Oh no please don't misunderstand...not discouraged at all. I've never actually played in a tournament. You can see some of my decks here: http://billwall.phpwebhosting.com/thomas/articles/magicdecks.htm. I haven't updated these for some minor changes I've made, but these sort of represent the kind of decks I like to build. So my initial question was pertaining to my Dragon deck; I took out the Shivan Dragons and Skirk Prospectors and put in Archetype of Aggression and Monastery Swiftspear, and also added Madcap Skills for a little more up front damage (that was recommended to me by a guy I met at our local Magic Shop). But I do want to get a couple of Shivans in there (because it's one of my favorite cards), so wondering do I take out Archteype or Bloodmark Mentor, or leave 3 of each and put in 2 Shivans, etc. My decks are really more like collections of cards than real tournament decks. They probably wouldn't even be legal because I don't pay any attention to standard blocks and sets and all that. I have been playing off and on since 1996 so when I started the best cards were Serra Angels and Shivan Dragons.
Thanks for the suggestions on the cards - I like that Chariot of Victory.
Thanks everyone. That does help give me some ideas. Seems from the replies like trample is generally better but first-strike has its uses early on in the game. I am by no means a competitive player. I like collecting the cards and I have some decks put together, but they would have about as much chance to win a tournament as I do to win the lottery.
As a general rule, all other things being equal, which is a better mechanic for a creature to have - first strike or trample? I am thinking first strike but maybe I'm wrong.
Is there a G or W card that moves an enchantment from one creature to another creature? I know that's probably a U thing, but just thought I'd ask. Looking for a card to go in my GW deck. Thanks,
I have a question on card distribution when building a deck. As a general rule, how do I determine how many copies of a card to put into the deck? I came up with this guide, but I'm not sure how accurate it is. I'd love to get some feedback on it.
4 copies - The card is essential for the strategy of the deck, or a creature around which the deck resolves, etc. Must-have card. (Example: Knight Exemplar in a Knight deck)
3 copies - We'd really like to see this card however it may not be needed during all phases of the game. (Griffin Guide as an early creature boost, Lightning Bolt for burn, etc.)
2 copies - The deck doesn't depend on this card but it's definitely good to see it. Want to have at least a moderate chance of drawing this card. (A couple of Crucible in a Dragon deck).
1 copy - The deck doesn't depend on this card but it's powerful and could be a lifesaver or game winner in certain situations - a splash card. (ex. throwing a Wrath of God into a white deck).
The most difficulty I have is deciding between 3 and 4 copies, or between 1 and 2 copies.
If I have an Academy Researchers already in play, and I cast a another one, can I put the aura card on the Academy Researchers that is already in play?
The card says, "When Academy Researchers enters the battlefield, you may put an Aura card from your hand onto the battlefield attached to Academy Researchers." It doesn't say "this Academy Researchers" or "this card" so I thought I'd ask.
The Silver Knight is protected from red, but Everlasting Torment states that the damage can't be prevented.
Note that Pyroclasm does not target the Silver Knight, so I believe the portion that says, "The creature can't be targeted by those kinds of spells or by abilities from those kinds of cards" wouldn't apply.
A question came up in a game I was playing yesterday. I had an Elderscale Wurm out and was attacked by a Knight of Meadowgrain with a Griffin Guide attached. The opponent had Honor of the Pure out so the total was 5 damage. My life total was 7. I didn't block the Knight of Meadowgrain. My questions:
(1) Does the Knight of Meadowgrain actually do damage if left unblocked in this situation?
(2) Does the Knight's lifelink ability work (i.e. does the opponent gain 5 life)?
It seems the answer to the above is "yes" and "yes" since the Wurm says that "damage that would reduce your life total to less than 7 reduces it to 7 instead." So it's not saying that the damage isn't dealt; it's saying that the damage doesn't reduce life total below 7. In any case, I'm a little confused on how this mechanic works. Thanks,
Thanks for the suggestions on the cards - I like that Chariot of Victory.
Thanks,
-commodore-
-Commodore
Is there a G or W card that moves an enchantment from one creature to another creature? I know that's probably a U thing, but just thought I'd ask. Looking for a card to go in my GW deck. Thanks,
Thanks,
-Commodore
I have a question on card distribution when building a deck. As a general rule, how do I determine how many copies of a card to put into the deck? I came up with this guide, but I'm not sure how accurate it is. I'd love to get some feedback on it.
4 copies - The card is essential for the strategy of the deck, or a creature around which the deck resolves, etc. Must-have card. (Example: Knight Exemplar in a Knight deck)
3 copies - We'd really like to see this card however it may not be needed during all phases of the game. (Griffin Guide as an early creature boost, Lightning Bolt for burn, etc.)
2 copies - The deck doesn't depend on this card but it's definitely good to see it. Want to have at least a moderate chance of drawing this card. (A couple of Crucible in a Dragon deck).
1 copy - The deck doesn't depend on this card but it's powerful and could be a lifesaver or game winner in certain situations - a splash card. (ex. throwing a Wrath of God into a white deck).
The most difficulty I have is deciding between 3 and 4 copies, or between 1 and 2 copies.
Any advice welcome. Thanks.
-commodore-
The card says, "When Academy Researchers enters the battlefield, you may put an Aura card from your hand onto the battlefield attached to Academy Researchers." It doesn't say "this Academy Researchers" or "this card" so I thought I'd ask.
Thanks,
Commodore
Reading through the basic rulebook, on Page 30 it defines Protection in part as:
"All damage those kinds of sources would deal to the creature is prevented." (Italics mine)
Assume there is a Silver Knight on the battlefield.
What happens if I cast a Pyroclasm with Everlasting Torment out?
The Silver Knight is protected from red, but Everlasting Torment states that the damage can't be prevented.
Note that Pyroclasm does not target the Silver Knight, so I believe the portion that says, "The creature can't be targeted by those kinds of spells or by abilities from those kinds of cards" wouldn't apply.
Thanks!
Regards
-Commodore-
A question came up in a game I was playing yesterday. I had an Elderscale Wurm out and was attacked by a Knight of Meadowgrain with a Griffin Guide attached. The opponent had Honor of the Pure out so the total was 5 damage. My life total was 7. I didn't block the Knight of Meadowgrain. My questions:
(1) Does the Knight of Meadowgrain actually do damage if left unblocked in this situation?
(2) Does the Knight's lifelink ability work (i.e. does the opponent gain 5 life)?
It seems the answer to the above is "yes" and "yes" since the Wurm says that "damage that would reduce your life total to less than 7 reduces it to 7 instead." So it's not saying that the damage isn't dealt; it's saying that the damage doesn't reduce life total below 7. In any case, I'm a little confused on how this mechanic works. Thanks,
-commodore-