Nonononono... with a big NO. I so *?*?%$$ hate poison counter... I don't care about wither.. but infect ... I just hate it within the deep of my heart.
On a more constructive note. Cipher was a good idea back in RTR. But like delve, it is really hard to balance. You either get a good ability that is overcosted or a useless ability.
Story short : After testing a few time my old deck at FNM and Gameday. I decided to start a new one by keeping stuff I liked from it and swapping card for "equivalent". The objective is to go more agro/less control and make the deck at the same time more constant.
Game plan :
Use Commune with the Gods to put Flamewake and Bloodsoaked in the grave. Can also serve to cast Tasigur early. It also replace itself with a creature card.
Trigger Flamewake Phoenix ferocious with Tasigur, Polukranos, Kolaghan, Nissa or Sarkhan.
Trigger Bloodsoaked Champion raid with ... all we have.
Almost everything in the deck will/should create a 2 for 1 trade. I also considered Ugin, Whisperwood Elemental and Crux of Fate.
I am still brewing a Sideboard. Your opinion on the deck and idea for side would be appreciated.
You don't draft them together. Drafting is a block thing, standard is not. For an official DTK draft, even after rotation, you'd draft with FRF.
I don't know what you are talking about. But he never meant to draft Origin with DTK. He even said that would be "weird". And while is argument are awkward. DTK could draft alone (DTK/DTK/DTK) and still be official drafting for FNM (I think this how it could be considered "stand-alone"). Though Wizards is encouraging people to draft FTF/DTK/DTK once DTK I released. Any local group may draft what they want.
It's part of the new Standard Meta. When they announced it. Here the link
So, when next "block" release in automne. Theros, Born of Gods, Journey and 2015 will rotate out. We will now have KTK, FTR, DTK, Origin and new Set as Standard. Then 2 set later, there will be a Rotation where KTK and FTR rotate out. Then again 2 set later DTK and Origin rotate out. Instead of having 1 rotation a year, we'll get 2 a year (every 2 set instead of 4)
Edit : While rotation will happen more often, instead of going 5 set (at is minimum) to 8 set (at it's maximum). We will range from 5 set to 6 set. This will make card pool lower. But should make meta more diverse.
The one argument to me that make it more likely they are going for Shard (or at least it's still a possibility) is that Maro stated that DTK wouldn't draft well with KTK while FTF would be the in-between. If DTK is only Allied... well it could still pretty well draft with KTK without any trouble. Meanwhile, Shard is the "perfect" opposite to Wedge. Also, FTF can easily fit in a Shard meta with all those gain land and hybrid mana.
I am not excluding the possibility it could be Allied. But Shard isn't out yet.
Predicting they would be under Dragon command wasn't hard. And saying there is no more clan is not that true, since a Dragon's "brood" is kind of a clan. Also, we can only states for sure that they lose enemy color. The more likely possibility is that they will remain allied pair. But we can't negate shard yet or even mono colored.
Of all the things in Magic, it was the double-faced cards that probably proved to be the stickiest wicket for manifest. How exactly can you have a double-faced card "face down"? This led to all sorts of debate because a double-faced card is in some way "face down" on top of your library. Until you play it, your opponent doesn't know either side of a double-faced card. Could manifest take advantage of that?
I know Matt Tabak spent a lot of time on this question. He often joked with me how much time was spent on an interaction that wasn't even in the set! In the end, Matt settled on the idea that cards have an unknown side while in the library and it was possible to manifest a double-faced card off the top of your library without revealing the nature of it being a double-faced card. "Are you happy?" he said to me one day, "We've made triple-faced cards."
I don't know if this point out anything for the upcoming or if it was simply a rule issue discussion. But I like how this coincide with the announcement of Magic : Origins and everyone speculating with DFC.
Then again. I am not totally against a Legendary Walker that would fetch for a Walker of same name type. For constructed (EDH mostly, but also other format) this would be great. This could allow for some trick, depending the way the card work (Palace Siege, Sheoldred, Whispering One, Unsummon). But again, for limited, I think this is awkward. The legendary version would need some neat ability or stats. And I could understand some people feeling upset or letdown about this, since there was other, possibly better, way to ascend a "normal" character to Planeswalker level. Triggered on death/sacrifice to fetch a card flavorwise is "meh". It feel like; "I am going to die.... ... .. Scr** you I am a planeswalker MOUHAHAHAH!"
Anyways. As much id' like a way to fetch a walker. I think the odd are pretty low.
I'v been of that opinion since starts. I also been with people saying that DFC is the more likely but 2 seperated card that dosen't interect with eachother could also work. Fetching is terrible for limited, but could give possibilities for constructed though.
*****************
About the ignite/level part. How likely is it for 1 of the new mechanic they introduce is a "conspiracy" like card that grand the player an ability?
This would essentially work like "planeswalker" card mixed with conspiracy card:
Each player may start the game with a Spark card in play.
The active player may use 1 of his Spark card's abilities only once per turn and only the same time he could use a sorcery.
Spark ability are paid with Spark Counter.
Spark card use Spark counter.
You may only have 1 Spark card in your deck (that card doesn't count in the minimum card requirement).
Spark card can't be shuffled, targeted, destroyed, etc... They are in play, but not in the battlefield zone, nor in the exile zone.
Spark ability can't be countered. But an active player can't activate a Spark ability if he is "Silenced"/Stuned
Silence would be the second mechanic they would introduce to creature, spell etc. Though this would requierer lot of control over it. Else, this would render Spark card useless.
As for Spark card, this would have utility ability to help underground deck. Player that love deck with big creature that cost 6+ mana could get a Spark card that grant additional mana. Milling Deck could have a spark card that Create a 0/X wall with X being the number of land if target player graveyard. Etc...
People will be upset if those legendary has an ability that fetch for a mythic. Even if they are are 4/4 for 2CMC with an ability(if you control that creature, you win). Tough, meanwhile, if you have the same creature legendary 4/4 for 2cmc instant win, but without the fetching ability. Then that creature is awesome.
Just the fact that you get an ability that will in 95% scenario never be usable in limited make the difference. And we already enumerated multiple reason for that. Though, if they indeed print legendary that fetch for themselves. Well just have to deal with it.
Imo DFC is more likely. There is also the remaining possibility that well get Legendary and Planeswalker version that doesn't in any way interact together. This would solve the fetch awkwardness and they could develop each Legendary version's ability.
... Side note. You really need to learn how to shorten previous "Quote"
Already been speculated. Would be bad for limited.
Oh no!
Not Mythics that would be bad in Limited!
Such a thing is entirely unprecedented!
Oh no!
Did I realy needed to mention that would make 5 "key" mythic out of 15ish unplayable for limited?
If you want to screw limited with a bunch of bad rare/mythic. Create card's that search Library for card that exist only in other set.. That would be awesome!!!
If DFC Legendary/Walker there is. And hope are realy high. Palace Siege Khans mode will enjoy those card ... Unless they exile as soon they hit graveyard :S.
On a more constructive note. Cipher was a good idea back in RTR. But like delve, it is really hard to balance. You either get a good ability that is overcosted or a useless ability.
Here the result of that brewing.
3 Tasigur, the Golden Fang
3 Courser of Kruphix
1 Polukranos, World Eater
1 Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury
4 Bloodsoaked Champion
4 Flamewake Phoenix
Planeswalker(4)
2 Xenagos, the Reveler
1 Nissa, Worldwaker
1 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
2 Whip of Erebos
Instants(4)
2 Bile Blight
2 Hero's Downfall
Sorceries(10)
4 Thoughtseize
4 Commune with the Gods
2 Shamanic Revelation
Lands(24)
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
4 Bloodstained Mire
4 Wooded Foothills
2 Llanowar Wastes
6 Forest
4 Mountain
3 Swamp
Game plan :
Use Commune with the Gods to put Flamewake and Bloodsoaked in the grave. Can also serve to cast Tasigur early. It also replace itself with a creature card.
Trigger Flamewake Phoenix ferocious with Tasigur, Polukranos, Kolaghan, Nissa or Sarkhan.
Trigger Bloodsoaked Champion raid with ... all we have.
Almost everything in the deck will/should create a 2 for 1 trade. I also considered Ugin, Whisperwood Elemental and Crux of Fate.
I am still brewing a Sideboard. Your opinion on the deck and idea for side would be appreciated.
I don't know what you are talking about. But he never meant to draft Origin with DTK. He even said that would be "weird". And while is argument are awkward. DTK could draft alone (DTK/DTK/DTK) and still be official drafting for FNM (I think this how it could be considered "stand-alone"). Though Wizards is encouraging people to draft FTF/DTK/DTK once DTK I released. Any local group may draft what they want.
Here the link
So, when next "block" release in automne. Theros, Born of Gods, Journey and 2015 will rotate out. We will now have KTK, FTR, DTK, Origin and new Set as Standard. Then 2 set later, there will be a Rotation where KTK and FTR rotate out. Then again 2 set later DTK and Origin rotate out. Instead of having 1 rotation a year, we'll get 2 a year (every 2 set instead of 4)
Edit : While rotation will happen more often, instead of going 5 set (at is minimum) to 8 set (at it's maximum). We will range from 5 set to 6 set. This will make card pool lower. But should make meta more diverse.
I am not excluding the possibility it could be Allied. But Shard isn't out yet.
http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/making-magic/manifest-destiny-2015-02-09
I don't know if this point out anything for the upcoming or if it was simply a rule issue discussion. But I like how this coincide with the announcement of Magic : Origins and everyone speculating with DFC.
I tried to find a post about that and the only thing I could find was a post when Mythic rare was introduced.
http://archive.wizards.com/Magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/mr334
-----------------------------------------
Then again. I am not totally against a Legendary Walker that would fetch for a Walker of same name type. For constructed (EDH mostly, but also other format) this would be great. This could allow for some trick, depending the way the card work (Palace Siege, Sheoldred, Whispering One, Unsummon). But again, for limited, I think this is awkward. The legendary version would need some neat ability or stats. And I could understand some people feeling upset or letdown about this, since there was other, possibly better, way to ascend a "normal" character to Planeswalker level. Triggered on death/sacrifice to fetch a card flavorwise is "meh". It feel like; "I am going to die.... ... .. Scr** you I am a planeswalker MOUHAHAHAH!"
Anyways. As much id' like a way to fetch a walker. I think the odd are pretty low.
*****************
About the ignite/level part. How likely is it for 1 of the new mechanic they introduce is a "conspiracy" like card that grand the player an ability?
This would essentially work like "planeswalker" card mixed with conspiracy card:
As for Spark card, this would have utility ability to help underground deck. Player that love deck with big creature that cost 6+ mana could get a Spark card that grant additional mana. Milling Deck could have a spark card that Create a 0/X wall with X being the number of land if target player graveyard. Etc...
People will be upset if those legendary has an ability that fetch for a mythic. Even if they are are 4/4 for 2CMC with an ability(if you control that creature, you win). Tough, meanwhile, if you have the same creature legendary 4/4 for 2cmc instant win, but without the fetching ability. Then that creature is awesome.
Just the fact that you get an ability that will in 95% scenario never be usable in limited make the difference. And we already enumerated multiple reason for that. Though, if they indeed print legendary that fetch for themselves. Well just have to deal with it.
Imo DFC is more likely. There is also the remaining possibility that well get Legendary and Planeswalker version that doesn't in any way interact together. This would solve the fetch awkwardness and they could develop each Legendary version's ability.
... Side note. You really need to learn how to shorten previous "Quote"
Oh no!
Did I realy needed to mention that would make 5 "key" mythic out of 15ish unplayable for limited?
If you want to screw limited with a bunch of bad rare/mythic. Create card's that search Library for card that exist only in other set.. That would be awesome!!!
Palace Siege Khans mode will enjoy those card