Guys, just remember, they were making this set with draft in mind (at least, one would hope so). So if they threw in there all the cards which were considered "iconic" through Magic's history, regardless of color, type or manacost, it would become a strange mishmash of cards. I doubd it would be particularly draftable. So, I guess, that was a weighted decision.
This is true to some extent, and if they really wanted to cater to "Iconic" cards there are some that would have to be left out because they have to be built around (Psychatog, Astral Slide pieces), but a lot of Magics iconic cards (especially early in the game's history) were good because of their value. Cards like Lightning Bolt, Counterspell, Savannah Lions, Diabolic Edict, Black Knight, Manowar, Jackal Pup, Giant Growth, etc aren't cards that need to be built around. In a draft format they slot into pretty much anything you are building that contains the color (provided it isn't a splash in the case of a few of the double colored mana cards), because they are straight efficiency.
Agreed on both accounts. While the rares and mythics are pretty good, I'm really bummed we didn't see more iconic commons and uncommons. I thought it would make a much more fun draft/sealed environment to have powerful and historic commons/ uncommons. I saw they did Swords to Plowshares, but missing stuff like Lightning Bolt, Giant Growth, Counterspell, Dark Ritual, Black/White Knight, Savannah Lions (could easily be downgraded to uncommon/common as Elite Vanguard is a functional reprint), Diabolic Edict, Capsize, Terror, and a myriad of other commons/uncommons that had large impacts on their play environments at the time is very disappointing. I was planning on picking up a box of this to draft with some buddies, but looking at how this isn't "A bunch of fun iconic cards from the history of magic" as advertised, I think I'll be skipping it entirely.
Well, the rare/mythic set up of the set looks pretty good so far (baring the Kamigawa dragons).
I know we haven't seen much in terms of commons/uncommons, but I'm a bit bummed thus far. For a set begin "Iconic" masters it doesn't really seem liked they delved that deep in the games history. This would be a great excuse to let people play with old staples like Black/White Knight, Savannah Lions, Counterspell, Dark Ritual, Lightning Bolt, Manowar, Jackal Pup, etc at common/uncommon. Hopefully we'll see more like this as further previews are revealed.
Not a problem Hummingbird, that's what these kind of boards are supposed to be for!
I personally think Augur of Skulls is a pretty cool card, I had a lot of fun with him a Peasant deck I built centered around Tortured Existence. The only thing I don't really like about him, is that you can't get the discard out of him the turn you play him, since you have to wait to your next upkeep, which is why I prefer wrench mind. That said, he does work better if you are using Tragic Slip, and as long as he is working for you keep him in. Tragic Slip, as long as you have a reliable way to get it to work (which it looks like you do), is better than Doom Blade in that it can hit B creatures and that things can't regenerate from it (it even kills indestructible creatures), so I say go for it.
Nyxathid is really awesome in a discard deck. If you have a couple I think they would make a great addition. I would maybe cut down to 2x Mutilate and drop the Diabolic Tutoror aShrieking Affliction to make room for it if you decide to play it (as his damage will fill the same roll as Affliction).
I'm mostly a casual/ limited/ and EDH player and Mono Black Control has been one of my favorite archetypes for a long time.
Given your play groups format my first suggestions would be to look into getting some cards to play for turn one (aside from The Rack and Shrieking Affliction, which isn't going to do much on your second turn). I would suggest adding 4 copies of Duressas it is a solid first turn play and can really handicap an opponent's strategy. Unless your playgroup is super heavy into playing affinity I would also suggest adding in a playset of Wrench Mind, it is the closest thing you'll get to a Hymn to Tourach in a modern format. Personally I would look into dropping the Zealots for something that you can play turn one (such as Fume Spitter) or something that gives a strong board presence (Vampire Nighthawk). I would also trade Shimian Specter for Hypnotic Specteras getting to work a turn earlier can be really helpful in a discard strategy.
I would drop the "Search an opponent's library for X cards" (Haunting Echoes, Sadistic Sacrament, etc. and save them for the sideboard- as the strategy is only at its full use against combo decks and you want your sixty cards to be well rounded). Even then I would consider replacing them with the smaller versions (Surgical Extraction and Extirpate) to hit key combo pieces, a first turn duress followed by a surgical extraction can ruin a combo deck on turn one if you are fairly lucky and they are well played.
I think that should make your deck a bit more consistent in getting your opponents into Rack range, I would also suggest seeing if you can find a Primer for MBC (there are a lot of players out there with much more experience at the archetype than myself), they tend to be full of solid suggestions.
PS it looks like you forgot to list 3 copies of Shrieking Affliction in your list (at least I'm assuming that was what was missing)
Ancient Tomb is definitely never being reprinted in Standard or Modern, the card is broken and is much more powerful now than it was when it first came out because of the increased speed with which 4-5 mana creatures can end the game.
I still believe Damnation is a possible reprint - Supreme Verdict is rotating, and there's no replacement yet, but there's been a few (unplayable) cards spoiled that make DoJ look unlikely because they fit similar design space (Mass Calcify, etc). It would be Damnation, not a regen-permitting variant, for the reasons outlined as to why they reprinted the pain lands rather than retemplated variants with T, Pay 1 life.
I personally think it's a possibility considering how Wizards has been talking about speeding up the game (which is why they decided on Painlands rather than ETB tapped lands), though I'll admit it is rather unlikely and it would probably warp Modern.
I'm pretty sure Damnation won't be reprinted, if only because Maro and associates keep saying they want regeneration to matter (and heck, look at that new 5 mana Black kill spell that doesn't allow regeneration - if that is any indication on the no regeneration clause, design is clearly overcosting it). To be fair though, it is really hard to say, because just a while ago Maro was saying they don't want to print cards in Core Sets where players have to pay life, and that they were doing away with rare lands in core sets- which either shows he changes his mind a lot or that he speaks for design as a whole without their consent. That said, I think with the general increase in power level in the game since they were last printed, the painlands could have EASILY been printed as uncommons.
As far as reprints go I wouldn't mind seeing Chord of Calling and Ancient Tomb. Most of the other cards I'd like to see reprint seem to have been pushed out already. Mobilization would be a fitting reprint considering the soldier and token subtheme in White.
For new cards I'd like to see a Black Day of Judgement but considering how powerful Mono B is in standard at the moment, that wouldn't make a lot of sense. I'd like White and Black to get a new Knight each (still waiting on a BB Knight with Pro-Green and First Strike). Some convoke card draw for Blue would be fun as well. I'm hoping the Red legend is something playable, as Red legends are often pretty lame.
I'm loving the Theros art, I like that it looks much like a painting (like early MTG art) rather than a computer made image. Almost all of these pieces are gorgeous.
These are really poorly designed intro packs in my opinion. I don't generally buy intro packs, but I usually take a look at the lists when they come out (and I did the Intro pack challenge thing for M13 and RtR prereleases), and these seem particularly bad. I feel like the themes in the decks are really underdeveloped, and there is a very strong lack of synergy as Spike_Fightwicky pointed out.
I'm not saying intro packs should have a lot of financial value or be super competitive, but make them interesting and fun to play. Maybe put them more on par with the DOTP deck level (pre-unlocks, and obviously with less rares).
This is really a shame, as I felt the M13 intro packs were really good for what they were. I cracked the Neferox one, and between my buddies I saw the Talarand, Yeva, and Odric ones in action and I felt they were really solid for what they were. I was hoping WOTC would keep that trend up.
I think it's very unlikely we'll see a Damnation reprint (though I definitely would like one), as WOTC is trying to make regeneration matter. I do however think there's a chance we'll see a Black version of Day of Judgement or some other form of a Black Sweeper. At the very least I would assume we'll get a White Sweeper in the set.
On the plus side:
1) People will stop asking every three seconds about TS
2) Tenacious Dead can easily be abbreviated to Tenacious D
3) He is a Skeleton Warrior, so it's a card packed with humor (at least if you were a kid in the early 90s).
4) Tenacious Dead is actually a decent card, and I will play them in limited if I have the chance.
The enchantment is pretty junky, they say it's for EDH, but I still think it's pretty worthless.
Imposing Sovereign is pretty awesome, and I wouldn't mind having a playset.
Lifebane Zombie is also very awesome, and will probably help Black considerably in Standard. The art is fairly cool too. I am a little peeved that nearly every good creature in Black wizards has printed in the last few years has been a zombie (Oh you want to play Black? Clearly you want to play zombies). The name is pretty horrible too.
I think the Plate could potentially see some play in some sort of Pox/ Deathcloud deck. Not really the best card in world, but I like it.
The Blightcaster is fun but not amazing.
The new Merfolk Wizard previewed is pretty sweet on the other hand.
M14 might not be shaping up have the most competitive constructed playable cards, but In my opinion it looks excellent for kitchen table and limited. I'm actually very excited about it.
My personal favorite card is Black Knight (my FMN foil personally, I love the old artwork). Back when in 1997 when I was ten and I picked cards to play simply on their art, Black Knight was the card that made me realize what a good card was and start understanding value for CMC and what not.
This is true to some extent, and if they really wanted to cater to "Iconic" cards there are some that would have to be left out because they have to be built around (Psychatog, Astral Slide pieces), but a lot of Magics iconic cards (especially early in the game's history) were good because of their value. Cards like Lightning Bolt, Counterspell, Savannah Lions, Diabolic Edict, Black Knight, Manowar, Jackal Pup, Giant Growth, etc aren't cards that need to be built around. In a draft format they slot into pretty much anything you are building that contains the color (provided it isn't a splash in the case of a few of the double colored mana cards), because they are straight efficiency.
Agreed on both accounts. While the rares and mythics are pretty good, I'm really bummed we didn't see more iconic commons and uncommons. I thought it would make a much more fun draft/sealed environment to have powerful and historic commons/ uncommons. I saw they did Swords to Plowshares, but missing stuff like Lightning Bolt, Giant Growth, Counterspell, Dark Ritual, Black/White Knight, Savannah Lions (could easily be downgraded to uncommon/common as Elite Vanguard is a functional reprint), Diabolic Edict, Capsize, Terror, and a myriad of other commons/uncommons that had large impacts on their play environments at the time is very disappointing. I was planning on picking up a box of this to draft with some buddies, but looking at how this isn't "A bunch of fun iconic cards from the history of magic" as advertised, I think I'll be skipping it entirely.
I know we haven't seen much in terms of commons/uncommons, but I'm a bit bummed thus far. For a set begin "Iconic" masters it doesn't really seem liked they delved that deep in the games history. This would be a great excuse to let people play with old staples like Black/White Knight, Savannah Lions, Counterspell, Dark Ritual, Lightning Bolt, Manowar, Jackal Pup, etc at common/uncommon. Hopefully we'll see more like this as further previews are revealed.
I personally think Augur of Skulls is a pretty cool card, I had a lot of fun with him a Peasant deck I built centered around Tortured Existence. The only thing I don't really like about him, is that you can't get the discard out of him the turn you play him, since you have to wait to your next upkeep, which is why I prefer wrench mind. That said, he does work better if you are using Tragic Slip, and as long as he is working for you keep him in. Tragic Slip, as long as you have a reliable way to get it to work (which it looks like you do), is better than Doom Blade in that it can hit B creatures and that things can't regenerate from it (it even kills indestructible creatures), so I say go for it.
Nyxathid is really awesome in a discard deck. If you have a couple I think they would make a great addition. I would maybe cut down to 2x Mutilate and drop the Diabolic Tutoror aShrieking Affliction to make room for it if you decide to play it (as his damage will fill the same roll as Affliction).
I'm mostly a casual/ limited/ and EDH player and Mono Black Control has been one of my favorite archetypes for a long time.
Given your play groups format my first suggestions would be to look into getting some cards to play for turn one (aside from The Rack and Shrieking Affliction, which isn't going to do much on your second turn). I would suggest adding 4 copies of Duressas it is a solid first turn play and can really handicap an opponent's strategy. Unless your playgroup is super heavy into playing affinity I would also suggest adding in a playset of Wrench Mind, it is the closest thing you'll get to a Hymn to Tourach in a modern format. Personally I would look into dropping the Zealots for something that you can play turn one (such as Fume Spitter) or something that gives a strong board presence (Vampire Nighthawk). I would also trade Shimian Specter for Hypnotic Specteras getting to work a turn earlier can be really helpful in a discard strategy.
I would drop the "Search an opponent's library for X cards" (Haunting Echoes, Sadistic Sacrament, etc. and save them for the sideboard- as the strategy is only at its full use against combo decks and you want your sixty cards to be well rounded). Even then I would consider replacing them with the smaller versions (Surgical Extraction and Extirpate) to hit key combo pieces, a first turn duress followed by a surgical extraction can ruin a combo deck on turn one if you are fairly lucky and they are well played.
Overall my suggestions would be as follows:
Out:
x4 Sadistic Sacrament
x3 Coercion
x2 Haunting Echoes
x3 Blind Zealot
x4 Shimian Specter
in:
x4 Duress
x4 Wrench Mind
x3 Fume Spitter
x4 Hypnotic Specter
x1 Geth's Verdict
I think that should make your deck a bit more consistent in getting your opponents into Rack range, I would also suggest seeing if you can find a Primer for MBC (there are a lot of players out there with much more experience at the archetype than myself), they tend to be full of solid suggestions.
PS it looks like you forgot to list 3 copies of Shrieking Affliction in your list (at least I'm assuming that was what was missing)
I personally think it's a possibility considering how Wizards has been talking about speeding up the game (which is why they decided on Painlands rather than ETB tapped lands), though I'll admit it is rather unlikely and it would probably warp Modern.
I'm pretty sure Damnation won't be reprinted, if only because Maro and associates keep saying they want regeneration to matter (and heck, look at that new 5 mana Black kill spell that doesn't allow regeneration - if that is any indication on the no regeneration clause, design is clearly overcosting it). To be fair though, it is really hard to say, because just a while ago Maro was saying they don't want to print cards in Core Sets where players have to pay life, and that they were doing away with rare lands in core sets- which either shows he changes his mind a lot or that he speaks for design as a whole without their consent. That said, I think with the general increase in power level in the game since they were last printed, the painlands could have EASILY been printed as uncommons.
For new cards I'd like to see a Black Day of Judgement but considering how powerful Mono B is in standard at the moment, that wouldn't make a lot of sense. I'd like White and Black to get a new Knight each (still waiting on a BB Knight with Pro-Green and First Strike). Some convoke card draw for Blue would be fun as well. I'm hoping the Red legend is something playable, as Red legends are often pretty lame.
I'm not saying intro packs should have a lot of financial value or be super competitive, but make them interesting and fun to play. Maybe put them more on par with the DOTP deck level (pre-unlocks, and obviously with less rares).
This is really a shame, as I felt the M13 intro packs were really good for what they were. I cracked the Neferox one, and between my buddies I saw the Talarand, Yeva, and Odric ones in action and I felt they were really solid for what they were. I was hoping WOTC would keep that trend up.
1) People will stop asking every three seconds about TS
2) Tenacious Dead can easily be abbreviated to Tenacious D
3) He is a Skeleton Warrior, so it's a card packed with humor (at least if you were a kid in the early 90s).
4) Tenacious Dead is actually a decent card, and I will play them in limited if I have the chance.
Imposing Sovereign is pretty awesome, and I wouldn't mind having a playset.
Lifebane Zombie is also very awesome, and will probably help Black considerably in Standard. The art is fairly cool too. I am a little peeved that nearly every good creature in Black wizards has printed in the last few years has been a zombie (Oh you want to play Black? Clearly you want to play zombies). The name is pretty horrible too.
The Blightcaster is fun but not amazing.
The new Merfolk Wizard previewed is pretty sweet on the other hand.
M14 might not be shaping up have the most competitive constructed playable cards, but In my opinion it looks excellent for kitchen table and limited. I'm actually very excited about it.