I personally love "bad" cards. They enable the purchasing of cards at negligable prices and are just as playable versus one another as higher tier cards are. You get as enjoyable a playing experience with a pair of decks that cost a buck to make as you do out of a pair of 200 dollar decks, IMO.
Also, when I last played at a standard tournament, I entered two decks. We'd have done a lot better with the opportunity to fine-tune our decks, but we did awesome without netdecking. Is what I was trying to say earlier.
Chosen of Markov is above the curve. I don't get what the poster above is saying about it.
I'm not saying the're not neccessary, I just can't use them, trade them, or do anything at all with them really. As for chosen of Markov, I'm just saying that, while not neccesarily the worst, it still is a crappy card. It's a psuedo vanilla 2/2 for 3 that doesn't actually do anything unless you have another vampire on hand. In which case, you then can't attack with the other vamp for a turn, and all you get is a vanilla 4/4.
Woot! Go RED! I love red! Red is awesome! Did I mention I love red?
I just play decks i enjoy werewolves for example. I know i won't regularily win but it's an enjoyable deck
I'm working on a post AVR deck that is a home brew. testing has shown it to be decent. I don't know how it will do, it depends on the meta
if you don't want to netdeck, you have a few options: edh-rewards creativity, play a deck you enjoy and standings be darned, play casually with friends I'm sure there are other options but that's all i can come up with-with only one cup of coffee
----------------------- I’m going to TRANSFORM him, and unleash the savage instincts that lie hidden within… . Deck: Firewolves Deck: Mayael 2012
As for chosen of Markov, I'm just saying that, while not neccesarily the worst, it still is a crappy card. It's a psuedo vanilla 2/2 for 3 that doesn't actually do anything unless you have another vampire on hand. In which case, you then can't attack with the other vamp for a turn, and all you get is a vanilla 4/4.
It's a fun limited card. It nets you a 4/4 if you can spare the turn for it, easy way to transform (pun intended) being stuck on the defense into going on the offense. Hell, there's a time that I ran it with no way to transform it simply because it was human . Even in casual, I could easily see people getting silly with the Chosen and Moonmist .
The U.S. Army: The best job in the world, working with some of the best people in the world, for one of the worst employers you could ever imagine.
Here's a shout out for Scholars' Books & Games in Bridgewater, MA, and for Paladin's Place in Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany where I was stationed for two years. Support your FLGS!
Attacking the darkness since 1987, turning creatures sideways since 1994.
The players create the culture, and it's a culture where "rogue" is synonymous with "not copied off the Internet". Lame.
This is the nature of the human animal. Get used to it. It doesn't matter if you like it, it is the way it is, you don't get consulted. I don't get consulted. A lot of people don't get consulted. If you don't like the nature of competitive environments, too bad. Adapt or stop playing competitively. Most people don't play football professionally either, but some folks love playing the game anyway and gladly partake in a casual variant in the backyard. There's nothing wrong with that.
This is what I'm talking about. FNM was never meant to be hypercompetitive. It was conceived as a casual-friendly constructed event for people who don't want to go to PTQs, Grand Prix, etc. What it has become is another carbon-copy competitive event, albeit a weekly one.
Was that inevitible? Probably. Like you say, a lot of people will just play what wins because they are in it to win. But what I'm saying is that Magic is a creative game that's at least 50% about building your deck. When that part of the game is forgotten because 90% of people copy Top8 decklists, it's unhealthy. Especially at events that are intended for casuals, not cutthroats. Reading your post, one would think any kind of organized Magic play at all is about taking what wins and the hell with playing your own stuff, because your own stuff obviously sucks so why bother? Give me a break.
Regardless of human nature, the nature of the game could be changed so that there were lots of tournament-viable decks. Not twelve variants of Pod and Humans, but hundreds of significantly-different decks built around significantly-diferent cards. Copycatting wouldn't matter; there would be so many builds that it would become pointless to keep track, let alone ask someone "what are you running?" (answer: "My deck!"). The edge gained by copying Top8 decks would become illusory; most other decks would still be a threat, not a known few that you buit your sideboard against.
Would people still clone decks? Of course. It just wouldn't define the environment. That's what Magic could be. And no, I was never consulted, but what the hell's the point of a forum if not for discussion? "If you don't like it, shut up, because they never asked you" isn't much of a response. It certainly doesn't negate my argument.
And dynamite wasn't meant to be used to take human lives. Unless you are going to (successfully) go Alfred Nobel on us, I don't see things changing. The status quo works. It isn't perfect, but it works. I'll take imperfection that works any day over idealism that doesn't.
As for your thought experiment decks, if you are fool enough to expect them to work in even a quasi-competitive environment, well, I don't know what to tell you. Hell, my Landless Deck is fun to play, but it rarely wins. Fun to show it off, though.
The U.S. Army: The best job in the world, working with some of the best people in the world, for one of the worst employers you could ever imagine.
Here's a shout out for Scholars' Books & Games in Bridgewater, MA, and for Paladin's Place in Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany where I was stationed for two years. Support your FLGS!
Attacking the darkness since 1987, turning creatures sideways since 1994.
The status quo works. It isn't perfect, but it works. I'll take imperfection that works any day over idealism that doesn't.
And why, exactly, wouldn't a more level power distribution work? Why exactly do we need a skewed environment where 10% of cards see Standard play? I'm listening.
As for your thought experiment decks, if you are fool enough to expect them to work in even a quasi-competitive environment, well, I don't know what to tell you. Hell, my Landless Deck is fun to play, but it rarely wins. Fun to show it off, though.
Right, because I was totally talking about unplayable "thought experiment" decks that run no lands. Not normal, fun decks that run cards other than Oblivion Ring and Sun Titan.
Why exactly do we need a skewed environment where 10% of cards see Standard play? I'm listening.
When everyone is special, no one is. If we didn't have bad cards than we also wouldn't have good cards. It's all relative. And to be honest, a lack of good cards would destroy the game. Sales would plummet. You may not care about that, but I do. No sales means a discontinued game.
As for the limited number of viable decks in the environment, that's as much a function of the player base as it is the designers. Competitive players are a bunch of scared little girls, afraid to try something unproven. There have been times when tournament winning decks were actually ho-hum decks at best, but they won because they aggressively answered the most popular decks that were in Standard. They took advantage of players' reluctance to try something unproven.
The U.S. Army: The best job in the world, working with some of the best people in the world, for one of the worst employers you could ever imagine.
Here's a shout out for Scholars' Books & Games in Bridgewater, MA, and for Paladin's Place in Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany where I was stationed for two years. Support your FLGS!
Attacking the darkness since 1987, turning creatures sideways since 1994.
Regardless of human nature, the nature of the game could be changed so that there were lots of tournament-viable decks.
I agree with this whole-heartedly. While I think Magic can still be fun and engaging with only a handful of strong decks in the environment, I think it's even more exciting if every card in every booster pack has a chance to shine.
To everyone who's saying good cards can't exist without bad cards, I suggest that it's a misconception that good cards should exist at all. The status quo is that when you build a deck, there's a bunch of cards that are auto-includes and a bunch of cards that you should avoid like the plague. I think it's inherently more interesting if all the cards have equal power, but they have varying functions and roles that force you to think about how your deck could incorporate them.
Think of how Neo couldn't beat the robots, but they kept him around anyways to defeat Agent Smith. Sure, the robots might not like having a Neo running rampant because instead of playing their favorite 4 drop fatty robot, they have to play a bunch of one mana Matrixs to contain him, but at least Neo keeps Agent Smith from reanimating an Iona on turn two.
I really enjoy imagining this from Kevin's perspective. Because in Kevin's world, Rosewater actually reads everything he types. Mark is sitting there right now, reading this, and thinking "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled. . ." Or some such. He chuckles low, then clicks on "The Best Of KEVINSET" and says "Yes, this'll do just fine. A busty lady with banding who deals direct damage to Zones!? Why this will be the star of my next set, and no one will ever believe you Kevin." Then he closes his Macbook, so his servant may move it out of the way, while another servant puts a Fetal Richard Garfield Clone lathered in Steak Sauce in front of him. Then Mark Feasts.
I mean, In KevinWorld, Mark is reading the very words I'm typing as well. Heck, in KevinWorld maybe I am Mark.
[In response to a thread about how hard grading is]
Upon reading this, I've found myself completely unable to operate in the world. I tried to decide what to eat for breakfast, and pondered the vast consequences of my choice. How do I balance my dietary needs against my desire to eat good-tasting food? Should I factor in how long it takes to prepare? Cereal is ready in moments, but bacon takes longer to cook.
Then there is the impact on other industries. Do people in the cereal industry deserve to be employed more than people in the bacon industry? Which industry should I support? I don't even have the data regarding HOW MUCH the cereal industry benefits from me eating a bowl of cereal, or how much the bacon industry benefits from me eating a side of bacon. How can I compare two qualities I can't even quantify?
And let's not forget the milk on the cereal. In addition to determining whether or not milk is healthy for me, how much that benefits the milk industry, and how much the people in the milk industry deserve my support, we have to factor in the fact that cows are put under brutal conditions in order to collect thier milk. Of course, the same goes for the pigs, and then they get killed. Of course, I really like bacon. So I need to come up with a scale that compares the value of cow happiness to pig happiness to my happiness. What trade-offs am I willing to make here? Does the fact that the pig gets put out of its misery count as a plus or a minus? Isn't bacon bad for me anyway?
Deciding what to eat for breakfast (or any meal) is impossible. Help me!
Anyway, you'd be surprised about Time Stop. When I first saw that card as a relatively new player I didn't see its full potential until I read the reminder text. Is it that unintuitive, though? Mine I mean. What is possibility? Is it possible for me to type these words with my tusks? No, because I don't have tusks. Although I am now tempted to go buy some - obviously not from poachers or whatever - and use them as typing apparatus. I could be the best secretary ever. "What's your words per minute sir?" "Well, only six, but I use these tusks to type them." "You're hired!" That was the interview. And is anyone else disappointed that "apparati" is not the plural form of apparatus? I just could strangle a dictionary, because "apparatuses" is a real word. I guess it sounds pretty cool. I'll call them my Apparatusks.
here is no reason why card power level can't be brought closer together (nerfing overpowered cards, buffing semi-useless ones). Then both Limited AND Standard would be more interesting. We wouldn't have to sacrifice Limited diversity to have more cards playable in Standard.
Not as simple as it sounds. Depending on kind of pacing they need to make the Limited environment work, some sets need a strong tap effect , and some need a weak one . The weak one won't make it to constructed - but the stronger one would unbalance the limited envrionment. Often the entire concept of tapping doesn't make sense in constructed.
What makes a card a "casual combo" card? The "casual" part is its power level, which could be raised slightlly. The "combo" part means it needs other card to be good.
Knowledge Pool . There's not a thing you can do to it to make it constructed-worthy, but it can be hilarious (and therefore fun) in casual, and the person playing it can "combo" it to his advantage.
Not as simple as it sounds. Depending on kind of pacing they need to make the Limited environment work, some sets need a strong tap effect , and some need a weak one . The weak one won't make it to constructed - but the stronger one would unbalance the limited envrionment. Often the entire concept of tapping doesn't make sense in constructed.
You are trying to compare apples to oranges here. Gideon's Lawkeeper continuously locks down your opponent's best creature, while Blinding Beam is a double Holy Day . While they both tap creatures, their functions are completely different. You'll have to find a better example to state your case.
Think of how Neo couldn't beat the robots, but they kept him around anyways to defeat Agent Smith. Sure, the robots might not like having a Neo running rampant because instead of playing their favorite 4 drop fatty robot, they have to play a bunch of one mana Matrixs to contain him, but at least Neo keeps Agent Smith from reanimating an Iona on turn two.
I really enjoy imagining this from Kevin's perspective. Because in Kevin's world, Rosewater actually reads everything he types. Mark is sitting there right now, reading this, and thinking "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled. . ." Or some such. He chuckles low, then clicks on "The Best Of KEVINSET" and says "Yes, this'll do just fine. A busty lady with banding who deals direct damage to Zones!? Why this will be the star of my next set, and no one will ever believe you Kevin." Then he closes his Macbook, so his servant may move it out of the way, while another servant puts a Fetal Richard Garfield Clone lathered in Steak Sauce in front of him. Then Mark Feasts.
I mean, In KevinWorld, Mark is reading the very words I'm typing as well. Heck, in KevinWorld maybe I am Mark.
[In response to a thread about how hard grading is]
Upon reading this, I've found myself completely unable to operate in the world. I tried to decide what to eat for breakfast, and pondered the vast consequences of my choice. How do I balance my dietary needs against my desire to eat good-tasting food? Should I factor in how long it takes to prepare? Cereal is ready in moments, but bacon takes longer to cook.
Then there is the impact on other industries. Do people in the cereal industry deserve to be employed more than people in the bacon industry? Which industry should I support? I don't even have the data regarding HOW MUCH the cereal industry benefits from me eating a bowl of cereal, or how much the bacon industry benefits from me eating a side of bacon. How can I compare two qualities I can't even quantify?
And let's not forget the milk on the cereal. In addition to determining whether or not milk is healthy for me, how much that benefits the milk industry, and how much the people in the milk industry deserve my support, we have to factor in the fact that cows are put under brutal conditions in order to collect thier milk. Of course, the same goes for the pigs, and then they get killed. Of course, I really like bacon. So I need to come up with a scale that compares the value of cow happiness to pig happiness to my happiness. What trade-offs am I willing to make here? Does the fact that the pig gets put out of its misery count as a plus or a minus? Isn't bacon bad for me anyway?
Deciding what to eat for breakfast (or any meal) is impossible. Help me!
Anyway, you'd be surprised about Time Stop. When I first saw that card as a relatively new player I didn't see its full potential until I read the reminder text. Is it that unintuitive, though? Mine I mean. What is possibility? Is it possible for me to type these words with my tusks? No, because I don't have tusks. Although I am now tempted to go buy some - obviously not from poachers or whatever - and use them as typing apparatus. I could be the best secretary ever. "What's your words per minute sir?" "Well, only six, but I use these tusks to type them." "You're hired!" That was the interview. And is anyone else disappointed that "apparati" is not the plural form of apparatus? I just could strangle a dictionary, because "apparatuses" is a real word. I guess it sounds pretty cool. I'll call them my Apparatusks.
Woot! Go RED! I love red! Red is awesome! Did I mention I love red? 
