I have this friend who knows how to read, so I ask him for vocabulary choices when I'm writing the next great American novel.
Come on guys, no one was attacking anyone; we have just learned that tournament success/rating etc. doesn't always translate to Cube intuition. Does it sometimes? Of course, and we likely all know people with whom there is a direct relation. But there are plenty who have no idea due to wrong thinking, wrong attitude, or not enough time spent doing it. And then there are plenty of people who have had minimal success who know a TON about Cube (one of my favorite Cubers rarely plays sanctioned tournaments at all!).
Just like MTGO cube? I prefer many people list on this forum on this comparison to them. And we aren't working for wizards.
Well, my friend isn't working for Wizards and neither am I And while there are those who work for them that are former tournament successes, I firmly believe that being on the inside for so long changes the way you look at Magic cards and evaluations.
Please remember that I said 'some', also. I think there are actually precious few people who actually understand Magic as deeply as this friend.
Black Vise is part of a small and important package of "reach" cards that Aggro usually needs to seal the game. I can't imagine getting rid of it in even the smallest of lists.
Except that I don't run it, and my aggro decks are just fine. I've also been trying to find a Beta Ankh of Mishra (to no avail), so I don't run that 'important' aggro card either. I'm actually more excited about adding Ankh than Black Vise (of which I have a foil laying around somewhere), so I guess I'm saying that it is possible to make aggro work w/o it. I think the post about draw 7's is vital, and gives you a chance to get value after turn 1 with it. The more you run (especially something like Wheel of Fortune, which can go in an aggro deck that runs said Vice), the better it is.
I suppose what I'm saying is that I feel I can live without it at this point. This might entirely change if I start running it, to be fair.
And as far as ratings and Cubing go, there certainly is no direct corollary between the two, but here's the thing: some people who are good at competitive Magic just GET Magic. They understand it, know how it works, and can translate that to any and all formats so they have pretty good tournament success. I'm lucky enough to have a good friend who is like that, and his input over the years has helped to shape my Cube and philosophy. He isn't always right, but I'm far better off with his input than without it.
Come on guys, no one was attacking anyone; we have just learned that tournament success/rating etc. doesn't always translate to Cube intuition. Does it sometimes? Of course, and we likely all know people with whom there is a direct relation. But there are plenty who have no idea due to wrong thinking, wrong attitude, or not enough time spent doing it. And then there are plenty of people who have had minimal success who know a TON about Cube (one of my favorite Cubers rarely plays sanctioned tournaments at all!).
-AA
I use descriptive language. Assume that I'm being nice and respectful. (I'll tell you when I'm not.)
My Cube: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/9029
Well, my friend isn't working for Wizards and neither am I And while there are those who work for them that are former tournament successes, I firmly believe that being on the inside for so long changes the way you look at Magic cards and evaluations.
Please remember that I said 'some', also. I think there are actually precious few people who actually understand Magic as deeply as this friend.
-AA
I use descriptive language. Assume that I'm being nice and respectful. (I'll tell you when I'm not.)
My Cube: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/9029
Except that I don't run it, and my aggro decks are just fine. I've also been trying to find a Beta Ankh of Mishra (to no avail), so I don't run that 'important' aggro card either. I'm actually more excited about adding Ankh than Black Vise (of which I have a foil laying around somewhere), so I guess I'm saying that it is possible to make aggro work w/o it. I think the post about draw 7's is vital, and gives you a chance to get value after turn 1 with it. The more you run (especially something like Wheel of Fortune, which can go in an aggro deck that runs said Vice), the better it is.
I suppose what I'm saying is that I feel I can live without it at this point. This might entirely change if I start running it, to be fair.
And as far as ratings and Cubing go, there certainly is no direct corollary between the two, but here's the thing: some people who are good at competitive Magic just GET Magic. They understand it, know how it works, and can translate that to any and all formats so they have pretty good tournament success. I'm lucky enough to have a good friend who is like that, and his input over the years has helped to shape my Cube and philosophy. He isn't always right, but I'm far better off with his input than without it.
-AA
I use descriptive language. Assume that I'm being nice and respectful. (I'll tell you when I'm not.)
My Cube: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/9029
This is a very good post in favor of Black Vise (and matters way more if you are powered, obviously).
-AA
I use descriptive language. Assume that I'm being nice and respectful. (I'll tell you when I'm not.)
My Cube: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/9029