Anyone else thought about using Innistrad/Avacyn basics? The dark/light duality with the same art is really neat. There's three of each basic in both sets so you can run three copies of each land for a total of 30 per color.
I use the set of INN/AVR lands for my draft sims and pauper cube. All 10+ cubes are sleeved the same, so I can just move the land box between whatever cube I'm taking with me. IIRC, I do 3x of all 6 INN lands + 3 each of all the old & new rav basics ~ 42 of each color.
I have been considering selling my zendikar lands and going to mirage lands. They are some of my favorites.
I used to like these for my causal decks (forests + avon mountains), but I eventually got tired at looking at the old frames paired with the modern cards, so I switched.
I have a 250 card land pack with 50 of each basic. It's a 540 card cube--see here--and I use it mainly for teaching. Less experienced Limited players tend to prefer running mono (or as close to mono as possible), so I find it's key to have enough of each color to support this preference. Additionally, my Cube only contains 25 (nonbasic) lands, so players simply aren't pulling lands in their packs very often. (I might actually up the count by 2 or so for each color.)
I use a variety of different artworks for my lands. Since the Cube is brand new (and not yet meant to be used for hardcore competitions), I haven't even put much thought into standardization.
Based on what I have on hand, I could theoretically go all in on a full set of 50 John Avon Return to Ravnica Forests (#270). (I think I own 40+ already.) Beyond that, though, I don't have the urge or card pool to standardize my other basics.
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I'm officially proposing we retire the word "insane" from the MtG vocabulary.
"The best way to be different is to be better" - Gene Muir
I use these basics for my cube, have 35 of each. I am big fan of old frame with the large mana symbol. Though I do like the idea of the white border revised/unlimited. A buddy of mine uses those for his pauper cube.
How many different foils can we find with the old arena frame? I know there's 4 of each in Mercadian Masque, Onslaught, Invasion and Odyssey but that's only 16 different arts. I play 24 basic lands in my mono-red EDH and I'm wondering if I go for non-foil Unhinged lands or foil basics with old art. I would prefer having foil but only if I can find 24 different arts or something at least a little bit "symetric" (I'm such a perfectionism!)
My own rules when building a Commander deck:
1) Underrated general that I can build around but the deck must work without him/her too.
2) Every card must be legal in both banlists.
3) No infinite combo that could win (and ruin) instantly a multiplayer game.
4) Synergy at all costs; stay on theme, avoid goodstuff.
My own rules when building a Commander deck:
1) Underrated general that I can build around but the deck must work without him/her too.
2) Every card must be legal in both banlists.
3) No infinite combo that could win (and ruin) instantly a multiplayer game.
4) Synergy at all costs; stay on theme, avoid goodstuff.
Currently I am using unlimited basics. They are the only white bordered cards in my cube which makes taking apart decks a breeze. But when selecting cards in my cube I have been going with the 8th edition border whenever possible. As such it's a little awkward to have classic borders there. So I've been thinking of making some changes.
Options
1. I spend the money and buy Unhinged lands. These lands are very pretty, would be easy to sort out. But this would cost a chunk of change. Probably more than I'm willing to spend on basics.
2. Pick my favorite lands from BB modern sets and use those. This would be the most cohesive with my cube, fairly cheep, but be harder to sort out. Also my favorite Island has never been printed in a BB modern set.
3. Pick my favorite lands from WB modern sets and use those. This would be a cohesive frame but teh border would be different. I get my favorite island. This is fairly cheap but I don't get a ton of options. Would be easy to sort out though.
The lands I'm thinking of using.
Kind of wish that forest was available in a special set. I like the printing they do on those sets better.
Thoughts?
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Personally, I am not a fan of the modern white-bordered look. I feel that the old frames balance better with white-borders. So I would vote taking a little extra time to sort things out after each game. That said, I love the idea of having white-bordered cards in the cube, just to represent that portion of Magic's history. I would prob try to get at least a few floating around in there.
I also think that the old borders can look out of sync with the new ones, so I can see where you're coming from in changing it up. I also like that Tony Szczudlo Island a bunch. I didn't know that that portal Susan Van Camp swamp art had been reprinted, it's one of my favorites.
I'd say go with the 8th/9th ed borders. They are practical, cheap, and in my opinion they look pretty good.
I can't get enough of the old border framed foils, so my basics are an assortment from those select sets. The only non-foils I have are Tempest and random Unglued lands.
If I had to do an all non-foil all modern-frame basic land suite, it would probably be these arts:
That Plains (originally from Portal Second Age) is one of the most beautiful land arts available, I think. I use Portal copies in my Legacy Death and Taxes deck (since old frame is the only frame).
The Island you chose there (originally Urza's Saga) is also incredible. I don't think there's an old frame foil of that, otherwise I'd eat them up.
Yes. The Chinese Portal 1 basics all have alternate art (well, except for the Swamps, which use the same art). The Plains look terrible, and the Islands are okay. But there's a couple great mountains (above), and 4 great forests (they all look similar to that one).
When he says they're hard to come by, he really means it. I've contacted all the major online dealers offering quite a bit of money. I ask about them every time I go to an event. I would seriously love to get the set of 20 lands. Someone take my money!!
We should club together to send a forum member to China. Once he shows us proof that he's picked up some of those lands we should club together to bring him back.
"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less." -Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass
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I use the set of INN/AVR lands for my draft sims and pauper cube. All 10+ cubes are sleeved the same, so I can just move the land box between whatever cube I'm taking with me. IIRC, I do 3x of all 6 INN lands + 3 each of all the old & new rav basics ~ 42 of each color.
I used to like these for my causal decks (forests + avon mountains), but I eventually got tired at looking at the old frames paired with the modern cards, so I switched.
"Personally I love high-riak, low-reqars gambles. Life's best with a decent amount of riak. And f*** reqars."
I use a variety of different artworks for my lands. Since the Cube is brand new (and not yet meant to be used for hardcore competitions), I haven't even put much thought into standardization.
Based on what I have on hand, I could theoretically go all in on a full set of 50 John Avon Return to Ravnica Forests (#270). (I think I own 40+ already.) Beyond that, though, I don't have the urge or card pool to standardize my other basics.
I'm officially proposing we retire the word "insane" from the MtG vocabulary.
"The best way to be different is to be better" - Gene Muir
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My own rules when building a Commander deck:
1) Underrated general that I can build around but the deck must work without him/her too.
2) Every card must be legal in both banlists.
3) No infinite combo that could win (and ruin) instantly a multiplayer game.
4) Synergy at all costs; stay on theme, avoid goodstuff.
Calvin and Hobbes
Cube Tutor
There are. There's also a foil Ice Age basic cycle. Technically there's a Masques one too, but they're pretty much the same as the ones in the set.
I wish they'd made a foil promo basic cycle for Mirage lands and Tempest lands too.
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Rules Advisor
Pauper decks: Weenie Tokens — Zombies
My own rules when building a Commander deck:
1) Underrated general that I can build around but the deck must work without him/her too.
2) Every card must be legal in both banlists.
3) No infinite combo that could win (and ruin) instantly a multiplayer game.
4) Synergy at all costs; stay on theme, avoid goodstuff.
They're not exactly "promo", but the basic lands from the Slivers Premium Deck are first-time foil versions of some Tempest lands...
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You can find me on Twitter as well.
Thanks for bringing those up. That's a nice island.
My tempest suite would look like this:
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Options
1. I spend the money and buy Unhinged lands. These lands are very pretty, would be easy to sort out. But this would cost a chunk of change. Probably more than I'm willing to spend on basics.
2. Pick my favorite lands from BB modern sets and use those. This would be the most cohesive with my cube, fairly cheep, but be harder to sort out. Also my favorite Island has never been printed in a BB modern set.
3. Pick my favorite lands from WB modern sets and use those. This would be a cohesive frame but teh border would be different. I get my favorite island. This is fairly cheap but I don't get a ton of options. Would be easy to sort out though.
The lands I'm thinking of using.
Thoughts?
Calvin and Hobbes
Cube Tutor
Personally, I am not a fan of the modern white-bordered look. I feel that the old frames balance better with white-borders. So I would vote taking a little extra time to sort things out after each game. That said, I love the idea of having white-bordered cards in the cube, just to represent that portion of Magic's history. I would prob try to get at least a few floating around in there.
I'd say go with the 8th/9th ed borders. They are practical, cheap, and in my opinion they look pretty good.
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That Plains (originally from Portal Second Age) is one of the most beautiful land arts available, I think. I use Portal copies in my Legacy Death and Taxes deck (since old frame is the only frame).
The Island you chose there (originally Urza's Saga) is also incredible. I don't think there's an old frame foil of that, otherwise I'd eat them up.
Legacy: UBRG Czech Pile, WWW Death & Taxes, many other things
Modern: UBR Grixis, RWG Burn, UR UR Storm, BBB 8 Rack, whatever other control deck I can force
Multiplayer EDH: RR Norin the Wary, UU Barrin, Master Wizard, UB Wrexial, the Risen Deep, GR Borborygmos, Enraged
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Where do those come from. Are they unique to foreign language portal or something?
Also, this thread is reminding me how terrible new frame basics are. Just awful to look at.
Check 'em out here: http://www.magiclibrarities.net/506-rarities-simplified-chinese-alternate-art-cards-simplified-chinese-cards-portal.html
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We need a forum member here who lives in China to scour some up for us.
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"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less." -Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass