*BAM!* Huge picture of MB's Shivan Dragon! Made me =D
What a way to start an article. It's kind of cheating, showing that in an article that's supposed to be about Urza's Saga art. You could put that image at the start of just about any article and every nostalgic reader will start with a smile. Also, I have a new appreciation for Crater Hellion and Hidden Herd now. You just don't notice those things at card size. Well, the Hellion I should have.
Karn is confirmed for FtV: Relics, thanks to the reserved list shenanigans. Potential new artwork for him there? We'll see.
It's easy.
Classic cards are holding value because there is an expectation, correct or not, that eventually
Classic = Vintage
TBH, I don't know which way it will swing but I think now that Legacy is sanctioned, Vintage (with Power) has a very real shot at becoming the other Online Eternal format.
Remember, MTG:O isn't hobbled by the Reserved List. The RL update went out of it's way to specifically mention that MTG:O is excluded.
WotC is pretty smart about stuff like that.
Just sayin'
I have no formal art qualification beyond an amateur's knowledge of the subject, and make no claim other than "these are my opinions", although I do try to provide some justifications for them.
The Faeries deck isn't MUC, but the Faerie core is Zephyr Sprite + Cloud Sprite (ninja enabler and powers the Sepllstutter), Spellstutter, Pestermite, Latchkey Faerie. There's also a Dark Skies version that splashes into black for removal.
except for the fact that lands eats the teir 1 agressive decks for lunch. the legacy meta ia rock(agro) paper(combo) and dull pen knife (the control decks not including 40 lands). sure the meta is still vibrant and all, but missing a pillar of the paper metagame surely has a large impact on the online metagame.
Mark - great read, I don't mean to sound accusatory, and I don't care if the answer is no, but do you have formal art training? I may have missed it in the last few articles, but a history of your own art background would greatly validate your observations to the average reader that is new to you. Personally, I feel art is better found than taught! (Which is why I wrote 'i don't care' - above) :) - in other words, if your answer is no, it won't influence your validity to me at all, it just may to others. Keep up the great work!
@endless- would not power morphing Classic into Vintage increase the demand for the staples like the Legacy announcment did.
I can only think of Lands(at least only good deck) missing from online now. It is the only top tier deck missing so the format is pretty close to set anyway and not much of the meta is off.
"The fact that online is missing two thirds of Saga block, all of Masques and staples like Maze of Ith cripples major paper archetypes far more than the B&R list."
Always enjoyed this article, but this is the first time I actually have an account so I can comment on it. Fantastic, as always.
I was wondering, if you haven't done it already, have you done a "this is what I think sets the standard for art in Magic?" article. I, for one, would really enjoy hearing where you stand on that, as far as what has currently been released goes.
@ Lord_Erman Oblivion stone is significantly weaker than All is Dust solely because it destroys permanents rather than forcing the sacrifice. But, I'm not sure what you're getting at with the "tap, add fate counter" business. I just remember hard casting it, waiting for an opponent silly enough to (attempt to) blow it up and tapping it in response to kill everything that could possibly be threatening me. It's no disk and certainly not 7 mana sorcery, but it did the job.
Further, I'm wondering what the implications will be for the future? I'm, for one, very excited about RoE in limited play, but it feels like Mirrodin/Alara-standard all over again. "Let's play deck archetype vs everything trying to beat that archetype." It just feels like magic, all over again, is saying "you had fun, but your three years are up.
I think the classic cards holding their value is a really important point to make. Vampiric tutor is the same price today, as the day before legacy was announced. If people had lost faith in the format, or the possibility that power was coming to morph classic into vintage, these classic only staples would be worth about as much as gleemox now. That's obviously not the case though, despite only having 1 playable event each week these cards continue to hold their value. Oath at 27 isn't even much lower than it was during the exodus release events. I believe i paid between a high of 31 and a low of 29 for the oath's in my collection.
lol I know it's not even close to the best answer, but you gotta work with what you got sometimes. thanks for the comment, appreciate it tho I'm unsure of whether or not to continue writing these up with GB doing the same thing
Don't short change yourself. This article was very well put together and a great read. It was both informative and visually stimulating.
One thing I'd like to point out is that well placed Counterspells vs. Reanimator is boarderline laughable. They also run Force of Wills and even if you counter exhume, they can cast reanimate. I often find the counterwar is futile as they will just reload via mystical tutor or other spells such as brainstorm, careful study. Counterbalance on the other hand is a different story.
Great write-up! One thing that originally got me into magic (back during Revised) was the amazing art. I have to say that I prefer the art in the older sets where the artists seem to have a little more freedom. I was always drawn to more abstract works more than the realistic pieces that dominate most cards. My favorite artist was always Drew Tucker for his ability to convey mood and let the viewer fill in the details, like in Murk Dwellers from The Dark.
I hope you continue this series looking at more sets, including those that are already online. Your insight adds a lot to my appreciation of the art and often makes me look twice at a card.
I must have missed that memo in the midst of the PE it fires every week - and the fact that, apart from Oath of Druids (which was incredibly expensive in the first place) none of the classic-only cards really dropped significantly in price.
Well after GainsBanding's article I asked this not be put up since it's almost a double, but guess that didn't get through in time... there is an error here.. what I've labeled as White Weenie is really Death & Taxes
Not only is it a format where my interests do not lie anymore (reprint policy and high "entry fee"), but I just (for fun), ran the legacy reanimator deck through MTGO traders..:
Total $1,173.62
I know, I know, you can play those cards in tournaments until wizards pulls the plug on MTGO, but hot mona, those are a lot of dollars for just one deck...
That edit seems like a very condescending thing to say. Especially for someone who does not play the tribal format.
That said I think everyone who attends these things knows the competition is a mixed bag. I am really doubting there is ONE single best tribal legal pauper deck. On the other hand one deck (or two) will prevail at the event. But there are a number of factors that will lead to that result that have nothing to do with the pauper metagame. There is: Who is playing whom, the shuffle factor, and card economics. Yes even in pauper tribal there will be cards people can't afford.
I am of mixed feelings on the bannings. I agree with the tribes banned if one IS going to ban them. Inevitability being what it is, who needs to see 3 goblins decks, 2 elves and various slivers making the grade yet again.
I do think MBC has the strongest chances for dominance if no one brings problack.dec if only because of Crypt Rats and Pestilence. The hand denial aspects are gravy but we shall just have to wait and see. Come play if you think you have the be all and end all deck. OR even if you just want to have fun.
"WotC is pretty smart about stuff like that."
I agree.
"Oh new article. I'll open that in a new tab."
*BAM!* Huge picture of MB's Shivan Dragon! Made me =D
What a way to start an article. It's kind of cheating, showing that in an article that's supposed to be about Urza's Saga art. You could put that image at the start of just about any article and every nostalgic reader will start with a smile. Also, I have a new appreciation for Crater Hellion and Hidden Herd now. You just don't notice those things at card size. Well, the Hellion I should have.
Karn is confirmed for FtV: Relics, thanks to the reserved list shenanigans. Potential new artwork for him there? We'll see.
It's easy.
Classic cards are holding value because there is an expectation, correct or not, that eventually
Classic = Vintage
TBH, I don't know which way it will swing but I think now that Legacy is sanctioned, Vintage (with Power) has a very real shot at becoming the other Online Eternal format.
Remember, MTG:O isn't hobbled by the Reserved List. The RL update went out of it's way to specifically mention that MTG:O is excluded.
WotC is pretty smart about stuff like that.
Just sayin'
Thanks for the email Tomer, I retract the condescending part and we shall have to leave the rest for the tourney.
What creature did Knight of Sursi replace from your last decklist? Thanks!
Very much enjoyed the article, as I did the one before. I've always liked Crater Hellion's art, and now I know why! Would love to see more.
I have no formal art qualification beyond an amateur's knowledge of the subject, and make no claim other than "these are my opinions", although I do try to provide some justifications for them.
The Faeries deck isn't MUC, but the Faerie core is Zephyr Sprite + Cloud Sprite (ninja enabler and powers the Sepllstutter), Spellstutter, Pestermite, Latchkey Faerie. There's also a Dark Skies version that splashes into black for removal.
Paul, I sent you an email.
except for the fact that lands eats the teir 1 agressive decks for lunch. the legacy meta ia rock(agro) paper(combo) and dull pen knife (the control decks not including 40 lands). sure the meta is still vibrant and all, but missing a pillar of the paper metagame surely has a large impact on the online metagame.
Mark - great read, I don't mean to sound accusatory, and I don't care if the answer is no, but do you have formal art training? I may have missed it in the last few articles, but a history of your own art background would greatly validate your observations to the average reader that is new to you. Personally, I feel art is better found than taught! (Which is why I wrote 'i don't care' - above) :) - in other words, if your answer is no, it won't influence your validity to me at all, it just may to others. Keep up the great work!
@endless- would not power morphing Classic into Vintage increase the demand for the staples like the Legacy announcment did.
I can only think of Lands(at least only good deck) missing from online now. It is the only top tier deck missing so the format is pretty close to set anyway and not much of the meta is off.
"The fact that online is missing two thirds of Saga block, all of Masques and staples like Maze of Ith cripples major paper archetypes far more than the B&R list."
that's a great line right there, very true
Always enjoyed this article, but this is the first time I actually have an account so I can comment on it. Fantastic, as always.
I was wondering, if you haven't done it already, have you done a "this is what I think sets the standard for art in Magic?" article. I, for one, would really enjoy hearing where you stand on that, as far as what has currently been released goes.
@ Lord_Erman Oblivion stone is significantly weaker than All is Dust solely because it destroys permanents rather than forcing the sacrifice. But, I'm not sure what you're getting at with the "tap, add fate counter" business. I just remember hard casting it, waiting for an opponent silly enough to (attempt to) blow it up and tapping it in response to kill everything that could possibly be threatening me. It's no disk and certainly not 7 mana sorcery, but it did the job.
Further, I'm wondering what the implications will be for the future? I'm, for one, very excited about RoE in limited play, but it feels like Mirrodin/Alara-standard all over again. "Let's play deck archetype vs everything trying to beat that archetype." It just feels like magic, all over again, is saying "you had fun, but your three years are up.
http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/mr38
I think the classic cards holding their value is a really important point to make. Vampiric tutor is the same price today, as the day before legacy was announced. If people had lost faith in the format, or the possibility that power was coming to morph classic into vintage, these classic only staples would be worth about as much as gleemox now. That's obviously not the case though, despite only having 1 playable event each week these cards continue to hold their value. Oath at 27 isn't even much lower than it was during the exodus release events. I believe i paid between a high of 31 and a low of 29 for the oath's in my collection.
lol I know it's not even close to the best answer, but you gotta work with what you got sometimes. thanks for the comment, appreciate it tho I'm unsure of whether or not to continue writing these up with GB doing the same thing
Don't short change yourself. This article was very well put together and a great read. It was both informative and visually stimulating.
One thing I'd like to point out is that well placed Counterspells vs. Reanimator is boarderline laughable. They also run Force of Wills and even if you counter exhume, they can cast reanimate. I often find the counterwar is futile as they will just reload via mystical tutor or other spells such as brainstorm, careful study. Counterbalance on the other hand is a different story.
If classic is dead now, why is it firing more premier events then legacy is, despite it only having one event a week?
Great write-up! One thing that originally got me into magic (back during Revised) was the amazing art. I have to say that I prefer the art in the older sets where the artists seem to have a little more freedom. I was always drawn to more abstract works more than the realistic pieces that dominate most cards. My favorite artist was always Drew Tucker for his ability to convey mood and let the viewer fill in the details, like in Murk Dwellers from The Dark.
I hope you continue this series looking at more sets, including those that are already online. Your insight adds a lot to my appreciation of the art and often makes me look twice at a card.
I must have missed that memo in the midst of the PE it fires every week - and the fact that, apart from Oath of Druids (which was incredibly expensive in the first place) none of the classic-only cards really dropped significantly in price.
Well after GainsBanding's article I asked this not be put up since it's almost a double, but guess that didn't get through in time... there is an error here.. what I've labeled as White Weenie is really Death & Taxes
Not only is it a format where my interests do not lie anymore (reprint policy and high "entry fee"), but I just (for fun), ran the legacy reanimator deck through MTGO traders..:
Total $1,173.62
I know, I know, you can play those cards in tournaments until wizards pulls the plug on MTGO, but hot mona, those are a lot of dollars for just one deck...
That edit seems like a very condescending thing to say. Especially for someone who does not play the tribal format.
That said I think everyone who attends these things knows the competition is a mixed bag. I am really doubting there is ONE single best tribal legal pauper deck. On the other hand one deck (or two) will prevail at the event. But there are a number of factors that will lead to that result that have nothing to do with the pauper metagame. There is: Who is playing whom, the shuffle factor, and card economics. Yes even in pauper tribal there will be cards people can't afford.
I am of mixed feelings on the bannings. I agree with the tribes banned if one IS going to ban them. Inevitability being what it is, who needs to see 3 goblins decks, 2 elves and various slivers making the grade yet again.
I do think MBC has the strongest chances for dominance if no one brings problack.dec if only because of Crypt Rats and Pestilence. The hand denial aspects are gravy but we shall just have to wait and see. Come play if you think you have the be all and end all deck. OR even if you just want to have fun.
Thanks everyone! I hope I do not drag the team down!
Because I was focusing on using vines as protection which led to me not even processing the kicker on Iona. Clearly misplayed.