The [Spikes] clan is composed of people who love the competitive aspect of Magic: The Gathering. Our members and our friends relish in destroying any who dare sit across from us. We are constantly striving to improve our play and our understanding of the game. We span across all formats and welcome anyone who wishes to pursue greatness.
Membership Process: 1) You must enjoy competitive play, deck-building, and above all enjoy helping your fellow members improve their abilities.
2) You must be a registered DCI member and must present one of your current DCI ratings (your rating doesn't need to be high).
3) Minimum of 250 posts is required to join.
4) One match of a format of your choice is required against a clan member. Winning isn't required, but the applicants should be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the game and format.
5) Plurality vote of 36 hours will decide entrance into the clan.
Upon entrance to the clan, new members should fill out the following biography and submit it via PM to iRebel as soon as possible.
Your Name:
Nickname, if applicable (optional)
Real Name: (optional)
Your current DCI Rating(s): (Any will do, all preferred)
The following is optional, but encouraged:
Favourite Format:
Favourite Deck-list (please provide a complete deck-list)
Favourite Block:
Favourite Set:
Favourite Colour:
Any additional information you wish to include.
Topics for discussion
Topics for discussion may include, but are not limited to:
1) New cards and discussion.
2) New deck ideas and discussion.
3) Tournaments and tournament reports.
4) Your DCI Ratings.
5) Spike greatness.
Our Members Clan Leadership
Clan Founder: Psi After acquiring a Moderator Position at MTG-News, Psi resigned as the Head Spike. We wish him well in his MTG-News endeavours and hope to see him around from time to time.
Head Spike: iRebel
Clan Representative: jimbyob
General Membership
CrAzEd MiKe
DalkonCledwin
Desolation Angel
Fyre
Glurman
Lotus
Mull2Four
Sene
Stick
TheRedViper
Unkle-J
ur-face
Yare
Our Friends
Avatar of Kokusho
Casual Chaos Rules!!
foolycooly7777
Sene
Set Abominae
VSA
YuanTi
Zaphod
Our Allies
The [Pack]
Member Biographies
Username: CrAzEd Mike
Name: Michael
Nickname: Mike
Real Name: I don't like giving last names.
Limited rating: Don't have it back yet.
Constructed rating: Don't have it back yet.
Favorite Format: Standard
Favorite Decklist: Well... Uhhhh, depends on what I feel is my best deck at the moment.
Favorite Set: Probably Mirrodin.
Favorite Block: Mirrodin Block
Favorite Magic Color: All five of them... But I generally really enjoy playing black.
Your Name: Mathew
Nickname, if applicable (optional)Cathal / DalkonCledwin
Your current DCI Rating(s):
Composite - 1549
Eternal - 1582
Constructed - 1526
Limited - 1573
Name: Christopher Maurer
Nickname: Fyre (Like Fire but... not.)
My DCI Rating: 1625 Limited / 1597 Constructed / 1611 Composite (Contructed expected to change very soon very much.)
Favorite Format: Standard by far.
Favorite Decklist: My MIR/COK Mono-Green beatdown in all its magnificent glory. Troll Ascetic, Beacon of Creation, Fangren Fistborn, BoP, Mana Accel, Eternal Witness... it was bliss.
Favorite Set: Fifth Dawn, best draft sessions ever.
Favorite Block: Ravnica Block, then Judgment Block
Favorite Magic Color: GREEN RARRR
Username: glurman
Real Name: Bill
Favorite Format: Eternals
Favorite Decklist: My ichorid decklist...
Favorite Magic Color: BLACK, paired with blue or green... for GAT
Name: iRebel
Nickname: Jinto
Real Name: James
Constructed rating: 1738 (at this time, subject to change)
Favorite Format: Standard
Favorite Decklist: UB Faeries
Favorite Set: Invasion
Favorite Block: Invasion
Favorite Magic Color: Blue
Favorite Play style: Draw-Go, Prison Control
College Major: Political Science
Graduate School: Law School
Name: Jacob
Nickname: Jake (I go by either one)
Your current DCI rating:
Constructed: 1928
Limited: 1874
Favorite Format: Standard
Favorite Set: Dissension
Favorite Block: Ravnica
Favorite Magic Color: Blue
Name: Mull2Four
Nickname: Nick
Real Name: Nick Coss
Limited rating: 1732
Constructed rating: 1904
Favorite Set: Mirrodin
Favorite Block: Urza's
Favorite Magic Color: Gold (can't you tell by the decklist?)
Name: Psi
Nickname: Psi
Real Name: Brandon
DCI Rating(s): Limited: Bad Enough. Constructed: 1725
Favourite Format: Constructed
Favourite Deck-list: Changes too much
Favourite Set: Lorwyn
Favourite Block: Lorwyn
Favourite Magic Colour: Blue
Real name: Sveinung Bjørnerud
Nick: Sene (or the real one: Sænæ)
Rating: here
Favorite format: Cube (okay, competitive format? Draft, obv)
Favorite deck: Pickles
Favorite set: Time Spiral
Favorite color: Blue by far
Name: Stick
Nickname: Stick/Nick
Real Name: Nick
DCI Rating(s): Limited 1583; Constructed 1567 (I guess dropping from a PTQ is bad for your rating I hear).
Favourite Format: Vintage/Legacy. Sometimes Standard
Favourite Deck-list: Tyrant Oath/2-Lad Belcher/Goblins
Favourite Set: Judgement
Favourite Block: Onslaught
Favourite Magic Colour: Black
Name: TheRedViper
Nick Name: anything that might involve the movie Forrest Gump, Chuck, The Lorax, Bubba, and finally, the most awkward, Nipples
Real Name: Forrest
Limited Rating: (closes eyes and pretends it doesn't actually exist)
Constructed Rating: 2177(actually, im not finkel..... its only 1782)
Favorite Format: T2 > Ext > Legacy > Vintage
Favorite Deck: probably Tooth and Nail or Slide
Favorite Set: Onslaught
Favorite Block: Invasion
Favorite Color: Green>Red>Black
Name: Unkle-J
Nickname: That is my nickname
Real Name: Josh
Limited rating: 1612 atm. But when I got serious about the competition it was at 1545 so expect it to climb.
Constructed rating: Uh, yeah. I play fun decks at fnm.
I don't have any hard numbers on this, but I'm targeted more often than a black guy driving a beat-up sedan with a broken tail-light and no license plate, and Cy's well aware of that.
Yay new thread. If I've missed any new members or friends, please let me know so I can add it to the OP. I hadn't been keeping very good records lately, so if I missed anyone I sincerely apologise!
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EDH UUU Azami, Lady of Scrolls RRR Diaochan, Artful Beauty UR(U/R) Tibor, Lumia, & Melek (WIP)
I don't have any hard numbers on this, but I'm targeted more often than a black guy driving a beat-up sedan with a broken tail-light and no license plate, and Cy's well aware of that.
So, Regional's is quickly approaching -- it'll be my second "big event." Whilst I did a little testing for the SCG $5K, I'm convinced I didn't test enough to be prepared.
So, the questions I throw out to yall are:
1) What's your testing gauntlet looking like so far?
2) Any pointers, like a "do's and don'ts" anyone have for big tournaments? I think some of my play errors were caused by sheer nerves more than anything else. So yeah, if anyone has any Do's and Don'ts for larger tournaments they wish to share, I'd appreciate it.
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EDH UUU Azami, Lady of Scrolls RRR Diaochan, Artful Beauty UR(U/R) Tibor, Lumia, & Melek (WIP)
I don't have any hard numbers on this, but I'm targeted more often than a black guy driving a beat-up sedan with a broken tail-light and no license plate, and Cy's well aware of that.
For #2, just act like you f'ing OWN the place. You were in the top 8 before you even STARTED. Nervousness is not even close to an issue if you're that cocky
For #1, I have no idea. I don't even know what format it is
So, Regional's is quickly approaching -- it'll be my second "big event." Whilst I did a little testing for the SCG $5K, I'm convinced I didn't test enough to be prepared.
So, the questions I throw out to yall are: 1) What's your testing gauntlet looking like so far? 2) Any pointers, like a "do's and don'ts" anyone have for big tournaments? I think some of my play errors were caused by sheer nerves more than anything else. So yeah, if anyone has any Do's and Don'ts for larger tournaments they wish to share, I'd appreciate it.
1) I'm mainly gearing for a LOT of fae. If the SCG 5k is of any indication, Fae are *really* popular right now. I wouldn't call them overpowered or warping, it's just a deck that rewards skilled players and punishes players that don't know how to play against it. So my advice would be to test that specific matchup very rigorously. It's important to know how you need to play whatever deck you're running against fae, as it kind of "changes the rules" since they don't really play on their turn like... At all. Aside from that, it really depends on what your deck's matchups are like. If you're weak against a certain kind of deck (lets say for the sake of argument RDW), playtest against a lot of RDW so that you understand the matchup to the best of your ability.
Keep in mind that even though people will be playing decks like Fae or whatever your bad matchup may be, some of them might not understand the matchup as well as you do and you need to use that to your advantage. If they make a poor sideboarding choice, that can spell the difference between winning/losing a match. So focus mainly on the matchups that are significant to you... I know that I don't really playtest against many aggro decks, because my deck is strong against aggro strategies. Yeah, we're going to see a lot of aggro at regionals, but at the same time, the lists are going to be so varied that there isn't any way to REALLY prepare for them. So as said, focus on the decks you know you need to prepare for.
2) My biggest advice is to pause and think how everything will play out before you do it. Take a breather before you make your move... Take the time to think. I've lost too many games where I thought up my play and rushed into it before actually executing the steps correctly. If you think nerves will be an issue, bring something to help calm you down. I know I have the unhealthy/gross tendancy to smoke, and it really helps me calm down and put myself in the "zone". Between matches, bring your PSP or something and play a little bit... Take your mind off things for a little while. If you come into a match refreshed by taking a break, you'll see things more analytically.
Also, I'm of the belief that I don't expect any mercy from my opponents, so don't give them any. Keep in mind, your opponent might be nervous too. Take this example from the Shadowmoor prerelease. Here's the situation.
I was stuck with only a Tatterkite on the board with a bit of mana. He had that 1/1 Wither guy with a Power of Fire on it, another almost irrelevant creature, and two Morselhoarders. One of the hoarders still had it's counters on it, the other didn't. I was sitting at a precarious life total, and he attacks with the hoarders. Before blockers are declared, I cast Mirrorweave on his 1/1 wither dude. He got distracted by telling me that my Tatterkite won't gain the ping ability, he didn't even bother to really look at his field all too carefully. I asked if he would like to respond, and he didn't. After the weave resolved, since his one hoarder had 2 -1/-1 counters on it, it killed it, and my tatterkite traded with the second one.
If he had paused and looked at his field a little carefully, he would have avoided this. When I told him the one hoarder died, he THEN tried to respond but i told him i had already asked him if he would like to respond and he declined. It felt kind of harsh, but this is a tournament... Don't give your opponent any breaks. There are prizes on the line. Granted, he seemed like an inexperienced player and he was definitely nervous playing against me... But still, were it not for that move I wouldn't have won that game. I went 2-0 in that match, but who knows what the next game is going to be like.
Just be calm, cool, collected and confident. Don't be overconfident, as that can lead to mistakes as well as making the opponent WANT to beat you more (thus encouraging them to play better). I know that I have the ability to "psych out" some players just from my calm attitude when I play in tournaments. If they realize you mean business, they can be intimidated by that and can encourage more mistakes. Against other winners, this won't work nearly as well. However, it can still be accomplished. I know I psyched out my final match opponent when I refused to draw. He was a good player and he collected himself quickly, but early on I could tell he was nervous.
It's still a game involving people, and you can maximize your odds of winning by not only improving your physical game, but by improving your psychological game as well. Something that I've found works really well for me is looking straight at the opponent as they're playing. Trust me, sometimes it will kind of freak them out and they will start to wonder what you are waiting for... It distracts them.
Bring a good meal with you. You don't want to go into these things hungry. Make sure you go to the bathroom between breaks, and if you're a smoker like me, take that smoke break while you have the chance. You don't want your mind to be clouded by anything when you go into that match.
Also, when you're sideboarding, a lot of the pros do this but not everyone really knows about it... Just shuffle all of your sideboard into your deck, do a quick shuffle, and remove the excess cards afterwards. That way they don't have any idea how many cards you've sideboarded against them. Say I'm playing an aggro deck, and I didn't see a single Wrath of God the entire game. Then, he sides in 4 cards. Granted, I don't *know* that those cards are wraths, but if he's playing an optimal list, they very well probably could be. Knowledge is power, and if I go into game two *knowing* he sided in wraths, I'm going to play around it a little bit.
What I'm about to say may be seen as somewhat controversial. I know that the tournaments I've been to have not tried to stop what I do, but it is possible that some would. I'm pretty sure what I personally do is not against the DCI code, but I haven't looked it up specifically either. So I'm just warning you.
Collect as much information as you can while not playing in a match. Obviously don't take notes, as that's illegal... But just cruise around a bit... Maybe have a bag of chips in your hands or something... Take a mental note of players playing certain decks. If you know before the game starts roughly what he's playing, you're at an advantage as you already know how to play game one and he doesn't. Don't linger around tables, but cruise by... I use my smokes as the "alibi" so to speak... I generally go to the end of the room, drop my bag off or whatever, put a cigarette in my hand and start walking to the other end where the door is. On my way by, I casually browse by the other tables and then go out for my smoke. I have never ever ever been *caught* doing this.
I'm a believer in winning through small advantages.
Let's see... Something else something else... Oh, good night's sleep for sure. And no partying the night before. I did that once, and it put me off my game the next day. Trust me, it's not a good idea. I'm going to be travelling about 5 hours by bus to get to my regionals location in Toronto... And believe me, I *will* be partying it up in Toronto. Just not the night before. After I win lol
I'd advise keeping table talk during a match to a minimum... Although it distracts your opponent as well, it distracts you. You cannot control how focused he/she is, but you can certainly control yourself. If you've got a chatty opponent, just tell him "Hey dude, I'm sorry, but we're playing a match right now. Would you please focus on the game for now? We can talk after the match is over."
Put on your best poker face, no matter how good/bad things are going. If things are going well, it'll keep you focused and believe it or not, the opponent will actually spend less time thinking. If you're all relaxed and kicked back thinking that you've got the game under control, the opponent will spend more time trying to figure out how to get himself out of the mess... And sometimes he will. If he sees you waiting for your turn, honest to god, they will be a little more inclined to take less time because they'll feel you're being somewhat impatient. And for when things go bad, it's pretty obvious... You don't want your opponent to know HOW bad it is. If they think you're holding onto some kind of answer, you want them to keep thinking that. It's like that old trick of keeping those two islands untapped even if you have nothing in hand. If the opponent THINKS you have a counterspell, you just gained a counterspell because he'll avoid playing that card altogether.
Alright... this is getting pretty huge. That should be enough to, uhhhhhhhhhhh... Get you started. lol.
Just stopping in to see the new thread I'm gonna repost some stuff from the old thread so we dont forget, and I have to re-subscribe to this thread, I'll be back!
EDIT:
Stifling Apprentice :1mana::symu::symu:
Creature - Human Wizard
:symu:, :symtap:: Counter target activated or triggered ability unless its controller pays :2mana:.
"You clearly aren't as resourceful as you think you are."
Yay new thread. If I've missed any new members or friends, please let me know so I can add it to the OP. I hadn't been keeping very good records lately, so if I missed anyone I sincerely apologise!
First off, dude. Congrats on your Custom!:D
Second, I love the new thread...absolutely love it.
Third, in some interesting News, They made me the Standard Moderator on News in addition to Legacy
Wow, that was a lot Mike, but I appreciate all of it.
I'll actually be playing Faeries, I suspect, so RDW is definitely my weaker match up. Bloody match up is nigh impossible sometimes <_<
As an on again, off again smoker for the last two years, I think I'll end up taking a pack with me. I noticed at the SCG $5k, I had way too much time between matches and that I was really fidgety, impatient, etc.
I didn't know that SB trick.. I'll definitely, definitely, keep that in mind. It makes a LOT of sense, and I suspect it'll really wig out the opponent to see me shuffle in 15 cards, heh.
As for the note taking bit, heh. Tricky. I'm no good with a Poker face; do you (or anyone) know off hand if there's anything against wearing dark coloured sun-glasses? If they can't see my eyes, it's suppose to be like a Poker Face.
Thanks again Mike (And Glurman too. I like the cocky idea, heh.)
Brandon: Thank you man and congratulations bro!
jimbyob: Dammit. Thanks for catching it.
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EDH UUU Azami, Lady of Scrolls RRR Diaochan, Artful Beauty UR(U/R) Tibor, Lumia, & Melek (WIP)
I don't have any hard numbers on this, but I'm targeted more often than a black guy driving a beat-up sedan with a broken tail-light and no license plate, and Cy's well aware of that.
If their are any other mistakes, please point them out :).
"Aren't" is misspelled in the flavor text. Additionally, the flavor text is typically put below the rules text and above the power/toughness (yeah, even though it's not part of what the card does). I personally don't like it, but that's what people do, so.
Hm... so I would love to join this clan, but I think there is one thing that might hold me back: I absolutely refuse to play U/B Faeries. I recognize its strength and consistency, but goddamn I hate the deck so! I will play any other deck under the sun, but I guess it doesn't make me a full-fledged Spike if I can't play the best deck of the format. Maybe I could be a friend?
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Level 3 Magic Judge
Do you know any judges who always impress you with their work ethic, knowledge, or attitude? Nominate them to be the next Judge of the Week!
Hm... so I would love to join this clan, but I think there is one thing that might hold me back: I absolutely refuse to play U/B Faeries. I recognize its strength and consistency, but goddamn I hate the deck so! I will play any other deck under the sun, but I guess it doesn't make me a full-fledged Spike if I can't play the best deck of the format. Maybe I could be a friend?
I dont think not liking or wanting to play UB Faeries should hold you back from being a Spike.
Hm... so I would love to join this clan, but I think there is one thing that might hold me back: I absolutely refuse to play U/B Faeries. I recognize its strength and consistency, but goddamn I hate the deck so! I will play any other deck under the sun, but I guess it doesn't make me a full-fledged Spike if I can't play the best deck of the format. Maybe I could be a friend?
Just cos you're not playing UB Faeries doesn't make you a non-spike. Lots of Spikes will play Elves, Mana Ramp, Doran Rock, etc.
Truthfully, I'm probably the only Faeries player here, aside from Psi. lol.
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EDH UUU Azami, Lady of Scrolls RRR Diaochan, Artful Beauty UR(U/R) Tibor, Lumia, & Melek (WIP)
I don't have any hard numbers on this, but I'm targeted more often than a black guy driving a beat-up sedan with a broken tail-light and no license plate, and Cy's well aware of that.
Wow, that was a lot Mike, but I appreciate all of it.
I'll actually be playing Faeries, I suspect, so RDW is definitely my weaker match up. Bloody match up is nigh impossible sometimes <_<
As an on again, off again smoker for the last two years, I think I'll end up taking a pack with me. I noticed at the SCG $5k, I had way too much time between matches and that I was really fidgety, impatient, etc.
I didn't know that SB trick.. I'll definitely, definitely, keep that in mind. It makes a LOT of sense, and I suspect it'll really wig out the opponent to see me shuffle in 15 cards, heh.
As for the note taking bit, heh. Tricky. I'm no good with a Poker face; do you (or anyone) know off hand if there's anything against wearing dark coloured sun-glasses? If they can't see my eyes, it's suppose to be like a Poker Face.
Thanks again Mike (And Glurman too. I like the cocky idea, heh.)
Brandon: Thank you man and congratulations bro!
jimbyob: Dammit. Thanks for catching it.
Be careful with the glasses... they can backfire like they did against ruel a while back didn't it? His opp was wearing glasses and he got cited for cheating for trying to look at his hand or something...
I mean, it's regionals, so the rules aren't going to be as strict, but still... a word of warning. Since the opponent could hypothetically see your hand.
And as said, don't take physical notes... just mental ones. Physical notes = baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.
EDIT: THat probably made little sense... But I'm getting a little tired, lol.
Hm... so I would love to join this clan, but I think there is one thing that might hold me back: I absolutely refuse to play U/B Faeries. I recognize its strength and consistency, but goddamn I hate the deck so! I will play any other deck under the sun, but I guess it doesn't make me a full-fledged Spike if I can't play the best deck of the format. Maybe I could be a friend?
DW, you not the only one who hates that deck :sweat:, I hate it, no one deck should be that good, it was a balanced meta until Bitterblossom came in and ruined it :-/.
@ Yare: Unfortunatly I cant change the Flavour text on the card, we have to get Glur to do it tommorrow.
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Thanks to Le_Gambit at ►►æтђєг◄◄ for the awesome Banner.
Sweet. I would love to join then, if that one thing isn't a problem. What can I do to join?
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Level 3 Magic Judge
Do you know any judges who always impress you with their work ethic, knowledge, or attitude? Nominate them to be the next Judge of the Week!
Couple of pointers: never, ever hesitate to raise your hand and yell for a judge. It's what they're there for. Some players are asshats and will try to capitalize on the fact that some players are reluctant to yell for the judge. I had an opponent at the SCG 5K who allowed my Runed Halo to resolve with an "Ok" and then tried to respond AFTER I named the card. So Jen raised her hand and yelled Judge. My opponent was quite unhappy about it, but I got tired of the frigging Mistbind. Judge ruled in my favor ("ok" is considered to be a clue that your spell has resolved, it's in the UTR or somesuch) and game went on.
The fifteen card thing is something I've never personally done, but I've seen plenty of other people do it.
If regionals is at that damned convention center, for the love of God bring food. That so-called concession stand is not only overpriced, but the food tastes like dead socks. Snacks are good to have anyway.
Keep your life total and such on paper rather than a spindown die or one of those promo life counters. If an investigation is neceessary, paper records with appropriate notes will go a long way in your favor. Notes don't have to be long; simply noting what caused the life gain or loss (such as "C" for combat damage, "B" for Bitterblossom, what have you) is plenty.
And yes, no incantatrix for you. Or anyone. That class makes puppies cry. Mostly because they are the former Big Bads who have been Baleful Polymorphed into said puppies. By you. Because you're an incantatrix.
Quote from Yukora »
This is Deraxas we're talking about.
Remember, the girl that just killed an aspect of herself before literally consuming her?
Yeah, I don't see her handling a pissing match in any way other than a duel.
Quote from RedDwarfian »
Yes mistress...
Quote from About epic-level D&D »
There are only so many epic, psuedonatural barbarian/blackguard half-dragon akutenshai vampire balor paragons they can throw at you, right?
Quote from Concerning breeding habits of humans in fantasy games »
I suppose it's true. Though the logistics implied in a human/Great Wyrm Prismatic Dragon pairing makes me shudder.
...Something tells me that even should all arcane casters in the world unite, that the Grease spell would NOT be sufficient.
Couple of pointers: never, ever hesitate to raise your hand and yell for a judge. It's what they're there for. Some players are asshats and will try to capitalize on the fact that some players are reluctant to yell for the judge. I had an opponent at the SCG 5K who allowed my Runed Halo to resolve with an "Ok" and then tried to respond AFTER I named the card. So Jen raised her hand and yelled Judge. My opponent was quite unhappy about it, but I got tired of the frigging Mistbind. Judge ruled in my favor ("ok" is considered to be a clue that your spell has resolved, it's in the UTR or somesuch) and game went on.
The fifteen card thing is something I've never personally done, but I've seen plenty of other people do it.
If regionals is at that damned convention center, for the love of God bring food. That so-called concession stand is not only overpriced, but the food tastes like dead socks. Snacks are good to have anyway.
Keep your life total and such on paper rather than a spindown die or one of those promo life counters. If an investigation is neceessary, paper records with appropriate notes will go a long way in your favor. Notes don't have to be long; simply noting what caused the life gain or loss (such as "C" for combat damage, "B" for Bitterblossom, what have you) is plenty.
Thanks, Jen.
I only wish Regionals was in Richmond; at least that drive I'd feel comfortable with up and back in the same day. But no; it's in College Park, Maryland, and the group I'm going with wants to go up and back the same day >_>
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EDH UUU Azami, Lady of Scrolls RRR Diaochan, Artful Beauty UR(U/R) Tibor, Lumia, & Melek (WIP)
I don't have any hard numbers on this, but I'm targeted more often than a black guy driving a beat-up sedan with a broken tail-light and no license plate, and Cy's well aware of that.
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(Clan banner designed by our very own Mull2Four)
Membership Process:
1) You must enjoy competitive play, deck-building, and above all enjoy helping your fellow members improve their abilities.
2) You must be a registered DCI member and must present one of your current DCI ratings (your rating doesn't need to be high).
3) Minimum of 250 posts is required to join.
4) One match of a format of your choice is required against a clan member. Winning isn't required, but the applicants should be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the game and format.
5) Plurality vote of 36 hours will decide entrance into the clan.
Upon entrance to the clan, new members should fill out the following biography and submit it via PM to iRebel as soon as possible.
Your Name:
Nickname, if applicable (optional)
Real Name: (optional)
Your current DCI Rating(s): (Any will do, all preferred)
The following is optional, but encouraged:
Favourite Format:
Favourite Deck-list (please provide a complete deck-list)
Favourite Block:
Favourite Set:
Favourite Colour:
Any additional information you wish to include.
Topics for discussion
Topics for discussion may include, but are not limited to:
1) New cards and discussion.
2) New deck ideas and discussion.
3) Tournaments and tournament reports.
4) Your DCI Ratings.
5) Spike greatness.
Our Members
Clan Leadership
Clan Founder: Psi
After acquiring a Moderator Position at MTG-News, Psi resigned as the Head Spike. We wish him well in his MTG-News endeavours and hope to see him around from time to time.
Head Spike: iRebel
Clan Representative: jimbyob
General Membership
CrAzEd MiKe
DalkonCledwin
Desolation Angel
Fyre
Glurman
Lotus
Mull2Four
Sene
Stick
TheRedViper
Unkle-J
ur-face
Yare
Our Friends
Avatar of Kokusho
Casual Chaos Rules!!
foolycooly7777
Sene
Set Abominae
VSA
YuanTi
Zaphod
Our Allies
The [Pack]
Member Biographies
Username: CrAzEd Mike
Name: Michael
Nickname: Mike
Real Name: I don't like giving last names.
Limited rating: Don't have it back yet.
Constructed rating: Don't have it back yet.
Favorite Format: Standard
Favorite Decklist: Well... Uhhhh, depends on what I feel is my best deck at the moment.
Favorite Set: Probably Mirrodin.
Favorite Block: Mirrodin Block
Favorite Magic Color: All five of them... But I generally really enjoy playing black.
Your Name: Mathew
Nickname, if applicable (optional)Cathal / DalkonCledwin
Your current DCI Rating(s):
Composite - 1549
Eternal - 1582
Constructed - 1526
Limited - 1573
Favourite Format: Legacy
Favourite Deck-list
10 Mountain
4 Ancient Tomb
4 City of Traitors
Mana Accelarators:
4 Simian Spirit Guide
4 Seething Song
4 Chrome Mox
1 Akroma, Angel of Fury
3 Arc-Slogger
4 Gathan Raiders
4 Rakdos Pit Dragon
2 Taurean Mauler
4 Magus of the Moon
3 Blood Moon
Equipment
2 Sword of Fire and Ice
Other Disablers:
4 Chalice of the Void
3 Trinisphere
1 Blood Moon
3 Sulfur Elemental
4 Pyroclasm
4 Tormod's Crypt
3 Pithing Needle
Favourite Block: Mirrodin
Favourite Set: Ice Age
Favourite Colour: Red
Name: Halim
Nickname: Desolation Angel/Deso
Limited rating: 1706
Constructed: 1632
Composite: 1669
Favorite Format: Draft
Favorite Decklist (Currently):
4 Leaf-Crowned Elder
4 Bosk Banneret
4 Nameless Inversion
4 Treefolk Harbriger
4 Search for Tomorrow
4 Crib Swap
4 Timber Protector
4 Battlewand Oak
2 Deadwood Treefolk
4 Murmering Bosk
2 Plains
2 Swamp
4 Teramorphic Expanse
10 Forest
Favorite Set: Tempest
Favorite Block: Tempest Block
Favorite Magic Colour: White
Name: Christopher Maurer
Nickname: Fyre (Like Fire but... not.)
My DCI Rating: 1625 Limited / 1597 Constructed / 1611 Composite (Contructed expected to change very soon very much.)
Favorite Format: Standard by far.
Favorite Decklist: My MIR/COK Mono-Green beatdown in all its magnificent glory. Troll Ascetic, Beacon of Creation, Fangren Fistborn, BoP, Mana Accel, Eternal Witness... it was bliss.
Favorite Set: Fifth Dawn, best draft sessions ever.
Favorite Block: Ravnica Block, then Judgment Block
Favorite Magic Color: GREEN RARRR
Username: glurman
Real Name: Bill
Favorite Format: Eternals
Favorite Decklist: My ichorid decklist...
Favorite Magic Color: BLACK, paired with blue or green... for GAT
Name: iRebel
Nickname: Jinto
Real Name: James
Constructed rating: 1738 (at this time, subject to change)
Favorite Format: Standard
Favorite Decklist: UB Faeries
Favorite Set: Invasion
Favorite Block: Invasion
Favorite Magic Color: Blue
Favorite Play style: Draw-Go, Prison Control
College Major: Political Science
Graduate School: Law School
Name: Jacob
Nickname: Jake (I go by either one)
Your current DCI rating:
Constructed: 1928
Limited: 1874
Favorite Format: Standard
Favorite Set: Dissension
Favorite Block: Ravnica
Favorite Magic Color: Blue
Name: Mull2Four
Nickname: Nick
Real Name: Nick Coss
Limited rating: 1732
Constructed rating: 1904
Favorite Format: Vintage
Favorite Decklist:
Main Deck
60 cards
1 Blood Crypt
3 Bloodstained Mire
1 Breeding Pool
1 Godless Shrine
1 Overgrown Tomb
1 Sacred Foundry
1 Steam Vents
2 Stomping Ground
1 Temple Garden
4 Windswept Heath
4 Wooded Foothills
28 Creatures:
4 Boros Swiftblade
4 Dark Confidant
1 Doran, the Siege Tower
3 Gaddock Teeg
4 Grim Lavamancer
1 Isamaru, Hound of Konda
4 Kird Ape
3 Spectral Lynx
4 Tarmogoyf
3 Gaea's Might
4 Lightning Helix
4 Tribal Flames
1 Umezawa's Jitte
4 Ancient Grudge
1 Kami of Ancient Law
3 Kataki, War's Wage
3 Molten Rain
1 Ronom Unicorn
3 Vindicate
Favorite Set: Mirrodin
Favorite Block: Urza's
Favorite Magic Color: Gold (can't you tell by the decklist?)
Name: Psi
Nickname: Psi
Real Name: Brandon
DCI Rating(s): Limited: Bad Enough. Constructed: 1725
Favourite Format: Constructed
Favourite Deck-list: Changes too much
Favourite Set: Lorwyn
Favourite Block: Lorwyn
Favourite Magic Colour: Blue
Nick: Sene (or the real one: Sænæ)
Rating: here
Favorite format: Cube (okay, competitive format? Draft, obv)
Favorite deck: Pickles
Favorite set: Time Spiral
Favorite color: Blue by far
Name: Stick
Nickname: Stick/Nick
Real Name: Nick
DCI Rating(s): Limited 1583; Constructed 1567 (I guess dropping from a PTQ is bad for your rating I hear).
Favourite Format: Vintage/Legacy. Sometimes Standard
Favourite Deck-list: Tyrant Oath/2-Lad Belcher/Goblins
Favourite Set: Judgement
Favourite Block: Onslaught
Favourite Magic Colour: Black
Name: TheRedViper
Nick Name: anything that might involve the movie Forrest Gump, Chuck, The Lorax, Bubba, and finally, the most awkward, Nipples
Real Name: Forrest
Limited Rating: (closes eyes and pretends it doesn't actually exist)
Constructed Rating: 2177(actually, im not finkel..... its only 1782)
Favorite Format: T2 > Ext > Legacy > Vintage
Favorite Deck: probably Tooth and Nail or Slide
Favorite Set: Onslaught
Favorite Block: Invasion
Favorite Color: Green>Red>Black
Name: Unkle-J
Nickname: That is my nickname
Real Name: Josh
Limited rating: 1612 atm. But when I got serious about the competition it was at 1545 so expect it to climb.
Constructed rating: Uh, yeah. I play fun decks at fnm.
Favorite Format: Limited
Favorite Decklist:
2x Kithkin Healer
1x Cloudgoat Ranger
2x Burrenton Bombadier
1x Wizened Cenn
1x Cenn's Tactician
1x Avian Changeling
2x Mosquito Guard
1x Knight of Meadowgrain
1x Changeling Hero
2x Surge of Thoughtweft
1x Oblivion Ring
2x Neck Snap
1x Crib Swap
Favorite Set: Shadowmoor now. (limited is a blast in Shadowmoor)
Favorite Block: Lorwyn Block so far
Favorite Magic Color: Clear
Name: ur-face
Nickname: paddy wadsack
Real Name: patrick wadsack-stewart
Current DCI ratings:
Composite 1789
Limited1796
Constructed 1782
2HG 1682
Name: Yare
Favorite Format: Vintage
Favorite Decklist:
1 Black Lotus
1 Mox Sapphire
2 Crucible Of Worlds
4 Null Rod
Creatures
4 Flying Men
4 Icatian Javelineers
4 Meddling Mage
3 Ninja of the Deep Hours
Enchantments
4 Curiosity
Instants
1 Ancestral Recall
3 Daze
4 Force of Will
1 Mystical Tutor
4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Time Walk
Lands
2 Island
1 Plains
4 Tundra
4 Flooded Strand
3 Mishra's Factory
1 Strip Mine
4 Wasteland
4 Seasinger
1 Disenchant
1 Seal of Cleansing
4 Energy Flux
3 Stifle
2 Blue Elemental Blast
Favorite Block: Urza Block
Favorite Magic Color: Blue
Clan History
SPIKES Clan Thread One
UUU Azami, Lady of Scrolls
RRR Diaochan, Artful Beauty
UR(U/R) Tibor, Lumia, & Melek (WIP)
Mafia Stats
UUU Azami, Lady of Scrolls
RRR Diaochan, Artful Beauty
UR(U/R) Tibor, Lumia, & Melek (WIP)
Mafia Stats
Also, yay for new thread!
Magic Rules Advisor
How Creatures Die
Targets | Triggered Abilities | Priority and the Stack | Older Articles
LET'S WIN SOME GODDAMN TOURNAMENTS! **** YEAH!
EDIT:
You forgot to update my decklist for Ichorid:
4x Chalice of the Void
4x Serum Powder
Creatures:
1x Angel of Despair
1x Cephalid Sage
4x Dryad Arbor
2x Flame-Kin Zealot
4x Golgari Grave-Troll
4x Golgari Thug
4x Ichorid
4x Narcomoeba
4x Stinkweed Imp
1x Sundering Titan
4x Bridge from Below
4x Leyline of the Void
Lands:
4x Bazaar of Baghdad
Sorceries:
4x Cabal Therapy
4x Dread Return
3x Unmask
3x Contagion
4x Oxidize
2x Sickening Shoal
2x Bayou
4x Reverent Silence
So, the questions I throw out to yall are:
1) What's your testing gauntlet looking like so far?
2) Any pointers, like a "do's and don'ts" anyone have for big tournaments? I think some of my play errors were caused by sheer nerves more than anything else. So yeah, if anyone has any Do's and Don'ts for larger tournaments they wish to share, I'd appreciate it.
UUU Azami, Lady of Scrolls
RRR Diaochan, Artful Beauty
UR(U/R) Tibor, Lumia, & Melek (WIP)
Mafia Stats
For #1, I have no idea. I don't even know what format it is
1) I'm mainly gearing for a LOT of fae. If the SCG 5k is of any indication, Fae are *really* popular right now. I wouldn't call them overpowered or warping, it's just a deck that rewards skilled players and punishes players that don't know how to play against it. So my advice would be to test that specific matchup very rigorously. It's important to know how you need to play whatever deck you're running against fae, as it kind of "changes the rules" since they don't really play on their turn like... At all. Aside from that, it really depends on what your deck's matchups are like. If you're weak against a certain kind of deck (lets say for the sake of argument RDW), playtest against a lot of RDW so that you understand the matchup to the best of your ability.
Keep in mind that even though people will be playing decks like Fae or whatever your bad matchup may be, some of them might not understand the matchup as well as you do and you need to use that to your advantage. If they make a poor sideboarding choice, that can spell the difference between winning/losing a match. So focus mainly on the matchups that are significant to you... I know that I don't really playtest against many aggro decks, because my deck is strong against aggro strategies. Yeah, we're going to see a lot of aggro at regionals, but at the same time, the lists are going to be so varied that there isn't any way to REALLY prepare for them. So as said, focus on the decks you know you need to prepare for.
2) My biggest advice is to pause and think how everything will play out before you do it. Take a breather before you make your move... Take the time to think. I've lost too many games where I thought up my play and rushed into it before actually executing the steps correctly. If you think nerves will be an issue, bring something to help calm you down. I know I have the unhealthy/gross tendancy to smoke, and it really helps me calm down and put myself in the "zone". Between matches, bring your PSP or something and play a little bit... Take your mind off things for a little while. If you come into a match refreshed by taking a break, you'll see things more analytically.
Also, I'm of the belief that I don't expect any mercy from my opponents, so don't give them any. Keep in mind, your opponent might be nervous too. Take this example from the Shadowmoor prerelease. Here's the situation.
I was stuck with only a Tatterkite on the board with a bit of mana. He had that 1/1 Wither guy with a Power of Fire on it, another almost irrelevant creature, and two Morselhoarders. One of the hoarders still had it's counters on it, the other didn't. I was sitting at a precarious life total, and he attacks with the hoarders. Before blockers are declared, I cast Mirrorweave on his 1/1 wither dude. He got distracted by telling me that my Tatterkite won't gain the ping ability, he didn't even bother to really look at his field all too carefully. I asked if he would like to respond, and he didn't. After the weave resolved, since his one hoarder had 2 -1/-1 counters on it, it killed it, and my tatterkite traded with the second one.
If he had paused and looked at his field a little carefully, he would have avoided this. When I told him the one hoarder died, he THEN tried to respond but i told him i had already asked him if he would like to respond and he declined. It felt kind of harsh, but this is a tournament... Don't give your opponent any breaks. There are prizes on the line. Granted, he seemed like an inexperienced player and he was definitely nervous playing against me... But still, were it not for that move I wouldn't have won that game. I went 2-0 in that match, but who knows what the next game is going to be like.
Just be calm, cool, collected and confident. Don't be overconfident, as that can lead to mistakes as well as making the opponent WANT to beat you more (thus encouraging them to play better). I know that I have the ability to "psych out" some players just from my calm attitude when I play in tournaments. If they realize you mean business, they can be intimidated by that and can encourage more mistakes. Against other winners, this won't work nearly as well. However, it can still be accomplished. I know I psyched out my final match opponent when I refused to draw. He was a good player and he collected himself quickly, but early on I could tell he was nervous.
It's still a game involving people, and you can maximize your odds of winning by not only improving your physical game, but by improving your psychological game as well. Something that I've found works really well for me is looking straight at the opponent as they're playing. Trust me, sometimes it will kind of freak them out and they will start to wonder what you are waiting for... It distracts them.
Bring a good meal with you. You don't want to go into these things hungry. Make sure you go to the bathroom between breaks, and if you're a smoker like me, take that smoke break while you have the chance. You don't want your mind to be clouded by anything when you go into that match.
Also, when you're sideboarding, a lot of the pros do this but not everyone really knows about it... Just shuffle all of your sideboard into your deck, do a quick shuffle, and remove the excess cards afterwards. That way they don't have any idea how many cards you've sideboarded against them. Say I'm playing an aggro deck, and I didn't see a single Wrath of God the entire game. Then, he sides in 4 cards. Granted, I don't *know* that those cards are wraths, but if he's playing an optimal list, they very well probably could be. Knowledge is power, and if I go into game two *knowing* he sided in wraths, I'm going to play around it a little bit.
What I'm about to say may be seen as somewhat controversial. I know that the tournaments I've been to have not tried to stop what I do, but it is possible that some would. I'm pretty sure what I personally do is not against the DCI code, but I haven't looked it up specifically either. So I'm just warning you.
Collect as much information as you can while not playing in a match. Obviously don't take notes, as that's illegal... But just cruise around a bit... Maybe have a bag of chips in your hands or something... Take a mental note of players playing certain decks. If you know before the game starts roughly what he's playing, you're at an advantage as you already know how to play game one and he doesn't. Don't linger around tables, but cruise by... I use my smokes as the "alibi" so to speak... I generally go to the end of the room, drop my bag off or whatever, put a cigarette in my hand and start walking to the other end where the door is. On my way by, I casually browse by the other tables and then go out for my smoke. I have never ever ever been *caught* doing this.
I'm a believer in winning through small advantages.
Let's see... Something else something else... Oh, good night's sleep for sure. And no partying the night before. I did that once, and it put me off my game the next day. Trust me, it's not a good idea. I'm going to be travelling about 5 hours by bus to get to my regionals location in Toronto... And believe me, I *will* be partying it up in Toronto. Just not the night before. After I win lol
I'd advise keeping table talk during a match to a minimum... Although it distracts your opponent as well, it distracts you. You cannot control how focused he/she is, but you can certainly control yourself. If you've got a chatty opponent, just tell him "Hey dude, I'm sorry, but we're playing a match right now. Would you please focus on the game for now? We can talk after the match is over."
Put on your best poker face, no matter how good/bad things are going. If things are going well, it'll keep you focused and believe it or not, the opponent will actually spend less time thinking. If you're all relaxed and kicked back thinking that you've got the game under control, the opponent will spend more time trying to figure out how to get himself out of the mess... And sometimes he will. If he sees you waiting for your turn, honest to god, they will be a little more inclined to take less time because they'll feel you're being somewhat impatient. And for when things go bad, it's pretty obvious... You don't want your opponent to know HOW bad it is. If they think you're holding onto some kind of answer, you want them to keep thinking that. It's like that old trick of keeping those two islands untapped even if you have nothing in hand. If the opponent THINKS you have a counterspell, you just gained a counterspell because he'll avoid playing that card altogether.
Alright... this is getting pretty huge. That should be enough to, uhhhhhhhhhhh... Get you started. lol.
EDIT:
Stifling Apprentice :1mana::symu::symu:
Creature - Human Wizard
:symu:, :symtap:: Counter target activated or triggered ability unless its controller pays :2mana:.
"You clearly aren't as resourceful as you think you are."
1/2
First off, dude. Congrats on your Custom!:D
Second, I love the new thread...absolutely love it.
Third, in some interesting News, They made me the Standard Moderator on News in addition to Legacy
Mike, dude.....that post is crazy long....:p
Congrats on the promotion! Now I know what you were talking about in the thread of evil... lol.
Magic Rules Advisor
How Creatures Die
Targets | Triggered Abilities | Priority and the Stack | Older Articles
Thats good. Most people dont do that which annoys me, I wish more people would be like you.
Thanks :),......thread of Evil? Im changing the name now.....you gave me a great idea.
I just copied and pasted it Ill fix it now.
EDIT: Fixed
If their are any other mistakes, please point them out :).
I'll actually be playing Faeries, I suspect, so RDW is definitely my weaker match up. Bloody match up is nigh impossible sometimes <_<
As an on again, off again smoker for the last two years, I think I'll end up taking a pack with me. I noticed at the SCG $5k, I had way too much time between matches and that I was really fidgety, impatient, etc.
I didn't know that SB trick.. I'll definitely, definitely, keep that in mind. It makes a LOT of sense, and I suspect it'll really wig out the opponent to see me shuffle in 15 cards, heh.
As for the note taking bit, heh. Tricky. I'm no good with a Poker face; do you (or anyone) know off hand if there's anything against wearing dark coloured sun-glasses? If they can't see my eyes, it's suppose to be like a Poker Face.
Thanks again Mike (And Glurman too. I like the cocky idea, heh.)
Brandon: Thank you man and congratulations bro!
jimbyob: Dammit. Thanks for catching it.
UUU Azami, Lady of Scrolls
RRR Diaochan, Artful Beauty
UR(U/R) Tibor, Lumia, & Melek (WIP)
Mafia Stats
"Aren't" is misspelled in the flavor text. Additionally, the flavor text is typically put below the rules text and above the power/toughness (yeah, even though it's not part of what the card does). I personally don't like it, but that's what people do, so.
Magic Rules Advisor
How Creatures Die
Targets | Triggered Abilities | Priority and the Stack | Older Articles
Do you know any judges who always impress you with their work ethic, knowledge, or attitude? Nominate them to be the next Judge of the Week!
I dont think not liking or wanting to play UB Faeries should hold you back from being a Spike.
Just cos you're not playing UB Faeries doesn't make you a non-spike. Lots of Spikes will play Elves, Mana Ramp, Doran Rock, etc.
Truthfully, I'm probably the only Faeries player here, aside from Psi. lol.
UUU Azami, Lady of Scrolls
RRR Diaochan, Artful Beauty
UR(U/R) Tibor, Lumia, & Melek (WIP)
Mafia Stats
Thats only because you turned me into one
Thanks!
Be careful with the glasses... they can backfire like they did against ruel a while back didn't it? His opp was wearing glasses and he got cited for cheating for trying to look at his hand or something...
I mean, it's regionals, so the rules aren't going to be as strict, but still... a word of warning. Since the opponent could hypothetically see your hand.
And as said, don't take physical notes... just mental ones. Physical notes = baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.
EDIT: THat probably made little sense... But I'm getting a little tired, lol.
DW, you not the only one who hates that deck :sweat:, I hate it, no one deck should be that good, it was a balanced meta until Bitterblossom came in and ruined it :-/.
@ Yare: Unfortunatly I cant change the Flavour text on the card, we have to get Glur to do it tommorrow.
Do you know any judges who always impress you with their work ethic, knowledge, or attitude? Nominate them to be the next Judge of the Week!
The fifteen card thing is something I've never personally done, but I've seen plenty of other people do it.
If regionals is at that damned convention center, for the love of God bring food. That so-called concession stand is not only overpriced, but the food tastes like dead socks. Snacks are good to have anyway.
Keep your life total and such on paper rather than a spindown die or one of those promo life counters. If an investigation is neceessary, paper records with appropriate notes will go a long way in your favor. Notes don't have to be long; simply noting what caused the life gain or loss (such as "C" for combat damage, "B" for Bitterblossom, what have you) is plenty.
"I am in the arcane, and the arcane is in me."
Official Matron Mother of Clan Planar Chaos
Awesome Avatar and signature by DarkNightCavalier
Deraxas, Dark Maiden of Shimia,, still oddly obsessed with a mindmage.
Thanks, Jen.
I only wish Regionals was in Richmond; at least that drive I'd feel comfortable with up and back in the same day. But no; it's in College Park, Maryland, and the group I'm going with wants to go up and back the same day >_>
UUU Azami, Lady of Scrolls
RRR Diaochan, Artful Beauty
UR(U/R) Tibor, Lumia, & Melek (WIP)
Mafia Stats