This thread is for the discussion of my latest article, Good Game: Magic Fruitcake. We would be grateful if you would let us know what you think, but please keep your comments on topic.
Re Boros: I'm currently playing the list discussed on ChannelFireball about a month ago (minus the SB since I refuse to pay the price for Angels and Elspeth, regardless of whether or not I can afford it). Personally, I think it's the best build of Boros. Skyfisher is awful; it sets you back a turn on Ranger mana, or else it slows down your damage (unless you bounce a Goblin Guide, which is uncommon). It flies which is nice, but it doesn't have Haste, and it's only 2-power. Hellspark Elementals are just so much better.
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Old terminology reference:
Play (noun): Battlefield
Play (verb): Cast/Play
RFG: Exile
CIP: Enters the Battlefield
Plated geopede, and kor skyfisher are the best 2 drops you can have in boros. Yes you could run hellspark elemental But you could even run all three to cover all your bases. The reasons i like geopede and skyfisher are as follows
Skyfisher: Grabs a land and brings it to your hand... you then play that land to create landfall. It's not really a two drop Its meant for later when you need landfall and don't have a land for the turn and don't want to crack a fetch. Not to mention It's a flyer... Chump blocking a Baneslayer can be just enough to save you. Also it blocks broodmates and sphinx if need be. To give you a better life span against flyers.
Geopede: First strike... enough said. First strike can be a very useful thing against any number of threats. Not to mention its pumpable on landfall. And considering the landfall in this deck is completely geared towards 2 cards.. taking out 1 pretty much kills the point of having it altogether. So if your gonna take out the geopede might as well take out the lynx and replace it with an Akrasan squire or something and just go R/W aggro and drop the fetchlands altogether...
geopede is good and you want to run all 4. im not that big of a fan of the skyfisher as it slows the deck down and rarely am i happy to draw it. i still run 2 in my deck if for no other reason than i know what im siding out to bring in baneslayers. i have added 3 hellsparks to my main deck and they have been impressive. the unearth ability is amazing.
Its also fun to use a Kor sky-fisher to bounce a goblin bushwhacker to kick it again.
I've done this a couple times for the win. It's pretty awesome. Also, with the Kor Hookmasters in the deck (which have great synergy with the Skyfisher), I'm inclined to play with them. But it is true that if you get them early, they can really screw up your tempo, whereas Hellspark doesn't do that.
I've been playing RDW for a while now, and an unearthed Hellspark has won me a bunch of games. From an outsider's perspective on Boros, late game, Skyfisher might provide a plus 2 or plus 4 bonus, for 2 mana. Early game, it just isn't good. Hellspark, on the other hand, is an almost guaranteed 3 damage, and provides an extra three damage late game at the same cost as the Skyfisher. I'd honestly say playtest both, and see which one you're happiest with.
JB
Afterthought: Skyfisher seems better against Jund, as it can fly over leech...I'm guessing he'll be removed anyway though?
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Stop wasting your time here and come to a forum that actually fosters intelligent discussion: Fires Rf Salvation
as jund player, t1 guide, t2 hellspark, is the most broken play. be honest, jund is the most played deck. what can jund do if boros/rdw goes t1 guide swing t2 hellspark swing? block guide with leech no pump tosave life, since jund won't attack and fall to 10.. seriously, hellspark is insane. also, it provides important ca
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Island taps for U and cost zero. It should be banned.
(Usual disclaimer: I don't actually play Standard)
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--
(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
(Usual disclaimer: I don't actually play Standard)
you shouldnt have any problem with turbo fog. if they spend their first few turns playing mines or jace they arent fogging the damage they're getting hit for. and all the extra cards do is give you more burn to finish them off.
without the peeks, it seems to me there is really no reason to keep the skyfisher. sure you can bounce a bushwaker, but if you have that kind of mana they have probably allready set up a board to block or you missed your alpha strike. the only thing it bounces is a basic land, and that just won't cut it against jund
If bushwacker is running hookmasters run the skyfishers, turn 5 BSA matched by turn 5 skyfisher bouncing a hookmaster into hookmaster tapping BSA will get you there.
seriously, hellspark is insane. also, it provides important ca
Hellspark never provides card advantage unless your opponent either spends removal or loses a blocker both times it attacks. Otherwise, it's either a 1-for-1 or is straight card disadvantage. If the opponent does nothing against it, on the pure CA aspect, it actually is a 1-for-0 followed by a 0-for-0. Which doesn't mean it isn't great. Trading cards for a lot of damage to the opponent instead of getting card advantage is something perfectly acceptable for a red deck.
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I'm a former judge (lapsed), who keeps up to date on rules and policy. Keep in mind that judges' answers aren't necessarily more valid than those of people who aren't judges; what matters is we can quote the rules to back up our answers. When in doubt, ask for such quotes.
Play (verb): Cast/Play
RFG: Exile
CIP: Enters the Battlefield
Fetchland: Arid Mesa
Shockland: Watery Grave
M10 Dual: Glacial Fortress
Plated geopede, and kor skyfisher are the best 2 drops you can have in boros. Yes you could run hellspark elemental But you could even run all three to cover all your bases. The reasons i like geopede and skyfisher are as follows
Skyfisher: Grabs a land and brings it to your hand... you then play that land to create landfall. It's not really a two drop Its meant for later when you need landfall and don't have a land for the turn and don't want to crack a fetch. Not to mention It's a flyer... Chump blocking a Baneslayer can be just enough to save you. Also it blocks broodmates and sphinx if need be. To give you a better life span against flyers.
Geopede: First strike... enough said. First strike can be a very useful thing against any number of threats. Not to mention its pumpable on landfall. And considering the landfall in this deck is completely geared towards 2 cards.. taking out 1 pretty much kills the point of having it altogether. So if your gonna take out the geopede might as well take out the lynx and replace it with an Akrasan squire or something and just go R/W aggro and drop the fetchlands altogether...
Gfast animals slow shildrenG
51-18-4 (retired as of 6-4-11)
I've done this a couple times for the win. It's pretty awesome. Also, with the Kor Hookmasters in the deck (which have great synergy with the Skyfisher), I'm inclined to play with them. But it is true that if you get them early, they can really screw up your tempo, whereas Hellspark doesn't do that.
I've been playing RDW for a while now, and an unearthed Hellspark has won me a bunch of games. From an outsider's perspective on Boros, late game, Skyfisher might provide a plus 2 or plus 4 bonus, for 2 mana. Early game, it just isn't good. Hellspark, on the other hand, is an almost guaranteed 3 damage, and provides an extra three damage late game at the same cost as the Skyfisher. I'd honestly say playtest both, and see which one you're happiest with.
JB
Afterthought: Skyfisher seems better against Jund, as it can fly over leech...I'm guessing he'll be removed anyway though?
Is it not also some good for taking out Font of Mythos and Howling Mine?
(Usual disclaimer: I don't actually play Standard)
(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
you shouldnt have any problem with turbo fog. if they spend their first few turns playing mines or jace they arent fogging the damage they're getting hit for. and all the extra cards do is give you more burn to finish them off.
Now, I'm not alone.
huh? it's probably the second best utility creature in the deck....
MY TRADING POST!
I play Standard and Draft at The Universe of Superheroes / The Wizard's Guild in Athens, OH.