urzatron every turn, then huge X damage to the dome.
To add to your Most Annoying avatars:
Dauntless Escort - Brainless, just summon as many guys as possible, 20 exalted triggers is annoying and gets old fast. Braids - ALWAYS plays the same every time. Turn 2, activate to drop a land. Turn 4, Akroma. Malfegor / Kresh - Both are narrow (only one way to play them) and thus boring. Enigma Sphinx - Every artifact spell you play has cascade! Ridiculous with turn 1 borderposts. (No coincidence that this avatar was the most played in tournaments.) Stonehewer Giant - A less powerful Enigma Sphinx, but still annoying since EVERY creature they cast gets a guaranteed equipment. Ashling the Pilgrim - If you're playing any low toughness based deck, it's autolose. Even if you aren't, you can't stop the damage since it gets around protection and isn't a spell.
Good to have "one of us" at the PT to cover the event. I hope you follow our MTGO players closely, maybe even "a say with" article with one of them? :)
My vote for the FSF is prismatic. Used to play it alot and gave up because of the lack of support from wotc. Would be great to revisit the format :)
Congrats Hammy. Making it to the big show.
In regard to the "Super Secret Rare" it has all but been confirmed now that people are opening old-school cards that have been inserted into Zen packs. Not "reprints" but the actual old school cards themselves being repackaged. Check out this thread: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=186720
I'm excited about what this might mean for MTGO when Zen comes along. As these cards are supposedly taking the place of basic land in some boosters, does this mean that we will be able to get some cards onto MTGO that have no previously been "printed" there? Much better than an MED4 set IMHO.
Finally, I will also support the Core Constructed format for the 4th tourney. I've always wondered what one woudl be like, and now that the Core Set is not just a bunch of reprints, it could get interesting.
Again, congrats!
Grats Hammy! :D I did some coverage of a couple PTs that came to NY in 2000 and 2001. One thing I did that seemed to work well was interview pros I knew with 6 quick questions and posted them on the Neutralground.net live event page the same day. I know that isn't going to happen with Austen but I am thinking interviewing various pros would still go over well. Particularly in the view of as an MTGO reporter you can ask them questions regarding MTGO. Good luck and have fun! :D Pro Tours are a lot of fun even for the spectators. (That is somewhat the point since its a giant ad for the game.)
Onto other news:
Wow I am really miffed that Yavimaya Elder jumped up there before I got to get my copy :/
Erik you already know what I think :)
But as for PT coverage tips - you be yourself and do what you do best and I think you'll do fine.
Well, congratulations!:)
Congrats!!! I would normally not give a hoot about the PT, but now I will follow with interest.
Awesome book recommendations, I've read and enjoyed all of them. The advice is applicable to pretty much every person in pretty much every walk of life.
First of all congratulations.
Second of all: Where do you see ppl selling Yavimaya Elders? I have not been able to find anyone selling them.
Ok I figured that 5 would be around the price level so I will have to increase my offer but I have not seen even 1 for sale for any amount of tix (except through the online store for 20 :/). E.g. as far as I can see MTGOTraders do not have anything in stock (and sets the price at 1).
I think Katastrophe's response is 100% correct, and I'm actually really surprised to read that an experienced player believes that recognizing you're on tilt in Magic is not a useful skill. Maybe this means I need to think about it some more, but to me it is fairly obvious. Just because it's not like poker where you can get out at any time, you can certainly try to bring yourself back to Earth and not make any more dumb mistakes in the near future.
Congratulations Ham, though I'm not playing MTGO very much these days (due to WOW), I do read your weekly articles on whats happening on MTGO. I just want to say Good Luck. I once hang out with the clan at puremtgo if you remember me, Ill drop by again in the chat room if I'm online.
Definitely man, I used these techniques all through college and still do at my job today - so there's at least some anecdotal evidence that they work.
Thanks for the feedback guys, glad you enjoyed the article.
You're right Paul that I did get some resistance to Affinitstorm from people who though it was just Affinity, but after I explain to them that it's cooler than that they usually end up complimenting the deck. It's such a bummer that Affinity in general is so universally hated.
Congratulations Erik! Just have fun, focus, work hard, and I'm sure you'll do awesome.
As a long time player who's come and go and trolled on here for a long time, I've never commented in the articles, but for this I had to. Congrats Erik! Truly deserved and it's great to see the MTGO community get it's due!
Thanks guys!
It's been over a week and I'm still nerding out about all of this! So much cool stuff to cover, and so much to learn!
Well, you have to say that all the new sets are stronger then old sets. I mean there use to be creatures that cost 2 mana and have 2/1 with no effect. Or you had to pay 4 mana just for 2/1 flyer.
Each new sets is better then older. For example M10 had some reprints like Goblin Piker which costs 2 mana for 2/1 and no effect. Then you have Child of Night for 2 mana and 2/1 with lifelink and then again you have Elite Vanguard for 2/2 and no effect and only for 1 mana.
What I also meant is that compared to ALA block, Zendikar seams overpowered. I mean all the lands we got, all the creatures we got and everything seams better then in ALA block or almost any other set. Even commons and uncommons.
Every man with his opinion, but that's just mine :)
Thx~
Klemzo
Good Job on this post.
I was hyped when the rares were coming out but when the uncommon and commons came out it got semi boring. only certain cards were good IMO. This set isnt overpowered. Sets which focus on too much tribalness tend to be overpowered compared to other sets. But I think the best set still is Saga/Urza's. It will be considered the best and strongest set to date for me.
Thank you for this thought and no, I didn't meant it to win by life gain. I just sad its one of the ways to win, as you can see by all the cards and Felidar Sovereign.
And I just realized I forgot to discuss lands separately at all. I know about Emeria, the Sky Ruin, as it's absolutely fantastic card. And this even proofs the point how Zendikar's cards are each so great.
And now I just saw the newest spoilers here:
http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/zendikar/spoiler
and I just wished I would submit the article 1 day later. :)
If you see Blazing Torch and Grapling hook you can imagine how this goes well with white decks, or any other at that matter.
I myself can't wait to play the pre-release tomorrow and I'm pretty sure my colors will be white/green or something that uses white.
Thx~
Klemzo
My only argument is with White winning through lifegain. That's one of the most non-sensical things I've ever hears, especially with Sorin around and Vampires a shoo in for ridiculous tribe of Zendikar. THat's not to say I'm discouting white though, as a matter of fact I'm developing a quite potent mono white control list that seems to have game with everything in the current meta and things that I've managed to extrapolate for the coming one. THis deck uses many of the card you mentioned, such as Felidar sovereign, Iona as a lonely one of, and the exceptional offering of World Queller, but it's strategy is not to win by lifegain, just survive till the ridiculous beaters or luminarch ascension make defeating the enemy easy.
Oh, I didn't mention the basis did I? Emeria, the Sky ruin. It's my choice for the most freaking rediculous card in the set. With the power of modern white removal paired with Day of judgment and World queller, the deck laughs at aggro as it slowly gets itself up to playing a world shattering beater then proecting it or resurrecting friend for it using the degenerate Emeria. Captain of the watch is absurd here, and though I know you're talking about block, the only three cards in the deck not from block are path to exile, oblivion ring, and captain of the watch, all of which are easily changable.
Just my two cents for a better direction with white. Not to say the kor can't play aggro, because it looks like they can do that fantastically well.
but it's my 1st article ever and my main language ain't English. So sorry for any weird and wrong sentence forming or spelling mistakes. *sigh*
is it me or is there a weird new boarder?
Congratulations Erik, I am sincerely very happy to see that your passion for the Program is finally paying off. Of course you have now a big responsibility on your shoulders but I'm 110% sure that you will do the job properly.
And now for the first time in my life, I'm anxiously waiting for a pro tour!
LE
Great list, always glad to see someone sharing their thoughts on the avatars.
Where's Maelstrom Archangel on the most fun list? Disappointed that it didn't even make the list :(
Disagree on Hermit Druid: games always play out the same, search for Cloudposts or Urzatron every turn, then huge X damage to the dome.
To add to your Most Annoying avatars:
Dauntless Escort - Brainless, just summon as many guys as possible, 20 exalted triggers is annoying and gets old fast.
Braids - ALWAYS plays the same every time. Turn 2, activate to drop a land. Turn 4, Akroma.
Malfegor / Kresh - Both are narrow (only one way to play them) and thus boring.
Enigma Sphinx - Every artifact spell you play has cascade! Ridiculous with turn 1 borderposts. (No coincidence that this avatar was the most played in tournaments.)
Stonehewer Giant - A less powerful Enigma Sphinx, but still annoying since EVERY creature they cast gets a guaranteed equipment.
Ashling the Pilgrim - If you're playing any low toughness based deck, it's autolose. Even if you aren't, you can't stop the damage since it gets around protection and isn't a spell.
"It's of course a mythic, as it's is powerful!" /facepalm
sorry, meant a day* with.
Congratulations Hamtastic,
Good to have "one of us" at the PT to cover the event. I hope you follow our MTGO players closely, maybe even "a say with" article with one of them? :)
My vote for the FSF is prismatic. Used to play it alot and gave up because of the lack of support from wotc. Would be great to revisit the format :)