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[jph139]

I really liked the Black/White interaction in this week's UR. The needs of the few being contingent on the needs of the many, self-sacrifice being vital to self-preservation, the differing motivations for valuing others... the story put them all in dialogue very well.

New Drana is awesome - there has to be some sort of Abzan Ally janky deck you can pull together with a +1/+1 counter focus. The fact she's an Ally at all is a neat thematic touch.

 

[Angry Grimace]

Drana story summary:

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MoralityPet

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

I was always weirded out that we were supposed to feel sympathy for Radha, I gave 0 fucks about what happened with her.

Teferi and Venser were great though and I'm still pissed what they did to Venser. He was the OG nuWalker.

 

[OnPoint]

Drana's story is interesting to me for a few reasons

• We see some story from an Eldrazi point of view for the first time
• The genesis of Zendikar vampires is interesting
• Now we know the Eldrazi have a creators, a purpose, and destination
• Drana learns of the multiverse. Maybe not important, but it could be significant

 

[Haly]

Eldrazi = Galactus

 

[SigmasonicX]

Drana's story is interesting to me for a few reasons

• Now we know the Eldrazi have a creators, a purpose, and destination

The story didn't necessarily indicate that the Eldrazi were created by other beings.

 

[Lucario]

Finished article, now with better formatting and Grimace's decklist included.

http://youcantkeepjohnnydown.tumblr...9/retreat-to-coralhelm-zoo-moderns-newest-toy

 

[ElyrionX]

Drana is insane. Holy shit.

 

[Angry Grimace]

DRANATHOPTER!

2 Soulfire Grandmaster
4 Thopter Engineer
3 Drana, Liberator of Malakir
3 Pia and Kiran Nalaar
1 Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury
4 Hangarback Walker

2 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor

2 Gideon's Reproach
3 Lightning Strike
2 Kolaghan's Command
4 Crackling Doom
1 Secure the Wastes

1 Outpost Siege

1 Foundry of the Consuls
1 Mortuary Mire
3 Shambling Vent
4 Caves of Koilos
4 Nomad Outpost
2 Smoldering Marsh
4 Bloodstained Mire
1 Swamp
1 Mountain
2 Plains

The land base is really awkward for wedge mana though. I'm not really sure how to build it in a way you can reliably get or fetch white. I guess what GB did seems fine, you're probably right that you don't *actually* need 4 Smoldering Marsh and you have a ton of lifegain there.

 

[OnPoint]

The story didn't necessarily indicate that the Eldrazi were created by other beings.

Did I misread this?

You will consume. You will scour clean.

Tentacles erupted from her back and shoulders, living matter created instantaneously in the shape of her masters, her makers. We were made in the shadow of our makers.

You will consume. You will scour clean.​

The italicized parts are from the Eldrazi point of view. I know that the vampires were made in the shadow of the Eldrazi, but the line "We were made in the shadow of our makers." did not come from Drana. It came from the Eldrazi pov.

It's something to think about.

Edit: actually the whole italic thing seems to go between both pov. Sometimes, it seems to just be her interpretation of it. Sometimes it's a more direct voice that isn't hers. Man, they should really write these better, what a mess upon further analysis.

 

[kirblar]

The appropriate analogy for why BFZ singles prices will crash:

(stolen from twitter)

 

[divisionbyzorro]

I love that I'm going to be able to get a pile of full-art basics for pennies (compared to what they are now).

 

[Angry Grimace]

[QUOTE="God's Beard!";179019532]Here's where I'm at on the latter as the spoilers are unrolling:

Mardu Tokens

22 Creatures

• 2 Soulfire Grandmaster
• 4 Hangarback Walker
• 4 Dragon Fodder
• 4 Hordeling Outburst
• 4 Monastery Mentor
• 3 Drana, Liberator of Malakir
• 1 Secure the Wastes

5 Planeswalkers

• 3 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
• 2 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar

10 Spells

• 2 Firey Impulse
• 4 Exquisite Firecraft
• 4 Crackling Doom

23 Lands

• 1 Foundry of the Consuls
• 1 Mortuary Mire
• 3 Shambling Vent
• 4 Caves of Koilos
• 4 Nomad Outpost
• 2 Smoldering Marsh
• 4 Bloodstained Mire
• 1 Swamp
• 1 Mountain
• 2 Plains

Sideboard

• 4 Butcher of the Horde
• 2 Duress
• 1 Mardu Charm
• 1 Hallowed Moonlight
• 2 Outpost Siege
• 3 Arc Lightning
• 1 Erase
• 1 Ruinous Path

[/QUOTE]

Making the list Mardu is a good idea, you're right. Crackling Doom went from best removal in the format to ridiculously best removal in the format. I don't like Mentor at all though in that deck. Mentor pretty much needs either Treasure Cruise, Jeskai Ascendancy or Outpost Siege to be a particularly good card. I think Pia and Kiran is probably just better if you're looking to play pump dudes. Kind of the same issue with Fiery Impulse, its less good than Wild Slash unless you can turn it on. I guess your plan is to just go with Goblin Makers for that? I don't know, I'm not terribly excited about being 100% all-in on tokens given the existence of Virulent Plague and Languish.

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

I want this

this

this

and this

and this

and this

and this

at least 3 more I'm not gonna put here because this post is already too long.

Spoiler

and all the other

 

["God's Beard!"]

DRANATHOPTER!

2 Soulfire Grandmaster
4 Thopter Engineer
3 Drana, Liberator of Malakir
3 Pia and Kiran Nalaar
1 Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury
4 Hangarback Walker

2 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor

2 Gideon's Reproach
3 Lightning Strike
2 Kolaghan's Command
4 Crackling Doom
1 Secure the Wastes

1 Outpost Siege

1 Foundry of the Consuls
1 Mortuary Mire
3 Shambling Vent
4 Caves of Koilos
4 Nomad Outpost
2 Smoldering Marsh
4 Bloodstained Mire
1 Swamp
1 Mountain
2 Plains

Lightning Strike?

I don't like Mentor at all though in that deck. Mentor pretty much needs either Treasure Cruise, Jeskai Ascendancy or Outpost Siege to be a particularly good card.

I was torn between Mentor and Butcher, but I'd prefer to keep the mana curve down. At the same time, Mentor is a 5-drop a lot of the time so you can play Dragon Fodder or whatever to get value. Also, removal is getting a little worse and there's so many Anthem effects with Sorin, Gideon and Drana that I think it's worth it.

Kind of the same issue with Fiery Impulse, its less good than Wild Slash unless you can turn it on, and outside of some kind of deck that intentionally puts shit in the GY, that's not usually particularly easy.

I mean, half my creatures are sorceries so that helps a lot, and I think killing a Mantis Rider is probably more important than occasionally finishing off a planeswalker. Wild Slash recursion with Soulfire is nice, but I don't think it's more important than killing a 3-toughness creature.

 

[duxstar]

Dear wizards, i don't want to play mono black aggro, in fact i haven't met anyone that want's it to become a competitive tier 1 deck, stop trying to force it, and in the process making abzan the best deck at control AND being aggro.

 

[Angry Grimace]

[QUOTE="God's Beard!";179029198]Lightning Strike?


I was torn between Mentor and Butcher, but I'd prefer to keep the mana curve down. At the same time, Mentor is a 5-drop a lot of the time so you can play Dragon Fodder or whatever to get value. Also, removal is getting a little worse and there's so many Anthem effects with Sorin, Gideon and Drana that I think it's worth it.


I mean, half my creatures are sorceries so that helps a lot, and I think killing a Mantis Rider is probably more important than occasionally finishing off a planeswalker. Wild Slash recursion with Soulfire is nice, but I don't think it's more important than killing a 3-toughness creature.[/QUOTE]

Its gonna get reprinted. I find it highly unlikely Lightning Strike is not in BFZ. And if it isn't, I'd just play Reproach because it can kill a swinging Anafenza.

I agree removal is worse, but there's still plenty of cheap Wild Slash, Fiery Impulse, type cards to blow your Mentor up without much value. I think at this point the deck to beat is still Abzan Control, which might be a tough match still if they're running enough Languish.

 

["God's Beard!"]

Its gonna get reprinted. I find it highly unlikely Lightning Strike is not in BFZ. And if it isn't, I'd just play Reproach because it can kill a swinging Anafenza.

I agree removal is worse, but there's still plenty of cheap Wild Slash, Fiery Impulse, type cards to blow your Mentor up without much value. I think at this point the deck to beat is still Abzan Control, which might be a tough match still if they're running enough Languish.

Ideally I'd just cut the Mentors and run another burn spell and Outpost Siege if a good one gets spoiled. I keep going back and forth on Seeker as well.

 

[Matriox]

Reddit Exclusive:

Scratch that. Not fighting.

I still think worse than setessan tactics.

 

[The Technomancer]

Its worse than Setessan Tactics...

I am 100% okay with that

 

[OnPoint]

Reddit Exclusive:

Scratch that. Not fighting.

Seriously considering if a colorless-themed EDH deck can fly these days...

 

[Angry Grimace]

I mean, I don't think that's necessarily supposed to be a constructed card, its a payoff card for going Devoid in draft.

 

[Firemind]

Holy shit that generic flavour text :lol

 

[duxstar]

Reddit Exclusive:

Scratch that. Not fighting.

I still think worse than setessan tactics.

Sorcery and not Instant, at rare, and doesn't hit player for 6 mana.

 

[Jhriad]

I mean, I don't think that's necessarily supposed to be a constructed card, its a payoff card for going Devoid in draft.

So the payoff for going colorless in draft is at rare?

 

[Joe Molotov]

I mean, I don't think that's necessarily supposed to be a constructed card, its a payoff card for going Devoid in draft.

But at rare, though? A 6 mana card that taps one of your creatures to (hopefully) kill one of their creatures?

 

[The Technomancer]

But at rare, though? A 6 mana card that taps one of your creatures to (hopefully) kill one of their creatures?

Setessan Tactics was stupid in draft. I imagine if you're drafting Eldrazi this is merely "very good"

 

[ultron87]

Sorcery and not Instant, at rare, and doesn't hit player for 6 mana.

Potential Plague Winds need to be a little expensive.

 

[duxstar]

Setessan Tactics was stupid in draft. I imagine if you're drafting Eldrazi this is merely "very good"

Setessan Tactic's was Instant speed, and applied to any creature you wanted, this only allows your colorless creatures to use it.

 

[Angry Grimace]

So the payoff for going colorless in draft is at rare?

No, but if you open that, its a pretty nice incentive to start drafting Devoid (most of which are just regular value creatures anyways, so its not like you're forcing a horrible strategy to begin with).

Setessan Tactic's was Instant speed, and applied to any creature you wanted, this only allows your colorless creatures to use it.

It costs more because it doesn't hit your own guys.

 

[Ashodin]

Sacred Foundry Zendikar is now my phone's background. Long live Boros

 

[A Serious Man]

Welp.

Anyway, I'll be interested to see how often that shows up in constructed. Having to tap everything or almost everything down for a turn is a sizable drawback.

 

[SigmasonicX]

Its gonna get reprinted. I find it highly unlikely Lightning Strike is not in BFZ. And if it isn't, I'd just play Reproach because it can kill a swinging Anafenza.

I agree removal is worse, but there's still plenty of cheap Wild Slash, Fiery Impulse, type cards to blow your Mentor up without much value. I think at this point the deck to beat is still Abzan Control, which might be a tough match still if they're running enough Languish.

I expect that we'll see something like this:

Volcanic Strike - 1R
Sorcery
Volcanic Strike deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
Awaken 3 - 5R

Surprisingly, looking it up, there has yet to be a creature with "When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, it deals 3 damage to target creature or player."

 

[Ashodin]

Gruesome Slaughter allows you to slay enemy dudes without them actually fighting. I can see it.

 

[Angry Grimace]

I expect that we'll see something like this:

Volcanic Strike - 1R
Sorcery
Volcanic Strike deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
Awaken 3 - 5R

Surprisingly, looking it up, there has yet to be a creature with "When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, it deals 3 damage to target creature or player."

that's because Flametongue Kavu is bullshit

 

[Firemind]

Does Snapcaster Mage count?

 

[OnPoint]

Putting my idea cap on for a second. What color would a spell or effect like this be:

Unexpected Backlash(4)(X)

Instant

Until end of turn, creatures controlled by target
opponent gain Backlash
(when a creature with Backlash takes damage,
it deals that much damage to its controller)​

My guess for that would be White (and it would be one hell of a combat trick). Could be cool if red had it too, as a sorcery, so as to prevent blocking. You could even design red creatures that force blocks to setup for it.

I would say it could be in black if it's on a cheaply costed creature, a la Juzam Djinn.

Hellfire Sadist (1)(B)(B)

Creature - Demon

Flying, Backlash
(when a creature with Backlash takes damage,
it deals that much damage to its controller)
4/3​

I guess it would be a pretty Mardu mechanic (red and black using it for their own gain, white using it by turning it against others). I can't think of a way it would apply to blue or green.

 

[Ashodin]

I'm planning on attending my first tournament/draft in years. Feels good man

 

[Matriox]

I'm planning on attending my first tournament/draft in years. Feels good man

Welcome back!

 

[OnPoint]

I'm planning on attending my first tournament/draft in years. Feels good man

What format, and what are you playing?

 

[Ashodin]

What format, and what are you playing?

Standard, and probably something random. It's a local store tournament.

 

[Angry Grimace]

Putting my idea cap on for a second. What color would a spell or effect like this be:

Unexpected Backlash(4)(X)

Instant

Until end of turn, creatures controlled by target
opponent gain Backlash
(when a creature with Backlash takes damage,
it deals that much damage to its controller)​

My guess for that would be White (and it would be one hell of a combat trick). Could be cool if red had it too, as a sorcery, so as to prevent blocking. You could even design red creatures that force blocks to setup for it.

I would say it could be in black if it's on a cheaply costed creature, a la Juzam Djinn.

Hellfire Sadist (1)(B)(B)

Creature - Demon

Flying, Backlash
(when a creature with Backlash takes damage,
it deals that much damage to its controller)
4/3​

I guess it would be a pretty Mardu mechanic (red and black using it for their own gain, white using it by turning it against others). I can't think of a way it would apply to blue or green.

They don't keyword drawbacks anymore. The effect is very red.

 

[OnPoint]

Standard, and probably something random. It's a local store tournament.

Cool man! Good luck! I hear Abzan is real good these days. Just rumors though...

They don't keyword drawbacks anymore. The effect is very red.

They should just make interesting drawbacks to keyword. They're way too concerned with making every card or ability "feel good". It's one of the things the NWO does not have right, in my view.

 

[Angry Grimace]

Cool man! Good luck! I hear Abzan is real good these days. Just rumors though...



They should just make interesting drawbacks to keyword. They're way too concerned with making every card or ability "feel good". It's one of the things the NWO does not have right, in my view.

It has nothing to do with NWO at all. NWO has nothing to do with anything other than complexity at common.

 

[OnPoint]

It has nothing to do with NWO at all. NWO has nothing to do with anything other than complexity at common.

My mistake. I was referring to NWO as more the overarching modern design style. I'll use it properly in the future.

I still think modern design conventions are a little too "RA RA POSITIVE!"

 

[Ashodin]

Cool man! Good luck! I hear Abzan is real good these days. Just rumors though...



They should just make interesting drawbacks to keyword. They're way too concerned with making every card or ability "feel good". It's one of the things the NWO does not have right, in my view.

Yeah I don't have any hope of winning, just want to get in the swing of things.

 

[Etrian Oddity]

So WOTC Community Forums are shutting down

Glad I caught your post on this.

The WotC forums may be, in my opinion, one of the most bungled fuckups in online community history.

Wizards.COMmunity was legitimately one of the most well-spoken, creative and friendly/well-moderated forums I can ever remember seeing on the Internet, let alone one I participated in. I was very active from 2002 to 2009 or so, when the company indisputably killed the community with its "Gleemax" brand restructure.

They changed the entire structure from a UBB/VBulletin-driven forum to a cheap MySpace knockoff where blogs were given focus over the ghetto-fied forums. When I say ghetto, I'm talking they were devolved to the point where GameFAQs looked like a state-of-the art hub.

Literally as soon as they changed the format to that monstrosity, folks left overnight. The D&D guys fled to enWorld, Giant in the Playground and Candlekeep; and the Magic crowd spread all across the web.

Makes me really sad what they did to those boards, but it's right for them to just shut down the ghost of what it was.

 

[SigmasonicX]

Putting my idea cap on for a second. What color would a spell or effect like this be:

Unexpected Backlash(4)(X)

Instant

Until end of turn, creatures controlled by target
opponent gain Backlash
(when a creature with Backlash takes damage,
it deals that much damage to its controller)​

My guess for that would be White (and it would be one hell of a combat trick). Could be cool if red had it too, as a sorcery, so as to prevent blocking. You could even design red creatures that force blocks to setup for it.

I would say it could be in black if it's on a cheaply costed creature, a la Juzam Djinn.

Hellfire Sadist (1)(B)(B)

Creature - Demon

Flying, Backlash
(when a creature with Backlash takes damage,
it deals that much damage to its controller)
4/3​

I guess it would be a pretty Mardu mechanic (red and black using it for their own gain, white using it by turning it against others). I can't think of a way it would apply to blue or green.

I don't think they would ever keyword this, but this mechanic is already present on some red creatures.

There just isn't enough interesting about the mechanic to do more with it than a card every few sets; and usually the Boros Reckoner variation (when dealt damage, it deals that much damage to target creature or player) makes for a much more exciting card.

 

[Angry Grimace]

My mistake. I was referring to NWO as more the overarching modern design style. I'll use it properly in the future.

I still think modern design conventions are a little too "RA RA POSITIVE!"

Yeah, "NWO" actually has a specific design meaning w/r/t Magic cards.

 

[Yeef]

I expect that we'll see something like this:

Volcanic Strike - 1R
Sorcery
Volcanic Strike deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
Awaken 3 - 5R

Surprisingly, looking it up, there has yet to be a creature with "When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, it deals 3 damage to target creature or player."

?