Here is the scenario: Opponent has Borborygmos Enraged in play with 2 lands in hand locked and loaded. I cast Wargate with X=4 and it resolves, and I fetch a Control Magic that comes into play which as an aura allows me to choose a creature to attach but not actually targeting if I understand the rules correctly. I choose Borbo as the object.
Now that Wargate has resolved and the Control Magic aura is in play and I'm selecting a creature to attach it, does this use the stack and can my opponent respond with Borbo's activated ability before he loses control of it?
This is a good thread, I've been attempting to rank my decks as well. I also prefer the 3 Tiers categorization like the poster above as it helps to discuss and agree on what decks to play with your group to maintain a decent balance. The ranking numbers might vary by about a point, most of my decks are mid-budget between $200 to $450 total value.
The gargoyle is actually a pretty solid card in limited due to the fact that it can turn on delirium very quickly being 2 types in the yard. It's a nice 1 drop blocker for defensive decks also. Oh and the Cavern of Souls reprint hype continues!!!
Total = 20 - another new number in the sequence, not a repetition of a previous total. Corresponding letter may be T, or using base-20 on the Italian Journal Entry (433) gives 13 = M.
I notice that a lot of people are going by the topmost slope of the cryptoliths to determine clock position but what if it is instead by the bottom which in effect could be considered where it is truly pointing? For example in this Italian poster it could be 12, 8, 9, 3 instead.
Both of those control shells look very fun. More potential sideboard cards in either shell could be: Far // Away, Turn // Burn and Wear // Tear. Possibly a Jeskai control shell would be also sweet and can use Catch // Release. So many options, it's like every spell has multiple modes!
According to the below gatherer ruling on fuse cards, I believe it can cast both halves at no cost using Brain in a Jar:
4/15/2013: If you cast a split card with fuse from your hand without paying its mana cost, you can choose to use its fuse ability and cast both halves without paying their mana costs.
I think the real distinction and possible errata prediction will be that cards that produce X mana will be considered GENERIC mana rather than colorless mana, and that <> mana will be the new COLORLESS mana that can have either generic X mana or colorless <> mana used for cost payment, but not colored WUBRG mana. That's my guess.
I agree with those that believe that this new mana symbol represents colorless mana and not generic mana, and the goal of introducing it in this set is to drive home that distinction. I'm pretty confident that it won't trigger a huge errata to hundreds (if not thousands) of cards, Wizards wouldn't be foolish enough to do that. Plus this also will make it distinctly different than S snow mana in that it doesn't require that specific mana for certain spells and abilities. Colorless <> mana can be used for X generic mana, and X generic mana can be used for <> colorless mana IMO.
I currently run a Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind wizard tribal control deck that is fun and I'm planning to include Arjun along with Mizzix most likely as they both have nice synergy with Niv (especially Arjun). I don't run any of the two card combos with Niv however, so if you can emphasize that to your playgroup then maybe you won't draw a ton of hate. I know you stated that you aren't thinking to run Niv as the general but out of the wizards available he provides the best means of victory through the draw damage trigger.
My original Niv Deck was draw engine Niv and Mind over Maatter It was not fun to play as it was my pretty much one and only win con. It lasted a few wees before i tranfered my zzet deck into Nin, the Pain artist
That was a lot of fun. I eventually made Melek spellslinger, dropped 100 bucks on it and creamed my friends, Like wasn't even a fun win, it was just total domination. So I am switching it up Melek can still be a general but i am working more on multiple general idea so it plays relatively the same but has some versatility and has some mind games. I am not the best player nor the most strategic, but i always like to make an impression. By choosing between three creatures before the game starts, when my opponents see this they may be a little confused and it will throw them off. Seriously how would you react to an opponent going through is deck pulling out a few creatures and picks one to run his deck. Usually a deck is built around a general, not the other way around.
Unrelated note, i did Run Arcum Daggson that would go 3v1 and still come out on top. My most powerful deck ever built and least fun because i would get ganged up on so i had to built it to kill turn 4 or sooner. I would win 90% of my games, i had little fun with it but when money was involve di would pull it out and roll face.
If you are going for a 75% deck with Izzet wizard tribal then Niv will be a viable wincon once you get a draw engine going, and there are lots of those with all the wizards available. In my deck I've gone for a wheel theme that makes it pretty fun and we have two new awesome wheel wizards to add to that in Arjun and Magus of the Wheel. Then you add in cards like Blue Sun's Zenith with the cost reduction of Mizzix and copy ability of Melek and you have some fun synergy going that isn't super degenerate.
I currently run a Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind wizard tribal control deck that is fun and I'm planning to include Arjun along with Mizzix most likely as they both have nice synergy with Niv (especially Arjun). I don't run any of the two card combos with Niv however, so if you can emphasize that to your playgroup then maybe you won't draw a ton of hate. I know you stated that you aren't thinking to run Niv as the general but out of the wizards available he provides the best means of victory through the draw damage trigger.
One of the first things that come to my mind is Birds of Paradise. This is for nostalgia reasons as well as how enabling the card is for only one mana and it is still frequently used in some formats. I love how a little 0/1 flyer can be so threatening when dropped on turn 1.
Now that Wargate has resolved and the Control Magic aura is in play and I'm selecting a creature to attach it, does this use the stack and can my opponent respond with Borbo's activated ability before he loses control of it?
Tier 1 (8+)
Animar, Soul of Elements combo
Hokori, Dust Drinker artifact/hatebear stax
Tier 2 (6-7)
Marath, Will of the Wild control/combo
Edric, Spymaster of Trest elf tribal aggro
Athreos, God of Passage control/sacrifice theme
Tier 3 (4-5)
Marchesa, the Black Rose wizard tribal control
Noyan Dar, Roil Shaper spellslinger control
Intet, the Dreamer dragon tribal midrange
Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas midrange
Grimgrin, Corpse-born zombie tribal midrange
Karona, False God enchantress pillowfort midrange
Ancient Tomb
Rishadan Port
Stoneforge Mystic
Wirewood Lodge
Aether Vial
Won't be reprinted:
Scalding Tarn
Sensei's Divining Top
Ponder
Daze
Snapcaster Mage
Ah didn't know that thanks!
I notice that a lot of people are going by the topmost slope of the cryptoliths to determine clock position but what if it is instead by the bottom which in effect could be considered where it is truly pointing? For example in this Italian poster it could be 12, 8, 9, 3 instead.
4/15/2013: If you cast a split card with fuse from your hand without paying its mana cost, you can choose to use its fuse ability and cast both halves without paying their mana costs.
Definitely potential there.
If you are going for a 75% deck with Izzet wizard tribal then Niv will be a viable wincon once you get a draw engine going, and there are lots of those with all the wizards available. In my deck I've gone for a wheel theme that makes it pretty fun and we have two new awesome wheel wizards to add to that in Arjun and Magus of the Wheel. Then you add in cards like Blue Sun's Zenith with the cost reduction of Mizzix and copy ability of Melek and you have some fun synergy going that isn't super degenerate.