I submitted this more than a week ago. It's all in the admin's doings! :D
I agree with you when you say that balancing a deck it's an art form: it's such fine tuning that can make the difference between a casual and a tournament deck, between a Player and an Architect.
Not that I consider myself one of them! I really am an amateur (at best), and I admire others that can build such perfectly tuned decks - and win tournaments with them too! :)
What are the odds of two articles on deck-building showing up in the same week on the same day even? Funny. Anyway a comment regarding discovery vs invention. Most inventors would probably agree that they are using discoveries to find new applications. The thing that differs in magic is the art aspect. How many of a given card vs how many of a type of card and which ones are all matters of art as well as science. I have won events with singleton decks in non-singleton formats.
Sometimes toolboxes make the tuning even more of an artform. How do you decide which tools are best for a given deck considering limited space to build with? Again an artform. Yes there are rules to be found by carefully studying the craft (science) of deck building but they do not cover all instances and because they are rules they can't be too specific.
Do you remember when playing with any life-gain was an auto loss? Stream of Life? Only 'scrubs' used that card. Nowadays much of magic's lore has been turned on it's head and we do things we used to shun. So much for the rules. So yes, in a format like pauper where there are only so many 'playable' cards players will reinvent the wheel or "discover" it as the inestimable Mr Ullman suggests. But in the end it is the artist who innovates successfully who gets the edge.
A fairly rational look at rogue design that should be on any nascent deck-builders must read list. Very good advice. And some interesting insights into the current standard meta game. I don't enjoy playing standard (as a habit though, not a fact in recent times as I haven't built for standard in over a year.) I do enjoy thinking about the standard meta game. Seeing how Rock beats Paper beats Scissors is one thing. As a meta game matures this becomes inevitable. But introducing the pattern breaker (a deck that beats two of those three) in the form of a rogue deck is the holy grail of deck building. So watching that quest form and develop is of interest to me, as a fellow Johnny/spike. I have discovered quite recently that my spike side is atrophying quite a bit and I have developed a Timmy aspect I didn't recognize in years past but my need to innovate and find the crucial changes to what already exists puts me squarely into Johnny territory where I have resided since I can remember playing.
Nail artwork is becoming progressively well-known today with younger fashion aware girls trying to find alternate options to flip their nails into unique masterpieces. From the uncommon ladybug styles to traditional flowers and abstracts, mini nail art of all kinds is usually seen worn by celebrities and in some cases an typical lady.
Nail art can transform nail ideas drastically with its subtle artwork to much more complicated and intricate styles and types. With a extensive assortment of nail art provides to choose from, one has infinite choices to acquire their nails looking trendy and scorching. According to your personality,Mini star Nail art painter life style, particular preferences and occupation, you'll be able to decide nail art patterns ranging from basic designs and designs to a thing very bold and wild. What ever could possibly be your selection, nail art is certain to get your nails an eye catching glimpse.
Nail art will not at all times have to be a good deal. A straightforward flower in your toe nail or the ring finger may also look cool for anyone who is not eager on also considerably of it.Mini Nail Dryer For all those that are additional adventuresome, more complex nail artwork creations is usually accomplished.
Themed nail art has also grow to be rather preferred because it is actually a playful strategy to present one?¡¥s personality and folks feel great when other individuals remark constructive comments on their nailsMini Nail art Dryer Unique nail artwork themes like Christmas, Halloween, Independence Day and even a cartoon theme seems to be incredibly colourful and prominent. This form of nail artwork can highlight your nails to a fantastic extent and appears to be like really spectacular. Having said that, should you don't desire anything in nail art, a simple French manicure can be perfect. This gives a clear and polished look and goes with any occasion as it is always stylish.
I would suggest putting Halimar Depths in there Shard as a way of increasing deck control. Late game it can be very useful also first turn it is a beast. Noting the fact you have little in the way of T1 drops (and it would make more sense to be able to do something on the opening turn)
Great article. Nice to see a little deeper into the personalities that we all are. Sorry, I am just reading this now as I was on vacation all week with my brother who I haven't seen in three years. Look forward to the next one.
There is an Eye icon in the editor next to the list icon that is the default view. You can click on it to see the art of the cards before you select which ones to add.
You should play some SoM block constructed. The Grand Architect decks are pretty good and there are a lot of budget decks that can not only be competitive but can win daily events.
I've been having a lot of fun with Grand Architect too, such a powerful effect on the game. The hard part in abusing it is finding the right balance between blue creatures to support him and artifacts that need him. I have a couple of Masticores in mine, which can be nuts sometimes. But obviously not a budget option. As an aside, I've played the masticore in both red and blue decks and there is no question about it. It is better in blue.
Steel Hellkite has really impressed me in the deck. I haven't tried it yet in a game, but I also think Contagion Engine has a place as a means to control an aggro opponents board.
I have to say that this is the article that made me finally make an account to comment. I love the history of MTG and specifically Dominaria. Thank you for pulling this all together in one place. I can't wait for the next article!
I built a John Avon deck, because he makes basic land cards. I would like to point out that your Kev Walker deck uses lands he did not do. Kev Walker has only made City of Traitors and Volrath's Stronghold. So I guess you'd have to narrow down your rules. We used to do theme weeks in the playgroup I was in at college. Artist decks were always fun to play. I'd be down for having some artists based deck. The John Avon deck shall rise again!!!
For those of you whom don't know, you can set the Gatherer to "artist" and get all his/her cards. Although I would also add, a format based on card art.... where have I heard that idea before.... hmmmmmm lol
For anyone wondering how to do this in a visual way (I can't really build a deck unless I have the cards in front of me to sort through and see their colors. too bad we can't make our own filters on MTGO, people have only been asking for it forever, so I can see why it hasn't gotten done... thank god I have my Kaleidoscope filter. sigh end rant) Anyway, load up the Gatherer with your favorite artist, then set it to "checklist view." Here's where it can get a little tricky. Copy the text into a Notepad document. Then copy that into an Excel Document. That will separate all the columns for you. Then copy the "Card Name" column BACK into a blank Notepad document. Then, go through and put a "1" and a space in front of each name. Save that as a decklist and open it in MTGO. Not the easiest way, but it will give you something visual to check out. The only real conflict is with reprints and basic lands, but since you've gone this route, you have the actual set names just one click away in your excel document.
It is deliberately concise and based on known lore. I didn't think this was the right medium for fan fiction. It's surprising how many people aren't familiar with these stories, and the information can sometimes be a bit hard ot piece together, hence the articles :)
My Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai deck will clearly triumph, with such solid gold combos as um, neurok replica + academy ruins?
I love kev walker's stuff (Particulalry Wrath), but I can't say I really get Chippy. I had never realised ragged veins was his though, that's pretty cool. That Orim's Chant looks like it should be an Un-card called "Golden Shower"!
Ah this is so nice! It tickles the Vorthos in me most definitely. Uhm and when is the first tournament?! :) My Donato Giancola deck will kick your asses !!! :)
Agree with tvanburen above, but wanted to add that I really do value the comparison of prices for draft sets, that you used to do.
I've often requested these in the past, and while I realise they are extra work for your limited time, would it be at all possible to give these once a month?
I would look at these, when deciding which format to draft, for the best expected return. For example, I enjoyed RoE, M11 and Scars draft formats, and feel I am about as skilled at each of these equally. If you had the price comparison, I would use this to choose which format to go for.
I submitted this more than a week ago. It's all in the admin's doings! :D
I agree with you when you say that balancing a deck it's an art form: it's such fine tuning that can make the difference between a casual and a tournament deck, between a Player and an Architect.
Not that I consider myself one of them! I really am an amateur (at best), and I admire others that can build such perfectly tuned decks - and win tournaments with them too! :)
What are the odds of two articles on deck-building showing up in the same week on the same day even? Funny. Anyway a comment regarding discovery vs invention. Most inventors would probably agree that they are using discoveries to find new applications. The thing that differs in magic is the art aspect. How many of a given card vs how many of a type of card and which ones are all matters of art as well as science. I have won events with singleton decks in non-singleton formats.
Sometimes toolboxes make the tuning even more of an artform. How do you decide which tools are best for a given deck considering limited space to build with? Again an artform. Yes there are rules to be found by carefully studying the craft (science) of deck building but they do not cover all instances and because they are rules they can't be too specific.
Do you remember when playing with any life-gain was an auto loss? Stream of Life? Only 'scrubs' used that card. Nowadays much of magic's lore has been turned on it's head and we do things we used to shun. So much for the rules. So yes, in a format like pauper where there are only so many 'playable' cards players will reinvent the wheel or "discover" it as the inestimable Mr Ullman suggests. But in the end it is the artist who innovates successfully who gets the edge.
A fairly rational look at rogue design that should be on any nascent deck-builders must read list. Very good advice. And some interesting insights into the current standard meta game. I don't enjoy playing standard (as a habit though, not a fact in recent times as I haven't built for standard in over a year.) I do enjoy thinking about the standard meta game. Seeing how Rock beats Paper beats Scissors is one thing. As a meta game matures this becomes inevitable. But introducing the pattern breaker (a deck that beats two of those three) in the form of a rogue deck is the holy grail of deck building. So watching that quest form and develop is of interest to me, as a fellow Johnny/spike. I have discovered quite recently that my spike side is atrophying quite a bit and I have developed a Timmy aspect I didn't recognize in years past but my need to innovate and find the crucial changes to what already exists puts me squarely into Johnny territory where I have resided since I can remember playing.
Thats actually a great idea dotstar, somehow i missed anything out of zendikar.
And lumbydan, I looked at some of the daily lists, and they do like quite interesting, i might give a few of them a shot and see how i do.
Nail artwork is becoming progressively well-known today with younger fashion aware girls trying to find alternate options to flip their nails into unique masterpieces. From the uncommon ladybug styles to traditional flowers and abstracts, mini nail art of all kinds is usually seen worn by celebrities and in some cases an typical lady.
Nail art can transform nail ideas drastically with its subtle artwork to much more complicated and intricate styles and types. With a extensive assortment of nail art provides to choose from, one has infinite choices to acquire their nails looking trendy and scorching. According to your personality,Mini star Nail art painter life style, particular preferences and occupation, you'll be able to decide nail art patterns ranging from basic designs and designs to a thing very bold and wild. What ever could possibly be your selection, nail art is certain to get your nails an eye catching glimpse.
Nail art will not at all times have to be a good deal. A straightforward flower in your toe nail or the ring finger may also look cool for anyone who is not eager on also considerably of it.Mini Nail Dryer For all those that are additional adventuresome, more complex nail artwork creations is usually accomplished.
Themed nail art has also grow to be rather preferred because it is actually a playful strategy to present one?¡¥s personality and folks feel great when other individuals remark constructive comments on their nailsMini Nail art Dryer Unique nail artwork themes like Christmas, Halloween, Independence Day and even a cartoon theme seems to be incredibly colourful and prominent. This form of nail artwork can highlight your nails to a fantastic extent and appears to be like really spectacular. Having said that, should you don't desire anything in nail art, a simple French manicure can be perfect. This gives a clear and polished look and goes with any occasion as it is always stylish.
I would suggest putting Halimar Depths in there Shard as a way of increasing deck control. Late game it can be very useful also first turn it is a beast. Noting the fact you have little in the way of T1 drops (and it would make more sense to be able to do something on the opening turn)
Great article. Nice to see a little deeper into the personalities that we all are. Sorry, I am just reading this now as I was on vacation all week with my brother who I haven't seen in three years. Look forward to the next one.
All this over +1/+0 and -1/-0. Think what the fuss the Gauntlet of Might would've caused.
There is an Eye icon in the editor next to the list icon that is the default view. You can click on it to see the art of the cards before you select which ones to add.
Great article and format!
I will bring r/b Wayne Reynolds Goblins :-)
Very different deck building criteria than what I'm used to seeing. Created interesting results. Fun read.
You should play some SoM block constructed. The Grand Architect decks are pretty good and there are a lot of budget decks that can not only be competitive but can win daily events.
Brilliant, absolutely loved it!
Thanks for all the reply's I'm glad you enjoyed the article and the theme.
@ LE I didn't know who Donato Giancola was, just had a look at his work and there are some good deck building possibilities there.
Kev Walker has also done three promo lands as well that I'm aware of Mountain, Swamp and Forest.
Although I didn't know the mountain existed at the time of writing the article.
I did also state that I would use basic lands as proxy's if there wasn't any by the artist.
I've been having a lot of fun with Grand Architect too, such a powerful effect on the game. The hard part in abusing it is finding the right balance between blue creatures to support him and artifacts that need him. I have a couple of Masticores in mine, which can be nuts sometimes. But obviously not a budget option. As an aside, I've played the masticore in both red and blue decks and there is no question about it. It is better in blue.
Steel Hellkite has really impressed me in the deck. I haven't tried it yet in a game, but I also think Contagion Engine has a place as a means to control an aggro opponents board.
I have to say that this is the article that made me finally make an account to comment. I love the history of MTG and specifically Dominaria. Thank you for pulling this all together in one place. I can't wait for the next article!
I built a Kev Walker deck using mana myr to ramp up to Soulscour. Good times.
This is exactly why Unglued/Unhinged should be on MTGO. Then you could get Draw Together. http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=74325
I built a John Avon deck, because he makes basic land cards. I would like to point out that your Kev Walker deck uses lands he did not do. Kev Walker has only made City of Traitors and Volrath's Stronghold. So I guess you'd have to narrow down your rules. We used to do theme weeks in the playgroup I was in at college. Artist decks were always fun to play. I'd be down for having some artists based deck. The John Avon deck shall rise again!!!
For those of you whom don't know, you can set the Gatherer to "artist" and get all his/her cards. Although I would also add, a format based on card art.... where have I heard that idea before.... hmmmmmm lol
________________________________________________________
Edit:
For anyone wondering how to do this in a visual way (I can't really build a deck unless I have the cards in front of me to sort through and see their colors. too bad we can't make our own filters on MTGO, people have only been asking for it forever, so I can see why it hasn't gotten done... thank god I have my Kaleidoscope filter. sigh end rant) Anyway, load up the Gatherer with your favorite artist, then set it to "checklist view." Here's where it can get a little tricky. Copy the text into a Notepad document. Then copy that into an Excel Document. That will separate all the columns for you. Then copy the "Card Name" column BACK into a blank Notepad document. Then, go through and put a "1" and a space in front of each name. Save that as a decklist and open it in MTGO. Not the easiest way, but it will give you something visual to check out. The only real conflict is with reprints and basic lands, but since you've gone this route, you have the actual set names just one click away in your excel document.
It is deliberately concise and based on known lore. I didn't think this was the right medium for fan fiction. It's surprising how many people aren't familiar with these stories, and the information can sometimes be a bit hard ot piece together, hence the articles :)
As did I. Clearly I wasn't over Thanksgiving when I wrote this XD.
I laughed at "Fowl Play".
My Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai deck will clearly triumph, with such solid gold combos as um, neurok replica + academy ruins?
I love kev walker's stuff (Particulalry Wrath), but I can't say I really get Chippy. I had never realised ragged veins was his though, that's pretty cool. That Orim's Chant looks like it should be an Un-card called "Golden Shower"!
Ah this is so nice! It tickles the Vorthos in me most definitely. Uhm and when is the first tournament?! :) My Donato Giancola deck will kick your asses !!! :)
LE
Agree with tvanburen above, but wanted to add that I really do value the comparison of prices for draft sets, that you used to do.
I've often requested these in the past, and while I realise they are extra work for your limited time, would it be at all possible to give these once a month?
I would look at these, when deciding which format to draft, for the best expected return. For example, I enjoyed RoE, M11 and Scars draft formats, and feel I am about as skilled at each of these equally. If you had the price comparison, I would use this to choose which format to go for.
Thanks again!