I won't get into the whole prison vs discard aspect you guys are discussing, but I feel that something important hasn't been mentioned about discard decks: they dumb down the game.
When you are in top deck mode, you have almost 0 decisions to make.
"Do I hold onto this creature in case the other dude has a wrath?"
Nope, you just slam everything you draw since you are losing it anyways.
It also takes away some of the fun in that you can't hold back tricks. Some guy is coming after you? Blow them out with Sudden Spoiling! Reins of Power their ass!
I don't like that discard takes away the potential blowouts of Magic.
- Miaou
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Nov 6, 2013Miaou posted a message on The "Don'ts" of Multiplayer Deckbuilding EtiquettePosted in: Cz Blog
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Oct 30, 2013Miaou posted a message on The "Don'ts" of Multiplayer Deckbuilding EtiquetteI know that the question was directed to Indalecio, but I'll just chime in (in reference to my play group):Posted in: Cz Blog
- Discard is not very appreciated. People like playing their spells so when their hands are depleted, setting up their strategies is a lot more complex. While discard is by no means overpowered, it is just not enjoyed.
- Tax effects (even though that fills into prison strats). I don't mind Propaganda and company since the opponents are taxed only if they want to pick a fight with you. However Grand Arbiter, Aura of Silence and the rest I try to avoid since not playing spells sucks.
Individually they might be fine but they stack up to become super annoying.
And good point on the $$ restrictions. Didn't consider that :/ -
Oct 29, 2013Miaou posted a message on The "Don'ts" of Multiplayer Deckbuilding EtiquetteI actually really like this guide. It covers all the shady areas and I agree with your analysis (except for Sylvan Library and Grave Pact which I enjoy too much to not play).Posted in: Cz Blog
Also, I think that if people follow your guidelines (no T1-3 decks, no combo kills, mindful of artifacts&enchantments) then spicing it up with the Vintage banned and restricted list could be fun from time to time. Who doesn't love the occasional Balance or Demonic Tutor? -
Oct 24, 2013Miaou posted a message on Tips on Effectively Using Mass Removal in MultiplayerWe are pretty lenient with the rules...We want the games to go smoothly so we won't fault the guy with the one miracle in the cube to just draw and back up to play Terminus.Posted in: Cz Blog
Other than that you reinforced my like for Terminus. Guess I will be trying it out with the new gods to see how it works out. -
Oct 23, 2013Miaou posted a message on Tips on Effectively Using Mass Removal in MultiplayerThanks for the write up, good info!Posted in: Cz Blog
Just curious as to how you would rank Terminus?
Clearly 6 mana for a wrath is too much (hello Hallowed Burial for 1 less mana), but the miracle cost means you can wrath + play a threat.
I'm curious because I'm wondering if it's a decent cube wrath (meaning no real way to abuse miracle except for top decking it in most decks). -
Sep 7, 2013Miaou posted a message on Multiplayer Theros Review (249/249) - Part 1I do indeed run drain in my black section, I guess I am underestimating the times he will turn into a creature.Posted in: Cz Blog
I agree with your green review, except for the Bow. If the ability was just deathtouch then that would be great. But since it is only attacking creatures that benefit from it, I don't think it's that great. -
Sep 6, 2013Miaou posted a message on Multiplayer Theros Review (249/249) - Part 1Thanks for the cube ratingPosted in: Cz Blog
However, I don't quite agree with the black god being all that good in cube unless you actively support a drain theme.
In cube he is obviously harder to get online than in a monoB deck, so he loses value there too.
It's going to be tough to make cuts for this set. I might have to expand! -
Jul 9, 2013Miaou posted a message on Multiplayer Cube Primer Part 2: Getting StartedI was thinking, when you have 9-10 players for a cube draft, do you do one giant FFA battle or split into two 4-5 player games? Are there other alternatives that you use?Posted in: Cz Blog
And I can't believe that I haven't proxied a Rolling Earthquake yet! I can even make it black bordered
Thanks for the guide so far! -
Jul 1, 2013Miaou posted a message on Multiplayer Cube Primer Part 1: Introduction to the Hows and WhysSweet! Thank you Cz for taking the time to start the discussion. While you might talk about this later, I just want to get my thoughts out there...Posted in: Cz Blog
I'm in a weird spot right now with my cube:
I have it built and while fine tuning it requires actual testing, I'm pretty happy with what I have.
The problem is introducing it to my playgroup. Nobody other than me has ever drafted any set and I'm not sure about how to get them to play.
Do I do a mock draft with cards face up explaining picks?
Do I try a sealed deck experience first to get used to the cards?
I'm also in the same scenario as Indalecio where we have pretty short sessions. How long does the draft process and actual game take for you guys on average?
Once again thanks for this, can't wait to read the rest -
Jun 8, 2013Miaou posted a message on Banned from the casual forum for 2 weeks.I would like to second the idea that if you have the time and desire to, writing about MP cube would be great.Posted in: Cz Blog
I have tried my hand at it, but insight from someone with experience is always valuable. -
Mar 20, 2013Miaou posted a message on Fairness in MultiplayerMy meta is far from competitive, but the level is slowly getting better. We play 4 player FFA generally.Posted in: Cz Blog
Therefor the decks aren't unfair like you put it but we always have one guy playing some kind of "combo" deck. I say "combo" because it isn't a win on the spot but he can take out the table pretty quickly (compared to the rest of us) if he isn't kept in check.
That used to be a problem before I started running dedicated artifact/enchantment removal (which most of his combos used - like Sneak Attack + Eldrazis for example).
This allowed me to slow him down enough that my fair decks would have time to set up and eventually lock him out. I could handle the others given time so it was all I needed.
My favorite fair "unfair" deck is a Birthing Pod deck bursting with value and with Craterhoof Behemoth as a "surprise" finisher (as I said, not a competitive meta!).
I like them a lot more than combo decks since once your meta figures out that they should be packing that extra removal, they might give you a run for your money. Plus I find that fair vs fair is a lot more fun than combo vs combo. - To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Canoptek Scarab Swarm! GY hate or payoff with sweet evasive insects.
Indulging Patrician: you get the benefit of the lifelink triggering it's ability. This gives you some MP action by doming all of your opponents and giving you some life buffer.
Battle Angels of Tyr would definitely fit, but it's an expensive card and I don't know your budget.
Legion Angel could provide you with a stream of 4/3s so you don't run out of Angels to cast.
Firja's Retribution could be a good piece for the deck, giving you removal and a finisher all in one. It doesn't work with Giada though which is a bummer.
For the mana base, what about some copies of Emeria, the Sky Ruin to give you some staying power late game? Emeria's Call would also be a decent addition to the mana base and on theme.
To smooth out your draws, find your win conditions and fill your hand if you run out of gas, I would look towards some cheap draw spells like Reckless Impulse. You could probably trim a few of the wraths to find room for them.
What about Varchild's War-Riders? It has a big body and gives the opponents even more fodder for you Blasphemous Act in case they are creature light.
What are your thoughts on cards like Thing in the Ice? It's a cheap blocker that can slow the game down, but also threatens a board wipe if you flip it, which should be easy considering all the cheap cantrips you run. It opens you up to removal from the aggro player, but I see that as a good thing because they have to take a turn off or go off curve to answer your creature.
I see Clarion Spirit and Ledger Shredder in a similar light, where you get board presence for casting your set up spells and forcing aggro to interact more.
My bad, I wasn't clear. I meant that the creatures I listed tap to add +1/+1 counters on themselves or others, which allows you to grow them pretty big!
If you play an artifact package of Urza, Lord High Artificer, Emry, Lurker of the Loch and Goblin Welder alongside a bunch of Baubles, you can probably go infinite.
Tokens
You can get a lot of value as well with token makers and cantrips: Young Pyromancer, Monastery Mentor, Third Path Iconoclast, Saheeli, Sublime Artificer.
Counters
Steel Overseer, Mikaeus, the Lunarch, Crystalline Crawler, Hangarback Walker. Some of these are more niche, but with the right amount of one mana cantrips, Crawler can go infinite once again.
The secret to making the Ascendancy a viable card is having a huge amount of Mishra's Bauble type cards or Ponder type cards. They cantrip and are cheap.
Are probably the best storm reanimator targets. They offer the most potential explosiveness for a storm deck (bounce, draw, mana and win!).
I think you've nailed the cheat suite (plus the usual suspects like Reanimate)
Then your usual storm engines that allow for big bursts of mana or cards
I also like Brainfreeze as a great set up piece and win condition for these decks. The decks don't come around all that often, but they make use of these more narrow pieces.
Another card that has played well is Rabbit Battery. When things go perfectly, it is awkward because of the activation cost, but that is rarely the case. It sticks around through wraths and has the bonus of being a creature (compared to Lightning Greaves for example). Definite step down from the others, but at one mana it is solid!
I think Urza is a cool build around that can function by itself (2 bodies, a little ramp, mana sink).
Then I would pick either Venser or Glen as staple Blue cards that will play well in all decks. I lean towards Venser as I love flash and the board impact it can provide, but you can't really go wrong.