This expanded analysis of Captured Sunlight is a better one than mine. I should have said that I've included Captured Sunlight in my builds because of it's spot on the mana curve. Cascading into pump spells is a strong argument not to include Captured Sunlight.
If you don't choose a creature card, nothing happens, you don't put a creature in play.
Basically, it should read that you can search for a creature card, then if your opponent doesn't name that creature you put it into play. It leads to reading your opponent, as say you search and take the best creature, are they likely to name that creature so you don't get to put it into play. Much like a Sphinx you have to solve the "riddle" of what card the other player is either going to name, or if playing against the Sphinx choose from your deck. Obviously, it is not very good against creatureless decks. It seems much better in limited to me where there is more variety of creatures, rather then in a constructed deck with a lot of 4 ofs.
Agree that behemoth is a bit high, nothing else is all that controversial.
Sunlight, like all cascade spells that are not worth the effect on their own, are difficult to place on a scale like this because they are so deck-dependent. Besides curve considerations, possible pulls are critical.
Let's say you have a Captured Sunlight and a Leonin Armorguard vying for the final spot in your deck. If you have a sledge, a couple sureblades, no borderposts, etc., sunlight seems good.
If you've filled out your lower end with some meh, "hold the fort" guys and you are running three borderposts, and have a lot of pump spells that really aren't good as sorceries, you'll want to run the armorguard.
I agreed w/ most the choices here, but Captured Sunlight can be a higher build around card depending on the casting cost of your deck. i.e. it fetching a hand full of removal cards from the library as those are the only crds w/ a casting cost less then four.
perhaps you should do an analysis of fallen empires draft cards. or maybe kamigawa. those are some hot new sets just dying for reviews, kinda like this one.
I'd say both pictures and links for the next article, since they're equally important (picture for those who don't memorize the cards and the link for them to buy them up if they want to :) )
Meddling Mage is insanely cheap right now, considering how powerful that card can be, given the right circumstances.
I agree with all the comments thus far. Extended rotation is a good or terrible time to pick up cards, depening on how you look at it. The prices may fall futher if they dont get traction in extended, or if they do they can bounce right back. Some of the fae stuff is really priced to sell right now which is why it is included. Battlegrace is a good value right now, but i'm not sure how viable it will be with new angel in m10. White may play one, but probably not both. Also, look for uncommons to come with the next edition! :)
What does everyone think? Pictures or links? I'll bow to the will of the people :D. If it's pictures do you want big or little.
My first thought: Great - another idiot with ego problems.
My second thought: Triple Reborn is such a dead format.
My third thought, on seeing the Mountain picked over Pulse: WTF!
My next thought: Brilliant - why didn't I think of this?
Nothing to quibble with here, just thought I would point out that Captured Sunlight should sometimes make the cut purely on mana curve considerations.
But on second look, Sigiled Behemoth seems a little high in your rating system. I would put it at Tier 5. 6 mana is a lot to spend on a creature that doesn't do much.
but a great article for aspiring constructionists (new word for magic)
The great thing about when the Standard format rotates is the availablity of low prices on those outdated cards. This is when its the best time to pick up Extended and Classic staples that were too expensive before. Look out for Bitterblossom and Cryptic Command to drop in value some too in the next few months.
I am a bargain hunter that still can't muster up dropping 1 whole tick on a great uncommon like path to exile. I really enjoy articles like this one. Hope to see more in the future.
Can I suggest you do the main card images as (pic=blah) so we can see the picture of the card rather than the link, I was checking prices and noticed Battlegrace Angel is now down to 0.50 another bargin for standard decks if we start seeing some mono White builds in std after M10 is released.
I would also like to say that I liked this one. It was nice for a change. And yes, you have to have mountains in order to play Raging Goblin. Maelstrom Pulse won't help you do that. So it was the correct pick!
I'm not sure which is funnier, your article or one or two of the comments you got. No, wait. I've decided, it's got to be the comments. You were pretending (I think) but they were serious.
Write more so we can expose more of these guys. They're hilarious!
This expanded analysis of Captured Sunlight is a better one than mine. I should have said that I've included Captured Sunlight in my builds because of it's spot on the mana curve. Cascading into pump spells is a strong argument not to include Captured Sunlight.
Really is a great value for all of the cards described... I had no idea some of those were that low... Gonna be picking them up cheap when I can
Good advice. I just grabbed a Squee and Broodmate Dragon for my singleton decks.
If you don't choose a creature card, nothing happens, you don't put a creature in play.
Basically, it should read that you can search for a creature card, then if your opponent doesn't name that creature you put it into play. It leads to reading your opponent, as say you search and take the best creature, are they likely to name that creature so you don't get to put it into play. Much like a Sphinx you have to solve the "riddle" of what card the other player is either going to name, or if playing against the Sphinx choose from your deck. Obviously, it is not very good against creatureless decks. It seems much better in limited to me where there is more variety of creatures, rather then in a constructed deck with a lot of 4 ofs.
Agree that behemoth is a bit high, nothing else is all that controversial.
Sunlight, like all cascade spells that are not worth the effect on their own, are difficult to place on a scale like this because they are so deck-dependent. Besides curve considerations, possible pulls are critical.
Let's say you have a Captured Sunlight and a Leonin Armorguard vying for the final spot in your deck. If you have a sledge, a couple sureblades, no borderposts, etc., sunlight seems good.
If you've filled out your lower end with some meh, "hold the fort" guys and you are running three borderposts, and have a lot of pump spells that really aren't good as sorceries, you'll want to run the armorguard.
I agreed w/ most the choices here, but Captured Sunlight can be a higher build around card depending on the casting cost of your deck. i.e. it fetching a hand full of removal cards from the library as those are the only crds w/ a casting cost less then four.
I still don't get Sphinx Ambassador either. What happens if you don't choose a creature?
perhaps you should do an analysis of fallen empires draft cards. or maybe kamigawa. those are some hot new sets just dying for reviews, kinda like this one.
I agree, and blame it's low price on how easy it is to kill him in Standard.
With all the removal and token decks are still out of control. Oh man, no wonder I left standard for classic :)
I'd say both pictures and links for the next article, since they're equally important (picture for those who don't memorize the cards and the link for them to buy them up if they want to :) )
Meddling Mage is insanely cheap right now, considering how powerful that card can be, given the right circumstances.
I agree with all the comments thus far. Extended rotation is a good or terrible time to pick up cards, depening on how you look at it. The prices may fall futher if they dont get traction in extended, or if they do they can bounce right back. Some of the fae stuff is really priced to sell right now which is why it is included. Battlegrace is a good value right now, but i'm not sure how viable it will be with new angel in m10. White may play one, but probably not both. Also, look for uncommons to come with the next edition! :)
What does everyone think? Pictures or links? I'll bow to the will of the people :D. If it's pictures do you want big or little.
Awesome article !! but a little short anyway =P
btw the art of planar cleansing is really nice
My first thought: Great - another idiot with ego problems.
My second thought: Triple Reborn is such a dead format.
My third thought, on seeing the Mountain picked over Pulse: WTF!
My next thought: Brilliant - why didn't I think of this?
This totally rocks - hard.
Nothing to quibble with here, just thought I would point out that Captured Sunlight should sometimes make the cut purely on mana curve considerations.
But on second look, Sigiled Behemoth seems a little high in your rating system. I would put it at Tier 5. 6 mana is a lot to spend on a creature that doesn't do much.
but a great article for aspiring constructionists (new word for magic)
The great thing about when the Standard format rotates is the availablity of low prices on those outdated cards. This is when its the best time to pick up Extended and Classic staples that were too expensive before. Look out for Bitterblossom and Cryptic Command to drop in value some too in the next few months.
Thank you Lord Erman : )
I am a bargain hunter that still can't muster up dropping 1 whole tick on a great uncommon like path to exile. I really enjoy articles like this one. Hope to see more in the future.
Can I suggest you do the main card images as (pic=blah) so we can see the picture of the card rather than the link, I was checking prices and noticed Battlegrace Angel is now down to 0.50 another bargin for standard decks if we start seeing some mono White builds in std after M10 is released.
You are welcome for the ready and I look forward to the inevitable Blue/Red Alara Reborn preview in October.
I liked this article, and hate the log-in process.
lmao! yeah! metal boys like em hush chickies!
gotta love the creativity and the change of phase. you rock man! :P
I would also like to say that I liked this one. It was nice for a change. And yes, you have to have mountains in order to play Raging Goblin. Maelstrom Pulse won't help you do that. So it was the correct pick!
@Flippers_Giraffe: Nice hat!
LE
Carascaca el juego es un timo para que gastes dinero. Si son tan tontos como para dejarse timar de esa manera, bueno....
You also made me double take on the first pick, but you did bring a smile to my face lol. Very good article, nice to find some easy reading mid week.
I'm not sure which is funnier, your article or one or two of the comments you got. No, wait. I've decided, it's got to be the comments. You were pretending (I think) but they were serious.
Write more so we can expose more of these guys. They're hilarious!