First you announce your are playing a card. You never show the card or tell the name.
Second you activate any mana ability you want. The mana goes to the mana pool
Third you play the said card and pay with the mana from the mana pool. If you don't have the mana then you can't play the announced card.
Fourth you announce any mana left in the mana pool (if there is any left). They will vanish at the end of the phase.
Where I think you misplay (and a lot of player do) is at first step. You probably say "Guys I am going to play 10CMC named card. I will play it using Selvala, Explorer Returned. Ah sorry I don't have enough mana, I untap it as I would with my land. Everyone keep his card since I taped it." But that would be exactly why you misplay. First you can't rewind play in MTG (casual game/friend party doesn't count). Next if you would have followed the step play like upside, you wouldn't have to "rewind" the game. I also don't understand why everyone would have to keep there drawn card. If you ask the play to get rewinded, everyone should have to put the drawn card on top of the library. And how can you be sure they put the right card on top of it. You also get to know everyone next drawing card.
Seriously. NO, it isn't true. Once you tap Selvala, Explorer Returned and proceed to have everyone revealing there top card, she stay tapped.
I really love card like Destructive Revelry and Searing Blood they control the board while dealing damage to opponent. Revelry should be great since Detention Sphere, Banishing Light, Underworld Connection and some Creature Enchantment like Courser of Kruphix are around. Searing Blood is harder to evaluate against token and most turn one it will be great but Hexproof and 3 toughness creature will be a pain.
Rakdos's Return was so great when I experimented Grixis Control so sure it go in that deck. And it kind of flavor with Revelry and Searing Blood.
Lightning Strike 3 damage for 2cmc nothing more to say. And if I can -7 Chandra to that, it's 9 damage.
Thoughtseize I was lucky to get one from a Fat Pack. I could probably get 3 more for 15$ each but not sure if it's really worth it.
Dictate of the Twin Gods look fun to play. Anger of the Gods, Chandra +1, Searing Blood... everything I play should be amazing after it hit the battlefield.
A player may activate an activated mana ability whenever he or she has priority, whenever he or she is casting a spell or activating an ability that requires a mana payment, or whenever a rule or effect asks for a mana payment, even if it's in the middle of casting or resolving a spell or activating or resolving an ability.
You aren't required to cast a spell to activate her ability. So you could just tap her. Get to see everyone top deck card. Get mana and life and keep the mana until the "Phase" end. Say you use her in your first main phase. The mana will stay in the mana pool until you declare your combat phase. So you may or may not spend it as you wish.
I was also hoping for some Jund or Grixis walker. I want to try a punishing build around Destructive Revelry, Searing Blood, Rakdos's Return(though it won't be standard in Tarkir ). Having more walker in those color would help
I can't agree with you about Indestructible being the "Big Daddy" or "Supreme Survivabilty Effect".
As I can't say Hexproof or Protection is better. They just are so different.
In different situation they each shine.
- Say you face an Infect build with your Indestructible creature. You would rather have Protection or Prevent Damage. Right?
- Say your opponent use Dismember or Path to Exile. You would rather have Hexproof or Protection. Right?
- Say you want to boost your own creature. Would you prefer Hexproof or Indestructible?
- Say you attack/block with a 7/1. You would rather have Indestructible or Protection. Right?
- say your opponent use Planar Cleansing. You would rather have Indestructible.
- Terminus/Mutilate/Devastation Tide... What will you do with Indestructible, Protection or Hexproof?
They Kind of complete each other. None is better than the other. And again I will repeat myself they each have there own weakness.
Do I think any should be removed or changed? Off course not. They are all well balanced as they are.
How is Indestructible suposed to be more powerful than Hexproof? They have different purpose and mechanic.
A permanent with indestructible can’t be destroyed. Such permanents aren’t destroyed by lethal damage, and they ignore the state-based action that checks for lethal damage
They aren't immune to Exil, Sacrifice, Bounce/Return to hand. Also, creature sure dosen't prevent any damage, so if they were to lose Indestructible the same turn they took "Fatal Damage", they die.
"Hexproof" on a permanent means "This permanent can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control."
Hexproof creature are immune to 80% of removal spell(I didn't actualy count the %). But they can be destroyed Anger of the God, "Destroy all ..." spells, etc. They sure can take damage from other creature.
The effects of protection are often described using the mnemonic DEBT. The permanent or player with protection can't be:
Damaged by sources with the given quality (all such damage is prevented)
Enchanted or equipped by permanents with the given quality
Blocked by creatures with the given quality (if it's a creature)
Targeted by spells of the given quality, or abilities with sources of the given quality.
Protection is "kind of" a combinason from Shroud/Prevent all damage/Unblockable but for a specific attribute.
TLDR :
Different abilty have different role in game and all have ther own weakness. So telling one is better than an other is like telling Dog are better than Cat.
I think First Strike/Double Strike is far from complicated to explain compared to Deathtouch + Trample "synergy". And if I add Indestructible/Protection/Prevent Damage to the Deathtouch + Trample formula, it become a pain to explain.
Storm (When you cast this spell, copy it for each spell cast before it this turn. You may choose new targets for the copies.)
Since you aren't casting the copy/duplicate of Grapeshot, Storm effect won't happen.
What you suggesting/implying with "the last duplication effect to copy Grapeshot" is like "Each time I put a copy of Grapeshot with the storm, storm trigger again so I put an other copy of storm, so storm trigger again, then I put an other copy .....".
Sadly the copy doesn't duplicate themselves.
I wanted to add a Side Note. Say you have Chandra Pyromaster in play and you use her
-7: Exile the top ten cards of your library. Choose an instant or sorcery card exiled this way and copy it three times. You may cast the copies without paying their mana costs.
Since you are Casting those copy, if they would be Grapeshot copy, they would Storm.
Sarkhan --- Confirmed (hard to deny it since it's his plane and he already have an art for himself in the spoiler. Not sure if that art will be used for his Planeswalker card though.)
His color - Hoping he isn't mono Red. Likely not R/G since of the last two R/G Planeswalker. I think he is B/R, but won't keep his "self-sacrificing" flavor of Zendikar.
Nicol Bolas --- Last time we seen him, he was on Alara. The reason I believe Bolas would go to Tarkir is because Sarkhan gained his "lucidity" back or at lest part of it. Bolas could go to Tarkir either to Destroy Sarkhan or to bind him to his will. Not that he doesn't have enough Agents, but why would he not want to keep his "toy".
His color - Grixis for sure. But I believed he will be at 6 or 5 CMC. The Temples cycle kind of slow the Meta. Though Mana Confluence is great, if we have a Wedge subtheme in Tarkir, Grixis won't have his 3 mana land. So at 6 CMC he might be played on turn 7 or 8.
Side note : If Bolas get a Print in Tarkir block, I believe it will be in the third set.
Chandra --- Maybe the only one of the 5 Lorwyn likely to have a print in Tarkir. We haven't seen her for a long time. Ajani is on Theros. Jace is on Ravnica. Garruk is chasing/going wild where we don't know (is he still on Innistrad?). Liliana has likely fled Innistrad after breaking her bound to Griselbrand. She probably went after another demon to destroy it. Is there any Demon on Tarkir who might have contract with Liliana?
Her color : Mono Red.
Side Note : I don't think any of the 5 Lorwyn can be in Tarkir. And since Scars of Mirrodin didn't have any of the 5.... The only way I believe Chandra could have a print in Tarkir is if she isn't in M15
Nissa/Ajani/Gideon/Sorin/Domri/Karn/Koth/Kiora/Tezz/Ral/Tamiyo --- I don't think any of them can be on Tarkir.
As for the "NEW" Planewalker.
Ramaz --- Likely in the first Set of the block. He was fleeing Chandra. Said he was following a Dragon voice. Bolas send him to Tarkir in a mission to kill Sarkhan.
His Color - Red/Blue/Green, for the Wedge Theme. maybe at 3CMC (in a Temple Cycle 3CMC wedge walker is probably like a 5CMC mono)
Ob Nixilis --- Hard to explain how he could have restored his spark (maybe the release of the Eldrazi). And what he is doing on Tarkir is even harder to explain.
His color - White/Black. "His spark lost, he plots revenge upon the plane whose corrupting mana fractured his soul." source from Gatherer.wizards.com Since he has recovered his spark he might become "kind/loyal" as he was.
Unknown Name from Tarkir : Like Koth was a "defender/protector" of Mirrodin. The dude from Tarkir will foresee the war coming to his Plane. Alongside Sarkhan he will fight Ramaz and Bolas.
TLDR:
First Set : Sarkhan Vol (Red+Black) and Ramaz (Red+Blue+Green)--- Sarkhan Kill Ramaz
Second Set : Tarkir "hero" foreseeing the incoming of Bolas --- New guy foresee Bolas Incoming and an other Walker he join with Sarkhan to prepare battle
Third Set : Bolas and Chandra --- Third set is a 3 vs 1 Battle against Bolas. Though Chandra battled against Sarkhan. Bolas is likely more dangerous.
I like it with thing like :
Supreme Verdict (Unless it has zero +1/+1 Counter)
Master Biomancer (Both for the main creature and the tokens)
Archangel of Thune ('' '')
I wouldn't cast it turn 3 since he is only 1/1. I would try to keep it alive more then 1 turn.
He might get the same "Hate" that Sage of Hours is getting. To weak at start. Easy to counter before he get out of hand.
First you announce your are playing a card. You never show the card or tell the name.
Second you activate any mana ability you want. The mana goes to the mana pool
Third you play the said card and pay with the mana from the mana pool. If you don't have the mana then you can't play the announced card.
Fourth you announce any mana left in the mana pool (if there is any left). They will vanish at the end of the phase.
Where I think you misplay (and a lot of player do) is at first step. You probably say "Guys I am going to play 10CMC named card. I will play it using Selvala, Explorer Returned. Ah sorry I don't have enough mana, I untap it as I would with my land. Everyone keep his card since I taped it." But that would be exactly why you misplay. First you can't rewind play in MTG (casual game/friend party doesn't count). Next if you would have followed the step play like upside, you wouldn't have to "rewind" the game. I also don't understand why everyone would have to keep there drawn card. If you ask the play to get rewinded, everyone should have to put the drawn card on top of the library. And how can you be sure they put the right card on top of it. You also get to know everyone next drawing card.
Seriously. NO, it isn't true. Once you tap Selvala, Explorer Returned and proceed to have everyone revealing there top card, she stay tapped.
4 Temple of Abandon
4 Temple of Malice
2 Temple of Malady
2 Mana Confluence
4 Mountain
4 Swamp
2 Forest
Planeswalkers
2 Chandra, Pyromaster
2 Xenagos, the Reveler
4 Lightning Strike
4 Searing Blood
4 Destructive Revelry
2 Rakdos's Return
2 Anger of the Gods
1 Hero's Downfall
1 Extinguish All Hope
1 Thoughtseize
3 Dictate of the Twin Gods
2 Underworld Connections
Maybeboard
2 Read the Bones (instead of Underworld Connections)
2 Bile Blight
2 Drown in Sorrow
1 Polis Crusher
1 Polukranos, World Eater
1 Courser of Kruphix
1 Reaper of the Wilds
I need some suggestion to complete that deck.
I really love card like Destructive Revelry and Searing Blood they control the board while dealing damage to opponent. Revelry should be great since Detention Sphere, Banishing Light, Underworld Connection and some Creature Enchantment like Courser of Kruphix are around. Searing Blood is harder to evaluate against token and most turn one it will be great but Hexproof and 3 toughness creature will be a pain.
Rakdos's Return was so great when I experimented Grixis Control so sure it go in that deck. And it kind of flavor with Revelry and Searing Blood.
Lightning Strike 3 damage for 2cmc nothing more to say. And if I can -7 Chandra to that, it's 9 damage.
Thoughtseize I was lucky to get one from a Fat Pack. I could probably get 3 more for 15$ each but not sure if it's really worth it.
Dictate of the Twin Gods look fun to play. Anger of the Gods, Chandra +1, Searing Blood... everything I play should be amazing after it hit the battlefield.
I like the synergy between Courser of Kruphix and Chandra, Pyromaster 0cost ability. But it will likely never happen.
First Edit : Changed Deck frame. Modified the deck for a "burn/control" optic. Removed all creature. Xenagos should be alone to create creature.
You aren't required to cast a spell to activate her ability. So you could just tap her. Get to see everyone top deck card. Get mana and life and keep the mana until the "Phase" end. Say you use her in your first main phase. The mana will stay in the mana pool until you declare your combat phase. So you may or may not spend it as you wish.
I was also hoping for some Jund or Grixis walker. I want to try a punishing build around Destructive Revelry, Searing Blood, Rakdos's Return(though it won't be standard in Tarkir
I can't agree with you about Indestructible being the "Big Daddy" or "Supreme Survivabilty Effect".
As I can't say Hexproof or Protection is better. They just are so different.
In different situation they each shine.
- Say you face an Infect build with your Indestructible creature. You would rather have Protection or Prevent Damage. Right?
- Say your opponent use Dismember or Path to Exile. You would rather have Hexproof or Protection. Right?
- Say you want to boost your own creature. Would you prefer Hexproof or Indestructible?
- Say you attack/block with a 7/1. You would rather have Indestructible or Protection. Right?
- say your opponent use Planar Cleansing. You would rather have Indestructible.
- Terminus/Mutilate/Devastation Tide... What will you do with Indestructible, Protection or Hexproof?
They Kind of complete each other. None is better than the other. And again I will repeat myself they each have there own weakness.
Do I think any should be removed or changed? Off course not. They are all well balanced as they are.
Am I supposed to understand something from your "What?"
They aren't immune to Exil, Sacrifice, Bounce/Return to hand. Also, creature sure dosen't prevent any damage, so if they were to lose Indestructible the same turn they took "Fatal Damage", they die.
Hexproof creature are immune to 80% of removal spell(I didn't actualy count the %). But they can be destroyed Anger of the God, "Destroy all ..." spells, etc. They sure can take damage from other creature.
Protection is "kind of" a combinason from Shroud/Prevent all damage/Unblockable but for a specific attribute.
TLDR :
Different abilty have different role in game and all have ther own weakness. So telling one is better than an other is like telling Dog are better than Cat.
I think First Strike/Double Strike is far from complicated to explain compared to Deathtouch + Trample "synergy". And if I add Indestructible/Protection/Prevent Damage to the Deathtouch + Trample formula, it become a pain to explain.
But it's an opinion.
Was trying to explain the difference between "Casting" and "Putting" a copy of a Spell by giving example.
Since you aren't casting the copy/duplicate of Grapeshot, Storm effect won't happen.
What you suggesting/implying with "the last duplication effect to copy Grapeshot" is like "Each time I put a copy of Grapeshot with the storm, storm trigger again so I put an other copy of storm, so storm trigger again, then I put an other copy .....".
Sadly the copy doesn't duplicate themselves.
I wanted to add a Side Note. Say you have Chandra Pyromaster in play and you use her
Since you are Casting those copy, if they would be Grapeshot copy, they would Storm.
Sarkhan --- Confirmed (hard to deny it since it's his plane and he already have an art for himself in the spoiler. Not sure if that art will be used for his Planeswalker card though.)
His color - Hoping he isn't mono Red. Likely not R/G since of the last two R/G Planeswalker. I think he is B/R, but won't keep his "self-sacrificing" flavor of Zendikar.
Nicol Bolas --- Last time we seen him, he was on Alara. The reason I believe Bolas would go to Tarkir is because Sarkhan gained his "lucidity" back or at lest part of it. Bolas could go to Tarkir either to Destroy Sarkhan or to bind him to his will. Not that he doesn't have enough Agents, but why would he not want to keep his "toy".
His color - Grixis for sure. But I believed he will be at 6 or 5 CMC. The Temples cycle kind of slow the Meta. Though Mana Confluence is great, if we have a Wedge subtheme in Tarkir, Grixis won't have his 3 mana land. So at 6 CMC he might be played on turn 7 or 8.
Side note : If Bolas get a Print in Tarkir block, I believe it will be in the third set.
Chandra --- Maybe the only one of the 5 Lorwyn likely to have a print in Tarkir. We haven't seen her for a long time. Ajani is on Theros. Jace is on Ravnica. Garruk is chasing/going wild where we don't know (is he still on Innistrad?). Liliana has likely fled Innistrad after breaking her bound to Griselbrand. She probably went after another demon to destroy it. Is there any Demon on Tarkir who might have contract with Liliana?
Her color : Mono Red.
Side Note : I don't think any of the 5 Lorwyn can be in Tarkir. And since Scars of Mirrodin didn't have any of the 5.... The only way I believe Chandra could have a print in Tarkir is if she isn't in M15
Nissa/Ajani/Gideon/Sorin/Domri/Karn/Koth/Kiora/Tezz/Ral/Tamiyo --- I don't think any of them can be on Tarkir.
As for the "NEW" Planewalker.
Ramaz --- Likely in the first Set of the block. He was fleeing Chandra. Said he was following a Dragon voice. Bolas send him to Tarkir in a mission to kill Sarkhan.
His Color - Red/Blue/Green, for the Wedge Theme. maybe at 3CMC (in a Temple Cycle 3CMC wedge walker is probably like a 5CMC mono)
Ob Nixilis --- Hard to explain how he could have restored his spark (maybe the release of the Eldrazi). And what he is doing on Tarkir is even harder to explain.
His color - White/Black. "His spark lost, he plots revenge upon the plane whose corrupting mana fractured his soul." source from Gatherer.wizards.com Since he has recovered his spark he might become "kind/loyal" as he was.
Unknown Name from Tarkir : Like Koth was a "defender/protector" of Mirrodin. The dude from Tarkir will foresee the war coming to his Plane. Alongside Sarkhan he will fight Ramaz and Bolas.
TLDR:
First Set : Sarkhan Vol (Red+Black) and Ramaz (Red+Blue+Green)--- Sarkhan Kill Ramaz
Second Set : Tarkir "hero" foreseeing the incoming of Bolas --- New guy foresee Bolas Incoming and an other Walker he join with Sarkhan to prepare battle
Third Set : Bolas and Chandra --- Third set is a 3 vs 1 Battle against Bolas. Though Chandra battled against Sarkhan. Bolas is likely more dangerous.
Supreme Verdict (Unless it has zero +1/+1 Counter)
Master Biomancer (Both for the main creature and the tokens)
Archangel of Thune ('' '')
I wouldn't cast it turn 3 since he is only 1/1. I would try to keep it alive more then 1 turn.
He might get the same "Hate" that Sage of Hours is getting. To weak at start. Easy to counter before he get out of hand.