I like the personalities series. To be honest, i get tired of reading about match reports and tournament reports all the time. Not that we don't need them, I just like a mix of things.
My only complaint, and its just a pet peave of mine, is to not use acronyms when writing articles. Some people reading these acronyms may not know what they mean. I don't know what IIRC is. At least spell it out the first time if you plan on using it multiple times in the article.
Hi, I just want to say thanks for all the kind words from everyone. I took a look in the mirror, and realize, that as a potential novice in the EDH realm, I have a lot to learn, and that my deck builds aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. I guess I kinda missed the entire EDH point, and just because I want to have a long, banter back and forth duel, the next guy may not. He may just want to stomp. That's not his fault, and I shouldn't take it personal.
I played several games yesterday, had a good time, maybe got the "W" in one out of five, but I was ok with it. I struck up conversations with the people I played against, and realized that all of my decks need some overhauling...even my really fun GrimGrin deck.
Good article and white weenie is a solid deck. I don't know about saying it has a solid match against everything though. As a storm player, I consider white weenie my easiest matchup of any of the popular decks, and it's not really close.
I still have to read it all properly from the beginning (just started by reading some bits here and there), but it seems one of the best interviews you ever made. (Well, thanks to the subject too, I guess).
I loved to see Dwarven Pony as the ultimate bad card. :)
For the future, I just would like for you to interview more non-American people. Even "extremely" non-American, like seeking out that Japanese guy that just won that big tournament. To see how Magic is perceived at the other side of the world. More about the people and culture a player represents than the actual personality -- you can't have a Pete Jahn every time :)
1. He gets a special spreadsheet of prices from the site. It's not something you or I could reasonably do without it.
2. This article is written two days in advance, so the price discussions, especially during release windows, are always going to be a bit off. So essentially his statement about the bottoming happened after he wrote it and before your comment.
3. Although I agree with many points about the rant, especially personal preference versus universality, I think some of the logic here is a bit flawed. Your comparison to a company such as Ford won't work because Ford does not have a monopoly on cars of any type. Wizards makes Magic and no one else can. Further, the point about phasing out prereleases may not be on target, but the talk about the prize support is absolutely valid, even if you do argue the extra pack from the draft format devalued the packs slightly. I doubt it's the only factor going on there. Regardless, if you want to draft, you have two choices (sometimes just one). People can either accept the 4 pack top or not play. There is no control to show that people would spend money on something else if they could. It's like a poll I just saw that showed Americans would rather their child be a Wall Street broker than an Occupy Wall Street Protester. Well, yeah, when you give them those two choices, of course they select that. It's like asking if you would rather your child be a hobo or a congressman. The point is, people continue to play those formats because there is no alternative. Sure, maybe complaining won't work, but what else can you do? Stop playing? Most people don't realize how to make their voices heard, so they'll just keep playing.
Also, the anti-rant about complaining is actually just as bad as the "writer's block" argument, just in reverse. I see the same knee-jerk reaction on both sides. One guy complains. The other guy tells him to stop complaining. Which is less original? I say all this as someone who straddles the fence. I see valid points on both sides. But it's not just one side that relies on a cliched trope.
4. The Wolf deck is still at the top. Other articles on other sites have highlighted this. Not sure why the above comment thinks it's way past its prime already.
You are aware the prices for the ISD singles have hit bottom 2 days ago?
I found the bottom after Geist of Tramp Stamp went from 6-8, and every other card has also started to go up even if it's incrementally. I mean Lilliana is up, Garruk is up, Super Skaab is up a full $1, and Snappy has hit a bottom, but that was bound to happen. I mean thank god WotC made it a rare and not Mythic.
If it was a Mythic it would be force of will x2, haha.
But there are a ton of Snappy's out there, so I see 10-12 as a fair price.
You have even seen the duals that will be used in ISD block and STD go up, like the R/W which has seen a nice jump off it's bottom price of .70-ish to 0.80-ish. I only wish I bought Geist of Tramp Stamp at 6 but it's jump to 8 and soon to be 10 will be a nice jump.
*I just would hope that you, in your state of the program would understand that prices have hit the bottom and are on their way down... That is unless MTGOtraders manipulates their prices?
And for your "New Deck Tech" those are already on the way out. The new winning deck is the Human STD white weenie. Infect won a few, but it's being dealt with, and Kessig Wolf Run is on it's way out. It's just too slow to beat the decks that are coming out now that ISD is somewhat affordable.
I think it would be fun to talk about the STD version of Burning Vengeance. In ISD it's hard to beat if you are playing a very well constructed deck, and in STD you can make a really good version that I have read on some websites has done well in tournaments.
Or maybe the Gavonry Township deck? What about the U/B control Mill deck? Those are "New Deck Tech".
-------------
And for the Masques block, I am excited. There is a card in the set called Squirrel Master, or something like that. There is a guy that makes squirrels. I am making a squirrel deck and will pay top dollar for that card if you want to sell it.
Why has Sword of Feast and Famine skyrocketed like it has? I cashed mine out at 25 and it is still up another 5 since then. Is it really seeing that much more play now then in previous times?
Personally - I can't think of a time where I don't want bodyguard...I'd argue 4 is always the correct number to have..., perhaps cutting priest to 3 - Additionally, the sideboard in the first deck is VASTLY superior for tournament play...I was about to write (imo) but it really isn't - it is simply better, my 'opinion' has nothing to do with it :)
Thank you. FINALLY a well written article on this site. WW is as you say, always a solid choice, never a slamdunk - but if you like to grind out your skills...there's no better! Archer introduced the Trooper tech about 9 months back, he ran 2 maindeck. Not sold on priest, as it seems light on meat with so many 1/1's...but it's all player preference. Keep in mind WW players...Flaring Pain WILL AND DOES Kill Acolytes/Guardian of Guildpacts, and trumps Prismatic Strands. So many times I've seen people do a digital head-scratch when they go to the graveyard after a Flaring Pain is cast.
I'm more wondering where you get those prices. The MTGOTraders website doesn't really lend itself to getting prices for multiple cards or in a spreadsheet-like format.
I loved your comment on the Knutson piece. People love to complain, but the fact of the matter is that complaining isn't how you get things done; you can only vote with your wallet. Prereleases and 4322s are not going away because people will keep on paying for them. You can boycott them if you really want to take a principled stand, but you aren't really going to make a difference, because people will keep on paying for these events.
I remember working as a waiter and Winger's years ago. I liked most of the things on the menu, but there were two items that I could not stand. However, there were people that swore by those items, and ordered them every time they came into the restaurant.
8 months since your last article huh? Next thing you know we'll start cycling together... Get it? Like, 2 mana to cycle, except it was an implication that... Yeah, never mind.
Good article, and I genuinely wish I was patient enough to play Commander online.
Thanks for the +1. I hope it's well established that I love the hell out of this site, but I think an update could go a looooooong way, and vBulletin is just so easy to support.
I keep considering dropping the tribe and going a more MBC route with Bloodline Keepers and whatnot, but I'm committed to seeing this strategy through, and am still enjoying success.
Also sorry to burst your bubble but I've since bolstered my defense against the dreaded Dissipate, and it's not the horrible threat it once was.
Finally, yeah, embarrassed about the 58 card list. When I got home I confirmed the missing cards were a single Reaper From the Abyss and a third Moan of the Unhallowed.
PS: That picture was taken by my wife piloting my UW control deck, and the kiddo's sitting at a UG Madness deck. She's actually got a tiny tiny fist full of Deep Analysis, Aquamoeba, Circular Logic and Frantic Search... But I guess even babies get mana screwed...
heres a corner case.
it takes 15 mins of your clock to assemble the right win. i find it hard to see this happining though, as once you start going infinate your opponent will most likely conceed. i would still gold fish the infi triggers though, practising mtgo infi loops can shave a lot of time .
Good as always. This one was particularly fun for me, because it is the first time your general is the same as one of my regular decks.
My decks is very different though. Sure it has plenty of token love, but my primary focus was Ulasht's pinging ability. My deck is centered around pinging and deathtouch with token to support that. It is a lot of fun, and pretty effective. Average cost comes in at 3.5 to so it is a bit faster.
Still I picked up a few new ideas. I can't believe it hasn't occurred to me to put Citanul Hierophants in the deck, and it is going in for sure. I also need to find a spot for Spawnwrithe. How good is the Hornet Queen for you? I have thought about her, but just haven't shelled out the tickets for it. I also may have to give Warp World a whirl.
Other things you might want to consider. Dragonmaster Outcast and Jade Mage are nice little token producers that come out cheap to lower you average casting cost. As far a destruction stuff goes Nullmage Shepherd is awesome in a token deck. Also Shivan Harvest can potentially be abusive and mean, but at the very least it can take care of any opposing problem lands.
Hi I really cannot think of a corner case where you will lose with active worker staff (remember you can also tap down all thier creatures). They are going to be unlikely to cast anything through 12 spheres. Plus strengthening the deck against a rare occurrence (even if one exists) at the expense of weakening the deck and reducing MU%'s against the field is not a good plan.
I like your previous work and love to see more classic content on PureMTGO. Good luck with the next article.
Lol i love Sheldon Menery and think his articles and playstyle are fantastic and actually mirror mine. THought Travis at MTGOAcademy has some of the funniest videos and his decks are inventive if a bit grieferish
First of all, welcome back Jeff. I truly missed this humorous writing and it's good to have it back.
Second of all, a huge, Huge, HUGE and H-U-G-E +1 to that rant about Puremtgo.
About the deck: I'm also toying with a mono Black deck these days but mine isn't a Zombies tribal like yours but it's a bit more Control-ish one with Bloodgift Demon, Liliana, Reaper from the Abyss and tons of removal. One creature I find very interesting in that deck is Typhoid Rats. That rat is so cheap but it can kill even the mightiest of Werewolves... until it eats a removal and dies of course. Which is also fine because now your opponent wasted a precious removal on your 1/1 creature!
Your Zombies do look good as well and it's also good to hear that "things go south" when you come accross Dissipates because I'm also tapping Islands and casting Dissipates in Block these days. It's good to hear that I have a good match up against Zombies by default.
Finally, your final version of the deck has 58 cards.
And welcome back!
LE
PS: Oh and give that lovely girl of yours a few Islands and some Counterspells and Rewinds and Hinders. If she's anything like her father, then she will love them more than she loves those Forests (Forests?!! Really?! I'm very disappointed!).
I like the personalities series. To be honest, i get tired of reading about match reports and tournament reports all the time. Not that we don't need them, I just like a mix of things.
My only complaint, and its just a pet peave of mine, is to not use acronyms when writing articles. Some people reading these acronyms may not know what they mean. I don't know what IIRC is. At least spell it out the first time if you plan on using it multiple times in the article.
Otherwise a good job.
Hi, I just want to say thanks for all the kind words from everyone. I took a look in the mirror, and realize, that as a potential novice in the EDH realm, I have a lot to learn, and that my deck builds aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. I guess I kinda missed the entire EDH point, and just because I want to have a long, banter back and forth duel, the next guy may not. He may just want to stomp. That's not his fault, and I shouldn't take it personal.
I played several games yesterday, had a good time, maybe got the "W" in one out of five, but I was ok with it. I struck up conversations with the people I played against, and realized that all of my decks need some overhauling...even my really fun GrimGrin deck.
Grats on the level 1 (finally!) and welcome back. :) glad to see you are still playing and writing about commander.
Good article and white weenie is a solid deck. I don't know about saying it has a solid match against everything though. As a storm player, I consider white weenie my easiest matchup of any of the popular decks, and it's not really close.
I still have to read it all properly from the beginning (just started by reading some bits here and there), but it seems one of the best interviews you ever made. (Well, thanks to the subject too, I guess).
I loved to see Dwarven Pony as the ultimate bad card. :)
For the future, I just would like for you to interview more non-American people. Even "extremely" non-American, like seeking out that Japanese guy that just won that big tournament. To see how Magic is perceived at the other side of the world. More about the people and culture a player represents than the actual personality -- you can't have a Pete Jahn every time :)
1. He gets a special spreadsheet of prices from the site. It's not something you or I could reasonably do without it.
2. This article is written two days in advance, so the price discussions, especially during release windows, are always going to be a bit off. So essentially his statement about the bottoming happened after he wrote it and before your comment.
3. Although I agree with many points about the rant, especially personal preference versus universality, I think some of the logic here is a bit flawed. Your comparison to a company such as Ford won't work because Ford does not have a monopoly on cars of any type. Wizards makes Magic and no one else can. Further, the point about phasing out prereleases may not be on target, but the talk about the prize support is absolutely valid, even if you do argue the extra pack from the draft format devalued the packs slightly. I doubt it's the only factor going on there. Regardless, if you want to draft, you have two choices (sometimes just one). People can either accept the 4 pack top or not play. There is no control to show that people would spend money on something else if they could. It's like a poll I just saw that showed Americans would rather their child be a Wall Street broker than an Occupy Wall Street Protester. Well, yeah, when you give them those two choices, of course they select that. It's like asking if you would rather your child be a hobo or a congressman. The point is, people continue to play those formats because there is no alternative. Sure, maybe complaining won't work, but what else can you do? Stop playing? Most people don't realize how to make their voices heard, so they'll just keep playing.
Also, the anti-rant about complaining is actually just as bad as the "writer's block" argument, just in reverse. I see the same knee-jerk reaction on both sides. One guy complains. The other guy tells him to stop complaining. Which is less original? I say all this as someone who straddles the fence. I see valid points on both sides. But it's not just one side that relies on a cliched trope.
4. The Wolf deck is still at the top. Other articles on other sites have highlighted this. Not sure why the above comment thinks it's way past its prime already.
You are aware the prices for the ISD singles have hit bottom 2 days ago?
I found the bottom after Geist of Tramp Stamp went from 6-8, and every other card has also started to go up even if it's incrementally. I mean Lilliana is up, Garruk is up, Super Skaab is up a full $1, and Snappy has hit a bottom, but that was bound to happen. I mean thank god WotC made it a rare and not Mythic.
If it was a Mythic it would be force of will x2, haha.
But there are a ton of Snappy's out there, so I see 10-12 as a fair price.
You have even seen the duals that will be used in ISD block and STD go up, like the R/W which has seen a nice jump off it's bottom price of .70-ish to 0.80-ish. I only wish I bought Geist of Tramp Stamp at 6 but it's jump to 8 and soon to be 10 will be a nice jump.
*I just would hope that you, in your state of the program would understand that prices have hit the bottom and are on their way down... That is unless MTGOtraders manipulates their prices?
And for your "New Deck Tech" those are already on the way out. The new winning deck is the Human STD white weenie. Infect won a few, but it's being dealt with, and Kessig Wolf Run is on it's way out. It's just too slow to beat the decks that are coming out now that ISD is somewhat affordable.
I think it would be fun to talk about the STD version of Burning Vengeance. In ISD it's hard to beat if you are playing a very well constructed deck, and in STD you can make a really good version that I have read on some websites has done well in tournaments.
Or maybe the Gavonry Township deck? What about the U/B control Mill deck? Those are "New Deck Tech".
-------------
And for the Masques block, I am excited. There is a card in the set called Squirrel Master, or something like that. There is a guy that makes squirrels. I am making a squirrel deck and will pay top dollar for that card if you want to sell it.
Why has Sword of Feast and Famine skyrocketed like it has? I cashed mine out at 25 and it is still up another 5 since then. Is it really seeing that much more play now then in previous times?
Personally - I can't think of a time where I don't want bodyguard...I'd argue 4 is always the correct number to have..., perhaps cutting priest to 3 - Additionally, the sideboard in the first deck is VASTLY superior for tournament play...I was about to write (imo) but it really isn't - it is simply better, my 'opinion' has nothing to do with it :)
Thank you. FINALLY a well written article on this site. WW is as you say, always a solid choice, never a slamdunk - but if you like to grind out your skills...there's no better! Archer introduced the Trooper tech about 9 months back, he ran 2 maindeck. Not sold on priest, as it seems light on meat with so many 1/1's...but it's all player preference. Keep in mind WW players...Flaring Pain WILL AND DOES Kill Acolytes/Guardian of Guildpacts, and trumps Prismatic Strands. So many times I've seen people do a digital head-scratch when they go to the graveyard after a Flaring Pain is cast.
Again, thanks...and if anyone is bored or wants yet even more info on WW (although about 2 years back) this article is also relevant: http://puremtgo.com/articles/why-white-weenie-wins
keep it up!
-Deluxe
I'm more wondering where you get those prices. The MTGOTraders website doesn't really lend itself to getting prices for multiple cards or in a spreadsheet-like format.
Thanks for reading and the congrats.
I think easiest (and very rough) way would be (1xAvg Rate + 3xAvg Unc +11xAvg Common)*6
I loved your comment on the Knutson piece. People love to complain, but the fact of the matter is that complaining isn't how you get things done; you can only vote with your wallet. Prereleases and 4322s are not going away because people will keep on paying for them. You can boycott them if you really want to take a principled stand, but you aren't really going to make a difference, because people will keep on paying for these events.
I remember working as a waiter and Winger's years ago. I liked most of the things on the menu, but there were two items that I could not stand. However, there were people that swore by those items, and ordered them every time they came into the restaurant.
"The average value of the cards in six-pack Lorwyn block sealed is $9 or so."
How do you determine this?
can we put elspeth tirel under standard cards? she is becoming popular lately
8 months since your last article huh? Next thing you know we'll start cycling together... Get it? Like, 2 mana to cycle, except it was an implication that... Yeah, never mind.
Good article, and I genuinely wish I was patient enough to play Commander online.
And of course, grats on the judgification!
Thanks guys, I missed all y'all too.
Thanks for the +1. I hope it's well established that I love the hell out of this site, but I think an update could go a looooooong way, and vBulletin is just so easy to support.
I keep considering dropping the tribe and going a more MBC route with Bloodline Keepers and whatnot, but I'm committed to seeing this strategy through, and am still enjoying success.
Also sorry to burst your bubble but I've since bolstered my defense against the dreaded Dissipate, and it's not the horrible threat it once was.
Finally, yeah, embarrassed about the 58 card list. When I got home I confirmed the missing cards were a single Reaper From the Abyss and a third Moan of the Unhallowed.
PS: That picture was taken by my wife piloting my UW control deck, and the kiddo's sitting at a UG Madness deck. She's actually got a tiny tiny fist full of Deep Analysis, Aquamoeba, Circular Logic and Frantic Search... But I guess even babies get mana screwed...
heres a corner case.
it takes 15 mins of your clock to assemble the right win. i find it hard to see this happining though, as once you start going infinate your opponent will most likely conceed. i would still gold fish the infi triggers though, practising mtgo infi loops can shave a lot of time .
Good as always. This one was particularly fun for me, because it is the first time your general is the same as one of my regular decks.
My decks is very different though. Sure it has plenty of token love, but my primary focus was Ulasht's pinging ability. My deck is centered around pinging and deathtouch with token to support that. It is a lot of fun, and pretty effective. Average cost comes in at 3.5 to so it is a bit faster.
Still I picked up a few new ideas. I can't believe it hasn't occurred to me to put Citanul Hierophants in the deck, and it is going in for sure. I also need to find a spot for Spawnwrithe. How good is the Hornet Queen for you? I have thought about her, but just haven't shelled out the tickets for it. I also may have to give Warp World a whirl.
Other things you might want to consider. Dragonmaster Outcast and Jade Mage are nice little token producers that come out cheap to lower you average casting cost. As far a destruction stuff goes Nullmage Shepherd is awesome in a token deck. Also Shivan Harvest can potentially be abusive and mean, but at the very least it can take care of any opposing problem lands.
Good job! It seems like Bloodline Keeper is an amazing bomb, winning you at least 4 games. Gotta open one too! :D
Hi I really cannot think of a corner case where you will lose with active worker staff (remember you can also tap down all thier creatures). They are going to be unlikely to cast anything through 12 spheres. Plus strengthening the deck against a rare occurrence (even if one exists) at the expense of weakening the deck and reducing MU%'s against the field is not a good plan.
I like your previous work and love to see more classic content on PureMTGO. Good luck with the next article.
Lol i love Sheldon Menery and think his articles and playstyle are fantastic and actually mirror mine. THought Travis at MTGOAcademy has some of the funniest videos and his decks are inventive if a bit grieferish
First of all, welcome back Jeff. I truly missed this humorous writing and it's good to have it back.
Second of all, a huge, Huge, HUGE and H-U-G-E +1 to that rant about Puremtgo.
About the deck: I'm also toying with a mono Black deck these days but mine isn't a Zombies tribal like yours but it's a bit more Control-ish one with Bloodgift Demon, Liliana, Reaper from the Abyss and tons of removal. One creature I find very interesting in that deck is Typhoid Rats. That rat is so cheap but it can kill even the mightiest of Werewolves... until it eats a removal and dies of course. Which is also fine because now your opponent wasted a precious removal on your 1/1 creature!
Your Zombies do look good as well and it's also good to hear that "things go south" when you come accross Dissipates because I'm also tapping Islands and casting Dissipates in Block these days. It's good to hear that I have a good match up against Zombies by default.
Finally, your final version of the deck has 58 cards.
And welcome back!
LE
PS: Oh and give that lovely girl of yours a few Islands and some Counterspells and Rewinds and Hinders. If she's anything like her father, then she will love them more than she loves those Forests (Forests?!! Really?! I'm very disappointed!).
Welcome back Brother. Odd, I was just thinking about you last night and wondering what happened to you..