Regardless of the comments made, I am glad you made them. I won't go into defending myself or the article but, I will say that this is not a fictional decklist, it is an actual one, and that many times cards like Hallowed Burial are replacements for say, Wrath of God, which until recently I did not own. Its all about budget, making what you can out of what you have without spending a bunch of money or searching for decklists off the internet.
this is my second article ever, my first one was much worse(if you can believe that, lol). I am a blogger but my formal article writing style is lacking immensely. I am here wasting your time because I would not have the opportunity to waste your time at article sites that charge money for their memberships. I agree that Hammy , Tarmo and others are great writers but, if you went back to their first articles ever, I bet they have come along way.
Thanks again for the criticism, constructive and otherwise. Its a learning process.
Deep analysis is stronger against slow decks but can be rather weak against aggro especially when u tap out or take damage from flashback..
Sideboards should be based on personal preference so I don't deny the strengths of the choices you have mentioned, especially future sight vs blue.
You have mentioned a couple of anti-red /green cards but putting too much power against some matchups will significantly lower the sideboard's capabilities vs other decks and I didn't want to show too much anti-red sentiments.
Still, I have to admit that red is not really a likable matchup and dedicating hate against it is a more than reasonable option. However, with more and more cards that mess around with blue, I think the anti-red strategies should change a little, even though I probably don't have a right 'answer' right now.
No, your article is not bad. Just keep in mind that most (everybody) who flamed your way in the comments did so as Anonymous (yes, I get the irony that I'm not registered either :) ), and in rather bad style - so the're probably just a bunch of clueless kiddies themselves, who couldn't write a decent tourney report in a year. I am writing a lot in my job, so I know that it's not nearly as easy as people seem to think (yes, yes, I know, they don't think, they just flame).
That being said, there's one important thing I would improve in your article:
In essence, the article is about aggro vs. control, so you should stress that point more, and give more examples why you think that control is the better choice in the current standard meta (your conclusion, if I got you right). What you present sounds more like anectotical evidence ('bad beat story', in Magic terminology). Generally, I am not sure if your point is even correct. I do not play T2 at the moment, but in ALA Block what you said is pretty much bogus - there Naya is like the worst matchup that 5CC can have, because they just overwhelm you with threats, almost every game. If your point is valid only for the current T2 you should say so (more clearly).
Finally, the things I liked about the article: your style is cool, and the idea of 'personal progression' articles appeals to me. I get to read T2 / Extended tourney reports every day, something else is clearly welcome. Additionally, I am happy that there are players and writers out there who freely talk about progression, instead of pretending they are perfect already (for an example I can recommend a recent Chatter of the Squirrel article on SCG, which almost made me quit my premium account there - I am guessing some know what I am talking about). And you present a decklist which is not your average 5CC decklist (although some choices would profit from comments, e.g., Magister Sphinx).
I don't think it was the article so much as it's just simply starting to put out stronger finishes, recently 3 have appeared in Nationals Qualifier top8s.
really bad . the card choices, the topic was on tourny PRACTICE...? practice? maybe try a tourny with a legit build and then the article would have some context otherwise good tone and there is nothing wrong with encouraging others , maybe that sort of thing is in practice elsewhere but not here we do and try to keep up that demeanor no?
Is this a comp. for one vs one decks or Can you submit deck for multiplayer kaleidoscope purposes that will be considered on those merit (awesome as an emperor deck, good for 2hg)
When I took the player-type quiz, I found out that I am solidly a Johnny. So understanding why certain cards are chosen over others really appeals to me.
So I really would like to know what Reavin's thoughts are in his card choices for his deck.
great stuff as usual... thanks!
just one suggestion. The +% -% prices change lists tend to be really weird with those "technical" price changes of un/commons like Healing Salve... I would like more to see a top 25 of real price changes with some more individual charts. Anyway, keep the good work! :)
Is very viable right now, or perhaps you haven't hit a Jund mana ramp that uses x4 Violent Ultimatum and blows up 3 lands on turn four with it. Of course their early turns go Savage land -- Fertile Ground 2nd land -- Garruk -- Violence. Doesn't happen every game, only about one in three matches or so.
thank you Duotianshi for your SO useful comment.
Now please leave the comments writting to constructive guys, you are just useless here, dont polluate here, i think nobody would be interested in your empty comment anymore.
Writing in and of itself, is usually harder than it looks.
Writing *this* type of article is doubly hard as it requires a lot of self-reflection and self-awareness before, during and after the writing process. I've been doing a similar self evolution series for Block Constructed, and it's probably some of the most difficult writing I've done insofar as getting it to flow well and be coherent at the same time.
If writing is something you enjoy, keep at it and learn from the criticism thrown your way. You'll never be able to please everyone, and you'll always get criticisms, the goal is to fix what you can fix, learn what you can learn and constantly strive to improve what you're working on. :)
I do expect discard to be kind of viable post rotation, but I wouldn't be surprised if they kept it much lower powerlevel than it used to be, and probably keeping the targeted discard (where you choose the card) low as well. Duress actually fits the 'casual room' mindset like a glove. I can't hit your creatures, so you still get to play them, even if they'll die when they hit, you still get to cast it, which is what I think they're trying to allow. :)
As for discard there is still some viable discards strategies at least until Lorwyn block rotates. Thoughseize is still around and Blighting can be a house. If we do get Duress in 2010 then that is going to be 12 dedicated discard spells. Not too shabby when 2 of those can be considered in the top 5 discard spells of all time.
Salgy, according to the A.M.A., they define midgets as "an adult (over the age of 21), who has reached their maximum vertical growth capacity peaking at 4-foot 10-inches." Mugsy Bogues, is NOT a midget. If you re-read my comment, I assure you - I do not and did not condone censorship by any means. My bottom line was, ".....writing articles about MTGO about MTGO is NOT for everybody."
I don't how you got "censorship" anywhere in my comment???!!!!! I don't think I "stifled" anybody. It is people like you who "dumb-down" society by making irrational and illogical suggestions that "hard-work, dedication and ambition", as you put, is necessary. I do stand by my comment 100% that writing articles for MTGO is NOT for everybody and you shouldn't encourage everybody to do so. It's like cheering for the fat guy at the track meet. MTGO isn't for everybody, math isn't for everybody, watching plays, musicals and operas isn't for everybody!!!!! Bottom line - you will never see a skinny Ethiopian in a strong-man competition on ESPN, and you will never see a fat jockey at the Kentucky Derby. Think!
Regardless of the comments made, I am glad you made them. I won't go into defending myself or the article but, I will say that this is not a fictional decklist, it is an actual one, and that many times cards like Hallowed Burial are replacements for say, Wrath of God, which until recently I did not own. Its all about budget, making what you can out of what you have without spending a bunch of money or searching for decklists off the internet.
this is my second article ever, my first one was much worse(if you can believe that, lol). I am a blogger but my formal article writing style is lacking immensely. I am here wasting your time because I would not have the opportunity to waste your time at article sites that charge money for their memberships. I agree that Hammy , Tarmo and others are great writers but, if you went back to their first articles ever, I bet they have come along way.
Thanks again for the criticism, constructive and otherwise. Its a learning process.
Good Luck and Good Gaming!
Deep analysis is stronger against slow decks but can be rather weak against aggro especially when u tap out or take damage from flashback..
Sideboards should be based on personal preference so I don't deny the strengths of the choices you have mentioned, especially future sight vs blue.
You have mentioned a couple of anti-red /green cards but putting too much power against some matchups will significantly lower the sideboard's capabilities vs other decks and I didn't want to show too much anti-red sentiments.
Still, I have to admit that red is not really a likable matchup and dedicating hate against it is a more than reasonable option. However, with more and more cards that mess around with blue, I think the anti-red strategies should change a little, even though I probably don't have a right 'answer' right now.
No, your article is not bad. Just keep in mind that most (everybody) who flamed your way in the comments did so as Anonymous (yes, I get the irony that I'm not registered either :) ), and in rather bad style - so the're probably just a bunch of clueless kiddies themselves, who couldn't write a decent tourney report in a year. I am writing a lot in my job, so I know that it's not nearly as easy as people seem to think (yes, yes, I know, they don't think, they just flame).
That being said, there's one important thing I would improve in your article:
In essence, the article is about aggro vs. control, so you should stress that point more, and give more examples why you think that control is the better choice in the current standard meta (your conclusion, if I got you right). What you present sounds more like anectotical evidence ('bad beat story', in Magic terminology). Generally, I am not sure if your point is even correct. I do not play T2 at the moment, but in ALA Block what you said is pretty much bogus - there Naya is like the worst matchup that 5CC can have, because they just overwhelm you with threats, almost every game. If your point is valid only for the current T2 you should say so (more clearly).
Finally, the things I liked about the article: your style is cool, and the idea of 'personal progression' articles appeals to me. I get to read T2 / Extended tourney reports every day, something else is clearly welcome. Additionally, I am happy that there are players and writers out there who freely talk about progression, instead of pretending they are perfect already (for an example I can recommend a recent Chatter of the Squirrel article on SCG, which almost made me quit my premium account there - I am guessing some know what I am talking about). And you present a decklist which is not your average 5CC decklist (although some choices would profit from comments, e.g., Magister Sphinx).
Is there a way to search only multicolored on gatherer or in Magic Online?
I don't think it was the article so much as it's just simply starting to put out stronger finishes, recently 3 have appeared in Nationals Qualifier top8s.
how many times can you enter?
Deep Analysis is clearly a maindeck card, not SB.
Chill/Hydroblasts are obvious SB includes.
Same with Gainsay and Future Sight.
I also find it dubious not to play Mind Harness.
Hey good advice.
This is definitely a ridicous reasonning. Duo is the proof that it remains some brainless writer, probably a brainless player also.
really bad . the card choices, the topic was on tourny PRACTICE...? practice? maybe try a tourny with a legit build and then the article would have some context otherwise good tone and there is nothing wrong with encouraging others , maybe that sort of thing is in practice elsewhere but not here we do and try to keep up that demeanor no?
Is this a comp. for one vs one decks or Can you submit deck for multiplayer kaleidoscope purposes that will be considered on those merit (awesome as an emperor deck, good for 2hg)
So as in the case of Loxodon Warhammer, we use the highest rarity on MTGO?
When I took the player-type quiz, I found out that I am solidly a Johnny. So understanding why certain cards are chosen over others really appeals to me.
So I really would like to know what Reavin's thoughts are in his card choices for his deck.
great stuff as usual... thanks!
just one suggestion. The +% -% prices change lists tend to be really weird with those "technical" price changes of un/commons like Healing Salve... I would like more to see a top 25 of real price changes with some more individual charts. Anyway, keep the good work! :)
Are Alara Reborn cards legal or Illegal for the purposes of this contest?
The article was bad as hell, I am sorry, I can't lie about this but all the comments were so funny to read so please keep writting! ;)
Is very viable right now, or perhaps you haven't hit a Jund mana ramp that uses x4 Violent Ultimatum and blows up 3 lands on turn four with it. Of course their early turns go Savage land -- Fertile Ground 2nd land -- Garruk -- Violence. Doesn't happen every game, only about one in three matches or so.
Do timeshifted cards count as rare? Namely, Assault / Battery?
Can I retroactively submit my Kaleidoscope columns? ;)
This contest definitely appeals to me, and it so happens I have a deck or two here that fit the criteria nicely. Good luck to all who compete.
thank you Duotianshi for your SO useful comment.
Now please leave the comments writting to constructive guys, you are just useless here, dont polluate here, i think nobody would be interested in your empty comment anymore.
Writing in and of itself, is usually harder than it looks.
Writing *this* type of article is doubly hard as it requires a lot of self-reflection and self-awareness before, during and after the writing process. I've been doing a similar self evolution series for Block Constructed, and it's probably some of the most difficult writing I've done insofar as getting it to flow well and be coherent at the same time.
If writing is something you enjoy, keep at it and learn from the criticism thrown your way. You'll never be able to please everyone, and you'll always get criticisms, the goal is to fix what you can fix, learn what you can learn and constantly strive to improve what you're working on. :)
I do expect discard to be kind of viable post rotation, but I wouldn't be surprised if they kept it much lower powerlevel than it used to be, and probably keeping the targeted discard (where you choose the card) low as well. Duress actually fits the 'casual room' mindset like a glove. I can't hit your creatures, so you still get to play them, even if they'll die when they hit, you still get to cast it, which is what I think they're trying to allow. :)
As for discard there is still some viable discards strategies at least until Lorwyn block rotates. Thoughseize is still around and Blighting can be a house. If we do get Duress in 2010 then that is going to be 12 dedicated discard spells. Not too shabby when 2 of those can be considered in the top 5 discard spells of all time.
Salgy, according to the A.M.A., they define midgets as "an adult (over the age of 21), who has reached their maximum vertical growth capacity peaking at 4-foot 10-inches." Mugsy Bogues, is NOT a midget. If you re-read my comment, I assure you - I do not and did not condone censorship by any means. My bottom line was, ".....writing articles about MTGO about MTGO is NOT for everybody."
I don't how you got "censorship" anywhere in my comment???!!!!! I don't think I "stifled" anybody. It is people like you who "dumb-down" society by making irrational and illogical suggestions that "hard-work, dedication and ambition", as you put, is necessary. I do stand by my comment 100% that writing articles for MTGO is NOT for everybody and you shouldn't encourage everybody to do so. It's like cheering for the fat guy at the track meet. MTGO isn't for everybody, math isn't for everybody, watching plays, musicals and operas isn't for everybody!!!!! Bottom line - you will never see a skinny Ethiopian in a strong-man competition on ESPN, and you will never see a fat jockey at the Kentucky Derby. Think!