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[divisionbyzorro]

Was wondering how long it would take till someone broke nivmagus. A lot of the set reviews were very negative on him, which I found odd since the minute I saw the card I thought someone was going to abuse the fuck out of it.

Although by the sound of things, whomever is trying to use him in this new deck is doing so terribly.

He's no good in Standard, but Modern theoretically has enough free spells to take advantage of him.

I don't know if those Modern decks have Flusterstorm in them, but they should. That's where the real possibility for broken shit is.

EDIT: Taking a break from drafting and catching up on the Pro Tour. Watching Eric F. punt that game as Jund against Infect in round 5 was painful.

 

[divisionbyzorro]

Damn. I swear this game hates me. This is what I just drafted:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's a pretty sweet deck. It was a little low in the removal department; I'm pretty sure someone on the other side of the table was drafting Azorious too, but I at least had some good stuff to work with.

I'm excited. I'm more than ready to finally get a good result in an RtR draft. And then my opponent does this to me turn 3:

I would have done terrible things to have had my Dramatic Rescue in hand right then. I got hit with that thing twice before a Voidwielder reset it; almost came back to win, but his Rogue's Passage pushed his guys past my defenders and kept that dream from coming true. Game two I won in pretty solid fashion, and then I had to face this Rakdos deck on the play game three where he just curved out perfectly. And even thought I stabilized, two Lobber Crews was enough to finish me before I could get enough power in the air.

My decks are getting better. My time will come. I know it.

 

[siddx]

I always had the most success with drafting when I went with removal via creatures. Meaning I just drafted as many creatures as I could and would flood the battlefield every game to the point my opponent's removal spells were pointless and I could easily replace any creature killed in combat.

I really need to save up for a PC so I can try using mtgo here in Vietnam, I'm having serious draft withdrawls.


also I feel like loleth troll hasn't had its full potential abused yet. That discard a creature card ability seems like its screaming for abuse.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Damn. I swear this game hates me. This is what I just drafted:



Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's a pretty sweet deck. It was a little low in the removal department; I'm pretty sure someone on the other side of the table was drafting Azorious too, but I at least had some good stuff to work with.

I'm excited. I'm more than ready to finally get a good result in an RtR draft. And then my opponent does this to me turn 3:



I would have done terrible things to have had my Dramatic Rescue in hand right then. I got hit with that thing twice before a Voidwielder reset it; almost came back to win, but his Rogue's Passage pushed his guys past my defenders and kept that dream from coming true. Game two I won in pretty solid fashion, and then I had to face this Rakdos deck on the play game three where he just curved out perfectly. And even thought I stabilized, two Lobber Crews was enough to finish me before I could get enough power in the air.

My decks are getting better. My time will come. I know it.

:lol This reminds me of the prerelease where someone did that with double deviant glee. The lifelink didn't matter at the time, it was just insult to injury of swinging for 5 a turn.

 

[kirblar]

Like Sam Black, I dislike Vassal Soul a lot due to its 2 toughness. It doesn't match up well vs other flying creatures or defenders. It's very good if your opponent isn't playing those types of cards, tho.

 

[siddx]

Like Sam Black, I dislike Vassal Soul a lot due to its 2 toughness. It doesn't match up well vs other flying creatures or defenders. It's very good if your opponent isn't playing those types of cards, tho.

Yeah it definitely feels like it should be a 2/3, but the versatility of being able to be a flyer in any deck with white or blue is a positive. Especially the white. Having access to a flyer in a selsnya deck for instance. But in a straight blue/white deck, fuck that.
At the same time a 2/2 flyer is always a decent late pick, it always shocks me how many people have absolutely no defense for flyers in drafts.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Like Sam Black, I dislike Vassal Soul a lot due to its 2 toughness. It doesn't match up well vs other flying creatures or defenders. It's very good if your opponent isn't playing those types of cards, tho.

Eh, I think you have to keep in mind when you get it. The flexible mana is very nice and helps a lot and on top of that you usually have an opportunity to pick it up late. I wouldn't pick it the first couple of picks but when I get him late I definitely grab him.

Yeah it definitely feels like it should be a 2/3, but the versatility of being able to be a flyer in any deck with white or blue is a positive. Especially the white. Having access to a flyer in a selsnya deck for instance. But in a straight blue/white deck, fuck that.
At the same time a 2/2 flyer is always a decent late pick, it always shocks me how many people have absolutely no defense for flyers in drafts.

Eh, depends on the colors. I went golgari last draft due to opening a vraska and it just has no defense against flying. Even with going a third color (white) for arrests and 2 vassal souls it just couldn't keep pace. Some colors just have no defense to it.

 

[siddx]

Eh, I think you have to keep in mind when you get it. The flexible mana is very nice and helps a lot and on top of that you usually have an opportunity to pick it up late. I wouldn't pick it the first couple of picks but when I get him late I definitely grab him.



Eh, depends on the colors. I went golgari last draft due to opening a vraska and it just has no defense against flying. Even with going a third color (white) for arrests and 2 vassal souls it just couldn't keep pace. Some colors just have no defense to it.

Well thats what I mean, both flying and first strike are strongly underrated in drafts. People will pass up creatures with both because they might cost a bit more and not be as strong, not realizing that that little 2/1 first striker is going to violate all their 2 toughness creatures and the flyer is going to smash into them unobstructed. So a 2/2 flyer, while not amazing, is still a great pick mid to to late pack.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Well thats what I mean, both flying and first strike are strongly underrated in drafts. People will pass up creatures with both because they might cost a bit more and not be as strong, not realizing that that little 2/1 first striker is going to violate all their 2 toughness creatures and the flyer is going to smash into them unobstructed. So a 2/2 flyer, while not amazing, is still a great pick mid to to late pack.

Completely agree, more than a couple times a 2 power flyer has done massive work for me.

 

[divisionbyzorro]

Completely agree, more than a couple times a 2 power flyer has done massive work for me.

Yeah, Vassal Soul isn't exactly my top pick, but they both came late and fit into what I was hoping to do (beat down in the air), so they easily made the cut.

 

[siddx]

I remember completely shutting down decks with porcelain legionnaire. It's like some people don't process the first strike aspects until all their creatures are dying while he stays around.

Turn one vault skirge, turn two legionnaire, turn three tempered steel were my favorite first three turns during that block.
"I've got a flyer and a first strike blocker, suck my diiiiiiiiick!"

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Yeah, Vassal Soul isn't exactly my top pick, but they both came late and fit into what I was hoping to do (beat down in the air), so they easily made the cut.

Ya, but that's sort of what bothers me with "pros" is they talk shit about so many cards but you watch them draft and they use those cards. And they do because they have to. The advantage with picks won't be "HMM, DO I PICK THIS PLANESWALKER AS MY FIRST PICK???", it's by the little choices late in the draft that will come back to help or hurt you. I think it's why a lot of people don't get better at drafting, they think all cards are binary good or bad in the draft and think "bad" means never pick. I've seen way too many times where pros cry they hate a card or it sucks but they picked three of them "because they had to".

I remember completely shutting down decks with porcelain legionnaire. It's like some people don't process the first strike aspects until all their creatures are dying while he stays around.

Turn one vault skirge, turn two legionnaire, turn three tempered steel were my favorite first three turns during that block.
"I've got a flyer and a first strike blocker, suck my diiiiiiiiick!"

Was good unless they had the gut shot, then it hurt my soul.

 

[Jarate]

Why do all the selesnya cards cost so much

Thagtusk, Armada Wurm, and Trustani are all way to ridiculous.

Maybe I should try to get my hands on that event deck with Thagtusk. :|

 

[siddx]

Ya, but that's sort of what bothers me with "pros" is they talk shit about so many cards but you watch them draft and they use those cards. And they do because they have to. The advantage with picks won't be "HMM, DO I PICK THIS PLANESWALKER AS MY FIRST PICK???", it's by the little choices late in the draft that will come back to help or hurt you. I think it's why a lot of people don't get better at drafting, they think all cards are binary good or bad in the draft and think "bad" means never pick. I've seen way too many times where pros cry they hate a card or it sucks but they picked three of them "because they had to".



Was good unless they had the gut shot, then it hurt my soul.

Ah yes but that still led to painful decisions for them. Do they kill the blocker that will hold up all their creatures or kill the flyer thats going to deal damage and bring me life back? And chances are I have a blade splicer coming out to replace my legionnaire or that myr flyer with vigilance to replace the skirge.
I really loved my tempered steel deck, but I'm an artifact whore so I'm biased.

 

[Hero]

He's no good in Standard, but Modern theoretically has enough free spells to take advantage of him.

I don't know if those Modern decks have Flusterstorm in them, but they should. That's where the real possibility for broken shit is.

EDIT: Taking a break from drafting and catching up on the Pro Tour. Watching Eric F. punt that game as Jund against Infect in round 5 was painful.

Flusterstorm and the other Planechase 2012 original cards are only legal in Vintage and Modern. That card would probably break Nivmagus in Modern since that would efficiently counter just about every instead speed spot removal in the format (though the new Abrupt Decay is unaffected of course) for a single blue mana.

I always had the most success with drafting when I went with removal via creatures. Meaning I just drafted as many creatures as I could and would flood the battlefield every game to the point my opponent's removal spells were pointless and I could easily replace any creature killed in combat.

I really need to save up for a PC so I can try using mtgo here in Vietnam, I'm having serious draft withdrawls.


also I feel like loleth troll hasn't had its full potential abused yet. That discard a creature card ability seems like its screaming for abuse.

Loleth Troll and even to a degree Pack Rat are solid reanimator enablers that give you some early game pressure. I definitely think as long as there's stuff in the next few sets a Loleth Troll Frites deck will be extremely good, even despite all the graveyard hate we are seeing.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Why do all the selesnya cards cost so much

Thagtusk, Armada Wurm, and Trustani are all way to ridiculous.

Maybe I should try to get my hands on that event deck with Thagtusk. :|

When did Trostani jump in price? O.O I really hope prices stabilize soon, I pretty much refuse to play standard at this point. Every card no matter what is like $20, it's just ridiculous. Everything is bloated as shit in price.

Ah yes but that still led to painful decisions for them. Do they kill the blocker that will hold up all their creatures or kill the flyer thats going to deal damage and bring me life back? And chances are I have a blade splicer coming out to replace my legionnaire or that myr flyer with vigilance to replace the skirge.
I really loved my tempered steel deck, but I'm an artifact whore so I'm biased.

I loved Tezzeret and played more than any other deck I've played. Don't need to tell me about artifacts. I still miss Tezz. :'(

 

[siddx]

Why do all the selesnya cards cost so much

Thagtusk, Armada Wurm, and Trustani are all way to ridiculous.

Maybe I should try to get my hands on that event deck with Thagtusk. :|

Thragtusk is just an absurd card. A good body for it's cost, plus instant life gain and the ability to replace itself with a similar creature when it leaves. It becomes a huge problem for an opponent every time it appears. And flickering it on and off the battlefield even a few times is an almost guaranteed win. Armada wurm is a ridiculous amount of power for very low cost. Having two different creatures with trample rather than one that can die to removal is fantastic. It will give you the game within 1 or 2 turns unless dealt with asap. Trustani's toughness keeps it safe from most burn, it can gain you a ridiculous amount of life quickly, it's costed to come out at just the right time, and it can combo with other cards to make your battlefield absurd.

Three cards worth holding onto, espiecally thrag and trostani.

 

[Jarate]

When did Trostani jump in price? O.O I really hope prices stabilize soon, I pretty much refuse to play standard at this point. Every card no matter what is like $20, it's just ridiculous. Everything is bloated as shit in price.

Trostani is up to 17 on Troll and Toad, but still, my budget can't handle getting 3 more of those (or even 2 for that matter)

also, should I add in Curse of Stalked Prey into my R/W Hoomies

Losing accorder paladin and adaptive automaton has killed my deck :|

 

[siddx]

Trostani is up to 17 on Troll and Toad, but still, my budget can't handle getting 3 more of those (or even 2 for that matter)

also, should I add in Curse of Stalked Prey into my R/W Hoomies

Losing accorder paladin and adaptive automaton has killed my deck :|

Curse of stalked prey isn't a bad card, but with R/W humans you should have a creature to drop on turn two. How about ash walker, chainwalker, kruin striker, lightning mauler for red or fencing ace, thraben valiant, gather the townsfolk, thraben heretic, avacyian priest, or unruly mob for white. I found R/W humans worked best when you could apply pressure quickly.

 

[Hex]

These alters (scg stream) are pretty low tier imo.

Edit: though I do like this one http://blackwingstudio.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d567fdv and http://blackwingstudio.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d46py0r

 

[Jarate]

Curse of stalked prey isn't a bad card, but with R/W humans you should have a creature to drop on turn two. How about ash walker, chainwalker, kruin striker, lightning mauler for red or fencing ace, thraben valiant, gather the townsfolk, thraben heretic, avacyian priest, or unruly mob for white. I found R/W humans worked best when you could apply pressure quickly.

The problem im facing is my humans don't get powerful anymore to get that turn 4-5 win. Accorder paladin has been replaced by riot ringleader, but she's a lot shittier then him in most ways.

Getting an adaptive automaton followed by a Thatcher revolt resulted in a shitton of damage that I just can't replicate anymore

I need ways to buff up my creatures. Im just finding it hard. I guess i gotta wait for Gatecrash :|

 

[OnPoint]

These alters (scg stream) are pretty low tier imo.

Edit: though I do like this one http://blackwingstudio.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d567fdv and http://blackwingstudio.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d46py0r

Someone I know has an altered art foil Chandra. How do they alter the art to be foil? I don't get it

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

I'm sure I'll hated for this but I hate all of those alt art cards that people make. I haven't seen one yet that I've haven't thought was incredibly stupid.

 

[siddx]

I'm sure I'll hated for this but I hate all of those alt art cards that people make. I haven't seen one yet that I've haven't thought was incredibly stupid.

I was about to post the same thing. They all look ugly and amatuerish to me. Gee what should I do with this card that has some beautiful art work on it? How about give it to some amateur so they can ruin it by painting some ugly ass drawing on it. The only "altered" art I've ever appreciated is stuff the original artist has added at signings. I had lars grant modify a playmat and a card for me at a grand prix...which were promptly stolen from me when I went to the bathroom and left them on a table like a moron.

 

[Sinatar]

When did Trostani jump in price? O.O I really hope prices stabilize soon, I pretty much refuse to play standard at this point. Every card no matter what is like $20, it's just ridiculous. Everything is bloated as shit in price.

They went way overboard toploading all the playables in this set in the Mythic slots. Usually they spread them out a bit, but every damn good card in RTR is either Rare or Mythic, even simple removal spells. In this regard they fucked up big time.

 

[Jarate]

Speaking of ridiculousy expensive cards

Im trading my Jace; Architect of Thought for 2 trostanis

anyone want a jace

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

They went way overboard toploading all the playables in this set in the Mythic slots. Usually they spread them out a bit, but every damn good card in RTR is either Rare or Mythic, even simple removal spells. In this regard they fucked up big time.

Yup, and is exactly why I have less than zero interest in standard right now. When even your removal spells are $15+ for your deck, something has gone completely wrong. Everything from the land to removal to everything else is just a joke.

Speaking of ridiculousy expensive cards

Im trading my Jace; Architect of Thought for 2 trostanis

anyone want a jace

Seriously? Seems like an awful trade for you...

 

[Jarate]

Yup, and is exactly why I have less than zero interest in standard right now. When even your removal spells are $15+ for your deck, something has gone completely wrong. Everything from the land to removal to everything else is just a joke.



Seriously? Seems like an awful trade for you...

it is, but in actuality the price for Jace is going to come crashing down soon (it's up to 50 at my store) and trostani is prolly gonna stay where it is

also, I don't play blue at all, and even if I did, getting a set of Jace's would cost me all my money

I'd rather start working on my selesnya flicker deck

 

[Hero]

They went way overboard toploading all the playables in this set in the Mythic slots. Usually they spread them out a bit, but every damn good card in RTR is either Rare or Mythic, even simple removal spells. In this regard they fucked up big time.

What are you talking about? There are good cards in every rarity. Some cards being rare or mythic have to do with power level in regards to the limited format which is a huge part of the game now. Supreme Verdict at uncommon would be dumb. Armada Wurm or Angel of Serenity being rare would be dumb.

 

[Hex]

Speaking of ridiculousy expensive cards

Im trading my Jace; Architect of Thought for 2 trostanis

anyone want a jace

I will take you up on that trade.
It will take me down to 1 Trostani, so I know what I will be trading for again lol.
I just got up to 3 damn it.

Let me know

 

[Jarate]

I will take you up on that trade.
It will take me down to 1 Trostani, so I know what I will be trading for again lol.
I just got up to 3 damn it.

Let me know

alright, i'll pm you my info, and we can figure this out

 

[Hex]

http://i.imgur.com/7oTUk.png



alright, i'll pm you my info, and we can figure this out

Sounds good.

 

[Haly]

Huh, Trostani is only $2.76 on MTGO.

Weird!

 

[Jarate]

Huh, Trostani is only $2.76 on MTGO.

Weird!

brb picking up a playset

 

[Jarate]

also, if anyone has a few thagtusks in MTGO they are willing to trade, I got some dual lands i'll be willing to part with for it

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

MTGO on a 40" TV is amazing, should have done this sooner.

Huh, Trostani is only $2.76 on MTGO.

Weird!

It's also out of stock though. The prices aren't crazy on MTGO yet, even the shocklands are like <$5 a piece for almost all.

 

[Haly]

It's also out of stock though. The prices aren't crazy on MTGO yet, even the shocklands are like <$5 a piece for almost all.

Not true, Cardbot had at least 4 before I picked up two, and Supernova bots has about 6-7 of them at $3 and are not buying anymore (because of overstock).

But Angel of Serenity costs as much on MTGO as it does in the paper game.

 

[Jarate]

Not true, Cardbot had at least 4 before I picked up two, and Supernova bots has about 6-7 of them at $3 and are not buying anymore (because of overstock).

But Angel of Serenity costs as much on MTGO as it does in the paper game.

It's a shame, that was my end game of Angel of Serenity + Conjurer's Closet

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Not true, Cardbot had at least 4 before I picked up two, and Supernova bots has about 6-7 of them at $3 and are not buying anymore (because of overstock).

But Angel of Serenity costs as much on MTGO as it does in the paper game.

Ah, ok. I'll have to check then. I only checked the websites since I'm waiting for the client to finish updating for me.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

So with the bots, what happens if it's not an even amount? Does it always just round up?

 

[Haly]

Most bots will give you credit that can be used for all bots in that particular chain (Cardbot, mtgoacdemy, marlonbot, supernovabots, etc), and will go to your next purchase.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Most bots will give you credit that can be used for all bots in that particular chain (Cardbot, mtgoacdemy, marlonbot, supernovabots, etc), and will go to your next purchase.

Ah, ok. Cool.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

WTF, Shitty MTGO is hanging constantly when trying to access something.

 

[Hex]

Aaron Forsythe, Director of R&D will be making an announcement that "will be very exciting for Modern players" on the Pro Tour coverage in a little bit

 

[f0rk]

Free fetch lands for all!
It will be some new sealed product with a lot of staples I think/hope.

 

[Hex]

Free fetch lands for all!
It will be some new sealed product with a lot of staples I think/hope.

Goyf reprints for all, let the tears flow

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Goyf reprints for all, let the tears flow

LOL, that would be amazing if Goyf is reprinted.

 

[Sinatar]

I just broke modo.

Doing a solitaire game with a selesnya deck I've thrown together for laughs. Via trostani and mass populating of 8/8 elemental tokens I got up to 1000 health. Put down a parallel lives and then ultimated Ajani, which should have made 2000 cats and given me 4000 health, but for some reason it only made like 90 cats.

EDIT: Yea it won't let me make anymore tokens now, I can make more actual creatures but not tokens. Laaaaaaaaame.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Who were you playing that they allowed that?

 

[WanderingWind]

Who were you playing that they allowed that?

...

Doing a solitaire game

...weren't you giving me shit for asking a rules question? MORAN!