why does the phyrexian card have no species type? is it a typo?
No, it's a conscious decision. This is not the first card to follow this model : look at Priests of Norn . In flavor terms, what race are those things? Well, they're either born Phyrexian humanoids or humans turned Phyrexian, but they're no longer human. Since the Phyrexian creature type does not exist, they were given only a "class" type.
As Doug Beyer explained in one of his articles this fall, the possibility of creating the Phyrexian creature type was discussed, but ultimately rejected since it would have pushed them to give arbitrary errata to a ton of older cards. The first set to feature phyrexian cards was Antiquities, the second Magic expansion, released in 1994, and since then they've been in every block from Ice Age to Invasion, taking breaks and returning again after that.
No, it's a conscious decision. This is not the first card to follow this model : look at [c]Priests of Norn[/c]. In flavor terms, what race are those things? Well, they're either born Phyrexian humanoids or humans turned Phyrexian, but they're no lon
People are picking one set or the other when I am still convinced that we will get both. I believe that Monty was very careful with his words. {Monty Ashley} "Before we get into that, a reminder. Action will be either Mirrodin Pure or New Phyrexia. Not both. And it's already decided. We're not telling you which it is because it's fun to pick a side without knowing who's going to win."
"Action" will obviously be either Mirrodin Pure or New Phyrexia, but that isn't to say that there isn't another code name for the other set.
-MT Head
I've actually been thinking about possible scenarios like that (like a Shadowmoor setup), but I honestly feel like it would be a bit of an anticlimax. It would also be problematic because they would not communicate who actually wins.
Artwork wise, I feel like most art from Mirrodin Pure that I've seen could also be used in New Phyrexia. On the other, stuff like the Praetor art could also be put in future sets featuring Phyrexia.
I think the main reason that the Phyrexians are going to win is a bit similar to what Dr. Sylvan said: they're kind of establishing a rogues' gallery for Magic, and to do so, the rogues have to win the first battles. Besides, it's far more elegant and fits better in a 80/20 - 50/50 - xx/xx series.
Also, the last part of Lord of the Rings should be about the way that the Shire is corrupted during Frodo's absence. That actually made the final part of the books meaningful.
I've actually been thinking about possible scenarios like that (like a Shadowmoor setup), but I honestly feel like it would be a bit of an anticlimax. It would also be problematic because they would not communicate who actually wins.Artwork wise, I f
People are picking one set or the other when I am still convinced that we will get both. I believe that Monty was very careful with his words. {Monty Ashley} "Before we get into that, a reminder. Action will be either Mirrodin Pure or New Phyrexia. Not both. And it's already decided. We're not telling you which it is because it's fun to pick a side without knowing who's going to win."
"Action" will obviously be either Mirrodin Pure or New Phyrexia, but that isn't to say that there isn't another code name for the other set.
-MT Head
I've actually been thinking about possible scenarios like that (like a Shadowmoor setup), but I honestly feel like it would be a bit of an anticlimax. It would also be problematic because they would not communicate who actually wins.
Artwork wise, I feel like most art from Mirrodin Pure that I've seen could also be used in New Phyrexia. On the other, stuff like the Praetor art could also be put in future sets featuring Phyrexia.
I think the main reason that the Phyrexians are going to win is a bit similar to what Dr. Sylvan said: they're kind of establishing a rogues' gallery for Magic, and to do so, the rogues have to win the first battles. Besides, it's far more elegant and fits better in a 80/20 - 50/50 - xx/xx series.
Also, the last part of Lord of the Rings should be about the way that the Shire is corrupted during Frodo's absence. That actually made the final part of the books meaningful.
It has nothing to do with winning and losing from a war perspective, and everything to do with winning and losing from the game's perspective. Face it, the game is going to want the Phyrexians around. They are the big bad boys of MTG's history and WoTC isn't going to waste a 7 year set-up just to do it again some other time. It is possible that some of the creatures that were returned to their native planes were infected with the oil, but I don't see the need to go through with the build-up again unless they wait for a while. Besides, the 5 colors within Phyrexia set-up a nice tension, and I could see some nice storylines from an inter-Phyrexian conflict. On the other side of things, Mirrodin has proved to be a popular plane, with unique history, and I don't see WoTC wanting to throw away the ability to return either.
To look at things more pragmatically within the game, what would a phyrexian set look like. This "white" card gives us a good idea in how black that kind of a set would look. It would warp standard and extended for quite a while if you didn't have something to counter-balance it. Now R&D has solved problems like that in the past, but why create problems that you don't need to?
So I am convinced that we are going to get both. The lowering of the numbers of released cards makes things like this possible every once in a while, and now is that time.
As from how it might happen from a story point of view, I can only speculate. Here is a guess though. Venser is good at transplantive magic, Koth is good at shaping metal, and Karn is presently a split personality artifact that shaped the entire plane. If the walkers can extract a pure Karn from the split mess, then the two Karns should be able to take care of the rest. Plus we would get two really cool Karn planeswalker cards.
Anyways, that is my 2 cents.
-MT Head
I've actually been thinking about possible scenarios like that (like a Shadowmoor setup), but I honestly feel like it would be a bit of an anticlimax. It would also be problematic because they would not communicate who actually wins.Artwork wise, I f
People are picking one set or the other when I am still convinced that we will get both. I believe that Monty was very careful with his words. {Monty Ashley} "Before we get into that, a reminder. Action will be either Mirrodin Pure or New Phyrexia. Not both. And it's already decided. We're not telling you which it is because it's fun to pick a side without knowing who's going to win."
"Action" will obviously be either Mirrodin Pure or New Phyrexia, but that isn't to say that there isn't another code name for the other set.
-MT Head
I've actually been thinking about possible scenarios like that (like a Shadowmoor setup), but I honestly feel like it would be a bit of an anticlimax. It would also be problematic because they would not communicate who actually wins.
Artwork wise, I feel like most art from Mirrodin Pure that I've seen could also be used in New Phyrexia. On the other, stuff like the Praetor art could also be put in future sets featuring Phyrexia.
I think the main reason that the Phyrexians are going to win is a bit similar to what Dr. Sylvan said: they're kind of establishing a rogues' gallery for Magic, and to do so, the rogues have to win the first battles. Besides, it's far more elegant and fits better in a 80/20 - 50/50 - xx/xx series.
Also, the last part of Lord of the Rings should be about the way that the Shire is corrupted during Frodo's absence. That actually made the final part of the books meaningful.
It has nothing to do with winning and losing from a war perspective, and everything to do with winning and losing from the game's perspective. Face it, the game is going to want the Phyrexians around. They are the big bad boys of MTG's history and WoTC isn't going to waste a 7 year set-up just to do it again some other time. It is possible that some of the creatures that were returned to their native planes were infected with the oil, but I don't see the need to go through with the build-up again unless they wait for a while. Besides, the 5 colors within Phyrexia set-up a nice tension, and I could see some nice storylines from an inter-Phyrexian conflict. On the other side of things, Mirrodin has proved to be a popular plane, with unique history, and I don't see WoTC wanting to throw away the ability to return either.
To look at things more pragmatically within the game, what would a phyrexian set look like. This "white" card gives us a good idea in how black that kind of a set would look. It would warp standard and extended for quite a while if you didn't have something to counter-balance it. Now R&D has solved problems like that in the past, but why create problems that you don't need to?
So I am convinced that we are going to get both. The lowering of the numbers of released cards makes things like this possible every once in a while, and now is that time.
As from how it might happen from a story point of view, I can only speculate. Here is a guess though. Venser is good at transplantive magic, Koth is good at shaping metal, and Karn is presently a split personality artifact that shaped the entire plane. If the walkers can extract a pure Karn from the split mess, then the two Karns should be able to take care of the rest. Plus we would get two really cool Karn planeswalker cards.
Anyways, that is my 2 cents.
-MT Head
I totally agree with you, though I do think that they can still return to Mirrodin alter on if they want to, even if they just make New Phyrexia. Some Mirrans escaping on Venser's alleged inter-planar ship and later coming to reclaim the rest, the Vanished coming back, there are a lot of options. I do see the logistical options available and how it would solve some problems, but I do think it would be a bit of a let-down after setting up the war and making us pick sides.
I've actually been thinking about possible scenarios like that (like a Shadowmoor setup), but I honestly feel like it would be a bit of an anticlimax. It would also be problematic because they would not communicate who actually wins.Artwork wise, I f
People are picking one set or the other when I am still convinced that we will get both. I believe that Monty was very careful with his words. {Monty Ashley} "Before we get into that, a reminder. Action will be either Mirrodin Pure or New Phyrexia. Not both. And it's already decided. We're not telling you which it is because it's fun to pick a side without knowing who's going to win."
"Action" will obviously be either Mirrodin Pure or New Phyrexia, but that isn't to say that there isn't another code name for the other set.
-MT Head
I've actually been thinking about possible scenarios like that (like a Shadowmoor setup), but I honestly feel like it would be a bit of an anticlimax. It would also be problematic because they would not communicate who actually wins.
Artwork wise, I feel like most art from Mirrodin Pure that I've seen could also be used in New Phyrexia. On the other, stuff like the Praetor art could also be put in future sets featuring Phyrexia.
I think the main reason that the Phyrexians are going to win is a bit similar to what Dr. Sylvan said: they're kind of establishing a rogues' gallery for Magic, and to do so, the rogues have to win the first battles. Besides, it's far more elegant and fits better in a 80/20 - 50/50 - xx/xx series.
Also, the last part of Lord of the Rings should be about the way that the Shire is corrupted during Frodo's absence. That actually made the final part of the books meaningful.
It has nothing to do with winning and losing from a war perspective, and everything to do with winning and losing from the game's perspective. Face it, the game is going to want the Phyrexians around. They are the big bad boys of MTG's history and WoTC isn't going to waste a 7 year set-up just to do it again some other time. It is possible that some of the creatures that were returned to their native planes were infected with the oil, but I don't see the need to go through with the build-up again unless they wait for a while. Besides, the 5 colors within Phyrexia set-up a nice tension, and I could see some nice storylines from an inter-Phyrexian conflict. On the other side of things, Mirrodin has proved to be a popular plane, with unique history, and I don't see WoTC wanting to throw away the ability to return either.
To look at things more pragmatically within the game, what would a phyrexian set look like. This "white" card gives us a good idea in how black that kind of a set would look. It would warp standard and extended for quite a while if you didn't have something to counter-balance it. Now R&D has solved problems like that in the past, but why create problems that you don't need to?
So I am convinced that we are going to get both. The lowering of the numbers of released cards makes things like this possible every once in a while, and now is that time.
As from how it might happen from a story point of view, I can only speculate. Here is a guess though. Venser is good at transplantive magic, Koth is good at shaping metal, and Karn is presently a split personality artifact that shaped the entire plane. If the walkers can extract a pure Karn from the split mess, then the two Karns should be able to take care of the rest. Plus we would get two really cool Karn planeswalker cards.
Anyways, that is my 2 cents.
-MT Head
I totally agree with you, though I do think that they can still return to Mirrodin alter on if they want to, even if they just make New Phyrexia. Some Mirrans escaping on Venser's alleged inter-planar ship and later coming to reclaim the rest, the Vanished coming back, there are a lot of options. I do see the logistical options available and how it would solve some problems, but I do think it would be a bit of a let-down after setting up the war and making us pick sides.
Well, from the other side, if you have just a single set, then the side that lost doesn't get their set. If you have two sets, then both sides win even if neither side actually loses. I'm not sure if it is a net negative or positive.
Anyways, we probably shouldn't derail this thread into another of those classic Zindie/Gunn discussions.
-MT Head
I've actually been thinking about possible scenarios like that (like a Shadowmoor setup), but I honestly feel like it would be a bit of an anticlimax. It would also be problematic because they would not communicate who actually wins.Artwork wise, I f
Suture Priest's face is the Mask of Yawgmoth! Finally.
The first thought I had when I saw these cards was "they both have to fit into one set or the other, so which set could accomodate both?"
We obviously know now that the set has both Mirran and Phyrexian cards, but...Suture Priest seems a lot harder to fit into a set called Mirrodin Pure than the other card would be to fit into New Phyrexia. Of course, my assumption underlying this is that the losing side has been nearly eradicated. That doesn't seem to be the case.
Is it just me or does Pristine Talisman look a bit like a stylized Mask of Yawgmoth as well??
Is it just me or does Pristine Talisman look a bit like a stylized Mask of Yawgmoth as well??
I generally try to buy most of these types of products to have ready for kitchen table play at home, but the high price tag (despite the plethora of good cards) is still making me hesitant. I'll certainly keep them in the back of my mind if I run into some extra cash.
I generally try to buy most of these types of products to have ready for kitchen table play at home, but the high price tag (despite the plethora of good cards) is still making me hesitant. I'll certainly keep them in the back of my mind if I run int
These decks are surprisingly good. I was expecting something a little better than what we got for Mirran, and something a lot worse for Phyrexia. I really like how the decks have enough rares to make them viable, as well as giving clues as to what you should get to "trick out" the deck. Overall I approve. I'm looking forward to the future event decks as well.
These decks are surprisingly good. I was expecting something a little better than what we got for Mirran, and something a lot worse for Phyrexia. I really like how the decks have enough rares to make them viable, as well as giving clues as to what yo
I'm definitely going to get the Kuldotha Red variant. It'll complete my playsets of both Goblin Guide and Spikeshot Elder , give me my desired number of Devestating Summons (2) and give me a Contested War Zone to play around with (I'm not convinced that it's the card for me, but it does have some pretty amazing potential). It's going to be a product that's well worth the money.
I'm definitely going to get the Kuldotha Red variant. It'll complete my playsets of both [c]Goblin Guide[/c] and [c]Spikeshot Elder[/c], give me my desired number of [c]Devestating Summons[/c] (2) and give me a [c]Contested War Zone[/c] to play arou
People are picking one set or the other when I am still convinced that we will get both. I believe that Monty was very careful with his words. {Monty Ashley} "Before we get into that, a reminder. Action will be either Mirrodin Pure or New Phyrexia. Not both. And it's already decided. We're not telling you which it is because it's fun to pick a side without knowing who's going to win."
"Action" will obviously be either Mirrodin Pure or New Phyrexia, but that isn't to say that there isn't another code name for the other set.
-MT Head
I've actually been thinking about possible scenarios like that (like a Shadowmoor setup), but I honestly feel like it would be a bit of an anticlimax. It would also be problematic because they would not communicate who actually wins.
Artwork wise, I feel like most art from Mirrodin Pure that I've seen could also be used in New Phyrexia. On the other, stuff like the Praetor art could also be put in future sets featuring Phyrexia.
I think the main reason that the Phyrexians are going to win is a bit similar to what Dr. Sylvan said: they're kind of establishing a rogues' gallery for Magic, and to do so, the rogues have to win the first battles. Besides, it's far more elegant and fits better in a 80/20 - 50/50 - xx/xx series.
Also, the last part of Lord of the Rings should be about the way that the Shire is corrupted during Frodo's absence. That actually made the final part of the books meaningful.
It has nothing to do with winning and losing from a war perspective, and everything to do with winning and losing from the game's perspective. Face it, the game is going to want the Phyrexians around. They are the big bad boys of MTG's history and WoTC isn't going to waste a 7 year set-up just to do it again some other time. It is possible that some of the creatures that were returned to their native planes were infected with the oil, but I don't see the need to go through with the build-up again unless they wait for a while. Besides, the 5 colors within Phyrexia set-up a nice tension, and I could see some nice storylines from an inter-Phyrexian conflict. On the other side of things, Mirrodin has proved to be a popular plane, with unique history, and I don't see WoTC wanting to throw away the ability to return either.
To look at things more pragmatically within the game, what would a phyrexian set look like. This "white" card gives us a good idea in how black that kind of a set would look. It would warp standard and extended for quite a while if you didn't have something to counter-balance it. Now R&D has solved problems like that in the past, but why create problems that you don't need to?
So I am convinced that we are going to get both. The lowering of the numbers of released cards makes things like this possible every once in a while, and now is that time.
As from how it might happen from a story point of view, I can only speculate. Here is a guess though. Venser is good at transplantive magic, Koth is good at shaping metal, and Karn is presently a split personality artifact that shaped the entire plane. If the walkers can extract a pure Karn from the split mess, then the two Karns should be able to take care of the rest. Plus we would get two really cool Karn planeswalker cards.
Anyways, that is my 2 cents.
-MT Head
I totally agree with you, though I do think that they can still return to Mirrodin alter on if they want to, even if they just make New Phyrexia. Some Mirrans escaping on Venser's alleged inter-planar ship and later coming to reclaim the rest, the Vanished coming back, there are a lot of options. I do see the logistical options available and how it would solve some problems, but I do think it would be a bit of a let-down after setting up the war and making us pick sides.
Well, from the other side, if you have just a single set, then the side that lost doesn't get their set. If you have two sets, then both sides win even if neither side actually loses. I'm not sure if it is a net negative or positive.
Anyways, we probably shouldn't derail this thread into another of those classic Zindie/Gunn discussions.
-MT Head
I agree, but I also think I've heard enough to Vote: MT_Gunn.
The Event Decks look fun enough, to be honest. I was already planning to build a Kuldotha Rebirth deck out of what I had already, and I don't really need any of that stuff. The Infect deck, on the other hand, is looking a lot better. You can't have too many Consuming Vapors and I only have one Vatmother and no Hands, so I might actually buy it.
I've actually been thinking about possible scenarios like that (like a Shadowmoor setup), but I honestly feel like it would be a bit of an anticlimax. It would also be problematic because they would not communicate who actually wins.Artwork wise, I f
I think 1 copy of the deck would be at least playable, and if you smush 2 copies together you could have a decent deck.
~ Tim p.s. I am still waiting for someone to address the promo contradiction for Game Day...
I think 1 copy of the deck would be at least playable, and if you smush 2 copies together you could have a decent deck. ~ Timp.s. I am still waiting for someone to address the promo contradiction for Game Day...
p.s. I am still waiting for someone to address the promo contradiction for Game Day...
www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/events.aspx?x=... says top two finishers for each affiliation. They have customer service's contact info at the bottom of the page if you want verification.
www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/events.aspx?x=... says top two finishers for each affiliation. They have customer service's contact info at the bottom of the page if you want verification.
p.s. I am still waiting for someone to address the promo contradiction for Game Day...
www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/events.aspx?x=... says top two finishers for each affiliation. They have customer service's contact info at the bottom of the page if you want verification.
Thats the page I quoted. Thing is, there is a more recent article that says otherwise. :/
I was hoping someone would respond to this thread, TBH. I will email Cust Serv anyway though...
~ Tim
www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/events.aspx?x=... says top two finishers for each affiliation. They have customer service's contact info at the bottom of the page if you want verification.[/quote]Thats the page I quoted. Thing is, there is a more recent ar
For anyone curious, based on current Channel Fireball prices (rounded to the nearest dollar), the rares in the decks break down like this:
Into the Breach:
Contested War Zone = $6
Goblin Guide 2x $10 = $20
Spikeshot Elder = $1
Devastating Summons 2x $1.5 = $3
Total: $30
Infect and Defile:
Drowned Catacomb 2 x $5.00 = $10.00
Hand of the Praetors = $3
Phyrexian Vatmother 2 x $2 = $4
Consuming Vapors 2 x $3.49 = $7
$24
For anyone curious, based on current Channel Fireball prices (rounded to the nearest dollar), the rares in the decks break down like this:Into the Breach:Contested War Zone = $6Goblin Guide 2x $10 = $20Spikeshot Elder = $1Devastating Summons 2x $1.5
They did? That was a surprise. I really wish the flavour column ever talked about how things ended. There's practically zero information on that and I have no idea how to get that kind of info, as google has failed me and my store doesn't carry the books, never mind the fact that they suck these days (I didn't even finish the Time Spiral series I bought).
1. People tend not to like spoilers, which is why the results of the storylines don't get blurted out on the website. Hang out in the Flavor and Storylines forum and ask around; someone will probably be willing to PM you the details. I might even be that someone, on a day when I have less else to say.
2. I personally recommend "Zendikar: In the Teeth of Akoum". While far from perfect, it is quite decent, with a lot of well-crafted prose and some very interesting information. I enjoyed it quite a bit, although I am admittedly a fairly forgiving critic. However I can easily compare it to the Lorwyn/Morningtide/Eventide trilogy, which did unequivocally suck rather a fair bit. No Magic book I've read has been completely devoid of worth, but many have a distinctly inadequate ratio of wheat to chaff. "Zendikar" is no masterwork, but I believe it's well above the waterline. (And yes, I mix metaphors like a buffalo in hyperspace, that's just part of my charm.)
I like how they finally gave Phyrexians some more diversity and morphed it into the colours that are philosophically closest to it: red being the most anti-Phyrexian colour makes a lot of sense
This is one of the things about this block I absolutely love.
I have been waiting rather a long time for this announcement. 1. People tend not to like spoilers, which is why the results of the storylines don't get blurted out on the website. Hang out in the Flavor and Storylines forum and ask around; someone
They did? That was a surprise. I really wish the flavour column ever talked about how things ended. There's practically zero information on that and I have no idea how to get that kind of info, as google has failed me and my store doesn't carry the books, never mind the fact that they suck these days (I didn't even finish the Time Spiral series I bought).
1. People tend not to like spoilers, which is why the results of the storylines don't get blurted out on the website. Hang out in the Flavor and Storylines forum and ask around; someone will probably be willing to PM you the details. I might even be that someone, on a day when I have less else to say.
2. I personally recommend "Zendikar: In the Teeth of Akoum". While far from perfect, it is quite decent, with a lot of well-crafted prose and some very interesting information. I enjoyed it quite a bit, although I am admittedly a fairly forgiving critic. However I can easily compare it to the Lorwyn/Morningtide/Eventide trilogy, which did unequivocally suck rather a fair bit. No Magic book I've read has been completely devoid of worth, but many have a distinctly inadequate ratio of wheat to chaff. "Zendikar" is no masterwork, but I believe it's well above the waterline. (And yes, I mix metaphors like a buffalo in hyperspace, that's just part of my charm.)
1: As a person who generally hates spoilers I appreciate the irony of being completely unable to find anything about the ending of the Zendikar and Alara blocks. I actually agree with their decision not to let Savour the Flavour do it, but I was just surprised that the various Magic wikis don't have anything on them.
2: I'll see if I can look into it. Thank you.
1. People tend not to like spoilers, which is why the results of the storylines don't get blurted out on the website. Hang out in the Flavor and Storylines forum and ask around; someone will probably be willing to PM you the details. I might even
These decks are pretty decent. Two Goblin Guide and a Contested War Zone singlehandedly pay for the deck. It's too bad Inkmoth Nexus didn't make it into the Phyrexian deck, but I guess it's too powerful for that.
These decks are pretty decent. Two [c]Goblin Guide[/c] and a [c]Contested War Zone[/c] singlehandedly pay for the deck. It's too bad [c]Inkmoth Nexus[/c] didn't make it into the Phyrexian deck, but I guess it's too powerful for that.
I wonder, why would they put a creature that already has trample in the art of a spell that grants trample?
Actually, I suspect that Putrefax was a perfectly normal mirrodin creature of some kind until the Phyrexians came along and unnaturally predated it giving it +1/+1 and trample for all time--and, one would assume, the Phyrexians gave it Infect, too.
Of course, that means that putrefax (perhaps we should call it just "Fax"?) was a 4/2 green creature back then. With haste. Hmm...
Anyone have a better idea?
Actually, I suspect that Putrefax was a perfectly normal mirrodin creature of some kind until the Phyrexians came along and unnaturally predated it giving it +1/+1 and trample for all time--and, one would assume, the Phyrexians gave it Infect, too.Of
They did? That was a surprise. I really wish the flavour column ever talked about how things ended. There's practically zero information on that and I have no idea how to get that kind of info, as google has failed me and my store doesn't carry the books, never mind the fact that they suck these days (I didn't even finish the Time Spiral series I bought).
1. People tend not to like spoilers, which is why the results of the storylines don't get blurted out on the website. Hang out in the Flavor and Storylines forum and ask around; someone will probably be willing to PM you the details. I might even be that someone, on a day when I have less else to say.
2. I personally recommend "Zendikar: In the Teeth of Akoum". While far from perfect, it is quite decent, with a lot of well-crafted prose and some very interesting information. I enjoyed it quite a bit, although I am admittedly a fairly forgiving critic. However I can easily compare it to the Lorwyn/Morningtide/Eventide trilogy, which did unequivocally suck rather a fair bit. No Magic book I've read has been completely devoid of worth, but many have a distinctly inadequate ratio of wheat to chaff. "Zendikar" is no masterwork, but I believe it's well above the waterline. (And yes, I mix metaphors like a buffalo in hyperspace, that's just part of my charm.)
1: As a person who generally hates spoilers I appreciate the irony of being completely unable to find anything about the ending of the Zendikar and Alara blocks. I actually agree with their decision not to let Savour the Flavour do it, but I was just surprised that the various Magic wikis don't have anything on them.
2: I'll see if I can look into it. Thank you.
Well, I can give you a not-spoiler and tell you that Teeth of Akoum doesn't answer how the Eldrazi were contained.
Also, I can't multi-quote all that well, so that entire trample giving spell featuring a creature with trample makes sense if you are trying to reflect what happened.
Also, it's not like the creature lasts longer then the pump spell's effect :P.
1. People tend not to like spoilers, which is why the results of the storylines don't get blurted out on the website. Hang out in the Flavor and Storylines forum and ask around; someone will probably be willing to PM you the details. I might even
Well, I can give you a not-spoiler and tell you that Teeth of Akoum doesn't answer how the Eldrazi were contained.
Do you especially need to know how exactly the Phlebotinum that was holding them works? This isn't science fiction, where you have to make up a bunch of meaningless technobabble to justify how something happens. It's Magic - it happens for a why, not a how. The why is that it makes for a good story - Cthulhu sleeps in R'lyeh and we don't need to know how, Galactus wanders the spaceways and we don't need to know how (we do know how because Marvel comics, much like myself, never passes up an opportunity to flap its yap - but we could have lived without that knowledge and let Big G remain a cosmic enigma, he would have remained more than sufficiently cool), and the Eldrazi, who were designed as C + G's unholy love-child, are contained on Zendikar and we don't need to know how. In all cases, they serve a purpose in the story which would actively be diminished by knowing exactly how they work. They're supposed to be terrifying enough to take them seriously as world-shattering menaces, and it's hard to fear that which you understand completely. I would fear the Eldrazi if they were real, but not if I knew I could just carve some runes into a stone lozenge and make them my b****es. Better that the fictional facts of the matter should remain mysterious.
As to Putrefax, it appears to be a temporarily-animated puddle of swamp sludge...with teeth. I doubt that it has a "natural form". And Unnatural Predation makes its mouth ooze black sludge which it wasn't previously doing, so that would be a 6/4 Putrefax in the art.
Do you especially need to know how exactly the Phlebotinum that was holding them works? This isn't science fiction, where you have to make up a bunch of meaningless technobabble to justify how something happens. It's Magic - it happens f
Man, rare lands are really starting to get on my nerves. Lands aside, I could make today's deck for $19, but the mana base costs over $100. Sigh... and it looked fun to play, too.
Man, rare lands are really starting to get on my nerves. Lands aside, I could make today's deck for $19, but the mana base costs over $100. Sigh... and it looked fun to play, too.
Now that the new deck is actually up, I must say I'm pleasantly surprised. It's a new idea, it's actually fun, and it's just plain built around good cards, not abusing combinations thereof. It actually uses the new keyword mechanic for a set! There's a concept.
Now that the new deck is actually up, I must say I'm pleasantly surprised. It's a new idea, it's actually fun, and it's just plain built around good cards, not abusing combinations thereof. It actually uses the new keyword mechanic for a set! There's
Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas? I might actually bother to buy this one. Honestly, with Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker still at around $14.00 each, paying $19.99 for him plus 119 other cards sounds like a steal. Also, that art looks awesome. Hope they give us an alternate art Cruel Ultimatum .
Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas? I might actually bother to buy this one. Honestly, with [c]Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker[/c] still at around $14.00 each, paying $19.99 for him plus 119 other cards sounds like a steal. Also, that art looks awesome. Hope they give
Seems like a one sided fight. If these decks are true to the fiction, then Bolas should be full of turn one wins, while Ajani at this point is only recently a Planeswalker, so he hardly has any spells or mana bonds. So he would have a starting hand.
This is all sarcasm, in case you couldn't tell, I actually think it's a cool idea.
Seems like a one sided fight. If these decks are true to the fiction, then Bolas should be full of turn one wins, while Ajani at this point is only recently a Planeswalker, so he hardly has any spells or mana bonds. So he would have a starting hand.T
i am so stoked for this thing.........magic is doing great with their special sets this year in my opinion
dragons vs knights (assuming its not an april foo's joke), EDH, and nicol vs ajani.
so awesome
i am so stoked for this thing.........magic is doing great with their special sets this year in my opinion dragons vs knights (assuming its not an april foo's joke), EDH, and nicol vs ajani. so awesome
Let's see...Magic's standard recurring baddie, who is secretly responsible for everything wrong that happens in the multiverse ever, versus a cliche nonhuman hero-type that virtually nobody cares about. I wonder what the canonical outcome of this one might be.
There seems to be a theme lately of Wizards trying to convince us that we get to decide contests whose outcomes are already set in stone. I hope this is market research for the viability of actually letting the community influence the storyline some day...but if the effort fails, retroactively it will always have been nothing more than a cheap attempt at generating hype. So I wish they would have just skipped the market research and actually given us control, or else not bothered to play up the idea that we're deciding things.
Let's see...Magic's standard recurring baddie, who is secretly responsible for everything wrong that happens in the multiverse ever, versus a cliche nonhuman hero-type that virtually nobody cares about. I wonder what the canonical outcome of this on
Let's see...Magic's standard recurring baddie, who is secretly responsible for everything wrong that happens in the multiverse ever, versus a cliche nonhuman hero-type that virtually nobody cares about. I wonder what the canonical outcome of this one might be.
There seems to be a theme lately of Wizards trying to convince us that we get to decide contests whose outcomes are already set in stone. I hope this is market research for the viability of actually letting the community influence the storyline some day...but if the effort fails, retroactively it will always have been nothing more than a cheap attempt at generating hype. So I wish they would have just skipped the market research and actually given us control, or else not bothered to play up the idea that we're deciding things.
WotC have never said that the players affect their decisions, in fact they've even said that the next set is already decided upon.
About the new duel deck, I am keeping my fingers crossed for an alt art Lightning Helix. It might be a bit redundant considering that it seems like it's Ajani Vengeant in the image, but dang it, I'd be thrilled.
WotC have never said that the players affect their decisions, in fact they've even said that the next set is already decided upon.About the new duel deck, I am keeping my fingers crossed for an alt art Lightning Helix. It might be a bit redundant con
Encounter triggers at the beginning of your upkeep and since Gambit is a sorcery you will have to survive a turn before you win, and a turn can be a long time in Magic. Also, your enchantment needs to survive the turn as well, and its counters need to remain on it (Vampire Hexmage etc). RTFC, COTD.
[Frankly though, Fiery Gambit probably should be winning you the game without any help from Chance Encounter if you had that many successful flips - when you've just done 3 to a creature, 6 to your opponent, drawn 9 cards and untapped all your lands you're already looking in pretty good shape I'd guess.]
[c]Chance Encounter[/c] and [c]Fiery Gambit[/c] do not "provide an immediate win".Encounter triggers at the beginning of your upkeep and since Gambit is a sorcery you will have to survive a turn before you win, and a turn can be a long time in Magic.
WotC have never said that the players affect their decisions, in fact they've even said that the next set is already decided upon.
Yes I know, I helped write for it and breathed a sigh of relief the moment they announced that little tidbit. That doesn't change the fact that they've been marketing MBS as if the players had an influence, telling everybody to "choose a side" and "fight for your faction". You can't possibly fight for your faction if it's already been decided whether your faction will win or not; you're just fighting with your faction, but they've gone out of their way to imply otherwise in order to build hype.
Like I said, I hope it's for a good cause, but it's still annoying either way.
About the new duel deck, I am keeping my fingers crossed for an alt art Lightning Helix. It might be a bit redundant considering that it seems like it's Ajani Vengeant in the image, but dang it, I'd be thrilled.
They're very likely to put a (it's too potent for more than one, alt-art or no) Lightning Helix in the deck just so they can say "Hey, kids, look! Ajani is so awesome that he can cast Lightning Helix just about every turn!"
Yes I know, I helped write for it and breathed a sigh of relief the moment they announced that little tidbit. That doesn't change the fact that they've been marketing MBS as if the players had an influence, telling everybody to "choose a side" and "
Depending on the decklists, I may actually get this one. It'll be interesting to see how they do it though, considering that Bolas is expensive and 3 colors, none of which is green. They'll have to include a good amount of manafixing if they want to avoid having the deck collapse on itself. The match does still seem a bit lopsided. Maybe they'll include OldBolas so that you can have TWO copies of Nicol Bolas in play at the SAME TIME!
Depending on the decklists, I may actually get this one. It'll be interesting to see how they do it though, considering that Bolas is expensive and 3 colors, none of which is green. They'll have to include a good amount of manafixing if they want to
Let's see...Magic's standard recurring baddie, who is secretly responsible for everything wrong that happens in the multiverse ever, versus a cliche nonhuman hero-type that virtually nobody cares about. I wonder what the canonical outcome of this one might be.
Didn't...didn't this already happen in the story? It sounds like something that happened at the end of the Alara block.
Didn't...didn't this already happen in the story? It sounds like something that happened at the end of the Alara block.
I want to know what version of Ajani we're getting. While he is the only walker of the original 5 not to be in a verses deck it sounds like he will represent Naya meaning we might get the Vengeant version. My guess is normal Ajani with the deck being built around his shard color.
Also, the battle did already happen, and Ajani was the winner.
I want to know what version of Ajani we're getting. While he is the only walker of the original 5 not to be in a verses deck it sounds like he will represent Naya meaning we might get the Vengeant version. My guess is normal Ajani with the deck being
I wonder, why would they put a creature that already has trample in the art of a spell that grants trample?
Actually, I suspect that Putrefax was a perfectly normal mirrodin creature of some kind until the Phyrexians came along and unnaturally predated it giving it +1/+1 and trample for all time--and, one would assume, the Phyrexians gave it Infect, too.
Of course, that means that putrefax (perhaps we should call it just "Fax"?) was a 4/2 green creature back then. With haste. Hmm...
Anyone have a better idea?
Whatever it does, mechanically, it would obviously be called a Purefax.
Actually, I suspect that Putrefax was a perfectly normal mirrodin creature of some kind until the Phyrexians came along and unnaturally predated it giving it +1/+1 and trample for all time--and, one would assume, the Phyrexians gave it Infect, too.Of
I want to know what version of Ajani we're getting. While he is the only walker of the original 5 not to be in a verses deck it sounds like he will represent Naya meaning we might get the Vengeant version. My guess is normal Ajani with the deck being built around his shard color.
Also, the battle did already happen, and Ajani was the winner.
Not quite. While Ajani certainly achieved his goal (preventing Alara from being completely destroyed), he didn't actually fight Bolas. In fact, if I remember correctly, Bolas didn't even know he was there. All Ajani did was distract Bolas at a critical moment so he couldn't devour the Maelstrom.
Not quite. While Ajani certainly achieved his goal (preventing Alara from being completely destroyed), he didn't actually fight Bolas. In fact, if I remember correctly, Bolas didn't even know he was there. All Ajani did was distract Bolas at a critic
Oh man, I'm so excited for this! Promo Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker is gonna be worth the $20 on its own! Just gonna go mark this on my calender, now.
Oh man, I'm so excited for this! Promo [c]Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker[/c] is gonna be worth the $20 on its own! Just gonna go mark this on my calender, now.
I want to know what version of Ajani we're getting. While he is the only walker of the original 5 not to be in a verses deck it sounds like he will represent Naya meaning we might get the Vengeant version. My guess is normal Ajani with the deck being built around his shard color.
Also, the battle did already happen, and Ajani was the winner.
Not quite. While Ajani certainly achieved his goal (preventing Alara from being completely destroyed), he didn't actually fight Bolas. In fact, if I remember correctly, Bolas didn't even know he was there. All Ajani did was distract Bolas at a critical moment so he couldn't devour the Maelstrom.
That's how I remember it happening. Ajani did fight Sarkhan Vol though, which would have also been a cool Vs. product, I think.
On the other hand, I can't really complain about the opportunity to pick up a copy of Bolas.
Not quite. While Ajani certainly achieved his goal (preventing Alara from being completely destroyed), he didn't actually fight Bolas. In fact, if I remember correctly, Bolas didn't even know he was there. All Ajani did was distract Bolas at a critic
Depending on the decklists, I may actually get this one. It'll be interesting to see how they do it though, considering that Bolas is expensive and 3 colors, none of which is green. They'll have to include a good amount of manafixing if they want to avoid having the deck collapse on itself. The match does still seem a bit lopsided. Maybe they'll include OldBolas so that you can have TWO copies of Nicol Bolas in play at the SAME TIME!
I would expect Bolas deck to be quite heavy in control, and have Bolas himself as the finisher, together with something like cruel ultimatum . This way the deck can survive until late game without rellying on mana acceleration.Things like mind stone and talisman of dominance are in-theme too, so it can have a bit of artifact mana accel, but I wouldn't count on it as the basis of the deck.
I would expect Bolas deck to be quite heavy in control, and have Bolas himself as the finisher, together with something like [c]cruel ultimatum[/c]. This way the deck can survive until late game without rellying on mana acceleration.Things like [c]mi
Depending on the decklists, I may actually get this one. It'll be interesting to see how they do it though, considering that Bolas is expensive and 3 colors, none of which is green. They'll have to include a good amount of manafixing if they want to avoid having the deck collapse on itself. The match does still seem a bit lopsided. Maybe they'll include OldBolas so that you can have TWO copies of Nicol Bolas in play at the SAME TIME!
I would expect Bolas deck to be quite heavy in control, and have Bolas himself as the finisher, together with something like cruel ultimatum . This way the deck can survive until late game without rellying on mana acceleration.Things like mind stone and talisman of dominance are in-theme too, so it can have a bit of artifact mana accel, but I wouldn't count on it as the basis of the deck.
I would expect Bolas deck to be quite heavy in control, and have Bolas himself as the finisher, together with something like [c]cruel ultimatum[/c]. This way the deck can survive until late game without rellying on mana acceleration.Things like [c]mi
Depending on the decklists, I may actually get this one. It'll be interesting to see how they do it though, considering that Bolas is expensive and 3 colors, none of which is green. They'll have to include a good amount of manafixing if they want to avoid having the deck collapse on itself. The match does still seem a bit lopsided. Maybe they'll include OldBolas so that you can have TWO copies of Nicol Bolas in play at the SAME TIME!
I would expect Bolas deck to be quite heavy in control, and have Bolas himself as the finisher, together with something like cruel ultimatum . This way the deck can survive until late game without rellying on mana acceleration.Things like mind stone and talisman of dominance are in-theme too, so it can have a bit of artifact mana accel, but I wouldn't count on it as the basis of the deck.
The mana cost of that card implies that Bolas is primarily black. This...this is unsettling.
I would expect Bolas deck to be quite heavy in control, and have Bolas himself as the finisher, together with something like [c]cruel ultimatum[/c]. This way the deck can survive until late game without rellying on mana acceleration.Things like [c]mi
The mana cost of that card implies that Bolas is primarily black. This...this is unsettling.
If his Legends card didn't tell you that, I'm surprised anything would.
The color pie wasn't exactly firm around the time of Legends.
If his [c=nicol bolas]Legends card[/c] didn't tell you that, I'm surprised anything would.[/quote]The color pie wasn't exactly firm around the time of Legends.
Guess this means the knight deck at least will be multicolored. Green, what an odd second color to pick for knights. The art looks fairly cool though it's tough to beat Michael Komark's original artwork. I'm happy to finally see some hint of what's in the knight deck. It sucked that originally there was only a preview for the dragon side.
Guess this means the knight deck at least will be multicolored. Green, what an odd second color to pick for knights. The art looks fairly cool though it's tough to beat Michael Komark's original artwork. I'm happy to finally see some hint of what's i
Huh... Knight of the Reliquary is an awesome inclusion for the deck, and, honestly, one that I'd been hoping for (since Elspeth vs Tezzeret even). Still, it looks like a Mythic upgrade (which seems especially odd as it was a rare in a set that already had mythics in it). Sadly, it seems like the Knights front card that I had been hoping for (Hero of Bladehold ) will be entirely absent from the deck.
Huh... [c]Knight of the Reliquary[/c] is an awesome inclusion for the deck, and, honestly, one that I'd been hoping for (since [c=Elspeth, Knight-Errant]Elspeth[/c] vs [c=Tezzeret the Seeker]Tezzeret[/c] even). Still, it looks like a Mythic upgrade
Obviously. It creates soldiers.Soldiers.I'm looking forward to Knights v. Dragons now. At first I honestly thought it was a joke, with the X-wing logo and all that :P[c]Knight of the Reliquary[/c] is an awesome inclusion, I'm hoping there will also b
Well, since every Squire card except Brass Squire are soldiers, its not too much of a stretch to think Hero of Bladehold would be incthe Knights deck, but because of Reliquary, i think it will probably be Rafiq. Also I wonder if this means Finest Hour, which seems full of knightly flavor to me, has made the cut.
Well, since every Squire card except Brass Squire are soldiers, its not too much of a stretch to think Hero of Bladehold would be incthe Knights deck, but because of Reliquary, i think it will probably be Rafiq. Also I wonder if this means Finest Hou
And now I believe the dragons deck will be B/R. Bladewing the Risen as the mythic?
I like G/W knights: [c]Juniper Order Ranger[/c], [c]Steward of Valeron[/c], [c]Wilt-Leaf Cavaliers[/c], [c]Wilt-Leaf Liege[/c].And now I believe the dragons deck will be B/R. [c]Bladewing the Risen[/c] as the mythic?
I think the Kithking Knight lord which gives double strike would be more logical since it's older. I don't think they would want to put a relatively recent card like Knight Exemplar as a major centerpiece (also, red decks just absolutely die to indestructability, which is bad for game play).
Knight of the Reliquary alternate art seems silly. That card is a combo piece. Well, now they've basically guaranteed that there'll be spell-lands from Zendikar in there, as otherwise it'd be ridiculous to make it your alt-art mythic rare. Personally, I was hoping for WB Knights (after all, that are the Knight colours) but I guess they'll turn it into GW Knights instead, or maybe Bant Knights. Green also gives them anti-flyer options, but they'd have to be careful with that as it's nasty against big flying dragons.
I wonder if they'll do hybrid in the deck. I personally doubt it. There are a couple of nice knights in green and hybrid is just really different.
My guess for the Dragon deck is still a pure red deck with Goblins as the low part of the curve, but I guess Bladewing the Risen would work as well.
Edit: Also, I like the art. I agree it's very Blizzardy.
I think the Kithking Knight lord which gives double strike would be more logical since it's older. I don't think they would want to put a relatively recent card like Knight Exemplar as a major centerpiece (also, red decks just absolutely die to indes
I agree that it is bizarre that it's GW Knights, considering Green has no knights of its own. Every single Green knight is multicolored. For the record, there are 158 knights Of these... 88 are pure white 5 are pure blue 25 are pure black 14 are pure red 0 are pure green 26 are multicolored
So GW is a REALLY bizarre combination, going purely by numbers. Green BLUE would have made more sense!
I agree that it is bizarre that it's GW Knights, considering Green has no knights of its own. Every single Green knight is multicolored. For the record, there are 158 knightsOf these...88 are pure white5 are pure blue25 are pure black14 are pure red0
I have a hard time believing Knight of the Reliquary is in there, but the change in rarity seems to mean little. Look at Protean Hydra, dropped from Mythic to just Rare from M10 to M11. Plus, if they bump KotR's rarity up, they don't have to put in a REAL Mythic.
I do think Kinsbaile Cavalier is far more likely than Knight Exemplar.
I think the GW kind of makes sense, if they weren't going to go WB, because GW is where they've been taking Knights over the past few years. Of those 26 multicolored, 12 are GW (or GWU), and are all but 3 are from Lorwyn until now. One of those, Sir Shandlar of Eberyn is only a Knight because of Oracle.
Here's my other speculation for the upcoming Duel Decks :
I have a hard time believing Knight of the Reliquary is in there, but the change in rarity seems to mean little. Look at Protean Hydra, dropped from Mythic to just Rare from M10 to M11. Plus, if they bump KotR's rarity up, they don't have to put in
Art is not credited, although it looks like Wayne Reynolds. It's kind of funny how this art, or rather Reynolds' style, makes her look more Kithkin. I'd be happy to see more Knights from Lorwyn than Alara. :P
Art is not credited, although it looks like Wayne Reynolds. It's kind of funny how this art, or rather Reynolds' style, makes her look more Kithkin. I'd be happy to see more Knights from Lorwyn than Alara. :P
I would expect Bolas deck to be quite heavy in control, and have Bolas himself as the finisher, together with something like cruel ultimatum . This way the deck can survive until late game without rellying on mana acceleration.Things like mind stone and talisman of dominance are in-theme too, so it can have a bit of artifact mana accel, but I wouldn't count on it as the basis of the deck.
Also a must in this deck, if things are going to be like I imagine them to.
As for the Knights vs. Dragons deck, the Knight deck must include knighthood !
[c]Slave of Bolas[/c], much? :-P[/quote]Also a must in this deck, if things are going to be like I imagine them to. As for the Knights vs. Dragons deck, the Knight deck must include [c]knighthood[/c]!
I would expect Bolas deck to be quite heavy in control, and have Bolas himself as the finisher, together with something like cruel ultimatum . This way the deck can survive until late game without rellying on mana acceleration.Things like mind stone and talisman of dominance are in-theme too, so it can have a bit of artifact mana accel, but I wouldn't count on it as the basis of the deck.
Also a must in this deck, if things are going to be like I imagine them to.
As for the Knights vs. Dragons deck, the Knight deck must include knighthood !
Given the large number of Knights with first strike and the likelihood of Kinsbaile Cavalier , I doubt it.
[c]Slave of Bolas[/c], much? :-P[/quote]Also a must in this deck, if things are going to be like I imagine them to. As for the Knights vs. Dragons deck, the Knight deck must include [c]knighthood[/c]! [/quote]Given the large number of Knights with fi
first, just let me say i am a fan of the duel decks, really.
but Kight of the Reliquary did not need an "update" to its art. the following Knight "types" DO.
the latest edition of White Knight... lacking. what prey tell even is a Stromgald Cabal, other than a highly intoxocated Shao Lin monk hanging out in half a lobster costume at the Black Rock desert somewhere in september. speaking of Stromgald the only one thats got it right is off on a crusade. or Hero of Oxid Ridge, not as much of a "hero" as the ones coming out of Bladehold apparently.
or how about a truly B.A. knight among knights, Knight of the Mists. i'm a McNeill fan almost as much as a McFarlane fan but that one should have gone to Kev Walker. Champion Lancer ([cham-pee-uh n -noun]... EPIC FAIL). only Solatari rhymes with atari, and En Kor wants more. the Lost Order of Jarkeld... wait for it, ... ... yes, LOST.
take a que from: Kjeldoran Knight, Blood Knight, Black Knight (Adrian Smith's of course), Capashen Knight, Kjeldoran Knight again, Dakamor Lancer, Dragon Soul Knight, Paragon of the Amesha, Phyrexian Crusader, Western Paladin (Urza's Saga). even the Sarah Palin endorsed Alaborns and Trokin High Guard (guns can be cool).
and lastly, Rafiq is lucky to be born in an era that Marton and Ishan would have KILLED for! (literally). LOL
first, just let me say i am a fan of the duel decks, really.but Kight of the Reliquary did not need an "update" to its art. the following Knight "types" DO.the latest edition of White Knight... lacking. what prey tell even is a Stromgald Cabal, other
Knights vs Dragons looks sweet! Bolas' deck will be fun to dissect just because it's Bolas! But as for these FNM event decks, I'm a little dissappointed. The Mirran one looks promising and has some bloody solid good cards, but the Phyrexian one looks a little wimpy in comparison. Still fun to play, but the rares are punishers.
The Mirrans get Spikeshot Elder, which is cheap quick to bring out and awesome by turn three. Leyline of punishment could be out from the start and contested war zone is shiny new nom nom nom. Oh, and can also be played right away. The Phyrexians, on the otherhand, get two vatmothers, who give you infect just for the priviledge of playing them on turn four. Hope your Mirran opponent doesn't smack you in the face with it using Act of Treason before you even get to use the vatmomma. You bring it out and while you're waiting to use it next turn, opponent snags it, beefs it up with battle cry, cold snaps you with extra poison counters, and then returns it to you just in time for you to get one more poison counter. In other words, red is better than dead in this instance.
Knights vs Dragons looks sweet! Bolas' deck will be fun to dissect just because it's Bolas! But as for these FNM event decks, I'm a little dissappointed. The Mirran one looks promising and has some bloody solid good cards, but the Phyrexian one looks
I think it would be cool to see White Knight printed with it's old (read: good) art in Knights v. Dragons.
I don't think the old art would look very good in the new border. However, I wish they would bring back the flavor text for both White Knight and Black Knight.
I don't think the old art would look very good in the new border. However, I wish they would bring back the flavor text for both White Knight and Black Knight.
Having looked at the Mirran event deck "Into the Breach", I gotta say, this is the most solid pre-con deck I've seen in a long time. This is a deck that if you're a new player, you'll look back a year later and say, "this was an awesome investment!" If you are an experienced player, unless you have, like, twelve copies of each card already, you still need these if you keep a few decks constructed.
All in all, this might be a must buy. I'm curious to see if Knights vs. dragons is this solid.
Having looked at the Mirran event deck "Into the Breach", I gotta say, this is the most solid pre-con deck I've seen in a long time. This is a deck that if you're a new player, you'll look back a year later and say, "this was an awesome investment!"
Okay, so I picked up the Into the Breach event deck today and tested it at Gotham Comics today. So far, it held its own in multiplayer but suffered burn deck weakness against more than one player. One on one, it was excellent! Very useful sideboard included. My friend and I will test it against the Phyrexian event deck this week and officially rate the two in contrast. But I am very pleased with this purchase. Once I've played with it awhile, it will break down easily into suppliments for three different decks I'm currently using.
And gotta add, the deck box sideload design, with divider and room for counters, is the slickest packaging ever. Nice bonus to have upon opening.
Okay, so I picked up the Into the Breach event deck today and tested it at Gotham Comics today. So far, it held its own in multiplayer but suffered burn deck weakness against more than one player. One on one, it was excellent! Very useful sideboard
Well, I preferred his first sketch as well. Just like with the sketches of Radha, Heir to Keld : the first version of the art was much more visually appealing. The second one fits the storyline better.
In both cases, I would have much rather had the prettier card to put in my decks, but I suppose I can see why the creative team tell the artists not to do the beautiful thing but the in-set flavour thing.
In this case, though, I think they should have gone with his first sketch, reconcepted Mirrorworks as a Mirran card (the mechanic is pretty flavour-neutral which side it's on), and moved some other Mirran rare artifact over to Phyrexia.
The first sketch was awesome; the second version has ended up not looking creepy but just grubby. It doesn't look "ichor-stained"; it looks muddy. The most damning indictment of all: I hadn't realised it was a John Avon piece. And when art direction hides John's awesome style like that, it's a sign something's wrong.
Well, I preferred his first sketch as well. Just like with the sketches of [c]Radha, Heir to Keld[/c]: the first version of the art was much more visually appealing. The second one fits the storyline better.In both cases, I would have much rather had
For me, the Mirrorworks card is just far too dark. You can barely even see the mirrors. I also agree with alextfish: you barely notice the fact that it's a John Avon piece (unlike, for example, Bant Sojourners ).
For me, the Mirrorworks card is just far too dark. You can barely even see the mirrors. I also agree with alextfish: you barely notice the fact that it's a John Avon piece (unlike, for example, [c]Bant Sojourners[/c]).
Having looked at the Mirran event deck "Into the Breach", I gotta say, this is the most solid pre-con deck I've seen in a long time. This is a deck that if you're a new player, you'll look back a year later and say, "this was an awesome investment!"
I agree that it is a solid deck (IMO 2 of them put together would make a good deck - which is unheard of with other precons), but lets not forget that a number of the cards in it will only be Standard legal for another 7 months (Goblin Guide , for example, and Leyline of Punishment if it isnt reprinted).
Not bashing it though!
Props to Wizards for making this deck - Im glad they didnt shy away from releasing a precon that is actually competitive. If I didnt already have all the cards, I would have bought 2 of these the moment they hit the shelves.
~ Tim
I agree that it is a solid deck (IMO 2 of them put together would make a good deck - which is unheard of with other precons), but lets not forget that a number of the cards in it will only be Standard legal for another 7 months ([c]Goblin Guide[/c],
As you know, the preconstructed Event Decks for Mirrodin Besieged have been released. I checked them out and was amused. They were actually about worth what you were getting. Not only that, but Into the Breach wasn't BAD. It IS Kuldotha Red with all the fixings and tricks short of basically a set of Mox Opals. But overall, it fills out the correct slots and puts emphasis on what wins.
Infect & Defile however... Not so much. It is a huge disappointment compared to this accomplishment. It's teeming with the contradiction of softcore aggro and hardcore control. And what you get is basically nothing. Some turns you make little forces and some turns you just get your hands on extra copies. So overall, your goal is to make a small force of okay guys... And then suppose in the late game your opponent will care about that force and try to use up all their mana to clear them away so that you can Mana Leak it. Yeeeeah, good luck with that. There's a reason Star City Games is selling Into the Breach for $24.99 and Infect & Defile for $19.99.
I’ve taken it upon myself to take the decisions made my Magic and change them for the better. I believe the ball was dropped, and if I would have been given the job Wizards had, I would have made a better product. I understand the rules: 0 Mythics, 7 Rares, and an aligned deck (a rule which we both break, and admittedly isn't important. More on that later). I picked this over Into the Breach because of my core love of midrange, and my evaluation that Infect is highly a midrange beast. Colors don't matter to me so much honestly as opposed to that wonderful fill of dropping sizeable chunks of cards that are worth their cost, turn after turn after turn.
I also saw how wonting Infect & Defile is. So I'll fix it. Not as a player (who obviously can fix a deck as their only limitation is capital), but as a designer. And as a designer, there's a massive chunk everywhere that needs to be changed with this deck in my opinion compared to the maybe 2-3 cards from Into the Breach that are out of place totally. There's a lot to cover.
Lets start with the initial rares I decided exactly to pick:
2 Phyrexian Vatmother 2 Hand of the Praetors 1 Consume the Meek 1 Consuming Vapors 1 Inkmoth Nexus
And what got replaced overall?
-2 Drowning Catacomb +1 Inkmoth Nexus +1 Hand of the Praetors -1 Consuming Vapors +1 Consume the Meek
REASONING
Drowned Catacombs: while the lands were “nice”, they were unnecessary, and Wizards might know it. They saw 2 color and got stuck on including a dual because dual color runs special lands, but if you investigate the deck overall, it’s not necessary. Look at the mana more intensely; you need BB for Phyrexian Vatmother third turn (ramping with Plague Myr) and arguably U first turn for Preordain. (which by the way Drowned Catacombs does nothing to help alleviate ANYWAY.) That’s about it. There's tons of early game colorless. Some quick perfect scenario math says you want 1 Blue source in every seven cards so you open with it, and 2 Black sources every nine cards so you can pay for that Phyrexian Vatmother.
So 1/7th of your 60 card deck (9 rounded up) needs to be Blue sources that you can tap turn one for Preordain (so Jwar Isle Refuge doesn't count), which basically turns you to 9 Islands. For Black, you're saying you want 2/9ths of 60 (14 rounded up) to help your Black out for turn 3 rampage. Of course this doesn't necessarily need to be Swamp, but just like with Island, there's little resource (or need for that matter) to work outside of Swamp, however we can be a little nicer with it because we can run taplands. Cut out 2 Jwar isle Refuge, because this is aggro, we can't afford wasting a turn being tapped down, so go to 2 as well as 12 Swamp. Don't forget to add in Inkmoth Nexus, and you honestly have a solid 24 manabase. No real need for Drowned Catacomb.
In real play, you can't hope for true randomization and ideal perfection. However, do take notice that we rounded up on the mana needed, not to mention running Preordain as well as Plague Myr. the Mana is actually almost there and varies from keepable to miniflood (instead of keepable to flood).
Hand of the Praetors: This guy does work all day long. He's phenomenally useful to the niche of Infect, so I suited him up again. Solid lord even if it is slightly more expensive. Way better than the mana-intensive options the deck originally had where you used all your mana on 2/2 for 4's with Disentomb. Actually, now I just tech a copy of Disentomb. The idea is solid. With Corpse Cur you give up a ton of mana for something good (you're gonna get something good, right?) that you can't play then. So it'll be two turns before you're swinging with whatever you got back. Disentomb just works more sound. It replaces itself with a creature, and then instead of requiring 8 land to pull of the play, you need as little as 3-4 and still get to replay one of the few copies of your most powerful dudes. Shoot, get 1 of your 2 Hand of the Praetors back with it, AND cast it!
Consume the Meek: To pair with Consuming Vapors. Notice the huge creatures 4CMC creatures. 1) Able to sweep the board against Into the Breach and 2) actually let Consuming Vapors get a chance to shine. Sweep then Keep. 2 of either I believe work less than one of each. Side appropriately as always.
Inkmoth Nexus: Seriously, it’s not THAT expensive. Originally, I thought I could get by without it, but it’s SO GOOD. Even a One-Of guarantees a sneaky finish; or use as an early game start when you've got nothing early, etc. It’s too good, and it costs… What? Roughly 1 Goblin Guide? How dare you give Kuldotha Red everything but Mox Opal, even Contested War Zone and not give us our Phyrexian stuff );. It even makes more sense to put Inkmoth Nexus in Infect & Defile than Contested War Zone in Into the Breach.
OVERALL
Find goals for your colors to make them actually sensible. I decided to make Black my power color with Blue on the back in making sure that power does its job. An example of what I'm talking about can be flavorfully expressed by a card in my mind right now, Tibor and Lumia, of Guildpact. One part of the duo is concerned with aggression, while the other half is concerned with making that aggression effective. The art of aggro/control is unique. You want to deal damage, but your method is fragile and breakable, so reinforce it.
COLOR CODING
So I haven’t really talked about the blue. First take out most of everything, the deck’s not control. 3 Preodains stayed to help an inconsistent deck more consistent. It turns out to be quite the fixer, especially when you're dual color and running tons of basics, but I already said that.
2 Mana Leak to help force your moves and check opponents, aka., Aggro/Control. A lot of your strategy is having evasion, but trying to get through removal and preventing your evasion from losing purpose. The way out is through.
I've decided to also try out 1 of those Foresees. My idea is that lategame, you really need to stop seeing lands. So look at the top 4 Islands, and for godssakes toss'em to the bottom for two!
The last 3 Blue manas? 3 Distortion Strike. Like I said, you have beats, so make them hit. Make them effective. This card is practically THE reason to try blue. Make the colors of the deck worthy of actually combining to do something in unison. Don't combine white and black stereotypes just to have a lifegain deck with removal just for the sole purpose of removal. That's my issue with the original deck. The Blue counters and draws, but it didn't necessarily benefit heavily from it.
Anyway, this card makes your regular chumps become unstoppable. Two turns in a row in fact. Back it up with counters to push it through, make it happen with Preordain, and give power to fatties who already evade some removal and push them through combat. Much of this format is based around racing, so let them.
SHORTCOMINGS
I kept the feel for what they tried to do with Consuming Vapors, but overall I still don’t like it at all. It's variable and just not reliable as a mainboard option. At least for now. I see the idea behind it and the flavor of it, but feel we've let feeling get the best of us over solid logic.
I think we should move closer to the aggro and try and fill it out. Let's try 2 Phyrexian Crusaders instead of the yes/no removal. We've got plenty of removal anyway. I didn’t like them at first, but 2/2 Infect First Strike can do battle with ANYTHING 3 or less Power and come out achieved, as long as they don't also have First Strike. Of course, I can't forget to mention he evade 2 particularly aggro deck colors that contain cheap spot removal that you don't particularly want to have to Mana Leak. Seems like a really solid rare.
Also, I feel like there's another hidden rule that goes: "the deck itself must be affiliated." Which means no opposing affiliation cards and at least 10 of your faction's cards. Even Wizards broke this rule, though, and points it out. The sideboard of both decks contain opposites. It's strange, too, because they broke the rule and then didn't put any in the mainboard either... Even though Go For the Throat is excellent compared to Doom Blade (the card is Uncommon for a reason).
What this seems to suggest to me is that they also didn't want opposing factions in the mainboard. If I would've considered a policy, I wouldn't have adhered to such an idea. I would've just made two good decks where factional influence would have come naturally. By the way, MAINBOARD 2 Go For the Throat (also, keep all your various tricks/removal/counters in the sideboard). If I would have cared about that one day in existence called Mirrodin Besieged Game Day, and wanted an affiliated deck, I would have mentioned it in the Event Deck pamphlet and offered suggestions for correct alignment.
What this affects in my deck is 4 cards. 2 Go For the Throat and 2 Piston Sledge. I wouldn't replace these cards, but if I had to adhere to their rules, I would use... I don't know, Doom Blade and Trusty Machete? Then suggest the better cards from Mirran that would help the deck. Or do as I have done, and put in the good cards, and offered information about how downgrade to be suited for Game Day.
As you know, the preconstructed Event Decks for Mirrodin Besieged have been released. I checked them out and was amused. They were actually about worth what you were getting. Not only that, but Into the Breach wasn't BAD. It IS Kuldotha Red with all
Into the Breach is so good, I may distill two of them together and actually show up to a Standard tourney for the first time since 1997. Mission accomplished, Wizards.
Into the Breach is so good, I may distill two of them together and actually show up to a Standard tourney for the first time since 1997.Mission accomplished, Wizards.
About FTV:Legends... If they have an alt-art Jareth, Leonine Titan I'm totally going to buy it. If they have alt-art for the entire Pit-Beast cycle... I might convulse in joy. Another absolute joy would be to see a new Ragnar or Chainer, Dementia Master
About FTV:Legends... If they have an alt-art [c]Jareth, Leonine Titan[/c] I'm totally going to buy it. If they have alt-art for the entire Pit-Beast cycle... I might convulse in joy. Another absolute joy would be to see a new [c]Ragnar[/c] or [c]Chai
deck yet. I would have loved if it had dropped a single Drowned Catacomb 
