I had a pretty solid RWU draft the other night with a human focus and a pair of cleavers.
I had the misfortune of facing an excessively good mill deck early on though and my mentor of the meek wasn't doing me favors it seemed.
He's now done 9 seasons of QI (Quite Interesting) ... and I still can't get enough of it.. my lady and I are seeing Alan Davies live in a few days, very excited!
I wish I could channel your patience Paul :) All valid points. I find direct contact impossible unless someones' info is listed...If you click on someones name, it gives you their bio...not contact info. I rather like the public forum - I mean, is it really so much to ask that a PUBLISHED & Paid for effort be decent? I don't like flamers...but I do think more people need to critique, (harsh or Mr.Rodgers-like) efforts that seem sub-par to this game we all love.
Sweet - someone else who loved QFG2 :) I loved that entire series from Hero Quest... but QFG2 was always my favourite.
Have you seen/played the updated fan-based VGA re-release? Should be able to get it free online, it was really good and perfectly true to the original with some nice little improvements.
The Dark was the first set I collected in full, it was great but so many cards that I can see as amazing now weren't obviously amazing when first released.
Thank you, it was a nice read. I agree with most of what you mentioned. I drafted GW a lot during last week. So here goes my (constructive) feedback:
1 Travel preparations is insane i agree, be carefoul how you play it, you dont want to see a silent departure or victim of the night
2. You should have at least 15 to 16 guys
3 the most succesful drafts i did, my curve had no 5 drops.
4. 16 land and 24!
5. In general a hand without turn 1 or 2 creature is a mulligan
6. Removal: Here i must dissent with you, you dont need a rebuke, you cant leave mana open and you have to ATTACK
7 geistcatcher rig: is too far in the curve
8.Ideal scenario you attacking and opponent blocking your horde, then you cast moments of heroism, rangers guile (great to protect your guys) and sometimes spidery gras ( it can be like a rebuke but its better cause has an offensive side)
9 butcher cleaver, its good only in human based, but you wont always have more than 7 humans, its six mana until its going, take it high but never before a good body
Also festering boar can be a good top of the curve, your creatures trade often and then comes the 5/5
Draft he cloistered chica always, a 3/3 for 2 is INSANE in this archetype
I think the answer is to a) talk to Josh directly instead of sniping at him here. or b) start your own content site. If it pays you will certainly attract talent and can filter content however you like. I think if you want to see improvements here you need to give precise and non-condescending advice.
That said I agree with you that hemming and hawing in video/audio content is not acceptable in general and I typically don't watch video or listen to audio unless I already like the poster and trust them to give good content.
@ the OP: keep at it and hopefully you will improve your presentation to the point that Deluxe gives you compliments instead of knocks.
Yeah this was a rough deck to play against. The interaction between bombardment and Tariel was nasty for sure (lethal in fact) but the worst part was the recurring Mangara + thousand-year elixir. Can't say I loved sitting through that game.
Yeah this new version is a lot tighter. I like that you stuck to your guns and keeps the activated ability theme going. I have changed mine up following Lord Ermans plan minus the mass discard. I'll probably post the list here a little later just for comparison.
You are very right about the mana in this deck. It is very color intensive and the mana base is tricky to build. I ended up cutting all but the most essential colorless lands. I also feature a lot of basic land searches rather then regular mana rocks. Like you said Tariel is a grindy commander, and I found that getting there consistently and with the right colors was better then getting there fast. Plus like you said signets and such always seem to end up in the bin.
As for who to build next, personally I would like to see your take on Fumiko the low blood. It has been a pet deck of mine forever, but I never see anyone else try her. She has such an interesting ability. It can really lends itself to an interesting deck style, defensive red.
Play whatever you want, I'm just pleading that you put more effort into your endeavor. I don't care if a guy is awful and goes 0-60, if he has well-though-out ideas/layout etc.,. it makes it worth visiting. This 'effort' simply left me angered for the reasons above, so much so that I can't keep my mouth (fingers) quiet! I'm mostly angry at the admin here at puremtgo...they need to set the bar MUCH higher.
@greyes23: I agree with what Deluxeicoff said... But also its because I don't have invigorates, so poison is sadly out of my reach until, hopefully, the price goes down when masques block comes out.
@Deluxeicoff: Listen, I'm not gonna pick a fight with you and I respect your skills at magic, but I will say this. I had plenty of testing vs Mono Green Stompy and I've watched friends play it in the past. Also if I'm saying Um and Maybe a lot, its because I'm considering my options. I guess I'm sorry because I don't play quick enough?
Also if you don't think I'm worthy enough to play a deck you seem to be amazing with and that you like so much, well that's ok. I don't mind what you think.
Stompy is a very good deck, I am really not sure why it is so rare to see nowadays, but stompy in the hands of a pilot who knows it well (probably why it isn't seen much) is one of the matchups I fear the most.
As for Rogue Elephant, it was a product of its time. A first turn Rogue Elephant with a turn two Rancor (or double Rancor) was just too much for a lot of decks to deal with.
Eight-land builds with Quirion Ranger tricks and Elvish Spirit Guides would draw pure gas all the way home.
I noticed in deluxeicoff's article on Stompy (a great read, by the way)
that Shinen of Life's Roar is a big player. I used to run Taunting Elf. "Swing with everything, you have to block the Taunting Elf" led to a lot of wins.
Stompy is an archetype that never goes away completely. It's fun to play, cheap to build, and it can steal wins from the unprepared.
Just writing about it makes me want to sleeve it up all over again.
Even though the Grottos do slow your mana development down somewhat, I actually think they are decent even in a 2 color deck, assuming that you have double mana costed spells. I actually tried the deck without the splash and without the Grottos in last Monday's event, and in several spots I would have loved to have a Grotto on board to avoid being color-screwed when you only draw a single of one Land type but multiples of another.
I meant to say, I'm not a fan of Grotto in a 2 colour deck, and your only reason to have them are the Manic Vandals. Now I understand you want the chance to recur the Vandals from the graveyard, but I wonder if it's worth the damage to your mana development. I'd try it without Grotto's, and some additional bounce or countermagic instead of Vandals... in fact why not Lost in the Mist which does both.
Consistency mostly - in the hands of a good pilot, Stompy will 'get you there' more often. Infects speed and great draws can be very intoxicating, but in a tourney over 4 rounds... Stompy's the best choice unless some more men have infect in the future. I find when playing vs. infect, if you can stifle their initial 1-2 creatures...they draw tricks and not meat. It is a VERY close call, as your opp is initially starting with 1/2 the life in one than the other :)
Sorry to be harsh, but after hearing the 56th, "I guess..." or "...um, I think.. maybe..." I got really upset at the lack of effort.
Pressing record and imparting on your audience an admitted-to lack of knowledge/expertise on Stompy, followed by half-hearted and unsupported observations really gets you nothing, even worse, it gives your audience even less. It is simply frustrating to me as a reader/watcher. What was your point? "Oh here's a half-assed attempt to ramble on about a deck I admit I don't know much about..TICKETS PLEASE."
sigh...
anyone wanting the above click of "MONO GREEN" to lead to something valid, try this:
For Serious? I like the idea that AJ presented- Draw-Go. Of course it would have Force of Will, but also other "free" counter spells, Thwart, Foil, Circular Logic, etc....for Card Draw Brainstorm/Ancestral Vision/Ponder/Preordain. Maybe Nether Spirit or Psychatog as potential finishers. I dunno, but Force of Will is def. not on the reserve list.
Without commentary, I find it very difficult to watch these videos.
I think it's because i get bored and tend to switch to another tab, but that isn't really an option in your videos, since all the commentary is text. I think if you were able to provide verbal commentary, these would be much more compelling offerings.
I do appreciate your remarks in the body of the text, but that's all I've been able to bring myself to do to engage with your articles.
I forget about Pod decks because I kind of dismiss them (they are better than I give them credit for), but I would say that Arbiter is definitely legit against those.
I had a pretty solid RWU draft the other night with a human focus and a pair of cleavers.
I had the misfortune of facing an excessively good mill deck early on though and my mentor of the meek wasn't doing me favors it seemed.
Glad to see them getting some love here.
People just don't show that card enough respect from what I've seen.
I'm a big fan of the Rings + Fetch lands.
He's now done 9 seasons of QI (Quite Interesting) ... and I still can't get enough of it.. my lady and I are seeing Alan Davies live in a few days, very excited!
I wish I could channel your patience Paul :) All valid points. I find direct contact impossible unless someones' info is listed...If you click on someones name, it gives you their bio...not contact info. I rather like the public forum - I mean, is it really so much to ask that a PUBLISHED & Paid for effort be decent? I don't like flamers...but I do think more people need to critique, (harsh or Mr.Rodgers-like) efforts that seem sub-par to this game we all love.
Sweet - someone else who loved QFG2 :) I loved that entire series from Hero Quest... but QFG2 was always my favourite.
Have you seen/played the updated fan-based VGA re-release? Should be able to get it free online, it was really good and perfectly true to the original with some nice little improvements.
The Dark was the first set I collected in full, it was great but so many cards that I can see as amazing now weren't obviously amazing when first released.
Thank you, it was a nice read. I agree with most of what you mentioned. I drafted GW a lot during last week. So here goes my (constructive) feedback:
1 Travel preparations is insane i agree, be carefoul how you play it, you dont want to see a silent departure or victim of the night
2. You should have at least 15 to 16 guys
3 the most succesful drafts i did, my curve had no 5 drops.
4. 16 land and 24!
5. In general a hand without turn 1 or 2 creature is a mulligan
6. Removal: Here i must dissent with you, you dont need a rebuke, you cant leave mana open and you have to ATTACK
7 geistcatcher rig: is too far in the curve
8.Ideal scenario you attacking and opponent blocking your horde, then you cast moments of heroism, rangers guile (great to protect your guys) and sometimes spidery gras ( it can be like a rebuke but its better cause has an offensive side)
9 butcher cleaver, its good only in human based, but you wont always have more than 7 humans, its six mana until its going, take it high but never before a good body
Also festering boar can be a good top of the curve, your creatures trade often and then comes the 5/5
Draft he cloistered chica always, a 3/3 for 2 is INSANE in this archetype
Keep up the good work!
You can always find more Clan Magic Eternal content here http://www.youtube.com/user/ClanMagicEternal in between the PTV articles.
I think the answer is to a) talk to Josh directly instead of sniping at him here. or b) start your own content site. If it pays you will certainly attract talent and can filter content however you like. I think if you want to see improvements here you need to give precise and non-condescending advice.
That said I agree with you that hemming and hawing in video/audio content is not acceptable in general and I typically don't watch video or listen to audio unless I already like the poster and trust them to give good content.
@ the OP: keep at it and hopefully you will improve your presentation to the point that Deluxe gives you compliments instead of knocks.
I miss my
I miss my
I miss my Penguin TV.
Here is where I am at now. It is a very different deck. I am don"t rely as heavily on my own creatures, and I have a lot of sacrifice options.
1 Expedition Map
1 Armillary Sphere
1 Wayfarer's Bauble
1 Traveler's Amulet
1 Mycosynth Wellspring
1 Thran Dynamo
1 Darksteel Ingot
1 Sol Ring
1 Skullclamp
1 Lightning Greaves
1 Darksteel Plate
1 Shield of Kaldra
1 Swiftfoot Boots
1 Thornbite Staff
1 Rings of Brighthearth
1 Thousand-Year Elixir
1 Tariel, Reckoner of Souls
1 Sun Titan
1 Kor Sanctifiers
1 Nezumi Graverobber
1 Goblin Welder
1 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Anger
1 Coffin Queen
1 Charmbreaker Devils
1 Graveborn Muse
1 Weathered Wayfarer
1 Pilgrim's Eye
1 Urabrask the Hidden
1 Geth, Lord of the Vault
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Brion Stoutarm
1 Withered Wretch
1 Phyrexian Arena
1 Gate to Phyrexia
1 Goblin Bombardment
1 Debtors' Knell
1 Mind Slash
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Grim Tutor
1 Imperial Seal
1 Diabolic Tutor
1 Steelshaper's Gift
1 Beseech the Queen
1 Enlightened Tutor
1 Ambition's Cost
1 Promise of Power
1 Wheel of Fortune
1 Victimize
1 Mortify
1 Recoup
1 Damnation
1 Life's Finale
1 Catastrophe
1 Day of Judgment
1 Blasphemous Act
1 Phyrexian Rebirth
1 Decree of Pain
1 Chain Reaction
1 Martial Coup
1 Austere Command
5 Mountain
8 Plains
7 Swamp
1 Temple of the False God
1 Clifftop Retreat
1 Graven Cairns
1 Bloodstained Mire
1 Arid Mesa
1 Badlands
1 Volrath's Stronghold
1 Isolated Chapel
1 Buried Ruin
1 Marsh Flats
1 Rocky Tar Pit
1 Command Tower
1 Phyrexian Tower
1 Lavaclaw Reaches
1 Dragonskull Summit
1 Evolving Wilds
1 Terramorphic Expanse
1 Bojuka Bog
1 Kher Keep
Yeah this was a rough deck to play against. The interaction between bombardment and Tariel was nasty for sure (lethal in fact) but the worst part was the recurring Mangara + thousand-year elixir. Can't say I loved sitting through that game.
Yeah this new version is a lot tighter. I like that you stuck to your guns and keeps the activated ability theme going. I have changed mine up following Lord Ermans plan minus the mass discard. I'll probably post the list here a little later just for comparison.
You are very right about the mana in this deck. It is very color intensive and the mana base is tricky to build. I ended up cutting all but the most essential colorless lands. I also feature a lot of basic land searches rather then regular mana rocks. Like you said Tariel is a grindy commander, and I found that getting there consistently and with the right colors was better then getting there fast. Plus like you said signets and such always seem to end up in the bin.
As for who to build next, personally I would like to see your take on Fumiko the low blood. It has been a pet deck of mine forever, but I never see anyone else try her. She has such an interesting ability. It can really lends itself to an interesting deck style, defensive red.
Play whatever you want, I'm just pleading that you put more effort into your endeavor. I don't care if a guy is awful and goes 0-60, if he has well-though-out ideas/layout etc.,. it makes it worth visiting. This 'effort' simply left me angered for the reasons above, so much so that I can't keep my mouth (fingers) quiet! I'm mostly angry at the admin here at puremtgo...they need to set the bar MUCH higher.
@greyes23: I agree with what Deluxeicoff said... But also its because I don't have invigorates, so poison is sadly out of my reach until, hopefully, the price goes down when masques block comes out.
@Deluxeicoff: Listen, I'm not gonna pick a fight with you and I respect your skills at magic, but I will say this. I had plenty of testing vs Mono Green Stompy and I've watched friends play it in the past. Also if I'm saying Um and Maybe a lot, its because I'm considering my options. I guess I'm sorry because I don't play quick enough?
Also if you don't think I'm worthy enough to play a deck you seem to be amazing with and that you like so much, well that's ok. I don't mind what you think.
Stompy is a very good deck, I am really not sure why it is so rare to see nowadays, but stompy in the hands of a pilot who knows it well (probably why it isn't seen much) is one of the matchups I fear the most.
As for Rogue Elephant, it was a product of its time. A first turn Rogue Elephant with a turn two Rancor (or double Rancor) was just too much for a lot of decks to deal with.
Eight-land builds with Quirion Ranger tricks and Elvish Spirit Guides would draw pure gas all the way home.
I noticed in deluxeicoff's article on Stompy (a great read, by the way)
that Shinen of Life's Roar is a big player. I used to run Taunting Elf. "Swing with everything, you have to block the Taunting Elf" led to a lot of wins.
Stompy is an archetype that never goes away completely. It's fun to play, cheap to build, and it can steal wins from the unprepared.
Just writing about it makes me want to sleeve it up all over again.
Even though the Grottos do slow your mana development down somewhat, I actually think they are decent even in a 2 color deck, assuming that you have double mana costed spells. I actually tried the deck without the splash and without the Grottos in last Monday's event, and in several spots I would have loved to have a Grotto on board to avoid being color-screwed when you only draw a single of one Land type but multiples of another.
I meant to say, I'm not a fan of Grotto in a 2 colour deck, and your only reason to have them are the Manic Vandals. Now I understand you want the chance to recur the Vandals from the graveyard, but I wonder if it's worth the damage to your mana development. I'd try it without Grotto's, and some additional bounce or countermagic instead of Vandals... in fact why not Lost in the Mist which does both.
Great listing...I think we may see Sorceress Queen or the Devil's in the next set or two...
Consistency mostly - in the hands of a good pilot, Stompy will 'get you there' more often. Infects speed and great draws can be very intoxicating, but in a tourney over 4 rounds... Stompy's the best choice unless some more men have infect in the future. I find when playing vs. infect, if you can stifle their initial 1-2 creatures...they draw tricks and not meat. It is a VERY close call, as your opp is initially starting with 1/2 the life in one than the other :)
Is there any reason to run stompy over infect? What am I missing here?
Sorry to be harsh, but after hearing the 56th, "I guess..." or "...um, I think.. maybe..." I got really upset at the lack of effort.
Pressing record and imparting on your audience an admitted-to lack of knowledge/expertise on Stompy, followed by half-hearted and unsupported observations really gets you nothing, even worse, it gives your audience even less. It is simply frustrating to me as a reader/watcher. What was your point? "Oh here's a half-assed attempt to ramble on about a deck I admit I don't know much about..TICKETS PLEASE."
sigh...
anyone wanting the above click of "MONO GREEN" to lead to something valid, try this:
http://puremtgo.com/articles/pauper-stompy
Yes I wrote it. And I respected my audience enough to edit it and base it on some expertise/tourney knowledge.
Hey guys. Nice cast this week.
Premium Deck Series wish?
A collision of the 2 worst mechanics ever:
Dredge v. Cascade
For Serious? I like the idea that AJ presented- Draw-Go. Of course it would have Force of Will, but also other "free" counter spells, Thwart, Foil, Circular Logic, etc....for Card Draw Brainstorm/Ancestral Vision/Ponder/Preordain. Maybe Nether Spirit or Psychatog as potential finishers. I dunno, but Force of Will is def. not on the reserve list.
What do you guys think?
Without commentary, I find it very difficult to watch these videos.
I think it's because i get bored and tend to switch to another tab, but that isn't really an option in your videos, since all the commentary is text. I think if you were able to provide verbal commentary, these would be much more compelling offerings.
I do appreciate your remarks in the body of the text, but that's all I've been able to bring myself to do to engage with your articles.
I forget about Pod decks because I kind of dismiss them (they are better than I give them credit for), but I would say that Arbiter is definitely legit against those.
RE: Richard Longo-
I work with a gentleman called Richard Gross....