Understandable that you missed it since they have a "what's happening" page on the wizards site and a separate "magic online group" (also sometimes called the Magic Online blog just to make things more confusing) on the wizards community site. Why these are separate makes about as much sense as anything wotc does I guess.
That was the only announcement - one short paragraph on the blog that was buried deep in the internet. No going away events or anything.
I feel like responding to some of these comments. I wish there was a better way to quote people here so I could respond to each part individually...but alas there is not.
"What has this comment to do with the article?"
As I understood it, one of the main reasons you built this deck was because you couldn't afford any of the big money cards in the format. Do i need to quote specific examples or can you find them yourself?
"Anyway, I can't speak for other people but as for me is that I don't WANT to build tier 1 decks for multiple reasons:"
Where did I, or anyone else for that matter, ask anything about what you WANT to build? My question stemmed from your blatant dismissal of good cards because of budgetary concerns, which is fine, it just doesn't address what I asked. Again, if you would like specific examples, I'll quote them for you.
Your lettered points are more along the lines of what I was curious about. Yes, I realize you can't speak for other writers however, examples like yours are a good starting point for growth.
A) You are writing about constructed on this site. You posted a constructed decklist you took the time to do research on. You have practiced matchups and evaluated a number of card choices. You even boasted about your fair share of wins. I think it is safe to assume you are "into playing constructed".
B) Does your family have to be rich to own/play with a tier 1 deck?
C) A lot of competitive players don't have expenses too?
D) You may need to pay for something else...don't we all?
Excuse me if I'm just tired of writers here going through the winning Daily Events decks, picking out the cheapest deck, and tossing together a half ass deck, and then writing about it. It isn't everyone, but it has been done here to death. I think I am afforded the right to have the opinion that I would prefer a writer who maybe has saved their limited money for months, and built something that actually competes with a field.
"Interesting. I was always of the opinion that people wouldn't be interested in articles about tier 1 decks because:
1. the audience is more casual overall
2. For more popular formats, you can probably find articles written by better players (I could write articles about tier 1 std decks that I have, but wouldn't you rather read one by LSV?)"
1. Do you have statistics to verify this? Assuming you did, would that even be a legitimate excuse? Perhaps more competitive articles might attract a new audience?
2. Because LSV writes good T1 articles is that a reason for everyone else to not write about T1 decks? Augur writes great T1/DE articles here, I thought.
"Apparently, the perception is that because we are writing that we are pros with endless Magic income."
Please use specific quotes. Nobody said anything of the sort.
"I like the content that this site provides. The writers are not part of some cabal of esoteric "pro/elites", yet they have good insight, have fun (most important IMO), AND are good at playing this game. That is why I come/write here. Community."
I enjoy a lot of the content as well. Thanks for the rambling.
"Actually, since you are somewhat new here I will clue you in. Greyes is a bit of a troll and is also more interested in pure spike articles being posted here. Something of a campaign as I understand it."
I am interested in quality content being posted here. I don't know what pure spike articles even means, nor any campaign nonsense. However, I do find some entertainment in correcting your mistakes, misconceptions, and logical fallacies.
"The value of Extended staples dropped like birdshit, slashed prices in half, made those that owned them weep (deep inside I know some of you wept lol)."
I lol'd. It made me realize that I, grown man, have wept over cardboard. I should write a contrived comedy starring Rob Schneider....
What I miss most about the old Hammy version of State of the Program is that he always seemed to find the largest changers, regardless of what rarity / format / set - it was like he always had his fingers on the pulse of buyers. If you're shooting for the speculation market, that's really what you're looking for - and if that's where you go, you'll have in me a reader for life. I would like to see your math, though - I could use some strategy (I have a spreadsheet that I track certain cards using MTGOTrader's hotlist + a checklist of cards I wanted but didn't want to pay top dollar for, but no real calculations). Definitely write more :-D
The point of speculation is that you are buying the cards before they the next set is released. And since I don't know about 200 cards in the next set, many things can change. I will put together a simple decklist using the cards mentioned above, but it's hard when half the deck might need some innistrad cards.
But I will give it a try, although I warn you, I don't know how to make it as pretty as the other people on the site.
I'm thinking for now that I want my next article to talk about sideboard cards, something that is always overlooked, and I want to look at the "rebirth of white weenie".
And when it comes to the prices of really cheap cards, they don't move much unless they are used, so the only change you may see is $0.15 to $0.10, or sometimes cards are so underutilized, they never move.
The real movement is the cards that are in heavy use, or will be used. But right now, since I focus on standard and standard is stale, then the cards aren't moving much. I mean Garruk (M12), has moved, but he went from 13.50 - 11.00, while Gideon went from 10.00-11.00, but planeswalkers are completely different than cards since it seems people cannot play without one.
I will mention some cards that are definite sells at the moment though.
Can I tell you that 1 match isn't a statistically significant number instead? If your concern is that the variance of Magic outweighs the tolerance of Elo that might be a worthy discussion, but it's hardly a reason to scrap the system.
I can't pull up the numbers to quote at the moment since I'm working from mobile (which hopefully excuses my horrid typing), but I demonstrated the other day that doing 3-2 and 4-2 at just 4 FNM and 4 PTQs gives more points than [b]winning[/b] a Grand Prix. Now you can make whatever case you like about which is a better customer and worthier human being, but let's not pretend they're relatively the same display of skill.
I disagree that a format is never solved: MTGO players had a couple of months to figure the format out, not years, and it was brand new and huge. Think about how long it took Legacy to evolve into every playable deck being put together: It was a long time! At this point though, we know just about everything you can do in Legacy. Modern will be similar: give MODOers a year and see what happens to it at the next PT.
As usual this is a top notch series and I think you are doing credit to Erik's SotP series. But $19 FOWS? Don't we wish eh? :p I know, typo. Still funny :D.
i dont think i like the modern format. as somebody said, it is like legacy without wasteland and fow. i am sure wizards will chnage banned/unbanned list but i think we need force of will in modern. is it too much to ask for a format where midrange decks (rock, doran, etc..) are competetive?
Interesting switch between the ELO ratings and the new system. The new system is much closer to a FIFA-type ratings system. Not exactly, but it's closer than chess ratings. Interestingly, you can alter the chess ratings formula to suit the game you're using it for, but I'm assuming the Magic folks never looked into that. It's hard to do, but I've done it fairly successfully for other sports and games.
Also, just my two cents, but RAV draft is way better than INV. Ravnica is probably the best draft set I've ever had the pleasure to play.
Well I have 2 excuses, one real one fake, see if you can figure out which one is which.
1) I didn't want to make the decklist because I thought the article was too long, and I want to wait for innistrad before I declare Zombie the new Black.
No - the fact that you get 3 points for a win and one for a loss means that skill is still involved. Size of event matters, etc., but that is the multiplier that inflates the points you win or lose. (I'll do the math next week.)
As for ELO - I played against a rare drafter with a 1300 rating in a 32k event - and mulliganned six times in two games. Tell me that ratings loss had anything to do with relative skill - or that it was reasponable to have to win two dozen straight matches to catch up again.
ELO was not a panacea.
This system does two things - gets people to play Magic in stores, and provides a means of giving out invitations to good players. When you look at both goals, it is pretty clear that this is better than ELO.
And no, I am not obsessed about reaching Level 41, but I have been skipping FNM for a while, because it has not seemed worth the drive. This is a change that has me interested in playing again. It didn't take much - porbably tipped 49% go, 51 % skip the drive over to 51% go.
I thought that happened to me one time on a pack 1 mid range pick, Dimir House Guard..was sure I'd have taken 1 already and tried to take another, but only had 1 at build time...now I think I got hosed as well.
Enjoyed this article a lot but it really, really feels like it is missing a decklist at the end of it. Even something thrown together untuned would be better than leaving the obvious finale to a great article empty.
This is a pretty good first artilce, I agree with apaulogy on the Bolded headers..it would break up some of the ongoing text(and might make it seem a little less lengthy). Perhaps for a second article, graph up the cards with this weeks prices and last weeks, or months or something to show your accuracy on speculation. You might get some people that turn their nose up at "this week Cemetery Reaper is .25 , last week it was .20" in a graph, but there are alot of people who would like to see some of the lower priced cards tracked..seems Mythics get all the spotlight now a days...speaking of mythics..oh why oh why isn't Skithiryx a ZOMBIE..damn you WOTC!!!
After a long run, the Urza’s Saga Block draft queues will no longer be scheduled after the downtime on September 7. Don't worry, though, Urza's Saga Block events will be back for special engagements in the future.
You really care that much about getting to 41? Ok, I can' t tell hou you're wrong for wanting it, but grinding events for points that mean nothing doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
Meanwhile, they've just removed the skill measurement from a game that used to care about being a "mental sport" because thy realized iit didn't have the feedback loop of a Farmville. In it's place is a multi-tiered yet meaningless Players Reward system. Now Players Rewards are great motivation for all the reasons Mike and Aaron mentioned. But what the don't mention is that they [b]just got rid of[/b] such a system. One with real rewards.
I personally aren't affected. I lost a bye and potential invite from a GP that I wasn't going to go to anyway. It's just another sign to me though that I'm an adult playing a game that doesn't want to be taken seriously by adults anymore.
As for your request for the Deck Prices section, I like the "old" way where you priced out the most popular decks, perhaps take the top two or three from each format(Classic, Legacy, Modern and Standard) and show a whole deck list grid with that week's prices. I think that would help some people know what is in the decks, and see what cards span multiple decks(Dark Confidant, Tarmogoyf, FOW, etc.) and thus give them some info if they are looking to invest. I know you might run into the same archetype with different cards, but I would say just pick one that had the results most recently as 80% of the cards are going to be the same. I also like your PTSD priced out decks/lists, as an old school player I am fond of those old combo/killer decks and it was nice to be able to see what they would cost today to build online...am I the only one waiting for Masques? Go Pandeburst!! Thanks again for all your work.
I like what you have done here. I agree that Zombies are a great tribe for speculators right now. You also employ humor, which will always win me over. Your images come at decent intervals and you pointed out a few things I overlooked (namely Hand and Crusader being Zombies). Your approach is also humble, not to the point of self-deprecation.
Here are a couple points of feedback, based on my opinion:
1. Length...it is a little long. Not totally damaging to the read, but could be (I am ADHD too).
2. Using Bold-faced headers...just gives the reader some direction in terms of transition.
again, this is my opinion and not because I think I am better than you.
I definitely didn't feel like I needed to be rolling on E with glow-sticks to enjoy this. ;)
Understandable that you missed it since they have a "what's happening" page on the wizards site and a separate "magic online group" (also sometimes called the Magic Online blog just to make things more confusing) on the wizards community site. Why these are separate makes about as much sense as anything wotc does I guess.
That was the only announcement - one short paragraph on the blog that was buried deep in the internet. No going away events or anything.
For those who don't know, the group/blog site is here and updated once a week before downtime:
http://community.wizards.com/magiconline
OH! My apologies... You weren't being unnecessarily antagonistic and provocative. Maya Culpa.
I feel like responding to some of these comments. I wish there was a better way to quote people here so I could respond to each part individually...but alas there is not.
"What has this comment to do with the article?"
As I understood it, one of the main reasons you built this deck was because you couldn't afford any of the big money cards in the format. Do i need to quote specific examples or can you find them yourself?
"Anyway, I can't speak for other people but as for me is that I don't WANT to build tier 1 decks for multiple reasons:"
Where did I, or anyone else for that matter, ask anything about what you WANT to build? My question stemmed from your blatant dismissal of good cards because of budgetary concerns, which is fine, it just doesn't address what I asked. Again, if you would like specific examples, I'll quote them for you.
Your lettered points are more along the lines of what I was curious about. Yes, I realize you can't speak for other writers however, examples like yours are a good starting point for growth.
A) You are writing about constructed on this site. You posted a constructed decklist you took the time to do research on. You have practiced matchups and evaluated a number of card choices. You even boasted about your fair share of wins. I think it is safe to assume you are "into playing constructed".
B) Does your family have to be rich to own/play with a tier 1 deck?
C) A lot of competitive players don't have expenses too?
D) You may need to pay for something else...don't we all?
Excuse me if I'm just tired of writers here going through the winning Daily Events decks, picking out the cheapest deck, and tossing together a half ass deck, and then writing about it. It isn't everyone, but it has been done here to death. I think I am afforded the right to have the opinion that I would prefer a writer who maybe has saved their limited money for months, and built something that actually competes with a field.
"Interesting. I was always of the opinion that people wouldn't be interested in articles about tier 1 decks because:
1. the audience is more casual overall
2. For more popular formats, you can probably find articles written by better players (I could write articles about tier 1 std decks that I have, but wouldn't you rather read one by LSV?)"
1. Do you have statistics to verify this? Assuming you did, would that even be a legitimate excuse? Perhaps more competitive articles might attract a new audience?
2. Because LSV writes good T1 articles is that a reason for everyone else to not write about T1 decks? Augur writes great T1/DE articles here, I thought.
"Apparently, the perception is that because we are writing that we are pros with endless Magic income."
Please use specific quotes. Nobody said anything of the sort.
"I like the content that this site provides. The writers are not part of some cabal of esoteric "pro/elites", yet they have good insight, have fun (most important IMO), AND are good at playing this game. That is why I come/write here. Community."
I enjoy a lot of the content as well. Thanks for the rambling.
"Actually, since you are somewhat new here I will clue you in. Greyes is a bit of a troll and is also more interested in pure spike articles being posted here. Something of a campaign as I understand it."
I am interested in quality content being posted here. I don't know what pure spike articles even means, nor any campaign nonsense. However, I do find some entertainment in correcting your mistakes, misconceptions, and logical fallacies.
"The value of Extended staples dropped like birdshit, slashed prices in half, made those that owned them weep (deep inside I know some of you wept lol)."
I lol'd. It made me realize that I, grown man, have wept over cardboard. I should write a contrived comedy starring Rob Schneider....
Thanks for the lol.
What I miss most about the old Hammy version of State of the Program is that he always seemed to find the largest changers, regardless of what rarity / format / set - it was like he always had his fingers on the pulse of buyers. If you're shooting for the speculation market, that's really what you're looking for - and if that's where you go, you'll have in me a reader for life. I would like to see your math, though - I could use some strategy (I have a spreadsheet that I track certain cards using MTGOTrader's hotlist + a checklist of cards I wanted but didn't want to pay top dollar for, but no real calculations). Definitely write more :-D
Well I will try. But it's hard.
The point of speculation is that you are buying the cards before they the next set is released. And since I don't know about 200 cards in the next set, many things can change. I will put together a simple decklist using the cards mentioned above, but it's hard when half the deck might need some innistrad cards.
But I will give it a try, although I warn you, I don't know how to make it as pretty as the other people on the site.
I'm thinking for now that I want my next article to talk about sideboard cards, something that is always overlooked, and I want to look at the "rebirth of white weenie".
And when it comes to the prices of really cheap cards, they don't move much unless they are used, so the only change you may see is $0.15 to $0.10, or sometimes cards are so underutilized, they never move.
The real movement is the cards that are in heavy use, or will be used. But right now, since I focus on standard and standard is stale, then the cards aren't moving much. I mean Garruk (M12), has moved, but he went from 13.50 - 11.00, while Gideon went from 10.00-11.00, but planeswalkers are completely different than cards since it seems people cannot play without one.
I will mention some cards that are definite sells at the moment though.
Can I tell you that 1 match isn't a statistically significant number instead? If your concern is that the variance of Magic outweighs the tolerance of Elo that might be a worthy discussion, but it's hardly a reason to scrap the system.
I can't pull up the numbers to quote at the moment since I'm working from mobile (which hopefully excuses my horrid typing), but I demonstrated the other day that doing 3-2 and 4-2 at just 4 FNM and 4 PTQs gives more points than [b]winning[/b] a Grand Prix. Now you can make whatever case you like about which is a better customer and worthier human being, but let's not pretend they're relatively the same display of skill.
I disagree that a format is never solved: MTGO players had a couple of months to figure the format out, not years, and it was brand new and huge. Think about how long it took Legacy to evolve into every playable deck being put together: It was a long time! At this point though, we know just about everything you can do in Legacy. Modern will be similar: give MODOers a year and see what happens to it at the next PT.
As usual this is a top notch series and I think you are doing credit to Erik's SotP series. But $19 FOWS? Don't we wish eh? :p I know, typo. Still funny :D.
i dont think i like the modern format. as somebody said, it is like legacy without wasteland and fow. i am sure wizards will chnage banned/unbanned list but i think we need force of will in modern. is it too much to ask for a format where midrange decks (rock, doran, etc..) are competetive?
Best. Answer. Evar.
:D :D :D
You should do the follow up article with a decklist though man. Looking forward to it ;)
Interesting switch between the ELO ratings and the new system. The new system is much closer to a FIFA-type ratings system. Not exactly, but it's closer than chess ratings. Interestingly, you can alter the chess ratings formula to suit the game you're using it for, but I'm assuming the Magic folks never looked into that. It's hard to do, but I've done it fairly successfully for other sports and games.
Also, just my two cents, but RAV draft is way better than INV. Ravnica is probably the best draft set I've ever had the pleasure to play.
Well I have 2 excuses, one real one fake, see if you can figure out which one is which.
1) I didn't want to make the decklist because I thought the article was too long, and I want to wait for innistrad before I declare Zombie the new Black.
or
2) Resistance 3 came out on Tuesday.
thanks. not sure how I missed that.
No - the fact that you get 3 points for a win and one for a loss means that skill is still involved. Size of event matters, etc., but that is the multiplier that inflates the points you win or lose. (I'll do the math next week.)
As for ELO - I played against a rare drafter with a 1300 rating in a 32k event - and mulliganned six times in two games. Tell me that ratings loss had anything to do with relative skill - or that it was reasponable to have to win two dozen straight matches to catch up again.
ELO was not a panacea.
This system does two things - gets people to play Magic in stores, and provides a means of giving out invitations to good players. When you look at both goals, it is pretty clear that this is better than ELO.
And no, I am not obsessed about reaching Level 41, but I have been skipping FNM for a while, because it has not seemed worth the drive. This is a change that has me interested in playing again. It didn't take much - porbably tipped 49% go, 51 % skip the drive over to 51% go.
I see I'llhave to work on this for next week.
I thought that happened to me one time on a pack 1 mid range pick, Dimir House Guard..was sure I'd have taken 1 already and tried to take another, but only had 1 at build time...now I think I got hosed as well.
Enjoyed this article a lot but it really, really feels like it is missing a decklist at the end of it. Even something thrown together untuned would be better than leaving the obvious finale to a great article empty.
is that his comment was a bit "tongue in cheek" since 41 is a Battlemage and sounds infinitely cooler than Sorcerer..just a guess... :-)
This is a pretty good first artilce, I agree with apaulogy on the Bolded headers..it would break up some of the ongoing text(and might make it seem a little less lengthy). Perhaps for a second article, graph up the cards with this weeks prices and last weeks, or months or something to show your accuracy on speculation. You might get some people that turn their nose up at "this week Cemetery Reaper is .25 , last week it was .20" in a graph, but there are alot of people who would like to see some of the lower priced cards tracked..seems Mythics get all the spotlight now a days...speaking of mythics..oh why oh why isn't Skithiryx a ZOMBIE..damn you WOTC!!!
Good job and thanks.
"
Urza’s Saga Block Draft Queues going away 9/7
After a long run, the Urza’s Saga Block draft queues will no longer be scheduled after the downtime on September 7. Don't worry, though, Urza's Saga Block events will be back for special engagements in the future.
"
http://community.wizards.com/magiconline/blog/2011/08/30/announcements_-...
You really care that much about getting to 41? Ok, I can' t tell hou you're wrong for wanting it, but grinding events for points that mean nothing doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
Meanwhile, they've just removed the skill measurement from a game that used to care about being a "mental sport" because thy realized iit didn't have the feedback loop of a Farmville. In it's place is a multi-tiered yet meaningless Players Reward system. Now Players Rewards are great motivation for all the reasons Mike and Aaron mentioned. But what the don't mention is that they [b]just got rid of[/b] such a system. One with real rewards.
I personally aren't affected. I lost a bye and potential invite from a GP that I wasn't going to go to anyway. It's just another sign to me though that I'm an adult playing a game that doesn't want to be taken seriously by adults anymore.
Another good article, thanks.
As for your request for the Deck Prices section, I like the "old" way where you priced out the most popular decks, perhaps take the top two or three from each format(Classic, Legacy, Modern and Standard) and show a whole deck list grid with that week's prices. I think that would help some people know what is in the decks, and see what cards span multiple decks(Dark Confidant, Tarmogoyf, FOW, etc.) and thus give them some info if they are looking to invest. I know you might run into the same archetype with different cards, but I would say just pick one that had the results most recently as 80% of the cards are going to be the same. I also like your PTSD priced out decks/lists, as an old school player I am fond of those old combo/killer decks and it was nice to be able to see what they would cost today to build online...am I the only one waiting for Masques? Go Pandeburst!! Thanks again for all your work.
Good work again.
Into the Maw of Hell is the best name for a magic card ever. I like the new Garruk and Snapcaster Mage as my favorites thus far.
RE: Planeswalker Points. Meh.
I like what you have done here. I agree that Zombies are a great tribe for speculators right now. You also employ humor, which will always win me over. Your images come at decent intervals and you pointed out a few things I overlooked (namely Hand and Crusader being Zombies). Your approach is also humble, not to the point of self-deprecation.
Here are a couple points of feedback, based on my opinion:
1. Length...it is a little long. Not totally damaging to the read, but could be (I am ADHD too).
2. Using Bold-faced headers...just gives the reader some direction in terms of transition.
again, this is my opinion and not because I think I am better than you.
I definitely didn't feel like I needed to be rolling on E with glow-sticks to enjoy this. ;)
Good Work, sir.
EDIT: I also like your end quote
Holy smokes!! That card change after you picked it? What the crap?!! I hope you got compensated for that draft.