Finally relevant eternal stuff on the site. Good Job Whiffy.
Tormod's is good in the main now with M.Tutor gone Dredge should be back in numbers. The Crucible does look lonely w/o Manlands/Wastelnads to use, i mean like land drops,shuffles and Ruins aren't exactly chopped liver, but would not Ensnaring Bridge be better here? CoP:Red is not as good anymore since Needles are in many Sideboards, Sphere of Law,Warmth or Firewalker might be a better option?
"I really wish MTGO had better support for playing solitaire. Right now you have to go into the "Anything Goes" room and make a solitaire game with no watchers and kill yourself."
You can play solitaire in casual. In general online goldfishing entails counting the life total as your ops lifetotal even though this gets hairy if you also pay costs with it. But that is something to account for anyway since your opponent will pay unforeseen costs which may sway the outcome. This is a perfectly reasonable method imho, particularly if you are really only drawing cards to see how the probabilities play out. Better yet you can find a sap and play them. Works when bored or you need a bit more interaction. Next step find someone you respect as a player then tell them to bring their meanest decks. That is the true test. All of this can be done in the casual room unless you are trying to play with the Gold Bordered cards.
I've been waiting for more articles about the 1000 old cards that aren't online yet. What happened to that guy? But more relevant... always glad to read a Whiffy article. Make them more regular again!
I posted a Rith deck in the CCC threads for commander based on token production and while Joe Hill commented on it privately none of the participants made note of it publicly. In fact it seemed like aside from Tempesteye and Kenshin the others didn't pay any attention to the threads at all. Anyway I decided to pull it out and revise it sans the token theme I ran then and post it for you to compare with your own. Feel free to include it and critique it if you like.
I will note that given the money there are some cards I would definitely include (dual lands not withstanding) such as Karmic Guide and Tarmogoyf. Also Knight of the Reliquary and probably Uril too even though Rith is the commander.
Aclog is a valid Representative for stompy...but I feel we should be results based.
I say the parameters be that the top 8 deck lists from the top players. So that they know the 7 other decks they'll face. In other words...tell the players what they'll be facing, and that their main deck shouldn't have obvious bias...but their sideboards can. The 'chosen 8's decklists should be VERY similar to any they've top 8'd with...so as to avoid a new hybrid. Actually won't be different, if at all...since nothing is rogue about any of the matchups.
I don't do previews for most sets, in fact this is only the second preview I have done. The set really needs to strike me for me to want to do a card-by-card dissertation. Last time, I included a picture of each card in the preview, but I thought that came out busy.
This time I tried to balance showing off the cards that were most interesting and providing enough references to the card's mechanics in the article. A link to the M11 visual spoiler would definitely have improved the accessibility.
I am always interested in constructive criticism, so thanks for taking the time to comment.
Good catch of my mistake. Basically Sacred Wolf is an improved version of Pincher Beetles, but I do not think he is improved enough to make him playable. If Oakenform had been included in M11, Sacred Wolf and the beefy aura would have made a nice combo in limited, but alas I think the Sacred Wolf is an omega rather than an alpha.
I knew there was something wrong with the Momentary Blink and Act of Treason working together, but my brain wouldn't click on it. I still like Act of Treason for a Red/Black deck with Viscera Seer and some sacrifice spells such as Bone Splinters.
Preordain still lets you get through 3 cards. If you scry the first two cards to the bottom of the deck, you are grabbing the third card from the top with the Spell. I think the Preordain vs. Ponder debate is going to come down to personal preference.
I like being able to see two cards, and if they stink, placing them on the bottom of the deck. If the third card stinks, I either have a very unlucky draw or a bad deck.
With Ponder, I get to see all three cards. If all three are perfect, I still lose one to the bottom of the deck. If two suck and one is good, do I keep the good one knowing next turn is a dead draw or do I shuffle away the one good one? If I shuffle the bad cards back in the deck, I know that they are likely to be next draw as any other card in the deck, whereas if two bad cards are shunted to the bottom of the deck with Preordain, I will not see them for the rest of the game unless I shuffle my deck.
It's more the ability that the birds and the ranger are similar in the fact they both fetch additional creatures out of the deck so that you have a higher probability of casting two creatures in the same turn, thus enabling the recursion ability of Vengevine.
Ah pauper...always forget that. Though to be fair it wasn't entirely clear that the parameters of the contest only allowed pauper cards. Again obliviousness wins out. :/
Not really justification. Every author has their own priorities. I spend 6-8 hours to write my articles which I do every 3-4 weeks. I make sure that my articles are as well formatted and error-free as is possible. Not every author spends that time. Some put out more articles with less work. Keep in mind that at the rate of 6 hours for 15-25 credits the author is NOT doing this for compensation but because they have stuff to say.
As far as new set reviews are concerned I agree that it is nice for the author to find working images and use those instead of short cutting and hoping Jamuraa eventually gets around to making them active. And I would certainly make that effort because I want my readers (all 3) to be happy. Nice but unnecessary. You know how to type. You know how to browse. Use gatherer yourself if your curiosity is really sparked. Otherwise, I suggest you move on to other things that DO interest you.
The article is titled "Turning Pauper Up to 11"... I think the common rarity is implied. Here's a card I made up. Game Win: "Creature, BBB, Text: If Game Win is in your deck at the beginning of any game, begin the game with Game Win in your Hand, Add B to your Mana Pool, search your library for any number of cards named Unearth and put them into your hand. Cards named Unearth can be played any time you could play an instant. Cards named Unearth cannot be countered. When Game Win enters play, you win the game." The author didn't specify that the card had to be real or legal either.
Also Mulldrifer has a converted mana cost of 5 so doesn't work with Unearth.
I think I know what you're getting at with Treason + Blink, but I don't think it works. It specifies "owner's control." Treason may be useful in BR Husk though. Treason + Skyfisher could work too.
I love the layout of the article and it makes for a very easy to follow and enjoyable read. I dunno how you do it but kudos, keep doing what you're doing!
As for the picks I have some disagreements. Quag Sickness is just subpar to black's amazing removal, if you're worried about Stompy's pump just smack them with Doom Blade. I'm not positive but I believe Ponder is still better than Preordain because it digs 3 instead of 2. Plummet seems pretty unlikely too, as I would think Stompy / Slivers would prefer the easily sneaked in Hidden Spider instead, and Affinity has much better and more versatile removal in RBU already (Doom Blade again for example). Diminish is just too situational to get use.
I am looking forward to a couple cards though, namely Garruk's Champion for Stompy since Trample is so lacking in current builds. Liliana's Specter is a great replacement for Ravenous Rats as I've said before.
You mentioned Squadron Hawk and it's funny because some people are thinking of using it in a BW Dead Dog type build. Play a Squadron Hawk, get 3 creatures in hand to discard with Vampire Hounds. Pretty neat eh?
in the saturday pe aginst vial bant in rd5 it was 2-0 not blank.
in the sunday pe rd 3 against new horizons its 2-1 not 1-2.
Finally relevant eternal stuff on the site. Good Job Whiffy.
Tormod's is good in the main now with M.Tutor gone Dredge should be back in numbers. The Crucible does look lonely w/o Manlands/Wastelnads to use, i mean like land drops,shuffles and Ruins aren't exactly chopped liver, but would not Ensnaring Bridge be better here? CoP:Red is not as good anymore since Needles are in many Sideboards, Sphere of Law,Warmth or Firewalker might be a better option?
Keep on truckin'!
"I really wish MTGO had better support for playing solitaire. Right now you have to go into the "Anything Goes" room and make a solitaire game with no watchers and kill yourself."
You can play solitaire in casual. In general online goldfishing entails counting the life total as your ops lifetotal even though this gets hairy if you also pay costs with it. But that is something to account for anyway since your opponent will pay unforeseen costs which may sway the outcome. This is a perfectly reasonable method imho, particularly if you are really only drawing cards to see how the probabilities play out. Better yet you can find a sap and play them. Works when bored or you need a bit more interaction. Next step find someone you respect as a player then tell them to bring their meanest decks. That is the true test. All of this can be done in the casual room unless you are trying to play with the Gold Bordered cards.
I've been waiting for more articles about the 1000 old cards that aren't online yet. What happened to that guy? But more relevant... always glad to read a Whiffy article. Make them more regular again!
I posted a Rith deck in the CCC threads for commander based on token production and while Joe Hill commented on it privately none of the participants made note of it publicly. In fact it seemed like aside from Tempesteye and Kenshin the others didn't pay any attention to the threads at all. Anyway I decided to pull it out and revise it sans the token theme I ran then and post it for you to compare with your own. Feel free to include it and critique it if you like.
1 Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
1 Stomping Ground
6 Forest
1 Graypelt Refuge
8 Plains
1 False Defeat
1 Oblivion Ring
1 Mangara of Corondor
1 Kabira Crossroads
1 Yavimaya Elder
1 Kitchen Finks
1 Harmonic Sliver
4 Mountain
1 Terramorphic Expanse
1 Darksteel Ingot
1 Hymn of Rebirth
1 Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs
1 Acidic Slime
1 Planar Guide
1 Wrath of God
1 Condemn
1 Reveillark
1 Vivid Meadow
1 Faith's Fetters
1 Vivid Crag
1 Otherworldly Journey
1 Desolation Giant
1 Vivid Grove
1 Lightning Greaves
1 Ancient Amphitheater
1 Sensei's Divining Top
1 Llanowar Reborn
1 Ivy Elemental
1 Wickerbough Elder
1 Naya Charm
1 Splinter Twin
1 Wild Nacatl
1 Marshal's Anthem
1 Krosan Verge
1 Swords to Plowshares
1 Scute Mob
1 Troll Ascetic
1 Rolling Earthquake
1 Mammoth Umbra
1 Decree of Justice
1 Selesnya Sanctuary
1 Boros Garrison
1 Firewild Borderpost
1 Qasali Pridemage
1 All Suns' Dawn
1 Primal Command
1 Loxodon Warhammer
1 Hallowed Burial
1 Krosan Tusker
1 Deadwood Treefolk
1 Behemoth Sledge
1 Totem-Guide Hartebeest
1 Loam Lion
1 Weathered Wayfarer
1 Mogg Fanatic
1 Miraculous Recovery
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Ranger of Eos
1 Eternal Dragon
1 Path to Exile
1 Martial Coup
1 Wildfield Borderpost
1 Eternal Witness
1 Civic Wayfinder
1 Evolving Wilds
1 Indrik Stomphowler
1 Rith, the Awakener
1 Corrupt Eunuchs
1 Jungle Shrine
1 Emeria Angel
1 Kird Ape
1 Temple Garden
1 Khalni Garden
1 Sacred Foundry
1 Gruul Turf
1 Mystic Enforcer
1 Flametongue Kavu
1 Vithian Renegades
1 Naya Panorama
1 Knight of the White Orchid
I will note that given the money there are some cards I would definitely include (dual lands not withstanding) such as Karmic Guide and Tarmogoyf. Also Knight of the Reliquary and probably Uril too even though Rith is the commander.
I've been waiting for the Bazaar of Baghdad guide to classic: black. Why do you forsake me?
I've been waiting for the next Lunchbox for awhile now - great read. And I like the All-Stars motif, especially since today was the MLB all-star game.
Great layout and look
FYI, Joshua let me know that part two will go up on Friday, so check back then for the conclusion!
Aclog is a valid Representative for stompy...but I feel we should be results based.
I say the parameters be that the top 8 deck lists from the top players. So that they know the 7 other decks they'll face. In other words...tell the players what they'll be facing, and that their main deck shouldn't have obvious bias...but their sideboards can. The 'chosen 8's decklists should be VERY similar to any they've top 8'd with...so as to avoid a new hybrid. Actually won't be different, if at all...since nothing is rogue about any of the matchups.
I don't do previews for most sets, in fact this is only the second preview I have done. The set really needs to strike me for me to want to do a card-by-card dissertation. Last time, I included a picture of each card in the preview, but I thought that came out busy.
This time I tried to balance showing off the cards that were most interesting and providing enough references to the card's mechanics in the article. A link to the M11 visual spoiler would definitely have improved the accessibility.
I am always interested in constructive criticism, so thanks for taking the time to comment.
Good catch of my mistake. Basically Sacred Wolf is an improved version of Pincher Beetles, but I do not think he is improved enough to make him playable. If Oakenform had been included in M11, Sacred Wolf and the beefy aura would have made a nice combo in limited, but alas I think the Sacred Wolf is an omega rather than an alpha.
I knew there was something wrong with the Momentary Blink and Act of Treason working together, but my brain wouldn't click on it. I still like Act of Treason for a Red/Black deck with Viscera Seer and some sacrifice spells such as Bone Splinters.
Preordain still lets you get through 3 cards. If you scry the first two cards to the bottom of the deck, you are grabbing the third card from the top with the Spell. I think the Preordain vs. Ponder debate is going to come down to personal preference.
I like being able to see two cards, and if they stink, placing them on the bottom of the deck. If the third card stinks, I either have a very unlucky draw or a bad deck.
With Ponder, I get to see all three cards. If all three are perfect, I still lose one to the bottom of the deck. If two suck and one is good, do I keep the good one knowing next turn is a dead draw or do I shuffle away the one good one? If I shuffle the bad cards back in the deck, I know that they are likely to be next draw as any other card in the deck, whereas if two bad cards are shunted to the bottom of the deck with Preordain, I will not see them for the rest of the game unless I shuffle my deck.
Something entirely irrelevant to me as I have no hopes of owning those any time soon.
Personally I like the lockdown ability of Kor Hookmaster. Get a decent body for one mana and tap down their biggest creature threat for a turn.
It's more the ability that the birds and the ranger are similar in the fact they both fetch additional creatures out of the deck so that you have a higher probability of casting two creatures in the same turn, thus enabling the recursion ability of Vengevine.
3cmc or less. :/
Ah pauper...always forget that. Though to be fair it wasn't entirely clear that the parameters of the contest only allowed pauper cards. Again obliviousness wins out. :/
Not really justification. Every author has their own priorities. I spend 6-8 hours to write my articles which I do every 3-4 weeks. I make sure that my articles are as well formatted and error-free as is possible. Not every author spends that time. Some put out more articles with less work. Keep in mind that at the rate of 6 hours for 15-25 credits the author is NOT doing this for compensation but because they have stuff to say.
As far as new set reviews are concerned I agree that it is nice for the author to find working images and use those instead of short cutting and hoping Jamuraa eventually gets around to making them active. And I would certainly make that effort because I want my readers (all 3) to be happy. Nice but unnecessary. You know how to type. You know how to browse. Use gatherer yourself if your curiosity is really sparked. Otherwise, I suggest you move on to other things that DO interest you.
That's my take on it.
Im still trying to figure out what the TWO cmc bird has to do with Ranger. Is it just about fetchers?
Wow, just wow.
The article is titled "Turning Pauper Up to 11"... I think the common rarity is implied. Here's a card I made up. Game Win: "Creature, BBB, Text: If Game Win is in your deck at the beginning of any game, begin the game with Game Win in your Hand, Add B to your Mana Pool, search your library for any number of cards named Unearth and put them into your hand. Cards named Unearth can be played any time you could play an instant. Cards named Unearth cannot be countered. When Game Win enters play, you win the game." The author didn't specify that the card had to be real or legal either.
Also Mulldrifer has a converted mana cost of 5 so doesn't work with Unearth.
I think I know what you're getting at with Treason + Blink, but I don't think it works. It specifies "owner's control." Treason may be useful in BR Husk though. Treason + Skyfisher could work too.
I love the layout of the article and it makes for a very easy to follow and enjoyable read. I dunno how you do it but kudos, keep doing what you're doing!
As for the picks I have some disagreements. Quag Sickness is just subpar to black's amazing removal, if you're worried about Stompy's pump just smack them with Doom Blade. I'm not positive but I believe Ponder is still better than Preordain because it digs 3 instead of 2. Plummet seems pretty unlikely too, as I would think Stompy / Slivers would prefer the easily sneaked in Hidden Spider instead, and Affinity has much better and more versatile removal in RBU already (Doom Blade again for example). Diminish is just too situational to get use.
I am looking forward to a couple cards though, namely Garruk's Champion for Stompy since Trample is so lacking in current builds. Liliana's Specter is a great replacement for Ravenous Rats as I've said before.
You mentioned Squadron Hawk and it's funny because some people are thinking of using it in a BW Dead Dog type build. Play a Squadron Hawk, get 3 creatures in hand to discard with Vampire Hounds. Pretty neat eh?
Your rules did not specify a rarity for the creature so I would say Eternal Witness.
If you are looking for a common then I would say Mulldrifter.
A 1CC spell that lets you draw two cards and put a 2/2 flier in play is saucy.
There are mock up of the new cards in the article I wrote on the same topic:
http://puremtgo.com/articles/turning-pauper-11
Neither is Ghitu Fire Eater. :)