I highly doubt that we're going to be seeing darksteel juggernaut in legacy any time, as it's not exaclt ysuper-fast, and it still dies to swords/path.
This article has great formatting but it looks like it hasn't been looked over by an editor? It seems in dire need of some punctuation! I also question the need to write out what a card does beneath a link to the card itself, but maybe that's just me.
It's certainly not the most powerful card of the set, but I think my favourite card is lux cannon. I like that i can cast it, then cast tezzeret next turn and use him to tutor up voltaic key. Then using tezzerets first ability and voltaic key, fire my massive death-cannon every turn. Probably rubbish, but definitely fun.
I also prefer to read than watch, because I rarely get the time to sit down and actually watch, how, I did like the videos, so I thought I would let you guys decide for me. I think you all have spoken.
Really nice article again LE. Informative, authoritative, and another word that ends in 'ive' but means really well presented. Can't think of it now. Designtasticive?
Video's do nothing for me. At all. I try to watch them, and think I should. I want to see analysis, short, concise pithy word based analysis. That takes me less than 18 or 45 minutes to read. I read this at work also. I enjoy the wordsmiths on this site.
I was also thinking last night that Doubling Season could be interesting with some of these cards, unfortunately it's green and a bit awkward cost wise
I often read PureMTGO from work, where it's easy / unobtrusive to read articles, but not quite so subtle to watch videos (I doubt I'm alone in this). Some people prefer to read than watch. For that reason I'd veer towards more written content than was provided here, along with the videos. Video content is great, but (in my opinion) should be a useful addendum to a written article, rather than the sum total.
Clearly though, Josh disagrees since he published the article. And the concept of Web 2.0 would disagree with me too. Perhaps I should update my dusty old opinions from 2003?
In summary, when I want a pure draft video with no writing, I go to channel lsv on Youtube. When I want a written walkthrough, I come here (and combinations of the two, like Westane's last article combine the best of both worlds, imo).
From the above comments though, plenty of people really appreciate this format, which is great. Interesting how it divides the community though.
Hmmm that has not been my experience as a 40 year chess vet. I find that I have a tendency to be either really "on" in which case my strength can be middle A level or really off in which case my strength drops dramatically to C level or on average mid B level. That is to say those are the strengths of the players I can predictably win against. Also I notice that after being away from the game for a while (a month or more) I find myself stronger, particularly against usually strong blitz players. I remember more of the theory that I learned decades ago. If I play a lot some of that stuff gets fuzzy and unclear. Particularly if I am switching between different strength opponents as often is the case in casual games.
So I think chess is a fairly good analogy for Magic play skill which I think has more variance in magic than people give credence to. For example the last 2 matches in Sunday's tourney could have gone very differently had I actually played up to my par instead of making several play blunders. Sure a timely top deck is a key to winning sometimes and flood/short can hose a great player. The randomness IS definitely a factor but so are the vagaries of being human. But the bottom line is mood/brain power/well being all have contributions to whether you win or lose.
we all have our bad days, the variance of magic is one of it's strengths as a game even if it doesnt seem that way sometimes. When it comes down to it if it were chess I'd lose to the same people nearly every game and beat the same people every game so what would be the fun in that?
"I don't think you can advertize clans or PRLs either (player run leagues"
You can't advertise anything player run in the client. You can post about your clan as long as you don't spam the message boards. I think you can mention it once every 30 mins from what I remember.
Well i was so thankful that i may be able to take a good post in here. And i was lucky to have these site and be able to register in here. Thanks a lot for these post. More power on your site.
Thanks guys for the comments. No, I won't do a seperate article about "SoM in BYOS", but to be honest there are some really interesting options in there. I am pretty excited about Koth and how he can be used in the format. He would be very interesting with Magus of the Moon and Blood Moon for some mono Red action (and pain) for example.
Venser could be great with TSP's blink creatures. And Elspeth could be very interesting in a BW, RW or GW tokens deck with LRW's token generators.
There are surely some other nice options, such as the obvious MRD + SoM combination for example, for some very fast decks. Tempered Steel, Memnite and Myrsmith surely will make some friends from the MRD block.
ive been reveiwing this sets visual spoilers, and while there are very few cards that jump out and scream play me cause im the best, i think when you veiw the set as a whole you get a nice synergystic picture of what it can become. For example i am willing to bet my hat that single set som block is like a thousand times better then single set zen block. Im excited to play std again and its this set that is doing it, not the rotation of shards or the fact that zen block is sweet. Its all about som.
I played a slightly upgraded version of the precon to a 2-1 finish. Lost to a UW Mythics deck. Crushed Valakut Ramp and another UW deck. I wouldn't take this to States, but I would take it to an FNM any day.
I always look forward to these articles and this one is no exception
Are you considering writing about the impact of SoM on BYOS? If not what's your take? I think you can do some crazy broken stuff mixing it with Mirrodin
Touché! Though not so much lazy as unmotivated. :p I find videos of magic to be uninteresting in the most part unless they are of super good matches. Most of the time my experience has been that the written word conveys more and does it clearer than captured video feed. Not saying it can't be done well of course but yeah it does tend put me off, whereas I might be inclined to read 200-5k words on the subject without being bored, because I can skip sections that seem irrelevant or stale.
I also was just downright annoyed that someone threw up a couple videos and that was it. Like all the work everyone else does on their articles is completely unjustified if you can just press the easy button and be done. Meh probably not worthy of angst or what not but still felt the need for commentary.
And you are right I probably should have listened or watched with at least half an ear before becoming critical.
Thanks a lot, I really enjoy these articles from you. On a side note, I've actually changed my stance on Mox Opal, so here's to hoping I can get them for a decent price during the release weeks XD.
I actually think the ORCs are a pretty good bunch all and all, they just have some sucky orders they have to follow, when they aren't acting on the behalf of said crummy orders they've always been very helpful and subject to reason with me so I'll just disagree with you on that one point.
I'll call you old fashioned. And frankly I'll go as far as to ask if you are too lazy to even watch/listen to a video until you know what it is about? /tongue in cheek, sarcasm etc.
To be honest I can appreciate your sentiments, but the audio commentary in this series is pretty reasonable (though I think its author is way too archetype driven). There is also a "conclusion" discussion at the end of the rounds that at least attempts to look back at what went right or wrong. Having this in written media doesn't necessarily make it better.
I highly doubt that we're going to be seeing darksteel juggernaut in legacy any time, as it's not exaclt ysuper-fast, and it still dies to swords/path.
This article has great formatting but it looks like it hasn't been looked over by an editor? It seems in dire need of some punctuation! I also question the need to write out what a card does beneath a link to the card itself, but maybe that's just me.
It's certainly not the most powerful card of the set, but I think my favourite card is lux cannon. I like that i can cast it, then cast tezzeret next turn and use him to tutor up voltaic key. Then using tezzerets first ability and voltaic key, fire my massive death-cannon every turn. Probably rubbish, but definitely fun.
I also prefer to read than watch, because I rarely get the time to sit down and actually watch, how, I did like the videos, so I thought I would let you guys decide for me. I think you all have spoken.
Really nice article again LE. Informative, authoritative, and another word that ends in 'ive' but means really well presented. Can't think of it now. Designtasticive?
I always read Pure from work as well and never find time to watch the videos or listen to podcasts when I get home.
Video's do nothing for me. At all. I try to watch them, and think I should. I want to see analysis, short, concise pithy word based analysis. That takes me less than 18 or 45 minutes to read. I read this at work also. I enjoy the wordsmiths on this site.
I was also thinking last night that Doubling Season could be interesting with some of these cards, unfortunately it's green and a bit awkward cost wise
I often read PureMTGO from work, where it's easy / unobtrusive to read articles, but not quite so subtle to watch videos (I doubt I'm alone in this). Some people prefer to read than watch. For that reason I'd veer towards more written content than was provided here, along with the videos. Video content is great, but (in my opinion) should be a useful addendum to a written article, rather than the sum total.
Clearly though, Josh disagrees since he published the article. And the concept of Web 2.0 would disagree with me too. Perhaps I should update my dusty old opinions from 2003?
In summary, when I want a pure draft video with no writing, I go to channel lsv on Youtube. When I want a written walkthrough, I come here (and combinations of the two, like Westane's last article combine the best of both worlds, imo).
From the above comments though, plenty of people really appreciate this format, which is great. Interesting how it divides the community though.
Hmmm that has not been my experience as a 40 year chess vet. I find that I have a tendency to be either really "on" in which case my strength can be middle A level or really off in which case my strength drops dramatically to C level or on average mid B level. That is to say those are the strengths of the players I can predictably win against. Also I notice that after being away from the game for a while (a month or more) I find myself stronger, particularly against usually strong blitz players. I remember more of the theory that I learned decades ago. If I play a lot some of that stuff gets fuzzy and unclear. Particularly if I am switching between different strength opponents as often is the case in casual games.
So I think chess is a fairly good analogy for Magic play skill which I think has more variance in magic than people give credence to. For example the last 2 matches in Sunday's tourney could have gone very differently had I actually played up to my par instead of making several play blunders. Sure a timely top deck is a key to winning sometimes and flood/short can hose a great player. The randomness IS definitely a factor but so are the vagaries of being human. But the bottom line is mood/brain power/well being all have contributions to whether you win or lose.
Heh,
we all have our bad days, the variance of magic is one of it's strengths as a game even if it doesnt seem that way sometimes. When it comes down to it if it were chess I'd lose to the same people nearly every game and beat the same people every game so what would be the fun in that?
X-
Hey Xaos,
another great article covering a fantastic event - even if i got ripped off completely:-)
The diversity and creativity of the deck building is the best side for me for this format! bringing a fresh deck every week for a few tix is fun!
CU u all on saturday for the next strike of heirloom!
Nagarjuna
"I don't think you can advertize clans or PRLs either (player run leagues"
You can't advertise anything player run in the client. You can post about your clan as long as you don't spam the message boards. I think you can mention it once every 30 mins from what I remember.
Well i was so thankful that i may be able to take a good post in here. And i was lucky to have these site and be able to register in here. Thanks a lot for these post. More power on your site.
Thanks guys for the comments. No, I won't do a seperate article about "SoM in BYOS", but to be honest there are some really interesting options in there. I am pretty excited about Koth and how he can be used in the format. He would be very interesting with Magus of the Moon and Blood Moon for some mono Red action (and pain) for example.
Venser could be great with TSP's blink creatures. And Elspeth could be very interesting in a BW, RW or GW tokens deck with LRW's token generators.
There are surely some other nice options, such as the obvious MRD + SoM combination for example, for some very fast decks. Tempered Steel, Memnite and Myrsmith surely will make some friends from the MRD block.
Thanks again for the comments.
LE
Good post you have. I use wire mesh for fencing the boundary of my garden and home for safety. Preferable mesh of tetragonal shape.
ive been reveiwing this sets visual spoilers, and while there are very few cards that jump out and scream play me cause im the best, i think when you veiw the set as a whole you get a nice synergystic picture of what it can become. For example i am willing to bet my hat that single set som block is like a thousand times better then single set zen block. Im excited to play std again and its this set that is doing it, not the rotation of shards or the fact that zen block is sweet. Its all about som.
I played a slightly upgraded version of the precon to a 2-1 finish. Lost to a UW Mythics deck. Crushed Valakut Ramp and another UW deck. I wouldn't take this to States, but I would take it to an FNM any day.
I always look forward to these articles and this one is no exception
Are you considering writing about the impact of SoM on BYOS? If not what's your take? I think you can do some crazy broken stuff mixing it with Mirrodin
why safe passage over a chandra spitfire that goes great with your 2 outrages you already have at that point?
Touché! Though not so much lazy as unmotivated. :p I find videos of magic to be uninteresting in the most part unless they are of super good matches. Most of the time my experience has been that the written word conveys more and does it clearer than captured video feed. Not saying it can't be done well of course but yeah it does tend put me off, whereas I might be inclined to read 200-5k words on the subject without being bored, because I can skip sections that seem irrelevant or stale.
I also was just downright annoyed that someone threw up a couple videos and that was it. Like all the work everyone else does on their articles is completely unjustified if you can just press the easy button and be done. Meh probably not worthy of angst or what not but still felt the need for commentary.
And you are right I probably should have listened or watched with at least half an ear before becoming critical.
Just a note to the MOD who re-drafted it for me so I could edit the topic teaser. Thanks
Thanks a lot, I really enjoy these articles from you. On a side note, I've actually changed my stance on Mox Opal, so here's to hoping I can get them for a decent price during the release weeks XD.
Dotstar,
Many thnx from a newbie - these fundamentals are possibly the most important aspects of the game! I eagerly look forward to your future topics.
BTW, awesome t-shirt! ;)
peace
-han
I actually think the ORCs are a pretty good bunch all and all, they just have some sucky orders they have to follow, when they aren't acting on the behalf of said crummy orders they've always been very helpful and subject to reason with me so I'll just disagree with you on that one point.
X-
I'll call you old fashioned. And frankly I'll go as far as to ask if you are too lazy to even watch/listen to a video until you know what it is about? /tongue in cheek, sarcasm etc.
To be honest I can appreciate your sentiments, but the audio commentary in this series is pretty reasonable (though I think its author is way too archetype driven). There is also a "conclusion" discussion at the end of the rounds that at least attempts to look back at what went right or wrong. Having this in written media doesn't necessarily make it better.
The Mono Green deck seems like a decent deck, minus Visionary no longer being standard legal.