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[The Technomancer]

So I need some help gaf. My local shop is doing the whole prerelease thing with drafts, 2 headed giant etc. I was waiting till after all the spoilers had come in to choose a guild (I had planned on rolling dimir but just can't do it, seems to slow/cipher is overpriced). Called my local shop and Boros is of course sold out but everything else is open, with Gruul being the least preordered (I asked).

Given that the format is limited and the likelihood of facing many Boros decks what should I roll?

Dimir is out. Orzhov probably will be too slow in a Boros heavy format, you don't have the ground presence in the early game. Simic is...risky for the same reason, but it has enough fliers and enough scaling that if you really want to you could try it. Gruul is probably your best bet, you have enough good cheap creatures to make good trades in the early game, to survive until you get some beaters out and hit enough Bloodrush tricks to go for the kill

 

[Transhuman]

So I need some help gaf. My local shop is doing the whole prerelease thing with drafts, 2 headed giant etc. I was waiting till after all the spoilers had come in to choose a guild (I had planned on rolling dimir but just can't do it, seems to slow/cipher is overpriced). Called my local shop and Boros is of course sold out but everything else is open, with Gruul being the least preordered (I asked).

Given that the format is limited and the likelihood of facing many Boros decks what should I roll?

Gruul. There's no unplayable Gruul rares, and you can splash white and go Gruul-Boros, or splash green and go Gruul-Simic. Doesn't hurt that Rubblehulk is very decent.

 

[An-Det]

So I need some help gaf. My local shop is doing the whole prerelease thing with drafts, 2 headed giant etc. I was waiting till after all the spoilers had come in to choose a guild (I had planned on rolling dimir but just can't do it, seems to slow/cipher is overpriced). Called my local shop and Boros is of course sold out but everything else is open, with Gruul being the least preordered (I asked).

Given that the format is limited and the likelihood of facing many Boros decks what should I roll?

Given all options this weekend, in order I would go Boros, Gruul, Simic, Dimir/Orzhov. Since Boros is gone for you, go Gruul if you can.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

It makes me happy and sad a the same time that this thread is about to need a new one.

Edit: Especially since it'll be hard to keep my post dominance since I don't play anymore.

 

[OnPoint]

It makes me happy and sad a the same time that this thread is about to need a new one.

Edit: Especially since it'll be hard to keep my post dominance since I don't play anymore.

I didn't even know you quit!

 

[An-Det]

It makes me happy and sad a the same time that this thread is about to need a new one.

Edit: Especially since it'll be hard to keep my post dominance since I don't play anymore.

We can call you Number 1 for all of OT2 until OT3, so your dominance will yet linger on.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

I didn't even know you quit!

For the time being. I haven't played in months and just haven't had the desire to. Kind of want to start drafting again but standard is just too much of a money sink. It's just finally starting to catch up to me and I can't get excited enough to buy cards.

We can call you Number 1 for all of OT2 until OT3, so your dominance will yet linger on.

Either that or I'll just have to start padding my posts.

 

[CorruptShadow]

Dimir is out. Orzhov probably will be too slow in a Boros heavy format, you don't have the ground presence in the early game. Simic is...risky for the same reason, but it has enough fliers and enough scaling that if you really want to you could try it. Gruul is probably your best bet, you have enough good cheap creatures to make good trades in the early game, to survive until you get some beaters out and hit enough Bloodrush tricks to go for the kill

Gruul. There's no unplayable Gruul rares, and you can splash white and go Gruul-Boros, or splash green and go Gruul-Simic. Doesn't hurt that Rubblehulk is very decent.

Given all options this weekend, in order I would go Boros, Gruul, Simic, Dimir/Orzhov. Since Boros is gone for you, go Gruul if you can.

Thanks, I'll put in for Gruul tomorrow.

 

[zerokoolpsx]

Nice for control with tokens.

Pro creatures and +2/2 for 4 CMC? Not bad

This will see a lot of play.

So many uses. Gets rid of indestructible creatures for 1 cmc? Just gotta mill their graveyard.

Well, there goes my token deck. Hose all tokens for 1 cmc. Counters Intangible Virtue easily.

This card can get out of control.

I'm in love with this card!! Oh it's blocking creature. It still has its uses.

Good sideboard.

Old classic card with new art.

5 CMC? Cost too much.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Trample would have been better here.

Not bad edict card actually. Haven't seen an instant since....

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

What do you mean about not seeing an instant with the edicts? Pretty much all the edicts I can think of have been instants except when it's more than one creature.

 

[Cyan]

 

[zerokoolpsx]

What do you mean about not seeing an instant with the edicts? Pretty much all the edicts I can think of have been instants except when it's more than one creature.

Cost more.

Forgot about this card.

I didn't think it was that common until I started searching for them.

 

[bigkrev]

It amazes me that there are probably people posting in this thread who weren't alive when that card was printed. That said, we really need to go back to having "Continuous Artifacts".

 

[f0rk]

This is probably one of the best cards in the set. Is it the first 1B instant edict that's Modern legal? Could go in Mystical Teachings if they wanted a new geist answer.

 

[divisionbyzorro]

This is probably one of the best cards in the set. Is it the first 1B instant edict that's Modern legal? Could go in Mystical Teachings if they wanted a new geist answer.

It absolutely will. Those guys have to be happy.

I have to be honest, there's a part of me that really wants to play that deck (the 4-color Wafo Tapa version looks intense), but I need to sack up and pay for Cryptic Command first.

 

[Lucario]

It absolutely will. Those guys have to be happy.

I have to be honest, there's a part of me that really wants to play that deck (the 4-color Wafo Tapa version looks intense), but I need to sack up and pay for Cryptic Command first.

I just saw the Cryptic Command price increase. Hoooooly shit. I need to keep a better eye on the prices of things.

 

[f0rk]

It absolutely will. Those guys have to be happy.

I have to be honest, there's a part of me that really wants to play that deck (the 4-color Wafo Tapa version looks intense), but I need to sack up and pay for Cryptic Command first.

Yeah same, Electrolyze is my kind of card.

 

[red13th]

Yeah the classic edict was instant, Diabolic Edict from Tempest, but they moved it to sorcery a while ago.

 

[divisionbyzorro]

I just saw the Cryptic Command price increase. Hoooooly shit. I need to keep a better eye on the prices of things.

I'm hoping prices drop a little in March once Modern PTQ season is over. That's really the only reason I'm still playing Storm and haven't just gone all-out on Modern staples.

 

[Lucario]

I'm hoping prices drop a little in March once Modern PTQ season is over. That's really the only reason I'm still playing Storm and haven't just gone all-out on Modern staples.

I'm strongly considering, when modern PTQ season is over, getting rid of some of my legacy staples for Modern stuff. I am invested in this format.

 

[rCIZZLE]

I just saw the Cryptic Command price increase. Hoooooly shit. I need to keep a better eye on the prices of things.

I always trade off stuff right before it spikes. Did it with Geists, then Mistys and Tarns, now Cryptic Commands. I really should stop trading.

I'm strongly considering, when modern PTQ season is over, getting rid of some of my legacy staples for Modern stuff. I am invested in this format.

I'm holding out until MM before I seriously jump into modern. Prices on staples are pretty swingy as is without considering that they're also very expensive.

 

[Hex]

The local shop here does Modern FNM now, usually running both standard and modern side by side.

 

[Lucario]

I always trade off stuff right before it spikes. Did it with Geists, then Mistys and Tarns, now Cryptic Commands. I really should stop trading.

I am horrible at predicting the standard metagame, as I refuse to play it.... However, I still draft a TON.

You can see how this is bad.

At GP Worcester I sold the following to vendors:

3 Thragtusk ($9 each)
7 Hellrider (0.50 each)
2 Entreat ($9 each)
3 Falkenrath ($9 each)
(tons of other various cards, some of which I did okay on)


and traded a full playset of Thundermaw, selling for under 20 bucks at the time, for a Kiki and a Wasteland.

That seemed like such a good deal.

 

[An-Det]

Wow, what the hell happened with Cryptic to make it jump so quickly?

 

[rCIZZLE]

The local shop here does Modern FNM now, usually running both standard and modern side by side.

I really don't see how modern is feasible for FNM along side standard. Shops around here have been trying it but so few people can afford to build top tier decks. At least standard can be done for a few hundred in trade... modern is creeping up on legacy cost.

Even though it'll get some heavy resistance, Wizards should just go ham when it comes to printing MM.

 

[Hex]

I really don't see how modern is feasible for FNM along side standard. Shops around here have been trying it but so few people can afford to build top tier decks. At least standard can be done for a few hundred in trade... modern is creeping up on legacy cost.

Even though it'll get some heavy resistance, Wizards should just go ham when it comes to printing MM.

As of yet it has a much smaller crowd (thankfully or they would never be able to fit both) but it fills a need and it grows slowly.

 

[Takuan]

Jesus, when did Thundermaw jump to $40/$50?

 

[Keru_Shiri]

Jesus, when did Thundermaw jump to $40/$50?

Dem Zombies. The comparisons to Baneslayer Angel were more apt than I realized.

 

[Takuan]

Dem Zombies. The comparisons to Baneslayer Angel were more apt than I realized.

So sometime after R2R? I swear that shit was $8 at one point. I contemplated a playset, but didn't see a need since I had a singleton and wasn't playing standard.

 

[Keru_Shiri]

So sometime after R2R? I swear that shit was $8 at one point. I contemplated a playset, but didn't see a need since I had a singleton and wasn't playing standard.

It started in the $20+ range, took a brief dip for awhile (I remember SCG listing them for $13 for awhile), then shot back up after R2R when the R/B Zombies lists started to mature, if memory serves.

 

[Fragamemnon]

Cryptic Command and I are BFFs, but I don't see that price as anything resembling sustainable.

 

[WanderingWind]

See what happens when you print a playable dragon, WotC?

SEE?

 

[OnPoint]

It started in the $20+ range, took a brief dip for awhile (I remember SCG listing them for $13 for awhile), then shot back up after R2R when the R/B Zombies lists started to mature, if memory serves.

Traded one of my copies to a friend for Sphinx's Revelation the day it jumped to $40 without knowing it. I was not happy. I should really unload my foil version soon though.

 

[Keru_Shiri]

Traded one of my copies to a friend for Sphinx's Revelation the day it jumped to $40 without knowing it. I was not happy. I should really unload my foil version soon though.

I imagine the non-foil will drop to about $10 or less, much like Baneslayer, once it rotates out of standard, so yeah, I'd unload a foil while it's high.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

It started in the $20+ range, took a brief dip for awhile (I remember SCG listing them for $13 for awhile), then shot back up after R2R when the R/B Zombies lists started to mature, if memory serves.

It was a decent while after RTR. It got down to like $13 or $14 before hand it rebounded to about $18 or so for the month after rtr came out but since then it apparently exploded to where it is now.

 

[y2dvd]

Question about Evolve.
Say I have a 0/1 Evolve creature out. I play a 2/4 creature afterwards. Does Evolve trigger twice?

 

[The Technomancer]

Question about Evolve.
Say I have a 0/1 Evolve creature out. I play a 2/4 creature afterwards. Does Evolve trigger twice?

Nope, only once.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Nope, only once.

Ya, it just checks if it's higher, if it is it gets a counter, it doesn't get a counter for each point it's higher.

 

[The Technomancer]

Shiiiiit my product design professor just invited me to work with him and a few colleagues on a project this weekend, I can't pass up an opportunity like that. I'm debating giving a friend money, asking him to register me and get my packs and promo, and all of my opponents get bys, but that seems a bit...unethical?

 

[bigkrev]

Shiiiiit my product design professor just invited me to work with him and a few colleagues on a project this weekend, I can't pass up an opportunity like that. I'm debating giving a friend money, asking him to register me and get my packs and promo, and all of my opponents get bys, but that seems a bit...unethical?

Not really, but won't it just be easier to buy the pre-release promo for 1-2 dollars in a few weeks, and then you buy whatever else you want?

 

[The Technomancer]

Not really, but won't it just be easier to buy the pre-release promo for 1-2 dollars in a few weeks, and then you buy whatever else you want?

...yeah...probably. I kinda wanted the sticker and the cheapo box though...

 

[Transhuman]

...yeah...probably. I kinda wanted the sticker and the cheapo box though...

Maybe you could go to the midnight release if they're doing one, or ask if they can save a box so you can buy it.

Or if they're doing multiple events, try and make it to the earliest one in the day.

 

[bigkrev]

...yeah...probably. I kinda wanted the sticker and the cheapo box though...

I hate the boxes they are giving out- you can't really use it to hold a deck. The box from the Mirrodin Besieged pre-release was pretty awesome though. It had reversible art, and fits a couple hundred sleeved cards. I still use it for tourneys today.

 

[FieryBalrog]

Caleb Durward posted an article today regarding the forthcoming B&R update on the 28th.

http://www.channelfireball.com/articles/legacy-weapon-examining-the-banned-and-restricted-list/

Some interesting stuff in it. The options for Legacy are about what I would say (mostly keep as is), but even considering unbanning Flash and Survival seems weird. Flash is too good, but Survival I'm not sure we have the hate available for it. DRS is good but slow, and aside from Rest in Peace the hate isn't much different from when it was banned. I'd love to see it back, but it really shouldn't.

For Modern, we agree that the list needs to be trimmed for the format to improve. Jace and Chrome Mox I agreed with, but BB I hadn't considered before and makes sense. I think Misstep could come off since modern isn't quite as 1-drop focused as Legacy, but it's still not a fun card. Basically trim the fat on the list.

Wow, this article is completely laughable. Earthcraft shouldn't be unbanned because "green decks shouldn't have (bad) combos", but apparently motherf'in FLASH is fair (because hey, blue! bluuuueee! keep in mind Flash-Hulk is widely considered the most degenerate deck Legacy has ever seen). As for hate, I wasn't aware that the hate for instants and sorceries like Flash and Show & Tell (which Caleb claims is "very answerable", as if Earthcraft wasn't) was somehow more severe than the ease of hating on enchantments. Man, those non-blue decks really have a great chance of interacting with cards on the stack!


Meanwhile every single card he mentions as "hating"on Flash folds to a simple Echoing Truth or, gee, nearly any bounce spell ever made, which happen to conveniently be in color. Storm decks learned that trick years ago. I'd like to see Enchantress Squirrel combo laugh at Reverent Silence, Deed, Ray of Revelation, Phyrexian Revoker or even Pithing Needle in the same easy catch-all manner. What are they going to do, chalice @ 1 to shut down Ray? lol.

They’re both green. Does green really need a two-card combo, costing two and three, that generates infinite 1/1s? Think about it for a second. Every green deck in the format could sideboard this, or maindeck it, or tutor for it randomly. I don’t want my control opponents combo killing me turn four.

Someone get this man a copy of Helm of Obedience and Rest in Peace, because he may just have a heart attack. Infinite 1/1s take a full turn cycle to win and are stopped by anything which stops people from attacking for damage (so, lots of things). Energy Field (in the same deck that runs Helm-RIP combo, for extra irony).

Newly spoiled Illness in the Ranks does the job for a whopping cost of B.

Earthcraft might make a fine inclusion in the deck even without Squirrel Nest, as the deck already wants to Wild Growth a land and play a pile of untargetable 0/1s.

I wasn't aware that "four" constituted a "pile"of untargetable 0/1s. Gee, Enchantress runs no other creatures. A card that is dead without Argothian (a card you don't want even more of your deck to depend on....) is a "fine inclusion" comparable to Wild Growth? You mean the Wild Growth that costs 2 mana, & does nothing without one other specific card?

 

[divisionbyzorro]

Yeah, Durward's entire article was pretty terrible. I can't speak to the Legacy comments, but his thoughts on Modern unbanning were silly. To even talk about Mental Misstep is ludicrous.

 

[robotzombie]

So I'm going to my first Magic related thing ever this weekend (GateCrash pre-release). I'm actually nervous seeing as how I only really play with my friends, don't have a great grasp on how to construct a "tournament worthy" deck of any kind, and am still pretty rough when it comes to rules (as seen by how often I post here with weird scenarios). But still I'm really excited and can't wait to see what kind of Boros cards I get!


Speaking of Boros cards, there's one card with battalion where if the creature attacks with two others, he gains flying. Now, how exactly does this work? When you announce that you are attacking with the three people, does he automatically gain flying, and thus, can't be blocked by nonflyer/nonreachers? And say Someone throws a spell on the stack to kill one of the attackers, he then doesn't fly?

 

[f0rk]

Speaking of Boros cards, there's one card with battalion where if the creature attacks with two others, he gains flying. Now, how exactly does this work? When you announce that you are attacking with the three people, does he automatically gain flying, and thus, can't be blocked by nonflyer/nonreachers? And say Someone throws a spell on the stack to kill one of the attackers, he then doesn't fly?

There are steps within the combat phase. First you have to declare you're moving to it. At this point you and your opponent can cast instants. If they want to stop battalion triggering they have to do it here. Then you move to declare attacks and tap the dudes that are attacking. Then the battalion trigger goes on the stack. The opponent can't do anything to stop it from this point, even if they kill another of your guys so you only have 2 you have still attacked with them.
At FNM level there are probably the most 'take backs' over combat because people will just tap there guys and attack without giving the opponent to do anything first.

 

[robotzombie]

There are steps within the combat phase. First you have to declare you're moving to it. At this point you and your opponent can cast instants. If they want to stop battalion triggering they have to do it here. Then you move to declare attacks and tap the dudes that are attacking. Then the battalion trigger goes on the stack. The opponent can't do anything to stop it from this point, even if they kill another of your guys so you only have 2 you have still attacked with them.
At FNM level there are probably the most 'take backs' over combat because people will just tap there guys and attack without giving the opponent to do anything first.

Ah, I got ya, thanks for that. I think when we play casually we make a lot of mistakes in that area. So say you have some kind of instant ability that will tap target creature, you can't then wait until the person announces their attackers and then cast it to tap one of them so they can't attack? You would have to do that before they announce the attackers?

 

[ultron87]

Ah, I got ya, thanks for that. I think when we play casually we make a lot of mistakes in that area. So say you have some kind of instant ability that will tap target creature, you can't then wait until the person announces their attackers and then cast it to tap one of them so they can't attack? You would have to do that before they announce the attackers?

Yeah, you need to do it before they announce attackers. But if they go straight to announcing attackers without giving you a chance to do something you can tell them you want to tap something first. Most people will say something along the lines of "Declare attackers?" to give the opponent a chance to do stuff.

 

[Keru_Shiri]

Yeah, Durward's entire article was pretty terrible. I can't speak to the Legacy comments, but his thoughts on Modern unbanning were silly. To even talk about Mental Misstep is ludicrous.

When the author insinuated that an opponent untapping with Jace on the table is fun Magic, I decided that he and I weren't going to see eye-to-eye on a lot of things.