So after seeing the new Junk enchantment and the fact that there won't be a four mana sweeper, I thought it would be really fun to play a very quick and low CMC Junk deck.
Basically we want nothing above 3 CMC. Most of our creatures will be 1 drops with a few two drops. Then at the top of the curve is the cards that really empower the deck: Athreos, Return to the Ranks, and Azban Ascendancy. These cards are to give us gas and prevent the opponent from stabilizing.
When it comes to representation of racial minorities ... I think there's still work to do. Kamigawa and Mirage are often held up as examples, but they're not the problem. Both settings were designed to reflect Japanese and African culture, respectively. The problem is that in "generic fantasy" settings like Zendikar and the rest of Dominaria almost everyone is white. Like, the *vast* majority. This is reflected in the main characters as well - how many black characters are there outside of Mirage block? A few. Teferi, Koth, and Crovax come to mind. How many Asian characters outside of Kamigawa? Aside from Tetsuo, none that I can think of. How many Indian characters? Latino characters? Inuit characters? Now think of how many white characters there are.
I can see someone protesting that there are too many different ethnic minorities to realistically represent them all. Why is that? It's not like X% of the cards have to depict white people, and the remainder has to somehow be divided between every other ethnicity. Why not try giving the same percent to every group, including white people?
I do want to note that I feel Theros is a quantum leap in the right direction. Tons of powerful women, more racial diversity than any set before, and even references to gay characters. I couldn't be happier with it, and I hope WotC keeps up the good work in future settings.
In the fantasy world of MtG, there aren't ethnic groups similar how Earth is divided today. Theres no such thing as "Indian" or "Latino" or "European" characters in MtG.
Also you are missing my point. Tight play doesn't get you to the top of a GP. Loose plays that give you advantages that honest players don't have gets you there.
Yes we get it, you think all the winners also cheat. Provide something more than 'I see it all the time' or move on.
No, I don't think all do. I just think too many do and get away with it. And even if they aren't doing it on purpose. Making a critical mistake that gives you the game should be punished more than just a warning. Even if its unintentionally, winning by a mistake should be okay in any competitive game. "oops sorry ump I used an illegal bat, my stupid trainer gave me the wrong one lol i guess we accidentally won the world series"
Winning a GP should mean you are a good player who doesn't make mistakes. If you can win a major tournament while still making play mistakes then that really speaks volumes for the skill level of Magic the Gathering.
Do you see Chess players win tournaments with 200+ people suddenly "forget" what a piece does? "oops sorry I tried to move my rook diagonals, im tired guys geezz that was funny wasn't it?"
Great straw man. Chess has six different pieces, Magic has hundreds of relevant interactions within each tournament. Chess, you make one move/decision each turn, Magic oftentimes five. There is no hidden information for you to think constantly about. The games are not even comparable.
Magic is mentally fatiguing. There is no such thing as a perfect player. If you think every GP winner ought to be perfect, go win one yourself with your epic tight play.
Are you really going to try to argue that MtG is more mentally taxing and challenging than Chess?
Also you are missing my point. Tight play doesn't get you to the top of a GP. Loose plays that give you advantages that honest players don't have gets you there.
Winning a GP should mean you are a good player who doesn't make mistakes. If you can win a major tournament while still making play mistakes then that really speaks volumes for the skill level of Magic the Gathering.
There is no such thing as a player who doesn't make mistakes.
Strategy mistakes sure. Basic game play mistakes? (especially ones that just so happen to extremely benefit you)
When you won the SCG Invitational, did you ever try to Doom Blade an opponents Olivia Voldaren? Would you be happy if your opponent who tried to do that ended up winning?
I never see many mistakes at FNM, but as soon as I go to a larger tournament like an IQ, Open, Grand Prix, ect I suddenly notice my opponents making all sorts of "mistakes". Maybe its because my opponents are at a higher level of play and nervous? Maybe I just pay more attention when stuff is on the line? Or maybe it is something else....? I don't know, but it seems pretty crazy that I notice casual and semi-competitive players making less mistakes than good players at these bigger tournaments.
This is exactly what I am talking about.
At FNM I NEVER have problems with TS, but suddenly at a PTQ I have suddenly have to remind everyone that it costs two life...
If you can show that someone regularly makes mistakes that are in their favor while otherwise playing tightly and not making misplays that hurt them, then they are probably doing it intentionally.
I would argue that if you are "good" enough to win a GP then you shouldnt be making such simple game play mistakes as drawing extra cards, using an illegal deck, etc.
We are all human beings playing a game with other human beings. Top8ing a GP does not automatically turn you into a computer.
Winning a GP should mean you are a good player who doesn't make mistakes. If you can win a major tournament while still making play mistakes then that really speaks volumes for the skill level of Magic the Gathering.
Do you see Chess players win tournaments with 200+ people suddenly "forget" what a piece does? "oops sorry I tried to move my rook diagonals, im tired guys geezz that was funny wasn't it?"
If you can show that someone regularly makes mistakes that are in their favor while otherwise playing tightly and not making misplays that hurt them, then they are probably doing it intentionally.
I would argue that if you are "good" enough to win a GP then you shouldnt be making such simple game play mistakes as drawing extra cards, using an illegal deck, etc.
I accidentally played an extra land once at a GP... it was a team event back in like... 2006 (whenever Jitte and Rav were in Standard). It went game 3 and our teammates split, the clock was running low so my opponent called the judges to watch for stalling. He was playing Owling Mine and I was playing B/W weenie. At one point during the game I played a land did some stuff attacked and then played another land, with about a dozen people plus 2 judges, and the entire opponent's team watching nobody noticed. I didnt even know it happened until after I wont he game and one of my teammates mentioned it to me. It really didnt matter, it let me get 2 extra cards out off hand and I won with more than 2 life.. but it was still a mistake that went unnoticed with that many high level players watching.
This is my whole point, I am good enough that I don't make "mistakes" that end up winning me the game at GPs. So to win major tournaments I think one needs to play at a lower level and make more game winning "mistakes"
I do well at large events, I make it to day 2 most of the time.
And No, I have never, ever, EVER made any of the mistakes that I have listed. I think the biggest mistake I ever make is missing some trigger. I have never drawn extra cards, I have never forgot to write down extra damage, I have never had an illegal deck. However, those things seem to be important to winning GPs so I guess people who don't do that are at a big disadvantage.
You have never noticed, doesn't mean you never did. By nature of "unintentional", you hardly will know until someone else points out, especially if your opponent also doesn't get it. The difference between you and the winners is they have 10000 people there looking. The 0.1% notices a mistakes, news spread and suddenly that was an "obvious error it's impossible to miss if you're half decent at magic".
So then you will admit that you have done stuff like almost used an o-ring on a land? Or Drawn 5 cards from Jace's 0?
Here is the initial list that came to mind:
4 Gnarled Scarhide
4 Loyal Pegasus
4 Soldier of the Pantheon
4 Tormented Hero
4 Pain Seer
2 Return to the Ranks
3 Athreos, God of Passage
3 Azban Ascendancy
Basically we want nothing above 3 CMC. Most of our creatures will be 1 drops with a few two drops. Then at the top of the curve is the cards that really empower the deck: Athreos, Return to the Ranks, and Azban Ascendancy. These cards are to give us gas and prevent the opponent from stabilizing.
Possible inclusions:
Sunblade Elf We won't have much green and we will never be able to activate his second ability
Selfless Cathar
Herald of Anafenza Probably too slow
Sightless Brawler
Spirit of the Labyrinth
Swordwise Centaur
Ainok Bond-kin
Mardu Skullhunter
Possible Sideboard:
Brain Maggot
Bow of Nylea To punch through midrange creature decks
Why no Voice?
Does an aggro deck really need so many kill spells?
How do you plan on casting 6 mana Elspeth with only 22 lands?
In the fantasy world of MtG, there aren't ethnic groups similar how Earth is divided today. Theres no such thing as "Indian" or "Latino" or "European" characters in MtG.
So then how can Obzedat, Ghost Council come back from Whip of Erebos? Since the Obzedat gets exiled by the whip, how can Obzedat's trigger resolve?
Can I use the ooze to stop the Pontiff's haunt ability from happening when Pontiff dies?
No, I don't think all do. I just think too many do and get away with it. And even if they aren't doing it on purpose. Making a critical mistake that gives you the game should be punished more than just a warning. Even if its unintentionally, winning by a mistake should be okay in any competitive game. "oops sorry ump I used an illegal bat, my stupid trainer gave me the wrong one lol i guess we accidentally won the world series"
Are you really going to try to argue that MtG is more mentally taxing and challenging than Chess?
Also you are missing my point. Tight play doesn't get you to the top of a GP. Loose plays that give you advantages that honest players don't have gets you there.
Strategy mistakes sure. Basic game play mistakes? (especially ones that just so happen to extremely benefit you)
When you won the SCG Invitational, did you ever try to Doom Blade an opponents Olivia Voldaren? Would you be happy if your opponent who tried to do that ended up winning?
This is exactly what I am talking about.
At FNM I NEVER have problems with TS, but suddenly at a PTQ I have suddenly have to remind everyone that it costs two life...
Winning a GP should mean you are a good player who doesn't make mistakes. If you can win a major tournament while still making play mistakes then that really speaks volumes for the skill level of Magic the Gathering.
Do you see Chess players win tournaments with 200+ people suddenly "forget" what a piece does? "oops sorry I tried to move my rook diagonals, im tired guys geezz that was funny wasn't it?"
I would argue that if you are "good" enough to win a GP then you shouldnt be making such simple game play mistakes as drawing extra cards, using an illegal deck, etc.
This is my whole point, I am good enough that I don't make "mistakes" that end up winning me the game at GPs. So to win major tournaments I think one needs to play at a lower level and make more game winning "mistakes"
So then you will admit that you have done stuff like almost used an o-ring on a land? Or Drawn 5 cards from Jace's 0?