I think some of you have a d-bag problem rather than an overpowered card problem. All the above cards have been played in our games and they are usually part of a combo where people win on that or their next turn. This is fine, but I'm sure there are plenty of d-bags who think its funny to make the game unplayable for everyone. My suggestion is to gang up on them.
I think this is almost certainly the next summer release, in the mold of Planechase, etc. Most of those have been multi-player formats. A multi-player format inspired by the board game "diplomacy" would be sweet.
1) What does everyone think of Modern Masters?
I like it, some of us plan to draft with the boxes we bought. My one issue is that reprinting expensive staples and making the set draftable are at odds. The set just won't be around long enough to draft much.
2) Is it what you were expecting? (why/why not?)
I did think there would be a lot of jank, even before it was spoiled. There always is. To make it balanced in draft, they had to devote a lot of card space to that.
3) After all has been spoiled, are the pre-ordered boxes still worth the $200+ price tag?
Depends how how far above $200. Above $250, it really starts to be gambling as to if you get value. Any box could be worth $400+. Some will be worth less than $200.
4) Do you think there will be a second printing?
Depends what you mean. MM has two rounds of distribution, one now and one in a few weeks. After that, I don't think they will reprint. I would say I don't think that wizards ever said they won't print cards like Ghoyf or Bob again in a different product, however.
5) At this point, is it worth to hold onto unopened boxes?
Yes, but I think they will appreciate slower that most expect. To assume a box will greatly increase, you have to assume the few money cards will greatly increase. Modern is a diverse format and you don't need the 1/2 dozen money cards to play. You probably need a few fetches more than a few ghoyfs.
Seems that best strategy to Bloodrush is not to bloodrush Expecialy against white - Opponents will wait to 2 for 1 with smite etc and if you dont bloodrush opponent with untapped lands they 1. wait what will never come, 2. loose chance to extort
I did the opposite. I played Gruul like a control deck, stabilizing the board, staying alive, and crafting my hand until the opportune moment when I would blow my opponent out. Granted, I had a boros charm whose double strike led to some insane kills. My deck's weak point was not enough early pressure/defense against the fastest aggro.
I played in a couple events a had my best finish (2nd) with Simic. I would second most of this.
I left the jellyfish in the sideboard, and didn't have the evolve curve I would of liked, but I did have a lot of flyers. Sapphire drake was MVP, followed by Crocanura and shambleshark combat shenanigans (with guildmage counters, Ivy Lane Denizen, and in play evolve creatures for extra fun). I had two shamblesharks and would try to set them up to blow out opponents creature board when they come in to play and all kinds of things trigger.
Boros Charm THIRD ability - it was too valuable to double strike my blood rushers than to use it for anything else.
Shadow Slice - I took 15 damage in 2 turns because an opponent cast this and dropped it on a rogue.
Viashine Shanktail - My main bloodrush friend.
Mortus strider - does good work with corpse blockade or undercity informer.
Shambleshark - bad creature, good combat trick with evolve and comes into play effects. Extra spicy with the guild mage adding counters as he comes in.
Sapphire drake - responsible for many of my simic wins.
Madcap skills - awesome.
Bad cards:
Coerced Confession - lots of people played this against me. Then they died.
Bomber corps and firefist striker - these are turds without battalion and not much better with it.
I suppose I am saying this because I was playing Boros. I either blew out the opponent or my opponent grinded out a victory when I got nothing but dead draws. However, in draft, you have much better control over your pool and can more easily curve out.
I'm just a little concerned that the early game will determine everything in this format. Your thoughts?
I played in a couple of pre-release with different guilds and came back on numerous opponents. That is not Boros strength- it is rushing people. I did numerous tricks to turn games around, and had the same done to me. My best comeback was bloodrushing someone for 24 (him at 22 life) when I was at 2 life and dead on board.
I like it, some of us plan to draft with the boxes we bought. My one issue is that reprinting expensive staples and making the set draftable are at odds. The set just won't be around long enough to draft much.
2) Is it what you were expecting? (why/why not?)
I did think there would be a lot of jank, even before it was spoiled. There always is. To make it balanced in draft, they had to devote a lot of card space to that.
3) After all has been spoiled, are the pre-ordered boxes still worth the $200+ price tag?
Depends how how far above $200. Above $250, it really starts to be gambling as to if you get value. Any box could be worth $400+. Some will be worth less than $200.
4) Do you think there will be a second printing?
Depends what you mean. MM has two rounds of distribution, one now and one in a few weeks. After that, I don't think they will reprint. I would say I don't think that wizards ever said they won't print cards like Ghoyf or Bob again in a different product, however.
5) At this point, is it worth to hold onto unopened boxes?
Yes, but I think they will appreciate slower that most expect. To assume a box will greatly increase, you have to assume the few money cards will greatly increase. Modern is a diverse format and you don't need the 1/2 dozen money cards to play. You probably need a few fetches more than a few ghoyfs.
I did the opposite. I played Gruul like a control deck, stabilizing the board, staying alive, and crafting my hand until the opportune moment when I would blow my opponent out. Granted, I had a boros charm whose double strike led to some insane kills. My deck's weak point was not enough early pressure/defense against the fastest aggro.
I played in a couple events a had my best finish (2nd) with Simic. I would second most of this.
I left the jellyfish in the sideboard, and didn't have the evolve curve I would of liked, but I did have a lot of flyers. Sapphire drake was MVP, followed by Crocanura and shambleshark combat shenanigans (with guildmage counters, Ivy Lane Denizen, and in play evolve creatures for extra fun). I had two shamblesharks and would try to set them up to blow out opponents creature board when they come in to play and all kinds of things trigger.
Boros Charm THIRD ability - it was too valuable to double strike my blood rushers than to use it for anything else.
Shadow Slice - I took 15 damage in 2 turns because an opponent cast this and dropped it on a rogue.
Viashine Shanktail - My main bloodrush friend.
Mortus strider - does good work with corpse blockade or undercity informer.
Shambleshark - bad creature, good combat trick with evolve and comes into play effects. Extra spicy with the guild mage adding counters as he comes in.
Sapphire drake - responsible for many of my simic wins.
Madcap skills - awesome.
Bad cards:
Coerced Confession - lots of people played this against me. Then they died.
Bomber corps and firefist striker - these are turds without battalion and not much better with it.
Pit fight - good but much worse than expected.
I played in a couple of pre-release with different guilds and came back on numerous opponents. That is not Boros strength- it is rushing people. I did numerous tricks to turn games around, and had the same done to me. My best comeback was bloodrushing someone for 24 (him at 22 life) when I was at 2 life and dead on board.