I have to agree that Desert can be a very powerful card against tribal decks, particularly Merfolk. It also gets even more powerful if you can draw into multiples.
Since events have had more than 20 players each most of the time in the last few months (With a quick check of the event thread) I don't think your premise holds much water. Mostly the people that play the format know each other from events or the Heirloom room and private challenges with unlabeled matches. I rarely have trouble finding someone to test with. I'm sorry if you don't find newer formats worthwhile but I find it fascinating and have never had so much fun building decks and testing. I probably will never play Standard again yet I love to watch videos about it from time to time just because it's magic and can teach me something about magic in any format by seeing how other players play and build decks.
I hope you understand that the articles on this site are all user-submitted. I'm fairly sure my articles are not receiving any preference over any other articles published on this site. If you can't find articles on the major formats it's because people aren't writing them not because the editor has decided people would rather read my articles on the Heirloom format. However, on that point I think there are many articles covering limited and most constructed formats on this site and I don't really feel the existence of my articles detracts from that fact.
These articles are intended as a resource for those who do play the format and to build up interest in the format and the PRE. I admit that Heirloom is a fledgling format and the player base is relatively small at this time but promotion such as this is how we are trying to make it grow.
If the editor feels that these articles are not good for the site due to low readership (though I believe my articles get a reasonably good number of views each week), then I will respect that decision. However, as of now I am thankful for a great outlet for these articles, which I have a lot of fun writing.
Awesome content as usual! I wish I had a little more time to play with Heirloom decks...I have lots of deck ideas that linger in the background, unbuilt and untested. Maybe it's for the best! XD
Very nice to see articles like this! The second deck looked fun, and that's exactly right about taking risks in the swiss. Nice!
The first deck was VERY solid - obviously some drafting issues, but it worked out well, and you were in the right colors. We've all made bad play mistakes man - it happens, no need to be results-oriented though, you drafted a fine deck.
... you clearly overrate Steel Sabotage. It's less "signal" than "barely playable" to be quite honest.
There's literally zero reason for you to commit to blue P2P2 with the Sky Eel School - seriously, you're still in OK shape with the original plans. You should be looking BG most likely, but let the draft come to you for God's sake! Take the Instill and reevaluate - then don't those Cystbearers look a little nicer? You're getting the hookup in P2, and also ALL of pack 3, after getting stupid-late Marauders - G is more open than blue!
Finally, I know you didn't mean it like that, but ... seriously? "What a bad pack" as you slam a Contagion Engine? Come on dude - wheeling nothing is more than worth having a SECOND "Wrath your team!" 6-mana ridiculobomb.
Thanks for posting a tough one though, I think we'll all learn a lot more - great series, and I definitely look forward to more!
no one made you read it. so you are trolling. i mean if you dont like it there were plenty of other articles posted today. Its nice having a balance of Competitive, Casual, and PRE articles on the site. They offer something more everyone not focusing on simply one side or group of mtgo.
I am not trying to be a troll or rude, this is a serious question. I play mtgo between 1-4 hours a day, and i have yet to see a heirloom game in either the casual or tourney practice room. How many people actually play this format and is it really worth having articles on a format that so few play?
It feels that mtgotraders and its readers would be better served by articles that are relevant to more than 20 people.
Lots of nice content. I built a big red deck based on the fireheart deck for testing, but I made a number of changes to make all the cards able to deal damage to the opponent and a Steel Hellkite to take out enchantments. I've been putting desert in all my decks that can afford to since it's just so good in some match-ups.
I made an account just to comment on this article and say that i really like the layout. The short videos with paragraphs inbetween hitting the major points and important thoughts. Good watch/read!
Too bad WOTC removed the casual drafts using three boosters of the new set. In the casual draft room, we have now UZULUD drafts in the place of UDUDUD drafts.
Has there been any update on a college fund for Erik's son? I will contribute. I've been thinking about Erik and his young family a lot lately and I want to help out.
Hammy was my favorite author on here. I havent even played (mtgo) recently, but as it was Tuesday I thought I would hop on the internet to check out Freed from the Real. It was always a fun listen (when I gave myself the chance to do so) and a good update even when I just read the text. My favorite article each week was State of the Program, and I will truly miss all of his hard work there as well.
My prayers, and thoughts go to his Family, especially his Wife, and Son.
I have to agree that Desert can be a very powerful card against tribal decks, particularly Merfolk. It also gets even more powerful if you can draw into multiples.
Since events have had more than 20 players each most of the time in the last few months (With a quick check of the event thread) I don't think your premise holds much water. Mostly the people that play the format know each other from events or the Heirloom room and private challenges with unlabeled matches. I rarely have trouble finding someone to test with. I'm sorry if you don't find newer formats worthwhile but I find it fascinating and have never had so much fun building decks and testing. I probably will never play Standard again yet I love to watch videos about it from time to time just because it's magic and can teach me something about magic in any format by seeing how other players play and build decks.
I hope you understand that the articles on this site are all user-submitted. I'm fairly sure my articles are not receiving any preference over any other articles published on this site. If you can't find articles on the major formats it's because people aren't writing them not because the editor has decided people would rather read my articles on the Heirloom format. However, on that point I think there are many articles covering limited and most constructed formats on this site and I don't really feel the existence of my articles detracts from that fact.
These articles are intended as a resource for those who do play the format and to build up interest in the format and the PRE. I admit that Heirloom is a fledgling format and the player base is relatively small at this time but promotion such as this is how we are trying to make it grow.
If the editor feels that these articles are not good for the site due to low readership (though I believe my articles get a reasonably good number of views each week), then I will respect that decision. However, as of now I am thankful for a great outlet for these articles, which I have a lot of fun writing.
He explains that 70 seconds into the video.
Just wondering why you are saying this is an 8-4 when the first part of your draft video clearly shows you're in a 4-3-2-2 queue.
Awesome content as usual! I wish I had a little more time to play with Heirloom decks...I have lots of deck ideas that linger in the background, unbuilt and untested. Maybe it's for the best! XD
Very nice to see articles like this! The second deck looked fun, and that's exactly right about taking risks in the swiss. Nice!
The first deck was VERY solid - obviously some drafting issues, but it worked out well, and you were in the right colors. We've all made bad play mistakes man - it happens, no need to be results-oriented though, you drafted a fine deck.
... you clearly overrate Steel Sabotage. It's less "signal" than "barely playable" to be quite honest.
There's literally zero reason for you to commit to blue P2P2 with the Sky Eel School - seriously, you're still in OK shape with the original plans. You should be looking BG most likely, but let the draft come to you for God's sake! Take the Instill and reevaluate - then don't those Cystbearers look a little nicer? You're getting the hookup in P2, and also ALL of pack 3, after getting stupid-late Marauders - G is more open than blue!
Finally, I know you didn't mean it like that, but ... seriously? "What a bad pack" as you slam a Contagion Engine? Come on dude - wheeling nothing is more than worth having a SECOND "Wrath your team!" 6-mana ridiculobomb.
Thanks for posting a tough one though, I think we'll all learn a lot more - great series, and I definitely look forward to more!
not to mention the 168 views at the tie im posting this prove your relevant to 20 people theory to be wrong.
no one made you read it. so you are trolling. i mean if you dont like it there were plenty of other articles posted today. Its nice having a balance of Competitive, Casual, and PRE articles on the site. They offer something more everyone not focusing on simply one side or group of mtgo.
I am not trying to be a troll or rude, this is a serious question. I play mtgo between 1-4 hours a day, and i have yet to see a heirloom game in either the casual or tourney practice room. How many people actually play this format and is it really worth having articles on a format that so few play?
It feels that mtgotraders and its readers would be better served by articles that are relevant to more than 20 people.
Ahhhh I noticed that too. Well, the format still existed when I wrote the article.
:(
Lots of nice content. I built a big red deck based on the fireheart deck for testing, but I made a number of changes to make all the cards able to deal damage to the opponent and a Steel Hellkite to take out enchantments. I've been putting desert in all my decks that can afford to since it's just so good in some match-ups.
I made an account just to comment on this article and say that i really like the layout. The short videos with paragraphs inbetween hitting the major points and important thoughts. Good watch/read!
How true that is.
And the masticore sideboard tech, sounds like it might work. Thanks
Nice article. Thanks for sharing.
Too bad WOTC removed the casual drafts using three boosters of the new set. In the casual draft room, we have now UZULUD drafts in the place of UDUDUD drafts.
Prizesless casual drafts weren't already weak enough???
Haha Fun Article I want to draft Destiny now!
Very neat layout, easy to read. Thanks!
Has there been any update on a college fund for Erik's son? I will contribute. I've been thinking about Erik and his young family a lot lately and I want to help out.
It feels wrong watching Goblins play all over Jace's face.
Hammy was my favorite author on here. I havent even played (mtgo) recently, but as it was Tuesday I thought I would hop on the internet to check out Freed from the Real. It was always a fun listen (when I gave myself the chance to do so) and a good update even when I just read the text. My favorite article each week was State of the Program, and I will truly miss all of his hard work there as well.
My prayers, and thoughts go to his Family, especially his Wife, and Son.
Rest In Peace Erik.
I just found out about this and it hasn’t really sunk in yet. Hammy was a great inspiration for us all and will always be missed.
It’s just so sad I’m lost for words
Flip
So sad...RIP
This is a huge loss to the mtgo community. You will be missed by many. My condolences go out to his family, and they are in my prayers...
I'd really want to have something to say, but I haven't. I'm speechless. There are no words.