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Idler20 Rabbit Season Since: Oct, 2010
Rabbit Season
#301: Aug 12th 2012 at 10:28:53 AM

I think Identity Crisis would be a good comparison.

You're an ad hominem attack!
Exelixi Lesbarian from Alchemist's workshop Since: Sep, 2011 Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
Lesbarian
#302: Aug 12th 2012 at 10:42:42 AM

Hm....

2WWBB

Two effects: Exile target player's graveyard, and exile target player's hand.

The graveyard thing isn't that big a deal. I'd say that could be dealt with by removing the WW and just making it 2- so 4BB.

Then, exile is usually better than discard, unless you're going for graveyard recurrence... But then, graveyard recurrence is a big thing with discard/mill decks in some contexts.

So, hell, 3BB. CMC five.

Mura: -flips the bird to veterinary science with one hand and Euclidean geometry with the other-
Usht Lv. 3 Genasi Wizard from an arbitrary view point. Since: Feb, 2011
Lv. 3 Genasi Wizard
#303: Aug 12th 2012 at 11:30:15 PM

It's still awesome since the M13 version proves Jace can fuck with Nicole's ability to use spelling and grammar properly.

That being said, it's still a good price and definitely not for regular play, more for EDH play wherein hands can reach stupidly large sizes. More so since effects like increasing damage, discard, or draw on noncreature spells seems to be vaguely increasing somewhere between geometric and exponential. For example, when Lava Axe came out, it sat alongside Shock.

It'd definitely have use in a deck that forces opponents to draw a long, such as with Forced Fruition, especially since that can lead into delicious, delicious graveyard theft. It's quite well balanced as it is, though niche in use.

The thing about making witty signature lines is that it first needs to actually be witty.
Usht Lv. 3 Genasi Wizard from an arbitrary view point. Since: Feb, 2011
Lv. 3 Genasi Wizard
#304: Aug 14th 2012 at 7:55:48 PM

For lack of any better place to do this and because of boredom, let's talk about an underground format I've only recently poked into: Pauper French EDH. Yes, it's a variant of a variant mixed with another variant. The base rules are:

  • Your general may be common or uncommon, but doesn't have to be legendary.
  • The rest of yours cards have to be common or at least common at some point in time.
  • Life is at 30, lethal general damage is at 18 damage.

Other than that, it's pretty much like normal commander, yet has a completely different metagame. For the most part, commanders in this variant^3 do not do spectacular stuff, they will often serve as a necessary backbone and support to the rest of your deck. This is because spot removal in PFE is RAMPANT. There are very few wrath effects in this format and even then, they belong to solely to red and black. The few exceptional generals that can beat face are, well, exceptional and few (Dragonsoul Knight, Paragon of the Amesha, and Fusion Elemental). These exception few also are mana intensive and need mana fixing bad, so they fall into the category of awesome IF you manage to pull it off.

Secondly, it's French and not vanilla Pauper EDH because that would take forever. Those little common critters just can't beat face all that well nor do they have nifty side win conditions to fall back on either. This means that unless you want to spend all afternoon having absolutely no winning strategy and staring at each other all day, you want to play french. This is alright since it doesn't necessarily mean the game will be over by turn four due to ridiculous general antics.

Now, the metagame. The color pie is a lot more distinct than before. Blue is the only color with decent draw, black is struggling behind that. Green ramps like mad, no one else does really. Red and black are full of removal, blue and white kind of sort of maybe do. Flying belongs to blue and white. Big beaters is green, strong little dudes is white and green. Etc.

This also makes it difficult to have a deck of more than two colors unless you include green. It also makes the game slower since you can't constantly pull more cards as needed nor loads of lands.

So then, time to talk about metagame, there have been two decks I've really tested, Stromkirk Captain (or Captain Kirk and his vampire buddies) and Mistmeadow Witch (or I want to be Venser).

Let's talk about Mistmeadow Witch first. For 4 mana a pop, you can exile something until the end of the turn and then bring it back. This means enter the battlefield effects can be used repeatedly. It can also stop attackers, slow down the opponent, and save your own guys. Truly, Mistmeadow Witch is about the combo. This means her win conditions are two other creatures, Vedalken Dismisser and Stonehorn Dignitary, both of which will essentially lock down an opponent. That being said, she also works well with creatures that bounce stuff or draw you more cards. This makes her particularly valuable since she can REPEATEDLY DRAW. With Mulldrifter, she can draw 2 extra cards per turn for 4 mana. That's pretty much a godsend in this format. However, she has a few weaknesses, she relies on keeping a large number of weak creatures alive. This means mass removal (such as a red effect that damages all creatures by 2 or so) would wreck her as well as token armies. Sigil Captain, in particular, takes his buddies and wrecks her shit all day long. Hopefully you have room for those counterspells in between all of that sojourning.

Captain Kirk is completely different. While Mistmeadow Witch was all about the combo mixed with control, Kirk is more aggro with a side of control. See, vampire tribal is known for little fast dudes that have low toughness but a suitable power. Kirk negates this draw back completely by giving them first strike along with a +1/+1 pump for good measure. In pauper EDH, most creatures will have about 3 toughness max, maybe 4 or 5 late game. Kirk laughs at that and then beats your face in with his fast moving vampires. On top of that, he's black, that makes him immune to the majority of removal in the format that kills him, so he can sit there and relax while still giving the rest of your team the pump they need to continue beating up the chumps. If that wasn't enough for you, the vampires also grow. Keep in mind, Innistrad vampires commonly come with a side ability that gives them a +1/+1 counter for hitting the opponent. This means, within time and enough pressure, your vampires will be outgrowing that pauper curve and becoming juggernauts. The best part is, black in pauper has the most ways of proliferating, in case you just wanted another way to make your opponent miserable.

Of course, punching stuff isn't going to win you everything, but that's alright, red and black come with a suitable amount of control called removal. Between Murder, Doom Blade, Go for the Throat, Lightning Bolt, and other instants, you can easily deal with generals and keep them down and whatever other threat you can't handle while clearing a path for your vampires.

That being said, I have yet to lose with Captain Kirk, or really, even come close to losing with him. Games tends to go down hill really quickly upon him arriving. However, the deck that gave him the most trouble was red blue with Izzet Guildmage, which had a variety of kill spells just for him and lots of counters at hand to slow down the vampires. However, with just a single vampire out there that the player never really had room to deal with, he lost anyway.

Anyway, the format is still relatively unchecked and unplayed, so the metagame is rather young. Psychatog, Bloodbraid Elf, and Qasali Ambusher are believed to be possibly overpowered but no one's really played the format enough to say. Never the less, I made two decks for ten dollars. Shipping included. I think I like it.

edited 14th Aug '12 8:57:14 PM by Usht

The thing about making witty signature lines is that it first needs to actually be witty.
moberemk Dread Lord from Canada Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
Dread Lord
#305: Aug 14th 2012 at 8:12:48 PM

Great write-up! I've never heard of this format before, but I'll definitely be looking into it sometime, it seems like an interesting sampler plate of formats.

deviantArt | Twitter
disruptorfe404 Since: Sep, 2011
#306: Aug 14th 2012 at 9:19:55 PM

Pauper Commander is an awesome format, and the French 1v1 rules are sweet for duels.

Putting them together seems natural!

Not sure who I'd roll with for a general. Multi-colour for sure, and definitely including green. Green/black opens up ramp and removal, but what general? Golgari Guildmage? Sprouting Thrinax? Thrinax requires too many other cards to get use out of, but is a 3-drop 3/3 that opens up the two best removal colours. Guildmage is just a house.

Usht Lv. 3 Genasi Wizard from an arbitrary view point. Since: Feb, 2011
Lv. 3 Genasi Wizard
#307: Aug 14th 2012 at 9:28:45 PM

These are your options in the uncommon slot. Nothing particularly stands out to me as being amazing for 1 on 1 and with a build around strategy. Maybe the Ebony Treefolk for beat down? He will definitely be able to defy most spot removal and green can kill white and blue's pacifism effects. Plus, rancor is available and trust me, in pauper, it hurts even more. Stocking a Slagwurm armor was the sole reason it didn't cause me to out right lose a game.

Glassdust Hulk, however, would make for a great general, he comes in the colors that love artifacts, give shroud, and can defend while he slowly ups that lethal general damage. I'm thinking of building for him next.

The thing about making witty signature lines is that it first needs to actually be witty.
disruptorfe404 Since: Sep, 2011
#308: Aug 14th 2012 at 10:07:37 PM

Okay, I was not expecting the girl to turn out to be Kaalia.

I'm digging the new flavour column.

Idler20 Rabbit Season Since: Oct, 2010
Rabbit Season
#309: Aug 15th 2012 at 12:18:14 AM

Everyone's favourite Bat Deserter has had its creature types collated again. The only new one since M12 is Werewolf, I think.

You're an ad hominem attack!
Lovecrafter <3 from Belgium Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Hoping Senpai notices me
<3
#310: Aug 15th 2012 at 10:56:52 AM

[up][up][up]WG is also an interesting combination, since you can actually play legendary creatures. Granted, they're some of the more awful ones from Legends. I'd probably pick Enlisted Wurm, since cascade seems like a neat thing.

"Everything is “we can’t do that” until we figure out a way to do it." - Mark Rosewater
wearingglasses His work is never done. Since: Jan, 2001
His work is never done.
#311: Aug 15th 2012 at 10:58:52 PM

So I've got these Spirits: Drogskol Cap'n, Kami of Ancient Law, Tallowisp, Azorius Herald, and Phantom Nomad. Making them 4-ofs means I got 20 creatures.

With 23 lands, I got 17 more spells. Which one sounds better to you, as a gut feeling:

  • One - Add a couple of Long Forgotten Goheis (artifact, 3cc, Spirit pump, Arcane cost reduction). The other fifteen cards are half-and-half Arcane spells and Aura spells.
  • Two - No Goheis, go 2/3 of the 17 as auras and the others as utility spells.
  • Three - other

Idler20 Rabbit Season Since: Oct, 2010
Rabbit Season
#312: Aug 16th 2012 at 5:13:51 AM

There is at least one monocolored zombie in every colour except white.

The more you know.

You're an ad hominem attack!
LeChuck4 Since: Feb, 2010
Xiphoniii Cheeky son of a.... from Florida Since: Aug, 2009
Cheeky son of a....
#314: Aug 17th 2012 at 7:24:38 AM

Hey guys, what's the limited environment look like right now? I'm headed to a draft tonight and I'm curious what kind of decks I'm likely to face, and what colors are viable to go for.

:smug:
Idler20 Rabbit Season Since: Oct, 2010
Rabbit Season
#315: Aug 18th 2012 at 11:30:14 AM

Today's award for most unintentionally suggestive flavour text goes to Filigree Fracture.

You're an ad hominem attack!
LeChuck4 Since: Feb, 2010
#316: Aug 18th 2012 at 11:32:44 AM

"Unintentionally", yeah, sure.

Xiphoniii Cheeky son of a.... from Florida Since: Aug, 2009
Cheeky son of a....
#317: Aug 18th 2012 at 12:58:08 PM

Didn't do TOO bad with B/W Exalted..but next week's an Innistrad block draft, and I've no idea how I'm gonna pull that. I'm think R/G Wolves have enough cards cross-set to make a deck, but I'm not sure.

:smug:
Idler20 Rabbit Season Since: Oct, 2010
Rabbit Season
#318: Aug 18th 2012 at 1:21:15 PM

It makes me sad that Lorwyn tested so badly with most of Magic's audience. It has my favourite flavour of any plane except maybe Innistrad.

You're an ad hominem attack!
Usht Lv. 3 Genasi Wizard from an arbitrary view point. Since: Feb, 2011
Lv. 3 Genasi Wizard
#319: Aug 18th 2012 at 6:47:09 PM

@Xip: Be a badass, play opponent mill.

This is actually quite feasible in draft IF you pull the right cards. Usually you won't and you still have to deal with the opponent's creatures.

Back to pauper EDH. Today's fabulously awesome general is Lorescale Coatl. What's awesome about it? For one, it grows, often times far too quickly for a red deck to keep up with taking out and can easily hit that 18 points of general damage.

It also comes in the colors of hexproofing and shroud, making protecting it quite easy, essentially meaning that with proper play, you've at the very least got a juggernaut on the field that grows.

But then remember, we've also got flying in blue and trample in green. This means you'll be able to roll on by typical defenses in a pauper game and make a large dent every time. The only real possible threat to this is deathtouch. Then again, how many commons have flying and deathtouch? Still, it's something to watch for and counter with your arsenal of blue counterspells.

Most of all, these are the colors of emptying your deck. You can easily search for land and draw from the get go, allowing you room to spare between countering and pulling draw combat tricks to make your snake larger. Failing that, you've got creatures too, big, nasty green creatures that can wall and smash for you.

Overall, an excellent general that punishes players for not stocking the proper hate and the ability to use it quickly. As with most decks that revolve around the general, if the player does stock the proper hate, you'll be hurting if you don't properly manage your mana and hold onto those counterspells for what really matters.

And screw it, I might as well make my own blog for this stuff.

The thing about making witty signature lines is that it first needs to actually be witty.
Xiphoniii Cheeky son of a.... from Florida Since: Aug, 2009
Cheeky son of a....
#320: Aug 18th 2012 at 7:57:26 PM

Hm...hey guys. I've been thinking of becoming a judge. I've been playing only since around halfway through Dark Ascension, but I've read up on previous sets and such, and I've been pretty actively playing since I got started, playing but casual and official games and tournaments almost daily. Do you think my relatively short amount of time playing would be a barrier to me becoming a judge, or does that not really matter?

:smug:
Nyktos (srahc 84) eltit Since: Jan, 2001
(srahc 84) eltit
#321: Aug 18th 2012 at 8:31:48 PM

So our top eight for the WMC are Croatia, Puerto Rico, Poland, the Philippines, Scotland, Hungary, Taiwan, and Slovakia. Who are you guys rooting for?

Personally I'm just sad that Canada didn't make it after doing so well day 1. sad

I guess it is.
moberemk Dread Lord from Canada Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
Dread Lord
#322: Aug 18th 2012 at 8:50:43 PM

Man, poor Canada...well, if I don't have the patriotic pride option for once, I suppose I'll have to throw my hat in with Scotland. I'd root for Team Japan if they were still in, I mean after the hell they went through just to get to the competition they deserved a win more than anyone.

@Xiphoniii: How long you've been playing isn't what matters. What matters is how well you understand the rules of the game, and how well you can apply that to even the weirdest of edge cases. Try taking the Rules Advisor test online first, and see how you like dealing with those questions; if you find those easy and enjoyable little puzzles more than pointless rule-bickering, judging is definitely something you should think about.

I'd ask Dark Confidant about it though, he's an L2 IIRC and would have a lot more to say on the matter. Assuming he's still around of course...feels like people keep disappearing from these forums lately...

deviantArt | Twitter
Xiphoniii Cheeky son of a.... from Florida Since: Aug, 2009
Cheeky son of a....
#323: Aug 18th 2012 at 9:16:46 PM

Well, I tried the "Easy Practice Test" in the judging center. Those were all definitely interesting little exercises, and I enjoyed thinking about it. However, I definitely need to study up, because I only got 7/12 answers correct. Which somehow translates into a 47% I dunno, maybe the "Check all that apply" questions were counted weird.

:smug:
Zennistrad from The Multiverse Since: Jul, 2011 Relationship Status: I don't mind being locked in this eternal maze!
#324: Aug 18th 2012 at 9:45:16 PM

It makes me sad that Lorwyn tested so badly with most of Magic's audience. It has my favourite flavour of any plane except maybe Innistrad.

I would have liked it more if it weren't all "creature types are the only thing in the game that matters!"

wearingglasses His work is never done. Since: Jan, 2001
His work is never done.
#325: Aug 19th 2012 at 1:18:30 AM

[up][up][up][up]

Huh. The Philippines ranked? I guess I have to root for it now.


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