thestrollingbones's blog listings. Feed Zend_Feed_Writer 1.10.8 (http://framework.zend.com) http://community.wizards.com/thestrollingbones Could this be called Deck Tech? Could this be called Deck Tech?
Here is my first attempt at an official deck tech. I've played magic for nearly 20 years, mind you in a hopeless on again off again pattern --and always home games--; however, Innistrad Block has really "sucked" me in. I'm working on a sealed deck tech that breaks down the cards that I picked up at the Dark Ascension Pre-Release. Lo and Behold I pulled a Sorin, Lord of Innistrad in Pack 1. That got me really wanting to re-"vamp" my Vampire deck....

So here goes.


Wrathful Return of Sorin (aka TheeStrollingBones' Standard Vampires)


Planeswalkers- 1

Sorin, Lord of Innistrad x1




It goes without saying that this card is the center piece of the deck.

His ability to generate tokens is really what I'm looking for with this card. The sheer amount of creature buffing that I feel this deck possesses turns the 1/1 B Vampire tokens with lifelink into bloodsucking masters allowing me to stick around long enough to make stuff happen.

His emblem ability makes the Stromkirk Captains ability that much more potent turning my vampires into a creature eating juggernaut.

Sorin's final ability probably wont see play too often but it is quite potent when it does.

The sheer amout of token creatures that I feel this deck is capable of generating (and with many of them having flying) it should increase my ability to protect The Lord of Innistrad substantially.


Spells- 19

Intangible virtue x3

This card is quite situational, however with the Bloodline Keepers//Lord of the Lineages, Sorin, Midnight Haunting's and Lingering Souls I feel that the token production is quite high. The ability to have all my creatures attack without tapping is an added bonus, and when combined with Stromkirk Captain it makes Sorin's tokens very dangerous.

Faith's Shield x4

I figured that the ability to protect any one of my permanents is essential. It helps save Sorin from most destruction spells and also can protect any of my pivotal permanents.

Its quite versatile even though I wish that it had flashback as opposed to Fateful Hour as I don't see many instances where I'll be at 5 life and not in danger of just loosing. Although I'd love to get to use it under it's Fateful Hour effect if only just once.

Victim of Night x4

Creature removal will be important for control purposes due to what I perceive to be a slight speed issue with this deck. Nuff said really! I might exchange a couple of these for Sever the Bloodline but that remains to be seen.

Lingering Souls x3

What a sick card! If I manage to have Parrallel Lives in play before flashing one or two of these bad boys back I'm laughing. Lots of token fliers equals lots of protection for Sorin and also lots of potential damage to my opponents if I can manage to have Intangible Virtue in play.

Midnight Haunting x3

This card will hopefully work on two fronts. A) to produce flying blockers for Sorin, and B) as a trap card if I manage to cast two or more Intagible Virtue's.

Parallel Lives x2




Rounding out the spells is this beautiful enchantment. I felt like its ability would really be strong in this deck; however, my only concern is having the right mana combinations to play my spells effectively. Hopefully Simmering Grotto shows up in every game that I draw this Enchantment.


Creatures- 16

Bloodline Keeper//Lord of the Lineage x4

Bloodline Keeper is really sticking with the theme of getting tokens onto the battlefield. I should hopefully be able to transform him into Lord of the Lineage in most games which could combine with Sorin's vampire tokens tokens and Intangible Virtue amazingly. Parallel Lives can also make this cards token generation ability quite strong.

Screeching Bat//Stalking Vampire x4

This card is just too flavorful not to play. The fact that she has flying on her sun side makes her a good blocker for Sorin, and when she transforms she works well with Lord of the Lineage. I just wish that her transform ability could be triggered whenever but "you can't always get what you want" as the Stones so famously sang.

Rakish Heir x2

This card is pretty sweet, it combos well with Bloodline Keeper and the tokens that that card generates as they all possess flying. I originally had 4 copies but figured that I didn't have enough unblockable vampires to really justify it.

Falkenrath Noble x2

I put the Nobles in at the last minute realizing that with such a large amount of possible tokens being generated his ability becomes very relavent. We'll see if he works or not but I have faith in him.

Stromkirk Captain x4

Not much to say here except for wow! A lord/captain for my vampires that gives them firststrike? Yes please, and another. This guy in combination with Lord of the Lineage and Intangible Virtue makes Sorin's tokens unbelieveable and really puts the pressure on my opponent.


Land- 24

Now the land situation is the part I'm having the most trouble with. I feel like I'm going to find myself in lots of situations where I am missing a key color. Shimmering Grotto and Evolving Wilds helps, however I'm still shaky on this mana base as a whole.

Plains x3

Mountains x3

Swamps x8

Shimmering Grotto x3

Isolated Chapel x3

Evolving Wilds x2

Vault of the Archangel x 2

And this card is the kicker, all my creatures gain deathtouch? and lifelink? I think I have all my buffing bases covered minus haste. That would just be wrong.


Total Cards- 60

Final Thoughts

I feel that this deck has great flavour, with the idea being that Sorin returns to Innistrad and keeps himself concealed whilst gathering support. He hides out in the Shimmering Grotto and Isolated Chapel, quitely preparing himself. Once he is strong enough he incures his wrath upon those that oppose him.

I also hold that this deck has a decently strong mix of abilities. Things such as the mana curve and the color gamble worry me but I'll have to playtest it as soon as possible before really knowing what to change.

Any thoughts or tips are much appreciated.

88's

LC

www.mtgdeckbuilder.net/Decks/ViewDeck/36...

1 Comments - Leave a Comment
]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:42:27 -0600 http://community.wizards.com/thestrollingbones/blog/2012/02/03/could_this_be_called_deck_tech http://community.wizards.com/thestrollingbones/blog/2012/02/03/could_this_be_called_deck_tech Could this be called Deck Tech?
Here is my first attempt at an official deck tech. I've played magic for nearly 20 years, mind you in a hopeless on again off again pattern --and always home games--; however, Innistrad Block has really "sucked" me in. I'm working on a sealed deck tech that breaks down the cards that I picked up at the Dark Ascension Pre-Release. Lo and Behold I pulled a Sorin, Lord of Innistrad in Pack 1. That got me really wanting to re-"vamp" my Vampire deck....

So here goes.


Wrathful Return of Sorin (aka TheeStrollingBones' Standard Vampires)


Planeswalkers- 1

Sorin, Lord of Innistrad x1




It goes without saying that this card is the center piece of the deck.

His ability to generate tokens is really what I'm looking for with this card. The sheer amount of creature buffing that I feel this deck possesses turns the 1/1 B Vampire tokens with lifelink into bloodsucking masters allowing me to stick around long enough to make stuff happen.

His emblem ability makes the Stromkirk Captains ability that much more potent turning my vampires into a creature eating juggernaut.

Sorin's final ability probably wont see play too often but it is quite potent when it does.

The sheer amout of token creatures that I feel this deck is capable of generating (and with many of them having flying) it should increase my ability to protect The Lord of Innistrad substantially.


Spells- 19

Intangible virtue x3

This card is quite situational, however with the Bloodline Keepers//Lord of the Lineages, Sorin, Midnight Haunting's and Lingering Souls I feel that the token production is quite high. The ability to have all my creatures attack without tapping is an added bonus, and when combined with Stromkirk Captain it makes Sorin's tokens very dangerous.

Faith's Shield x4

I figured that the ability to protect any one of my permanents is essential. It helps save Sorin from most destruction spells and also can protect any of my pivotal permanents.

Its quite versatile even though I wish that it had flashback as opposed to Fateful Hour as I don't see many instances where I'll be at 5 life and not in danger of just loosing. Although I'd love to get to use it under it's Fateful Hour effect if only just once.

Victim of Night x4

Creature removal will be important for control purposes due to what I perceive to be a slight speed issue with this deck. Nuff said really! I might exchange a couple of these for Sever the Bloodline but that remains to be seen.

Lingering Souls x3

What a sick card! If I manage to have Parrallel Lives in play before flashing one or two of these bad boys back I'm laughing. Lots of token fliers equals lots of protection for Sorin and also lots of potential damage to my opponents if I can manage to have Intangible Virtue in play.

Midnight Haunting x3

This card will hopefully work on two fronts. A) to produce flying blockers for Sorin, and B) as a trap card if I manage to cast two or more Intagible Virtue's.

Parallel Lives x2




Rounding out the spells is this beautiful enchantment. I felt like its ability would really be strong in this deck; however, my only concern is having the right mana combinations to play my spells effectively. Hopefully Simmering Grotto shows up in every game that I draw this Enchantment.


Creatures- 16

Bloodline Keeper//Lord of the Lineage x4

Bloodline Keeper is really sticking with the theme of getting tokens onto the battlefield. I should hopefully be able to transform him into Lord of the Lineage in most games which could combine with Sorin's vampire tokens tokens and Intangible Virtue amazingly. Parallel Lives can also make this cards token generation ability quite strong.

Screeching Bat//Stalking Vampire x4

This card is just too flavorful not to play. The fact that she has flying on her sun side makes her a good blocker for Sorin, and when she transforms she works well with Lord of the Lineage. I just wish that her transform ability could be triggered whenever but "you can't always get what you want" as the Stones so famously sang.

Rakish Heir x2

This card is pretty sweet, it combos well with Bloodline Keeper and the tokens that that card generates as they all possess flying. I originally had 4 copies but figured that I didn't have enough unblockable vampires to really justify it.

Falkenrath Noble x2

I put the Nobles in at the last minute realizing that with such a large amount of possible tokens being generated his ability becomes very relavent. We'll see if he works or not but I have faith in him.

Stromkirk Captain x4

Not much to say here except for wow! A lord/captain for my vampires that gives them firststrike? Yes please, and another. This guy in combination with Lord of the Lineage and Intangible Virtue makes Sorin's tokens unbelieveable and really puts the pressure on my opponent.


Land- 24

Now the land situation is the part I'm having the most trouble with. I feel like I'm going to find myself in lots of situations where I am missing a key color. Shimmering Grotto and Evolving Wilds helps, however I'm still shaky on this mana base as a whole.

Plains x3

Mountains x3

Swamps x8

Shimmering Grotto x3

Isolated Chapel x3

Evolving Wilds x2

Vault of the Archangel x 2

And this card is the kicker, all my creatures gain deathtouch? and lifelink? I think I have all my buffing bases covered minus haste. That would just be wrong.


Total Cards- 60

Final Thoughts

I feel that this deck has great flavour, with the idea being that Sorin returns to Innistrad and keeps himself concealed whilst gathering support. He hides out in the Shimmering Grotto and Isolated Chapel, quitely preparing himself. Once he is strong enough he incures his wrath upon those that oppose him.

I also hold that this deck has a decently strong mix of abilities. Things such as the mana curve and the color gamble worry me but I'll have to playtest it as soon as possible before really knowing what to change.

Any thoughts or tips are much appreciated.

88's

LC

www.mtgdeckbuilder.net/Decks/ViewDeck/36...

1 Comments - Leave a Comment
]]> 0 My first foray into the world of Limited.
My love affair with Magic is a long one filled with ups and downs, like a bumpy relationship between two people who don't like each other but just so happen to be in love. Many times I've stepped away from the game, either for personal reasons, or due to the fact that I was turned off by the Block at the time. However ever since I introduced my girlfriend to the game my addiction to it has reignited. I got her into Magic with the release of M10 and after a few games using mainly the contents of an old booster box of Coldsnap I had laying around she was hooked. We have collected quite rabidly over the last few years although the Scars block was not really our cup of tea. With the release of Innistrad we've fallen back in love and our collection shows it.

But I digress. The point of this Blog post is to touch on what my hopes and fears are for the Dark Ascension pre release this weekend. It is an exciting prospect but a little nerve racking as well. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to build a sealed deck as I feel that for the most part this provides a level playing feild (although the random nature of booster packs can really curb this level"ness"). I've been honing my deck building craft over the past few weeks and with the release of the visual spoiler for Dark Ascension I have an idea of what cards work well with one another. I'm also keen to see how this Tribal subgame element goes in the tournament, and like some others I hope to be picked as a Vampire or Zombie so I can turn as many of my opponents to my side as possible.

These hopes have also come with several fears though. I would have to say my biggest fear is pulling no solid cards from my packs and therefore having a weak card pool to build my deck from. That and just the fact that I've never participated in a sealed touranment and am unsure if the pressure will lead to mistakes.  These fears will be dashed upon the rocky Nephalian shore if I manage to pull Sorin, Lord of Innistrad from my alloted Dark Ascension packs.

Below I've listed some the cards I'm really amped up to see from Dark Ascension and my reasoning behind this unabated excitement.

White Cards:

  • Faiths Shield - This card is going to be a good replacement for Brave the Elements in my White decks. I love the versatility and the fact that I can protect any one of my permanents instead of just my creatures. It's Fateful Hour ability is a game changer in my opinion and I can't wait to see how often that mechanic is truly relevant.
  • Thraben Doomsayer - I'm just a stickler for tokens, especially when it comes to the white mage in me and this guy is just begging for a spot in my Soldier Boys and Jesus Freaks deck. I don't know how effective he will be in the sealed format though.

Blue Cards:

  • Artful Doge - The flavour here is great. I also happen to love unblockable creatures. This makes my B/U/R deck "Invisible Fist Bump" more versatile as I can justify throwing in some creatures that otherwise would not benefit from being unblockable.
  • Increasing Confusion - I love milling and the doubling effect of its flashback ability just makes this card a tasty morsel, nuff said.
  • Soul Seizer // Ghastly Haunting - a mind control that is also an evasion creature! Yes please.

Black Cards:

  • Black Cat - I love the picture. I really have no other reasoning behind liking this card.
  • Deadly Allure - Traps have always been my thing, I love springing them on my friends (Ambush Viper is awesome), and with flashback this card has quite a fair bit of utility. Makes my weak 1/1 Humans very dangerous.
  • Zombie Apocalypse - This card is fantastic, I really love how the zombies are starting to come around and be more of a threat. The other reason I love this card is that I don't like having a near trump card in my games, I've always hated stupidly overpowered cards (Emrikol comes to mind) and yet I find myself in love with Invisible Stalker. I like Zombie Apocalypse for the opportunity it gives my friends to counter act my use of Invisible Stalker's excellence.

Red Cards:

  • Curse of Bloodletting - I don't really play a lot of Red but this card has a place in my B/U/R "Invisible Fist Bump" deck as it centers around pumping Invisible Stalker and then swinging away.
  • Hellrider - I like his ability to act as support artillery. I really hope that the Devils / Demons become a viable tribe by the end of the Block. I might be more inclined to play Red if that were the case.

Green Cards:

  • Lost in the Woods - Great flavor here! I would love to see the look on my friends faces when I pull this off on them! 
  • Tracker's Instinct - Mulch for Creatures, excellent. This card is making the idea of a U/G self milling strategy more appealing.
  • Vorapede - What a jerk! I can see this guy really causing problems.

Other Cards:

  • The Tribal Captians (Diregraf Captain), (Drogskol Captain), (Immerwolf), (Stromkirk Captain) - My girlfriend and I are both suckers for Tribal themes and these cards make the tribal aspects of Innistrad Block a bit more playable.
  • Sorin, Lord of Innistrad - Sorin is my favorite Planeswalker and now he's totally playable.
  • Chalice of Life // Chalice of Death - Possibly my favourite artifact in Magic (maybe a slight overstatement) This card will go great in my B/W deck "Your Life for Mine".
  • Jar of Eyeballs - The picture and quirky mechanics are just great.

Well that is all for now keep an eye out for some MTG videos that I hope to do in the nearest of futures.

88's
Lester Crow and His Strolling Bones
0 Comments - Leave a Comment
]]> Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:39:48 -0600 http://community.wizards.com/thestrollingbones/blog/2012/01/25/my_first_foray_into_the_world_of_limited. http://community.wizards.com/thestrollingbones/blog/2012/01/25/my_first_foray_into_the_world_of_limited.
My love affair with Magic is a long one filled with ups and downs, like a bumpy relationship between two people who don't like each other but just so happen to be in love. Many times I've stepped away from the game, either for personal reasons, or due to the fact that I was turned off by the Block at the time. However ever since I introduced my girlfriend to the game my addiction to it has reignited. I got her into Magic with the release of M10 and after a few games using mainly the contents of an old booster box of Coldsnap I had laying around she was hooked. We have collected quite rabidly over the last few years although the Scars block was not really our cup of tea. With the release of Innistrad we've fallen back in love and our collection shows it.

But I digress. The point of this Blog post is to touch on what my hopes and fears are for the Dark Ascension pre release this weekend. It is an exciting prospect but a little nerve racking as well. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to build a sealed deck as I feel that for the most part this provides a level playing feild (although the random nature of booster packs can really curb this level"ness"). I've been honing my deck building craft over the past few weeks and with the release of the visual spoiler for Dark Ascension I have an idea of what cards work well with one another. I'm also keen to see how this Tribal subgame element goes in the tournament, and like some others I hope to be picked as a Vampire or Zombie so I can turn as many of my opponents to my side as possible.

These hopes have also come with several fears though. I would have to say my biggest fear is pulling no solid cards from my packs and therefore having a weak card pool to build my deck from. That and just the fact that I've never participated in a sealed touranment and am unsure if the pressure will lead to mistakes.  These fears will be dashed upon the rocky Nephalian shore if I manage to pull Sorin, Lord of Innistrad from my alloted Dark Ascension packs.

Below I've listed some the cards I'm really amped up to see from Dark Ascension and my reasoning behind this unabated excitement.

White Cards:

  • Faiths Shield - This card is going to be a good replacement for Brave the Elements in my White decks. I love the versatility and the fact that I can protect any one of my permanents instead of just my creatures. It's Fateful Hour ability is a game changer in my opinion and I can't wait to see how often that mechanic is truly relevant.
  • Thraben Doomsayer - I'm just a stickler for tokens, especially when it comes to the white mage in me and this guy is just begging for a spot in my Soldier Boys and Jesus Freaks deck. I don't know how effective he will be in the sealed format though.

Blue Cards:

  • Artful Doge - The flavour here is great. I also happen to love unblockable creatures. This makes my B/U/R deck "Invisible Fist Bump" more versatile as I can justify throwing in some creatures that otherwise would not benefit from being unblockable.
  • Increasing Confusion - I love milling and the doubling effect of its flashback ability just makes this card a tasty morsel, nuff said.
  • Soul Seizer // Ghastly Haunting - a mind control that is also an evasion creature! Yes please.

Black Cards:

  • Black Cat - I love the picture. I really have no other reasoning behind liking this card.
  • Deadly Allure - Traps have always been my thing, I love springing them on my friends (Ambush Viper is awesome), and with flashback this card has quite a fair bit of utility. Makes my weak 1/1 Humans very dangerous.
  • Zombie Apocalypse - This card is fantastic, I really love how the zombies are starting to come around and be more of a threat. The other reason I love this card is that I don't like having a near trump card in my games, I've always hated stupidly overpowered cards (Emrikol comes to mind) and yet I find myself in love with Invisible Stalker. I like Zombie Apocalypse for the opportunity it gives my friends to counter act my use of Invisible Stalker's excellence.

Red Cards:

  • Curse of Bloodletting - I don't really play a lot of Red but this card has a place in my B/U/R "Invisible Fist Bump" deck as it centers around pumping Invisible Stalker and then swinging away.
  • Hellrider - I like his ability to act as support artillery. I really hope that the Devils / Demons become a viable tribe by the end of the Block. I might be more inclined to play Red if that were the case.

Green Cards:

  • Lost in the Woods - Great flavor here! I would love to see the look on my friends faces when I pull this off on them! 
  • Tracker's Instinct - Mulch for Creatures, excellent. This card is making the idea of a U/G self milling strategy more appealing.
  • Vorapede - What a jerk! I can see this guy really causing problems.

Other Cards:

  • The Tribal Captians (Diregraf Captain), (Drogskol Captain), (Immerwolf), (Stromkirk Captain) - My girlfriend and I are both suckers for Tribal themes and these cards make the tribal aspects of Innistrad Block a bit more playable.
  • Sorin, Lord of Innistrad - Sorin is my favorite Planeswalker and now he's totally playable.
  • Chalice of Life // Chalice of Death - Possibly my favourite artifact in Magic (maybe a slight overstatement) This card will go great in my B/W deck "Your Life for Mine".
  • Jar of Eyeballs - The picture and quirky mechanics are just great.

Well that is all for now keep an eye out for some MTG videos that I hope to do in the nearest of futures.

88's
Lester Crow and His Strolling Bones
0 Comments - Leave a Comment
]]> 0