Good writing style ... just not sure that you should be writing on a format that you do not seem to have the strongest grasp on yet.(Teachings, std rarities)
I do believe that There are a number of Decks that could be Aggro-combo, or be aggro decks that have "built in" combos.
But i wouldn't think of them as combo's in the traditional sense. i would think of them being able to do something or have large effects in a single turn. With Burn Range you have to worry about a 1-2 of burn and creatures doing 6-8 damage in a single turn. And anyone that has played against saps with a mycoderm out knows what that "combo" would feel like.
The PPS format seems to be gaining some momentum lately. It took me a long time to get a deck built, but I'm just about done now, so you might see me around the casual room with it soon.
To clear up the confusion about cards with more than one rarity in Pauper formats: the determining factor is the lowest rarity the card was printed at in a set that's in the format. To use the Twisted Abomination example: the Abomination is in (regular) Standard, but only because it was a Time Spiral Timeshifted card, and that's a different rarity. So Abomination is not legal in Pauper Standard. In (regular) Extended, though, the Abomination is legal both because of its Timeshifted printing, and because of its common printing in Scourge. The common printing in Scourge means that you can play Twisted Abomination in Pauper Extended (until Onslaught Block rotates). Prismatic and Singleton are both based on the Classic format, so again, you can play Twisted Abomination there as well. As long as the card is legal, you can play any version of it: if someone already has a Timeshifted Abomination, no sense in forcing them to get a Scourge copy as well. Hope that explanation was understandable.
One more minor point: I think Mystical Teachings is banned in Prismatic. A shame, too, because I would have liked to use it in my PPS deck.
Your Boros deck has a problem I find quite often in these decks: it does not know if it wants to be defensive or offensive. Both strategies are viable (Boros Mid-Range is a good deckconcept that was prevalent in Pre-Ravnica PDC) and would run the four drops you have, as well as some others. However, your inclusion of cards that are supposed to be aggressive (such as Unicorn and Skyknight) show me that you are torn between aggro and Mid-Range. When I say Boros, I meant aggro Boros, not midrange RW control.
Basically, choose what you want the deck to do, then build it, not the other way around.
Great to have you writing for PureMTGO. Just make sure to upload an avatar and check here for more comments from people. Great first article and I hope we see some more this good!
I enjoy your articles, but it's tough enough following it ("Extended has at least went a bit better for me"? Ouch!) before you start to use shorthand for card names (like "Master" for "Cavalry Master" and even get some wrong ("Courier" instead of, I guess, "Nessian Courser"). There are enough Magic cards out there (even just in this format) that it's very helpful if you take the time to write them all out.
I don't particularly agree that GotG is a purely reactive card, I run boros, a lot actually and I've found numerous times that I can't get damage through with my creatures and I win purely on the power of Guardian and Burn
I enjoyed reading this, but, to be honest MED sealed is a format with lots of bears.
Leaving out the Engine, as you noticed, is really a problem. I also agree with the point that red was really bad, but Fissure is actually one heck of a good removal spell in this format It's an overpriced Dark Banishing that can be aimed at lands.
I also want to mention that cutting the Treetop Bracers might have been a problem, you might have noticed it, enchantments and auras are everwhere in the format with a lot less removal for then then usual. Bracers is defacto one of the very few common auras that regulary see play in coreset limited. It's good.
Otherwise it seems your build is definitly on the right track. Overall a nice article.
I think you've hit the nail on the head for the only real reason I have to want to play this format, when I started, it was with friends back in the days before the Dark, and we just played what we had (and yes we played for ante). The nostalgia thing only makes me want to do so many leagues though. That said, I think that your actions in the last game of the league are great, and I hope your opponent appreciated it.
Oh wow, didn't notice Aquamorph until I read above comment, would have played that for sure. Very solid card, never bad and once in a while swings for five stealing a win for you (or just trades with a Baloth).
Yeah think I would have avoided the splash. 2/4 cards in your splash need double red. And the Star is not ideal for casting Stingscourger or the Dragon. No love for counter magic? I would have gladly played Dismal Failure, and sided it out in favor of Logic Knot if opponent had madness cards. Might have even played both. Sage of Epityr is also never a card I'm happy to play but probably would have run in the U/W. Sucked you missed t8 but gl next time.
I actually tried to use the hyperlink function in the comment editor to link to another place, but it just locked the comment. I couldn't use the mouse on it, had to finish editing with the keyboard.
I looked over the Prismatic list just to be sure, and I must of somehow missed Mystical Teachings. My apologies.
If you haven't built one of these decks yet, it is really worth it. I really enjoy playing games of this format, and I try to sneak in a couple a day.
Thank you for reading my article, and please respond with more of your thoughts and ideas.
-bburksgg
Good writing style ... just not sure that you should be writing on a format that you do not seem to have the strongest grasp on yet.(Teachings, std rarities)
I think some pdc decks are actually better than non-pdc ones, but both of your versions sucked. A LOT.
I do believe that There are a number of Decks that could be Aggro-combo, or be aggro decks that have "built in" combos.
But i wouldn't think of them as combo's in the traditional sense. i would think of them being able to do something or have large effects in a single turn. With Burn Range you have to worry about a 1-2 of burn and creatures doing 6-8 damage in a single turn. And anyone that has played against saps with a mycoderm out knows what that "combo" would feel like.
A well-done first article; thanks for writing it.
The PPS format seems to be gaining some momentum lately. It took me a long time to get a deck built, but I'm just about done now, so you might see me around the casual room with it soon.
To clear up the confusion about cards with more than one rarity in Pauper formats: the determining factor is the lowest rarity the card was printed at in a set that's in the format. To use the Twisted Abomination example: the Abomination is in (regular) Standard, but only because it was a Time Spiral Timeshifted card, and that's a different rarity. So Abomination is not legal in Pauper Standard. In (regular) Extended, though, the Abomination is legal both because of its Timeshifted printing, and because of its common printing in Scourge. The common printing in Scourge means that you can play Twisted Abomination in Pauper Extended (until Onslaught Block rotates). Prismatic and Singleton are both based on the Classic format, so again, you can play Twisted Abomination there as well. As long as the card is legal, you can play any version of it: if someone already has a Timeshifted Abomination, no sense in forcing them to get a Scourge copy as well. Hope that explanation was understandable.
One more minor point: I think Mystical Teachings is banned in Prismatic. A shame, too, because I would have liked to use it in my PPS deck.
Your Boros deck has a problem I find quite often in these decks: it does not know if it wants to be defensive or offensive. Both strategies are viable (Boros Mid-Range is a good deckconcept that was prevalent in Pre-Ravnica PDC) and would run the four drops you have, as well as some others. However, your inclusion of cards that are supposed to be aggressive (such as Unicorn and Skyknight) show me that you are torn between aggro and Mid-Range. When I say Boros, I meant aggro Boros, not midrange RW control.
Basically, choose what you want the deck to do, then build it, not the other way around.
-Alex
Great to have you writing for PureMTGO. Just make sure to upload an avatar and check here for more comments from people. Great first article and I hope we see some more this good!
I enjoy your articles, but it's tough enough following it ("Extended has at least went a bit better for me"? Ouch!) before you start to use shorthand for card names (like "Master" for "Cavalry Master" and even get some wrong ("Courier" instead of, I guess, "Nessian Courser"). There are enough Magic cards out there (even just in this format) that it's very helpful if you take the time to write them all out.
http://www.mtgotraders.com/deck/viewdeck.php?ID=698
Without the benefit of a list, I (and the rest of the readership) have no idea if running Guardian is a right or wrong call.
-Alex
I don't particularly agree that GotG is a purely reactive card, I run boros, a lot actually and I've found numerous times that I can't get damage through with my creatures and I win purely on the power of Guardian and Burn
my bad lol
Right above the deck... I said it's a casual version, I'd build something different for a tournament. ^_^'
Im not so sure about the PDC deck I mean you left out a couple of Original White Staples (IE: Fetters, Guardian of the Guildpact)
You are right, I did not notice. Of course I only glanced at the player list though. Sorry. :)
psst I was there too you just didn't seem e :P
I enjoyed reading this, but, to be honest MED sealed is a format with lots of bears.
Leaving out the Engine, as you noticed, is really a problem. I also agree with the point that red was really bad, but Fissure is actually one heck of a good removal spell in this format It's an overpriced Dark Banishing that can be aimed at lands.
I also want to mention that cutting the Treetop Bracers might have been a problem, you might have noticed it, enchantments and auras are everwhere in the format with a lot less removal for then then usual. Bracers is defacto one of the very few common auras that regulary see play in coreset limited. It's good.
Otherwise it seems your build is definitly on the right track. Overall a nice article.
I think you've hit the nail on the head for the only real reason I have to want to play this format, when I started, it was with friends back in the days before the Dark, and we just played what we had (and yes we played for ante). The nostalgia thing only makes me want to do so many leagues though. That said, I think that your actions in the last game of the league are great, and I hope your opponent appreciated it.
Oh wow, didn't notice Aquamorph until I read above comment, would have played that for sure. Very solid card, never bad and once in a while swings for five stealing a win for you (or just trades with a Baloth).
Yeah think I would have avoided the splash. 2/4 cards in your splash need double red. And the Star is not ideal for casting Stingscourger or the Dragon. No love for counter magic? I would have gladly played Dismal Failure, and sided it out in favor of Logic Knot if opponent had madness cards. Might have even played both. Sage of Epityr is also never a card I'm happy to play but probably would have run in the U/W. Sucked you missed t8 but gl next time.
Uhm, thanks.
It's nice when people enjoy my decks.
I have never played Magus before, he just seemed a little underpowered. I have since played with him. He is decent, pretty much a fair card.
I got greedy with the red splash
That is for sure.
Good that the splash red worked for you, I didnt like it and dont think it was a must to do.
I think logic knot, magus of tje jar and aquamorph entity are playable ( more so than phantasm, which can be great but often is terrible.
Black and Green are terrible and red not deep enough to be a base colour.
I would have gone for a solid WU deck, but that's just a power vs consistancy issue.
Good luck with other tourney,
I actually tried to use the hyperlink function in the comment editor to link to another place, but it just locked the comment. I couldn't use the mouse on it, had to finish editing with the keyboard.