I can't seem to cut and paste that spreadsheet effectively into Excel! Thanks for sharing, though. That really is the bottom line: what is your expected win percentage each round of each format. While this spreadsheet doesn't allow for round-by-round granularity, it's very interesting to see at which win percentages your expectation is even at Swiss and 43.
Circu and the Kathari dying to removal is fine, you can rip their removal of choice out of their deck with Thought Hemorrhage in response to ensure the next one sticks. TH isn't just about milling by 4 cards, but also about gaining information, the removal they have to hand and the potential removal in deck. In that regard it is unique in the format, and well worth the investment if you choose the right card to remove.
It _is_ possible, yes, especially on two-color builds, but the expensive lands really do make a difference in terms of deck consistency. It's one of the main reasons they cost so damned much. If I could afford Reflecting pools, they'd be an automatic 4-of as well. In one of my earlier articles I posted a caveat on lands, essentially feel free to use what you have.
For a budget 2-color Kaleidoscope build, I recommend Terramorphic Expanse, the relevant Ravnica block karoo, and the relevant Alara triland or Invasion/Coldsnap dual, with the balance in basics. Budget 3, 4- or 5- color builds take a fair bit more work.
Is it possible to build Kaleidoscope decks with a cheaper mana base? For example the mill deck is <$45 with glimpse taking up almost half of that cost alone, but the mana base for the deck is a whopping $125.
Heh, AJ you look great with that hat! That pic of yours made me think of an old Amiga game I used to play; The Monkey Island! But instead of the good guy Guybrush Threepwood, you look more like the evil character called LeChuck!
And yes, great article as always even though I have to say that I would make a few changes for the Mill deck. Kathari is weak. Many players play Snakeform, Terminate (no regen.), Unmake etc. which will be enough to deal with it. Why not add white for Wall of Denial and Kitchen Finks (lifegain is always a good way to stay alive against aggro)? I would also replace Thought Hemorrhage with Blightning. Thought Hemorrhage is an investment that requires 4 mana and that means most of the time a whole turn for just 4 cards out of their deck at maximum. Not a very good investment. You may move it to the sideboard though.
I would also not play Circu who will most probably get killed the second you play him, and instead add more removal (Unmake? Lightning Helix? Or how about Culling Sun? It kills allmost all the good creatures in the format).
First time reader and I'm very impressed. I don't play the older formats, unless you would include pauper. I'm thinking about getting into it though. Looks fun. Good job man, and keep it up.
First time reader and I'm very impressed. I don't play the older formats, unless you would include pauper. I'm thinking about getting into it though. Looks fun. Good job man, and keep it up.
I've often said that pirate hats aren't given nearly enough respect. I may have to find a pirate hat, but mine will need a much larger feather. It's all about the feather, really.
In the incredibly unlikely occurrence that we meet irl, I'm a photographer (actually I'm an incredibly overqualified amateur with a degree and everything). I can fix that. Looks like it was taken witha webcam.
Nice article, really enjoyed it. But dude, you need to change your profile photo. The one you have now makes you look like a pervert/psycho/serial killer. Keep up the good writing, I'm thinking of trying kaleidoscope because of reading your stuff.
Since some of you had asked, here is my belcher pile. Yes i play 2 lands. The reasons are numerous. I really like combo in general against alot of the decks being run. Blue being the exception. Is this deck better than elves? Probably not. It's faster, but less resiliant. If i get in trouble i cant bash face with guys or clamp my way out. Is it better than dredge? I dont know no one is playing it. Combo is relevant, especially when there are so few dedicated control decks.
Will i play belcher this weekend? I guess you'll all have to check walkerdogs article next week to find out! Also the board might seem strange, however, i board 0 cards against anything non blue, as generally you dont board in 70/30 matchups, and i honestly could use MORE against blue.
4 Chrome Mox
3 Manamorphose
1 Mana Crypt
3 Tinder Wall
4 Simian Spirit Guide
2 Cabal Ritual
2 Dark Ritual
1 Badlands
4 Lotus Petal
4 Goblin Charbelcher
1 Vampiric Tutor
2 Dark Ritual
1 Taiga
4 Burning Wish
3 Empty the Warrens
3 Seething Song
4 Elvish Spirit Guide
1 Street Wraith
1 Demonic Tutor
4 Lion's Eye Diamond
3 Desperate Ritual
1 Demonic Consultation
4 Rite of Flame
Thanks both of you. I enjoy shout-outs too. They're fun. We can get you set up to record fairly easily I think.
Re: FoW, my basic mindset is that the price is fine if it stays roughly where it is now, and rises very slowly. However, the anticipated explosion of demand when online Legacy is here has me concerned that we'll see FoW spike to 150+. FoW has dropped recently to around 60, and I wonder if this is based on speculation that it may get a "reprint" as a MOCS card or as a Tier 8/9 card in the new player reward program (this would be optimal in my mind).
Utterly fantastic content, as a Legacy player who doesn't want 70 tix Force of Wills it's fantastic seeing high level Classic play. Reading about the top decks is only fun for so long without seeing/playing. GREAT WORK! :)
Thanks for the shoutouts! Also, good to see some videos in the Classic articles now too, I'll have to butt heads with you on how to post some of my replays.
Glad to get the congratulations. Fortunately, I'm only mad at people for running decks/sideboards that ignore the current good decks, not for running BAD decks. Also, try the pile a few games. It's pretty fun to Tezz someone out!
Really awesome, detailed write up. I learned a lot from reading your analysis -- keep it up!
I can't seem to cut and paste that spreadsheet effectively into Excel! Thanks for sharing, though. That really is the bottom line: what is your expected win percentage each round of each format. While this spreadsheet doesn't allow for round-by-round granularity, it's very interesting to see at which win percentages your expectation is even at Swiss and 43.
Circu and the Kathari dying to removal is fine, you can rip their removal of choice out of their deck with Thought Hemorrhage in response to ensure the next one sticks. TH isn't just about milling by 4 cards, but also about gaining information, the removal they have to hand and the potential removal in deck. In that regard it is unique in the format, and well worth the investment if you choose the right card to remove.
It _is_ possible, yes, especially on two-color builds, but the expensive lands really do make a difference in terms of deck consistency. It's one of the main reasons they cost so damned much. If I could afford Reflecting pools, they'd be an automatic 4-of as well. In one of my earlier articles I posted a caveat on lands, essentially feel free to use what you have.
For a budget 2-color Kaleidoscope build, I recommend Terramorphic Expanse, the relevant Ravnica block karoo, and the relevant Alara triland or Invasion/Coldsnap dual, with the balance in basics. Budget 3, 4- or 5- color builds take a fair bit more work.
Is it possible to build Kaleidoscope decks with a cheaper mana base? For example the mill deck is <$45 with glimpse taking up almost half of that cost alone, but the mana base for the deck is a whopping $125.
Heh, AJ you look great with that hat! That pic of yours made me think of an old Amiga game I used to play; The Monkey Island! But instead of the good guy Guybrush Threepwood, you look more like the evil character called LeChuck!
And yes, great article as always even though I have to say that I would make a few changes for the Mill deck. Kathari is weak. Many players play Snakeform, Terminate (no regen.), Unmake etc. which will be enough to deal with it. Why not add white for Wall of Denial and Kitchen Finks (lifegain is always a good way to stay alive against aggro)? I would also replace Thought Hemorrhage with Blightning. Thought Hemorrhage is an investment that requires 4 mana and that means most of the time a whole turn for just 4 cards out of their deck at maximum. Not a very good investment. You may move it to the sideboard though.
I would also not play Circu who will most probably get killed the second you play him, and instead add more removal (Unmake? Lightning Helix? Or how about Culling Sun? It kills allmost all the good creatures in the format).
Just some thoughts... Mr. LeChuck!
LE
Another great match report... please keep these up... and cool that you're encouraging others to do similar walk throughs!
Also, as promised I'll be linking my friends to your articles in my FB status tonight. ;-)
Remember poison?
First time reader and I'm very impressed. I don't play the older formats, unless you would include pauper. I'm thinking about getting into it though. Looks fun. Good job man, and keep it up.
First time reader and I'm very impressed. I don't play the older formats, unless you would include pauper. I'm thinking about getting into it though. Looks fun. Good job man, and keep it up.
Changed my pic as requested. This one dates back to the bal masqué we held at our wedding recepton a few years back.
Is more pirate hats.
I've often said that pirate hats aren't given nearly enough respect. I may have to find a pirate hat, but mine will need a much larger feather. It's all about the feather, really.
And um, article was good too!
Sorry, Nevermind.
I went out and looked at the spoiler myself and realized those aren't Keywords, they are just the flavor text.
Sometimes I'm an idiot (or maybe all the time...it's hard to tell).
Hmm, how to do this without actually showing any spoiler info...
On one of the spoiled cards, there are two words that appear to be new Keywords.
One of the words kind of points out what it probably does, but the other is royally unclear.
I went and looked up the actual word in the dictionary and now it makes even less sense as a Keyword.
Is there any info out there about these {potentially} new Keywords?
Just a link would be nice or a "go here", so as to not do any spoiling for those who don't want to know.
I must admit, the photographic excellence demonstrated in your own pic does make that a tempting offer.
In the incredibly unlikely occurrence that we meet irl, I'm a photographer (actually I'm an incredibly overqualified amateur with a degree and everything). I can fix that. Looks like it was taken witha webcam.
Funnily enough, I really do look like that in real life. :) Believe me, it'd be worse if you saw me smiling. And by all means, give it a go!
Nice article, really enjoyed it. But dude, you need to change your profile photo. The one you have now makes you look like a pervert/psycho/serial killer. Keep up the good writing, I'm thinking of trying kaleidoscope because of reading your stuff.
Nice article. Keep them coming. I think there is a place here for this sort of discussion.
Since some of you had asked, here is my belcher pile. Yes i play 2 lands. The reasons are numerous. I really like combo in general against alot of the decks being run. Blue being the exception. Is this deck better than elves? Probably not. It's faster, but less resiliant. If i get in trouble i cant bash face with guys or clamp my way out. Is it better than dredge? I dont know no one is playing it. Combo is relevant, especially when there are so few dedicated control decks.
Will i play belcher this weekend? I guess you'll all have to check walkerdogs article next week to find out! Also the board might seem strange, however, i board 0 cards against anything non blue, as generally you dont board in 70/30 matchups, and i honestly could use MORE against blue.
4 Chrome Mox
3 Manamorphose
1 Mana Crypt
3 Tinder Wall
4 Simian Spirit Guide
2 Cabal Ritual
2 Dark Ritual
1 Badlands
4 Lotus Petal
4 Goblin Charbelcher
1 Vampiric Tutor
2 Dark Ritual
1 Taiga
4 Burning Wish
3 Empty the Warrens
3 Seething Song
4 Elvish Spirit Guide
1 Street Wraith
1 Demonic Tutor
4 Lion's Eye Diamond
3 Desperate Ritual
1 Demonic Consultation
4 Rite of Flame
Sideboard
1 Diminishing Returns
3 Xantid Swarm
1 Shattering Spree
1 Tendrils of Agony
1 Pyroclasm
1 Banefire
1 Empty the Warrens
1 Hull Breach
1 Infernal Contract
4 Pyroblast
Thanks both of you. I enjoy shout-outs too. They're fun. We can get you set up to record fairly easily I think.
Re: FoW, my basic mindset is that the price is fine if it stays roughly where it is now, and rises very slowly. However, the anticipated explosion of demand when online Legacy is here has me concerned that we'll see FoW spike to 150+. FoW has dropped recently to around 60, and I wonder if this is based on speculation that it may get a "reprint" as a MOCS card or as a Tier 8/9 card in the new player reward program (this would be optimal in my mind).
Utterly fantastic content, as a Legacy player who doesn't want 70 tix Force of Wills it's fantastic seeing high level Classic play. Reading about the top decks is only fun for so long without seeing/playing. GREAT WORK! :)
why is magic like this, i too win trainwrecks but lose the clever cut offs!
go figure, oh magic how i love thee
Thanks for the shoutouts! Also, good to see some videos in the Classic articles now too, I'll have to butt heads with you on how to post some of my replays.
Glad to get the congratulations. Fortunately, I'm only mad at people for running decks/sideboards that ignore the current good decks, not for running BAD decks. Also, try the pile a few games. It's pretty fun to Tezz someone out!