Excellent and exciting prerelease cards. And once again, the prerelease card I'm most excited to get (Treasury Thrull this time, Grove of the Guardian last time) isn't from the guild I'd expected to want to play (Simic or Boros this time, Azorius or Izzet last time).
I'd been looking forward to all four non-Gruul guilds from Gatecrash, and I am still even more so having seen these prerelease cards.
Excellent and exciting prerelease cards. And once again, the prerelease card I'm most excited to get ( Treasury Thrull this time, Grove of the Guardian last time) isn't from the g
Actually - it quite clearly is Gideon, at the end for the last couple of seconds, the same shot of which is on the booster box. Pretty easy to tell due to his signature hand whip thing.
Here's hoping for a R/W Gideon in the set that's playable, so at least one of the planeswalkers is :D
Maybe we are talking about different things. I am talking about the Gatecrash spoiler video where at the start it says "House Dmir under my..."
Maybe we are talking about different things. I am talking about the Gatecrash spoiler video where at the start it says "House Dmir under my..."
After reiterating this loop several times, the opponent will usually fall asleep, at which point the Second Sunrise player can declare him- or herself the victor. (Failing that, it's possible to actually deal lethal damage by reusing Pyrite Spellbomb.)
Haha, I enjoyed this tiny bit of humor in today's decklist, I hope you keep doing it Mr. Black!
Haha, I enjoyed this tiny bit of humor in today's decklist, I hope you keep doing it Mr. Black!
Old decklists reposted because someone is on vacation: OK
Decklists which are so old they have rotated out of the format they were posted for: Not OK
Just so this distinction is clear:Old decklists reposted because someone is on vacation: OKDecklists which are so old they have rotated out of the format they were posted for: Not OK
The art for the new Chandra is horrible, and not just because it links to the wrong thread. Her breasts are about as large as her head.
Though that's probably where all the mass from her middle went to.
In all honesty, every proportion seems off there. It's awfully disconcerting.
The art for the new Chandra is horrible, and not just because it links to the wrong thread. Her breasts are about as large as her head.Though that's probably where all the mass from her middle went to.In all honesty, every proportion seems off there.
The Daily Deck for today was AWESOME. I loved reading that, because I didn't follow Magic to that level back then so I never heard of the deck... more of these please!
The Daily Deck for today was AWESOME. I loved reading that, because I didn't follow Magic to that level back then so I never heard of the deck... more of these please!
The sad thing is that I still remember reading all of this coverage live...
(Also, in case anyone's curious, Rizzo's deck was full of Titans and Assassins.)
www.wizards.com/sideboard/article.asp?x=...Here you go!Full coverage of the 2001 Invitational is here: www.wizards.com/sideboard/event.asp?even...The sad thing is that I still remember reading all of this coverage live...(Also, in case anyone's curio
The art for the new Chandra is horrible, and not just because it links to the wrong thread. Her breasts are about as large as her head.
Though that's probably where all the mass from her middle went to.
In all honesty, every proportion seems off there. It's awfully disconcerting.
Her proportions *are* badly off. I just posted about it over on the other thread, since that's where most of the discussion of the announcement was happening, in case you're interested.
Her proportions *are* badly off. I just posted about it over on the other thread, since that's where most of the discussion of the announcement was happening, in case you're interested.
I'm interested to see if that 5-colour DotP deck actually works. 4 Cultivate 4 Rampant Growth and 6 Terramorphic Expanse is probably enough to reliably cast Maelstrom Archangel and Fusion Elemental, but I'm not so sure about Progenitus, and especially not Violent Ultimatum . In my experience, the Ultimata really require flexible mana sources that tap for at least two colours of mana, preferably more.
The unlocks list for that deck is hilarious though. I wondered if there might be a Shard Convergence or a Seek the Horizon in there, but hahaha, nope, ALL GIANT GOLD TIMMY SPELLS ALL THE TIME! Looks unreliable but a lot of fun.
I'm interested to see if that 5-colour DotP deck actually works. 4 Cultivate 4 Rampant Growth and 6 Terramorphic Expanse is probably enough to reliably cast Maelstrom Archangel and Fusion Elemental, but I'm not so sure about Progenitus, and especiall
Why don't they just have friggin good mana bases with multi-lands in DotP? Are the Wizards afraid of people playing with good cards? Instead it's "Nope, gotta have 8x Terramorphic Expanse." Sigh..
Why don't they just have friggin good mana bases with multi-lands in DotP? Are the Wizards afraid of people playing with good cards? Instead it's "Nope, gotta have 8x Terramorphic Expanse." Sigh..
The DotP software isn't coded to handle dual lands, from what I hear. So anything that lets you tap for different colors of mana (such as Chromatic Lantern , which this deck begs for) is right out.
The DotP software isn't coded to handle dual lands, from what I hear. So anything that lets you tap for different colors of mana (such as Chromatic Lantern , which this deck begs for) is right out.
The DotP software isn't coded to handle dual lands, from what I hear. So anything that lets you tap for different colors of mana (such as Chromatic Lantern , which this deck begs for) is right out.
Yeah, I find that quite plausible. It's already tricky enough for the game to figure out how to cast Cultivate when you have WUBRG up and, let's say, Terminate , Mana Leak and Azorius Charm in hand. Adding dual lands as well would probably just confuse things more.
Yeah, I find that quite plausible. It's already tricky enough for the game to figure out how to cast Cultivate when you have WUBRG up and, let's say, Terminate , Mana Leak
Yes indeed. There's some fantastic art there. The floating Ball of Doom in the Sky made me go "whoa" out loud. I love the Homunculus, the creepy angel statues, the gaudy Orzhov rider, the Simic breeding vats... I even like the dynamism of the art for the Gruul combat spell, even though I really don't find Gruul cards interesting. Good work all.
Yes indeed. There's some fantastic art there. The floating Ball of Doom in the Sky made me go "whoa" out loud. I love the Homunculus, the creepy angel statues, the gaudy Orzhov rider, the Simic breeding vats... I even like the dynamism of the art for
Am I the only one who looks at the giant ball of doom and immediately thinks "Damnation"? I know it's kind of a leap but that art is so extremely similar that it almost has to be. Of course, maybe not straight Damnation, but maybe a 2WB Orzhov Damnation? Probably without the "no regen" clause? I'd put $20 on it...
Am I the only one who looks at the giant ball of doom and immediately thinks "Damnation"? I know it's kind of a leap but that art is so extremely similar that it almost has to be. Of course, maybe not straight Damnation, but maybe a 2WB Orzhov Damnat
Am I the only one who looks at the giant ball of doom and immediately thinks "Damnation"? I know it's kind of a leap but that art is so extremely similar that it almost has to be. Of course, maybe not straight Damnation, but maybe a 2WB Orzhov Damnation? Probably without the "no regen" clause? I'd put $20 on it...
Thought the same thing when I looked at it at first.
Thought the same thing when I looked at it at first.
So we're missing at least two tokens: An X/X Greene Ooze for Ooze Flux , and a 1/1 White Soldier Token for Murder Investigation . I guess those will be the same as the ones from RtR?
So we're missing at least two tokens: An X/X Greene Ooze for Ooze Flux , and a 1/1 White Soldier Token for Murder Investigation . I guess those will be the same as the ones from Rt
I probably won't be seeing many daily decks then, actually.
Anyway, Commander decks are a labor of love, but if you want to build a good one, you want to scour decklists of the same colors and pick up ideas for great cards that also fit your deck's goal. That's what decklists are for. It's daunting trying to figure out where to start and what's good enough in the format, otherwise.
I probably won't be seeing many daily decks then, actually.Anyway, Commander decks are a labor of love, but if you want to build a good one, you want to scour decklists of the same colors and pick up ideas for great cards that also fit your deck's go
I'm in favor of where Sam Black is taking the Commander decklists. Thematic Commander decks get plenty of love on elsewhere on the internet and it's rather simple to create one with the aid of a few Gatherer searches. The growing competitive Commander community would appreciate a tuned decklist once in a while.
I'm in favor of where Sam Black is taking the Commander decklists. Thematic Commander decks get plenty of love on elsewhere on the internet and it's rather simple to create one with the aid of a few Gatherer searches. The growing competitive Commande
I also notice the token is a 1/1 WR Soldier, but Sunhome Guildmage creates 1/1 WR Soldiers with haste.
Now, if this is the only card that creates such a token with haste, would I go to the trouble of printing cardboard just for it? Probably not. Especially since the ability is irrelevant after the turn you create it. Still, it tugs at an OCD cord.
I also notice the token is a 1/1 WR Soldier, but Sunhome Guildmage creates 1/1 WR Soldiers with haste. Now, if this is the only card that creates such a token with haste, would I go to the trouble of printing cardboard just for it? Probably not. Espe
I also notice the token is a 1/1 WR Soldier, but Sunhome Guildmage creates 1/1 WR Soldiers with haste.
Now, if this is the only card that creates such a token with haste, would I go to the trouble of printing cardboard just for it? Probably not. Especially since the ability is irrelevant after the turn you create it. Still, it tugs at an OCD cord.
I appreciate the gesture of the Google+ Hangout and would definitely participate if I could, but it's tough when the target audience seems to be limited to Eastern Hemisphere folks and Western Hemisphere folks with no job/school to deal with.
I appreciate the gesture of the Google+ Hangout and would definitely participate if I could, but it's tough when the target audience seems to be limited to Eastern Hemisphere folks and Western Hemisphere folks with no job/school to deal with.
So the 'Checking in on the Guilds' thing is even more half hearted than usual: 'Yep, Izzet's still top on Members and Points, but not the best Points/Member'
So the 'Checking in on the Guilds' thing is even more half hearted than usual: 'Yep, Izzet's still top on Members and Points, but not the best Points/Member'
Notice that the top 4 guilds are all blue while the guild with the least members, gruul, consists of blue's enemy colors, red and green. Either the game's players all identitify with blue's outlook (and sterotype), or blue's dominance in competitive magic has influenced player's preferences. Or maybe the blue guilds are more objectively flavorful and interesting?
Notice that the top 4 guilds are all blue while the guild with the least members, gruul, consists of blue's enemy colors, red and green. Either the game's players all identitify with blue's outlook (and sterotype), or blue's dominance in competitive
The Izzet in particular may have something to do with the popularity, but the color philosphies have the biggest impact I think. My top 2 colors are blue and red (of course all real people are all five). Even Mark is UR, even though his favorite is UG I believe. U is the most popular color because it's philosophy rewards reason and skill, and that's why many players play the game. If anything, we should compliment the structure of the game for having the playstyle/mechanics match the philosophy so well.
The Izzet in particular may have something to do with the popularity, but the color philosphies have the biggest impact I think. My top 2 colors are blue and red (of course all real people are all five). Even Mark is UR, even though his favorite is U
The first thing I did upon seeing the article about the most prolific Magic artist was to go to Gatherer to find that between them, the Foglios did the art for 107 cards. Quite a few, despite all the additional cards added to the game over the years.
...and there were an additional 9 cards by Claymore J. Flapdoodle.
The first thing I did upon seeing the article about the most prolific Magic artist was to go to Gatherer to find that between them, the Foglios did the art for 107 cards. Quite a few, despite all the additional cards added to the game over the years.
I think there are a couple of promo's you missed while looking at Kev Walkers list.
For example: Spirit Monger Promo Grand Prix, Wild Nacatl FNM , condemn full art... (player rewards )
greetings from a Kev Walker fan...
Hi there,I think there are a couple of promo's you missed while looking at Kev Walkers list.For example: Spirit Monger Promo Grand Prix, Wild Nacatl FNM , condemn full art... (player rewards )greetings from a Kev Walker fan...
OH YEAH, INTRO DECKS! NOW WITH 26 LANDS AND LESS ACTUAL CARDS! ACTUALLY. THOSE TWO CANYON MINOTUARS ARE SO FLIPPIN' GOOD THEY SHOULD COUNT AS THREE CARDS APIECE RIGHT? OH, DON'T FORGET THE FACT THAT THE RARES ARE SO FLIPPIN' RIGGED TO BE SUCH HIGH QUALITY CARDS THAT THEY EVEN FORCE YOU TO RECEIVE THEM AT THE PRERELEASE EVENTS. I CAN'T WAIT. I'M GOING TO BUY 594 OF THEM!
OH YEAH, INTRO DECKS!NOW WITH 26 LANDS AND LESS ACTUAL CARDS!ACTUALLY. THOSE TWO CANYON MINOTUARS ARE SO FLIPPIN' GOOD THEY SHOULD COUNT AS THREE CARDS APIECE RIGHT?OH, DON'T FORGET THE FACT THAT THE RARES ARE SO FLIPPIN' RIGGED TO BE SUCH HIGH QUALI
The Boros and Orzhov Intro packs don't seem half bad at first glance, by which i mean they seem to need the least amount of tweaking to improve XD Though perhaps i'm biased as I love those guilds?
The Boros and Orzhov Intro packs don't seem half bad at first glance, by which i mean they seem to need the least amount of tweaking to improve XD Though perhaps i'm biased as I love those guilds?
It's funny to me how he wanted the game to be "easy to learn" and "quick to play". Those are terms used incessantly by the MtG surveys to see what you like in your games. I never pick either of those options.
It's funny to me how he wanted the game to be "easy to learn" and "quick to play". Those are terms used incessantly by the MtG surveys to see what you like in your games. I never pick either of those options.
It's funny to me how he wanted the game to be "easy to learn" and "quick to play". Those are terms used incessantly by the MtG surveys to see what you like in your games. I never pick either of those options.
Everything is relative. Magic was supposed to be a game that's easy to learn and quick to play compared to things like Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer.
Everything is relative. Magic was supposed to be a game that's easy to learn and quick to play compared to things like Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer.
If you look at what percentage of the Magic rules you need to understand to play your first autonomous game you begin to realise how well the game scales based on the ability of the players. If you don't believe me then teach some non gamers to play and experience it for yourself. Happy 'announcing Wizards is pregnant' day!
If you look at what percentage of the Magic rules you need to understand to play your first autonomous game you begin to realise how well the game scales based on the ability of the players. If you don't believe me then teach some non gamers to play
Awesome Arcana! I've been reading since the beginning and this is the best I can remember.
I wonder if Garfield was apologetic. "Sorry, I know you wanted my game to only using playing cards, but my idea will make you tons more money."
Awesome Arcana! I've been reading since the beginning and this is the best I can remember.I wonder if Garfield was apologetic. "Sorry, I know you wanted my game to only using playing cards, but my idea will make you tons more money."
Two really good Arcana articles in a row! The look into how Magic begun was quite interesting to read. I, too, would be interested in reading more about the earliest days of the game.
The look into Noah Bradley's notebook was really nice to see. I always liked the Arcana articles that show the submitted sketches with the final drawings and the more in depth they get, the better. Being able to see the tiny thumbnail sketches that went into the creation of these pictures was fantastic. I wish I could have seen them in higher resolution and I hope to see more Arcana articles like it.
Two really good Arcana articles in a row! The look into how Magic begun was quite interesting to read. I, too, would be interested in reading more about the earliest days of the game.The look into Noah Bradley's notebook was really nice to see. I
Lucas Graciano. The promo you can tell in the close-up feels much more detailed. The background is more interesting. The knights are way cooler than the handlers. The design of the original thrull seems a little more in-theme with the rest of the thrulls-- muscle-y and fleshy, but that doesn't outweigh the downsides.
Volkan Baga. It's a toss-up. The original is a bit more colorful and thus insectile. But the promo is more... well, horrofic. It doesn't show off its size as well either, but you can tell you're in a sewer, and its massive skeleton graveyard. Very Dimir.
Raymond Swanland. I'm biased towards his style, but there's no doubt that he is a master of motion and action, just check out his MtG works as a whole. His cards look like they come to life. I bet they would be extremely easy to animate in the MtG set trailers. Cliff Childs' promo just feels dull in comparison.
Todd Lockwood. I'm not really sure, but the original does feel more Boros. It has the right armor. It has the battlefield setting that much more accents their style. Also, his attack seems much more symbolic and formal than the promo's on-the-run style. The skin feels more magmatic. And there's not many other arts that show off the Boros curvy sun sword!
Ryan Pancoast. The original is just beautiful. It flows so smoothly and is drawn so lushly. The promo has much more noticeably scaly quality to it, but that makes her seem more merfolk-like in nature. It also has the cool cell-like mana water, but the abstract nature of the blue mana in the original is still more interesting and unique.
Treasury Thrull :Lucas Graciano. The promo you can tell in the close-up feels much more detailed. The background is more interesting. The knights are way cooler than the handlers. The design of the original thrull seems
Regarding the daily decklist, "Frown Yard". " Most games, he won by running his opponent out of cards (called "milling," after Alpha'sMillstone) using his four Nephalia Drownyards and his Jace, Memory Adept."
Millstone was first printed in Antiquities.
Regarding the daily decklist, "Frown Yard"." Most games, he won by running his opponent out of cards (called "milling," after Alpha'sMillstone) using his four Nephalia Drownyards and his Jace, Memory Adept."Millstone was first printed in Antiquities.
Incidentally, I was kind of surprised to not see any Snapcaster Mages in the Frownyard list. Is Snapcaster just not good enough when the deck doesn't win via damage? That would be kind of shocking. Does he not block well anymore? Is that it? Becasue look at all those juicy targets to flash back. Ultimate Price, Azorius Charm, Supreme Verdict, Sphinx's Revelation, Negate, Dissipate...
Incidentally, I was kind of surprised to not see any Snapcaster Mages in the Frownyard list. Is Snapcaster just not good enough when the deck doesn't win via damage? That would be kind of shocking. Does he not block well anymore? Is that it? Becasue
Incidentally, I was kind of surprised to not see any Snapcaster Mages in the Frownyard list. Is Snapcaster just not good enough when the deck doesn't win via damage? That would be kind of shocking. Does he not block well anymore? Is that it? Becasue look at all those juicy targets to flash back. Ultimate Price, Azorius Charm, Supreme Verdict, Sphinx's Revelation, Negate, Dissipate...
It is better to run zero creatures rather then four, because then your opponent's removal cards are completely useless.
It is better to run zero creatures rather then four, because then your opponent's removal cards are completely useless.
Daxiel, Snapcaster is actually relatively expensive when everything it targets costs two or more, and this deck is already playing quite a few expensive spells. When it's basically just trying to be a removal spell or counterspell, paying two extra mana for "flexibility" is a lot, especially since it doesn't give you that flexibility if you haven't drawn the card you're looking for yet. 1-2 Snapcasters could be fine, but it's definitely reasonable not to play them.
Good call, BathoS. Sorry about that.Daxiel, Snapcaster is actually relatively expensive when everything it targets costs two or more, and this deck is already playing quite a few expensive spells. When it's basically just trying to be a removal spe
Dragon's Maze prerelease info? That was fast. I'm still sorting my new Gatecrash cards! The dual lands instead of basics in pack is nice, especially due to the intense mana fixing required in a small, 10 guild set. I'm confused, however, how the guild packs are designed for two guilds. Can anyone explain?
Dragon's Maze prerelease info? That was fast. I'm still sorting my new Gatecrash cards! The dual lands instead of basics in pack is nice, especially due to the intense mana fixing required in a small, 10 guild set. I'm confused, however, how the guil
Wait, so does this mean it's technically possible to get three mythics in a pack? Or, three of the new mythic land they mentioned (one as the rare, another as a foil, and a third as the "land")?
Wait, so does this mean it's technically possible to get three mythics in a pack? Or, three of the new mythic land they mentioned (one as the rare, another as a foil, and a third as the "land")?
Can anyone at Wotc verify if the land per pack applies only to the pre-release packs, or to all Dragon's Maze packs? It's a bit vague since it's specifically talking about the pre-release, but it seems odd that they would reprint the same dual lands they just put in RTR and GTC in all Dragon's Maze packs.
Can anyone at Wotc verify if the land per pack applies only to the pre-release packs, or to all Dragon's Maze packs? It's a bit vague since it's specifically talking about the pre-release, but it seems odd that they would reprint the same dual land
Can anyone at Wotc verify if the land per pack applies only to the pre-release packs, or to all Dragon's Maze packs? It's a bit vague since it's specifically talking about the pre-release, but it seems odd that they would reprint the same dual lands they just put in RTR and GTC in all Dragon's Maze packs.
I don't have any inside info on this, but every pack seems very reasonable given the wording of the article. Plus is solves one of the major potential problems with the set in draft: Fixing your mana so you can run three colors, a necessity with the way the sets are structured.
I don't have any inside info on this, but every pack seems very reasonable given the wording of the article. Plus is solves one of the major potential problems with the set in draft: Fixing your mana so you can run three colors, a necessity with the
"Each guild pack will be built to support two different guilds." So does this mean there will be NO true randomization? I'm very curious about this. I hated how the Mirrodin Besieged pre-release worked, where either your pool was made much better by 3 packs helping your other 3 packs, or your pool was made much worse by opening 3 packs that didn't support your other 3 packs at all (I.E. opening 3 awesome black rares in your random packs when you went Mirrodin, where for 3 packs you had only 1 possible black card). The RTR/GTC pre-releases made this problem much smaller, where you would only have 1 possible "dud" pack, but that was still mostly ok with the amount of fixing in the sets. It would just suck when someone played a deck that contained 0 of their guild pack cards because the other 5 packs supported another guild very very well (2 Armada Worms in my Rakdos guild box? Also, tons of good populate cards? Ok, guess I can just throw this pack away...). By doing these types of events, I feel Wizards is actually increasing the role of luck in the prereleases. I like to play limited because I feel like it involves skills that constructed doesn't. By reducing variance in the way that these semi-predetermined packs do, you are growing the gap between good pools and bad, and reducing the role of some of the skills limited is supposed to test. If none of the packs are truly randomized for the Dragon's Maze prerelease, and everyone is going to have 6 rares that they can play, along with plenty of fixing for their 3 colors... why don't you just hand people a random constructed deck when they walk in?
"Each guild pack will be built to support two different guilds." So does this mean there will be NO true randomization? I'm very curious about this. I hated how the Mirrodin Besieged pre-release worked, where either your pool was made much better by
More shockland reprints? Excuse me while I go for a fresh change of pants. The prices will be at an all-time low for Standard, and then gradually jump for Modern upon rotation, yippee.
More shockland reprints? Excuse me while I go for a fresh change of pants. The prices will be at an all-time low for Standard, and then gradually jump for Modern upon rotation, yippee.
Well, of course the complete cycle of shocklands would get reprinted.
I can't seem to find the thread here for discussing the B&R list announcement. Bloodbraid Elf , as I recall, was key to a pretty devastating deck at one time, and so I'm not too surprised at that, but when it comes to Seething Song I get tempted to whine that they're banning all the good cards.
Well, of course the complete cycle of shocklands would get reprinted.I can't seem to find the thread here for discussing the B&R list announcement. Bloodbraid Elf , as I recall, was key to a pretty devastating deck
(Or some variation, however always one RTR guild and one GTC guild.)
Bearing in mind the the RTR-GTC-DMG draft format, there are a few reasons for this:
You will get two boosters from the set that has your chosen guild.
You will get two boosters from the set that has your aligned guild.
(So always 2x RTR, 2x GTC)
You will get ONE booster from DGM.
You will get a guild pack booster (Similar to the RTR and GTC prereleases) containing DGM cards for your chosen guild combination.
I think the reason there are guild gates and shocklands in every DGM booster instead of the basic land is so that you can get one in the guild pack aligned with your guilds, without taking a card away from your new DGM cards, and without upsetting the distribution.
To me it's clear they've been planning this for a long time. I think the guild boxes will be along the lines of:Azorius - BorosGolgari - GruulSelesnya - SimicIzzet - DimirRakdos - OrzhovBoros - SelesnyaGruul - IzzetSimic - GolgariDimir - RakdosOrzhov
Boros - Selesnya (White overlap, Populate supports Batallion) Gruul - Rakdos (Red overlap, don't think, just turn your guys sideways) Simic - Golgari (Green overlap, Golgari supports counters on stuff) Dimir - Izzet (Blue overlap, be tricksy and controlling) Orzhov - Azorius (White overlap, be the authority with rules and taxes)
I agree on the boosters: 1 Guild booster DGM 1 booster DGM 2 boosters GTC 2 booster RTR
There'll be a lot of variance probably, which was also the case when I played a hardly playable Simic deck in my Boros prerelease pack, but I don't mind, I love prereleases.
The one thing I don't get is that when each box supports two guilds, why they would have ten different boxes... so maybe we're still way off of how it'll work...
My expectation for the guild combinations:Boros - Selesnya (White overlap, Populate supports Batallion)Gruul - Rakdos (Red overlap, don't think, just turn your guys sideways)Simic - Golgari (Green overlap, Golgari supports counters on stuff)Dimir - I
I'm actually quite pleased with the Pauper bannings. I played Pauper pretty heavily a few years ago and there was a lot of innovation back then. Storm existed, but was pretty easily hated out with things like Benevolent Unicorn, Holy Light, Echoing Decay, etc. However, since Infect the format has become even more skewed. Infect is much harder to deal with due to Apostle's Blessing, Vines of Vastwood, etc. So it became the deck to beat. Storm is quicker than Infect so it became the other deck to beat. Other decks existed, but they had to skew heavily toward beating these two decks, and a myriad of midrange decks became unplayable. I like the bannings because Storm exists no more and Infect is a little nerfed, which should make room for a lot of cool decks. My favorite deck is Momentary Blink and its worse matchups were always Infect and Storm so this gives me a lot of hope.
I'm actually quite pleased with the Pauper bannings. I played Pauper pretty heavily a few years ago and there was a lot of innovation back then. Storm existed, but was pretty easily hated out with things like Benevolent Unicorn, Holy Light, Echoing
I'm not going to try to guess which of those four is most likely.
My guess for guild combos is that there's going to be one overlap for each colour and boosters looking like:1 RTR1 RTR Guild1 GTC1 GTC Guild2 DGMThere are 4 possible pairings of guilds that have 1 pair overlapping in each colour, and which have 1 of
rmsgrey stated there were four possible pairs with one guild from each set if they did fixed pairs. However, look at it in a bigger picture. There were 8 possible variations of packs per guild in both Ravnica and Gatecrash. What if they make either 4 or 8 combinations again for each of the 10 guild boxes. They take the primary guild and then combo it with the other shared color guilds. Two Golgari guild packs have secondary guilds that are different with one being Selesnya and then next being Rakdos. This would support the reason for having 10 different types of guild packs with only primary fixed. The question would be, would a Golgari and Dimir guild pack be eligible in both guilds exactly the same or would their be different versions.
I loved the guild packs. It gives you a good chance to play the guild you want even with some randomness. Of all the prereleases I've seen, maybe 20% completely abandon their guild versus splash for more power.
This is the prerelease for the Dragon Maze. Hence, expect atleast 3 boosters from DM with maybe one of each from Gatecrash and RTR unless you've seen it posted otherwise.
rmsgrey stated there were four possible pairs with one guild from each set if they did fixed pairs. However, look at it in a bigger picture.There were 8 possible variations of packs per guild in both Ravnica and Gatecrash.What if they make either 4
Every Dragon's Maze card (excluding lands, obviously) will be multicolored, just like in Alara Reborn. As it isn't drafted by itself, it's not a crazy idea after all.
There has been a lot of buzz about Nephilim-like color combinations in DGM. While I don't think these are viable, tricolored cards certainly are, and these weird Prerelease guild combinations are a hint.
If so, these guilds combinations would be either allied or opposed, for example Boros-Selesnya (or Boros-Gruul, or Gruul-Selesnya) for the "Naya trio", or Boros-Orzhov (or Boros-Rakdos, or Rakdos-Orzhov) for the "Oros trio". Both kind of trios have good reasons to return: the opposed ones have more unexplored design space, but the allied ones have way more overlap. This would flavorfully explain the Maze reference, as perhaps the whole city has become a labyrinth and guild frontiers are now chaotic.
Guildgates will be very important, as MaRo has stated sometimes. Even more cards would interact with them (this is the reason they are coming up in booster packs), and perhaps even some Constructed playable rares or mythic rares will.
Guilds will be balanced for Limited purposes, but as the expansion title hints, Niv-Mizzet (and, if so, Izzet) will be important storywise.
While I agree that DGM/DGM(guild)/GTC/GTC/RTR/RTR booster combination is the most probable to happen, DGM/DGM/DGM/DGM(guild)/GTC/RTR is also a viable option.
A few assumptions: Every Dragon's Maze card (excluding lands, obviously) will be multicolored, just like in Alara Reborn. As it isn't drafted by itself, it's not a crazy idea after all. There has been a lot of buzz about Nephilim-like color combinat
The people who solve the Dragon's Maze itself get a foil basic land. That seems underwhelming, unless it's a full-art original Ravnica land. That would be awesome.
The people who solve the Dragon's Maze itself get a foil basic land. That seems underwhelming, unless it's a full-art original Ravnica land. That would be awesome.
Wow, I'd said for years that the land card slot in the boosters should be randomized with all the lands in the set and they finally get to it - a year after I get out of the game. Maybe I'll pick up some of this new Ravnica block for the old kitchen table...
Wow, I'd said for years that the land card slot in the boosters should be randomized with all the lands in the set and they finally get to it - a year after I get out of the game. Maybe I'll pick up some of this new Ravnica block for the old kitchen
I'm actually kind of upset they spoiled this information this early. It's so freaking cool that it feels like coolness overload and it takes away from Gatecrash (which hasn't even officially been RELEASED yet).
Let me be excited about Gatecrash DAMMIT! To be fair I could have just not looked I guess, but man it's hard not to when it's right there on the front page. Plus everybody else at my LGS will be talking about it anyway...
Ah screw it, I'mma still be excited for Gatecrash! I love me some Simic!
But man DGM is going to be value with all them shocks. I'm going to have to skip Otakon this year b/c MtG is going to soak up all of my funds. Thanks Wizards. =s
I'm actually kind of upset they spoiled this information this early. It's so freaking cool that it feels like coolness overload and it takes away from Gatecrash (which hasn't even officially been RELEASED yet).Let me be excited about Gatecrash DAMMI
Ok, so the update on the article changed things. They are using the exact guild pack from Gatecrash and RTR then adding 4 dragon maze packs. From the new article, it feels like there will be fixed combinations, but hints maybe not.
If the Dragon Maze is 100% gold, even with two guaranteed guildgates (1 per guild prepack), color fixing could be a challenge depending on what fixers are in the maze.
Ok, so the update on the article changed things.They are using the exact guild pack from Gatecrash and RTR then adding 4 dragon maze packs.From the new article, it feels like there will be fixed combinations, but hints maybe not.If the Dragon Maze is
From what I am reading this is how the prerelease packs will work:
1 Guild Pack of your chosen guild 1 Random Allied Guild Pack from the opposite set 4 Dragon's Maze Packs
That means every guild box has the chance for a different allied guild. This would make it more interesting and give plenty of variety to the decks built. I don't quite understand how the maze will work yet but it seems like an interesting thing to do if it doesn't put alot of strain on the tournament organizers.
The land in the packs is a great way for fixing in limited and it makes shock lands more accessable. I am somewhat glad that this will cause a price drop in them most likely because I just sold what I had of them and now I should be able to pick them up cheap in the future.
From what I am reading this is how the prerelease packs will work:1 Guild Pack of your chosen guild1 Random Allied Guild Pack from the opposite set4 Dragon's Maze PacksThat means every guild box has the chance for a different allied guild. This woul
I'm actually quite pleased with the Pauper bannings. I played Pauper pretty heavily a few years ago and there was a lot of innovation back then. Storm existed, but was pretty easily hated out with things like Benevolent Unicorn, Holy Light, Echoing Decay, etc. However, since Infect the format has become even more skewed. Infect is much harder to deal with due to Apostle's Blessing, Vines of Vastwood, etc. So it became the deck to beat. Storm is quicker than Infect so it became the other deck to beat. Other decks existed, but they had to skew heavily toward beating these two decks, and a myriad of midrange decks became unplayable. I like the bannings because Storm exists no more and Infect is a little nerfed, which should make room for a lot of cool decks. My favorite deck is Momentary Blink and its worse matchups were always Infect and Storm so this gives me a lot of hope.
Blink never really survived the loss of the damage stack, but otherwise you nailed it, ZA.
Blink never really survived the loss of the damage stack, but otherwise you nailed it, ZA.
I'd much rather it be u get to pick both ur guild colors. This way u can say stuff like, "Do you hold to tradition?" Choose Azorius/Selesnya. "Have a taste for greed beyond convention", pick Orzhov/Izzet.
You don even need a promo for DGM just put the promos from both rtr and gtc of the choosen guild. All you need to do is print the new date.
Then your guild card accomplishments could be awesome like,
"Tag Team Victory" - Defeat a opponent dealing lethal combat damage by attacking with both guild champions.
"Weaken Morale" - Destroy both of your opponent's guild champions.
"Broken Alliance" - Defeat an opponent with allied guilds that share a common color.
"A Common Enemy" - Defeat an opponent with allied guilds that share a common color and have opposing colors.
"The Unlikeliest of Allies" - Defeat an opponent with allied guilds that do not share a common color.
I'd much rather it be u get to pick both ur guild colors. This way u can say stuff like, "Do you hold to tradition?" Choose Azorius/Selesnya. "Have a taste for greed beyond convention", pick Orzhov/Izzet.You don even need a promo for DGM just put the
From what I am reading this is how the prerelease packs will work:
1 Guild Pack of your chosen guild 1 Random Allied Guild Pack from the opposite set 4 Dragon's Maze Packs
I agree, I too took this from the announcement. I was so excited for Gatecrash to come and out now I'm already excited for Dragon's Maze! This is so crazy!!! I wish we got a general Dragon's Maze spin down die though.
I agree, I too took this from the announcement. I was so excited for Gatecrash to come and out now I'm already excited for Dragon's Maze! This is so crazy!!! I wish we got a general Dragon's Maze spin down die though.
So alongside 4 DGM pack we'll have two Prerelease guild packs.
But like someone said earlier - more questions:
Will the two Prerelease guild packs have GTC and RTR symbols (more reprints)? Will they be semi-random as they were in RTR and GTC prereleases? How many cards will they have if they don't have those earlier set's prerelease promos? 14 or 14 + DGM prerelease promo? So one DGM promo for each of those two Prerelease guild packs? Plus one DGM promo for all participants? 3 promos + that foil basic land promo? Will DGM gates have new arts or functions? If not why they will have DGM symbol?
So alongside 4 DGM pack we'll have two Prerelease guild packs.But like someone said earlier - more questions:Will the two Prerelease guild packs have GTC and RTR symbols (more reprints)?Will they be semi-random as they were in RTR and GTC prereleases
"WE" get to try to solve the Implicit Maze? ... ...This will be very intriguing. But... how does this work? Is it sad that I'm more worried about the flavor of a prerelease event, than the idea that Shocklands can be yanked in DGM?
It's a shame the guild champions can't be the pre-reease promos. Some odd math though... I thought DGM was only supposed to have ten mythics? Is there a guild that does not get one? Or are there secretly 11 mythics?
This seems to be fitting more, and more, and more into my idea that DGM will be loaded full of hybrid cards, or split cards.
"WE" get to try to solve the Implicit Maze? ... ...This will be very intriguing. But... how does this work? Is it sad that I'm more worried about the flavor of a prerelease event, than the idea that Shocklands can be yanked in DGM?It's a shame the gu
They've been playing with the set sizes so much that to speak of "normal" size for a small set is almost nonsensical at this point, but the default small set size is now 145 cards, like Conflux or Worldwake. Mirrodin Besieged was 155 by adding 10 basic lands, and Dark Ascension was 158 by adding 13 DFCs.
Anyway, Dragon's Maze is at 156, which is presumably achieved by the standard small-set allocation (60 C/40 U/35 R2/10 R1), plus new versions of the guildgates (at either C or land rarity, depending on how you want to interpret that) and this extra land serving as an 11th R1. Based on a cursory running of the numbers, this "mythic land" should end up being somewhat rarer than the others, as a 1/121 shot rather than 1/80.
They've been playing with the set sizes so much that to speak of "normal" size for a small set is almost nonsensical at this point, but the default small set size is now 145 cards, like Conflux or Worldwake. Mirrodin Besieged was 155 by adding 10 bas
Actually... the mythic land would be the most common mythic in the set...Considering it is the only mythic rare that can be in the nonbasic land slot. What they forgot to mention is: Will there be an uncommon cycle as well that shows up in only the land slot?
Actually... the mythic land would be the most common mythic in the set...Considering it is the only mythic rare that can be in the nonbasic land slot. What they forgot to mention is: Will there be an uncommon cycle as well that shows up in only the l
That's extremely doubtful. In order for the numbers to work out, they almost certainly have to be structured such that the guildgates are "L10" rarity, the shocklands are "L2" (so if you don't care which one you get, you'll open one as a free upgrade to your guildgate about 1 out of every 6 packs), and the mythic land is "L1", for a typical 121-card sheet. There's no room to fit in uncommons without putting a major squeeze on the guildgates and removing the distinction between common and uncommon.
For comparison, in the double-faced slot, mythics were really "D1", rares were "D2", uncommons were "D6", and commons were either "D11" (Innistrad) or "D12" (Dark Ascension). Those numbers worked because there were only a few cards at each rarity, and they didn't have to be allocated in ten-card cycles.
In any case, the "slot" that a particular mythic appears in has no effect on its relative rarity. Putting mythic #11 on the land sheet would give it a 1/121 chance of being in any given pack, if these numbers are correct, and it's extremely unlikely that they'd allow it to show up anywhere except the land slot. The others would appear in the rare slot, where there are 35 R2s and 10 R1s so each of them shows up in 1/80 packs, or roughly one and a half times as often as the land.
That's extremely doubtful. In order for the numbers to work out, they almost certainly have to be structured such that the guildgates are "L10" rarity, the shocklands are "L2" (so if you don't care which one you get, you'll open one as a free upgrade
T... the guildgates are "L10" rarity, the shocklands are "L2" (so if you don't care which one you get, you'll open one as a free upgrade to your guildgate about 1 out of every 6 packs),
They say shocklands will be about half as likely in dgm as in gtc or rtr, so if normally they are 10/121 (~1/12) then I would expect them to be 1/24 here. 1/6 would be ridiculous considering they are a free upgrade.
"You are about half as likely to open a shockland in Dragon's Maze as in Return to Ravnicaand Gatecrash and, since this is for all ten shocklands rather than five, that means you are about a quarter as likely to open a specific one"
They say shocklands will be about half as likely in dgm as in gtc or rtr, so if normally they are 10/121 (~1/12) then I would expect them to be 1/24 here. 1/6 would be ridiculous considering they are a free upgrade."You are about half as likely to op
So alongside 4 DGM pack we'll have two Prerelease guild packs.
But like someone said earlier - more questions:
Will the two Prerelease guild packs have GTC and RTR symbols (more reprints)? YES Will they be semi-random as they were in RTR and GTC prereleases? YES How many cards will they have if they don't have those earlier set's prerelease promos? (14 14 or 14 + DGM prerelease promo? So one DGM promo for each of those two Prerelease guild packs? No one dgm promo total, and you can't play it Plus one DGM promo for all participants? see above 3 promos + that foil basic land promo? one + a possible basic foil Will DGM gates have new arts or functions? If not why they will have DGM symbol? Unknown, but I suspect new art reprints
"The two guild packs will be the same as they were in their original Prerelease" So for example, I choose Simic (because they are awesome) I get a simic prerelease pack as per saturday's pre release (- Fathom mage) and then a random return to ravnica pack (other than Rakdos because it doesn't share any colours) So they will be all gtc /rtr cards with gtc/rtr symbols
"The two guild packs will be the same as they were in their original Prerelease" So for example, I choose Simic (because they are awesome) I get a simic prerelease pack as per saturday's pre release (- Fathom mage) and then a random return to ravnica
Not that it SHOULD be to start with, that's the issue with boys' games...
Magic 2014:What the heck is wrong with her anatomy?!Barbie syndrome?Not sexy...Not that it SHOULD be to start with, that's the issue with boys' games...
