Bad to run in multiples because it's really just a two-color, harder-to-cast bear with two good, yet expensive, abilities.
Competitive? Maybe as a one-off topdeck, sure. There are situations when you're just a few points of damage away from cinching the win. With two other critters in play, if you topdeck into this late-game, you're six mana away from dealing 4 damage. Or if you happen to have this out early and it dies, recycle it to your hand during your opponent's turn.
Yes, these things won't happen too often, but as a silver bullet, it's nice to have options when you need them, and Tymaret offers it.
EDH:
Now we're talking. Even with a small body, it'd make an okay Commander since it can rack up 21 damage pretty fast in conjunction with tokens and other small critters like goblins and zombies...which its colors provide in spades. Will build around this starting now
DGM is better than GTC, if you ask me. Power level of cards is balanced, and limited looks to be fast-paced. There are also plenty of great rares and mythic rares that will be very useful in modern once they're done in standard.
That said, there IS a certain lack of unity with the whole set. Not a whole lot of "theme" to it, rather, there's just a mess of different mechanics that Wizards tried to cram in. As much as I enjoyed the trip back to Ravnica, I hope they never have to do this ever again. 10 mechanics is just too much. Some of them even feel forced. Print normal cards without the gimmick, there's a way to make them fit into the setting's theme without relying on keywords too much.
Wizards wants to create an interactive environment that involves creatures trading with each other, and games that reach the mid-game but ends at late-game. I say, let these changes continue.
Creatures battling it out with each other attracts new players, who are more often than not "Timmy" kids. Just ask Vanguard and YuGiOh. But what those card games don't have is the flexible card design that Magic has. So I guess keeping the first and original card game healthy and accessible to "Timmy" players ensures its place as the "go-to" place for beginners, and will remain their home for a long, long time.
I like this dude. Cool art for a skeleton card (after Skeletal Vampire, everything else before and after didn't mesh well). The ability is balanced--maybe a little too balanced--but, it can be annoying on the board and should cause some problems for the opponent. 4 mana to bring out a threat or sac fodder is just right.
I like Ral Zarek. Bolt something for the +1, and if he gets shocked or bolted himself, it traded for a card. If he makes it to your next turn, you accelerate 1 mana. I dunno what use 1 extra mana is for U/R at the moment, but there's gotta be something, right?
Now why didn't I think of this earlier? Actually, the most straightforward way to build around Jared is to just keep on spamming cheap critters early on, slapping Rancor on them, they die and make Jared better, or he can just fling em, and then he can just wear Rancor himself to smash through chump blockers. I like. Sounds like a recipe for a budget deck with a one/two-of Jarad as your expensive card, although I really can't imagine him breaking the $15 barrier. He's cool and all, but not that good to be a chase. Plus, he comes out of a precon. And with a mana cost like that, not everyone will be keeping him.
Second part: I'd chose Dimir vs. Selesnya, since that's how the lore follows. I honestly can't remember which guild Orzhov "hated" the most. Teysa seemed to have a dislike for all the other guilds. She despised the Conclave the most I think.
You're right, although from a thematic perspective, those two could "potentially" be in conflict. Like Azorius vs. Gruul, polar opposites. Maybe the RTR storyline could give rise to new rivalries that future Duel Decks can feed off for ideas.
The Niv in the duel decks is the old one. There's a new one brewing for RtR.
I still don't really get the hype over either guild. My favorites are Orzhov then Selesnya.
Izzet just happens to sport a very popular and self-absorbed dragon who plays a pivotal role in the storyline of Ravnica--and has influenced the actions of other popular planeswalkers.
Golgari will always be associated with what turned out to be a broken mechanic when played in the right deck, Dredge. Its also the traditional color of The Rock, a popular aggro-control archetype.
Take those two together and you could probably have a Duel Deck that actually sells. I think. Haha.
I wouldn't be opposed to Orzhov Vs. Dimir though. A corrupt church that controls businesses vs. a covert organization that controls information trade. I can totally dig that.
Been a member since 2006, and although I have very few tangible contributions to the site (as my 500-post count can attest to), I have always been an avid reader of content. The Standard, Budget, and EDH threads have been helpful all throughout these years. I love the casual feel of the site. Its always been accommodating to me. I have only ever received ONE infraction warning, and that was back in 2007, I believe, when I was still relatively new.
What has changed since then? Well, the frequency and speed of unofficial spoilers, that's obvious. I've been around long enough to attest to the edge we once had, especially at the height of R_E's power. BUT suffice to say, MTGS has always had more unofficial previews than any other site, give or take. We are the underground, true, and that makes us unpopular to other serious players and sites. Yet for those who have stayed long enough like me are still prudent enough to acknowledge the good and the beneficial things this site provides.
Of course, I also acknowledge the decline, but for the most part I just take it all in stride and continue to appreciate what's there. There were many trolls then, and there are still many trolls now. I never (rarely) visit the Gutter because I do not have anything to gain from there, and have never posted there, but I give it to those who want to go there often because it probably helps them.
I believe that the diversity of MTGS is what keeps it alive. But if it will be the very cause of its natural death, then let it be so. I love this site enough to care about what happens to it, but I also know that this site will only remain for as long as it is needed. We can lobby for changes and upheavals to the site to make it better, and that is all good, and I will be supportive of it. But if we cannot, then that's just the way it is. When the day comes that MTGS is no longer needed, people will stop coming. I believe I will keep on visiting until the very last day of this site's existence.
I don't see it happening though. MTGS is simply evolving. And of course there will be dissenting opinions. But as an ordinary citizen of this site, all I can do is proactively participate within my capabilities, which is to:
1.) Regularly visit relevant threads to read content (Rumor Mill, Standard, Budget, EDH)
2.) Contribute whenever I can with real discussions on the topics
3.) Lighten up the mood when things get too serious especially in the Rumor Mill at my own personal expense of infraction
I am privileged to be a relative unknown on this site despite my longevity. I break my silence for a few moments to voice my opinion, and my opinion is that this site is not perfect, it is evolving, and I believe good things will come to it if only we keep on making positive personal contributions. No sweeping changes are necessary, I think, because as a casual site, there are things that cannot be taken too seriously such as structure and order. That's the job of the mods.
Now should the mods evolve into a dictatorship and start banning and kicking and warning indiscriminately, well, that's the way it is. If the community dies, another will just pop up. The reason I came here is to appreciate what's here, not gripe about what it should be. Given the chance to do something, of course, I would take it. And I am taking it. By being a good citizen: contributing, appreciating, and supporting newer members by being nice to them. The moderators can only do so much, and they cannot control behavior.
Do I miss the old days when writers like RMS Oceanic (EDIT: Corrected. RMS DID just write THAT one epic article about those with special needs and Magic) would awesome articles? Do I miss the times when R_E would put it all on the line just to get us information we don't deserve? Yes, yes, I do. But that's all in the past. We have now. We have thriving, non-elitist sub-communities in Budget. See the new players there. Relish the raw, untested ideas and give them a try if you want. Its not for everyone, but for those who want it, it is theirs to take.
You are like that little girl on that taco commercial,but with self lobotomy!
And with more hotsauce
But seriously. I really will put four of both. Hopefully we can have another green mana dork that can produce any color of mana just so I can flash Tracker's Instincts without needing to put real Islands. Its just too good to pass up. And if you end up revealing more than one critter, the rest are discarded. And Mulch needs no further explanation.
EDIT: Should I point out where that little girl came from? Or would that ruin everything?
Best thread I have ever read on Competitive Magic. I kid you not. This will also help me with my $25 project once RTR rolls around. Thanks for the ideas!
I made something like that but it also used Birthing Pod. It could pod into creatures, get an ETB effect, pod it away, then seance it back in for another hit. My favorite was to pod a Blade Splicer into a Master Splicer, then Seance the Blade Splicer on the opponents turn, have a chump blocker, and get another 4/4 golem. Another one I liked doing with the deck was Seance a Skinrender targeting Carnifex Demon, then pay 3 black and wipe everything from the board other than my 6/6 demon.
So here we have a budget Pod deck that makes use of another oft-overlooked card I discussed earlier, Seance. Birthing Pod is one of those inexpensive build-around-me rares that we need to look out for in RTR. Not only that, but also card interactions with obscure cards that, given the proper treatment, timing, and a little bit of luck, can blow out the game wide open. Thanks for the story Aazadan!
Bad to run in multiples because it's really just a two-color, harder-to-cast bear with two good, yet expensive, abilities.
Competitive? Maybe as a one-off topdeck, sure. There are situations when you're just a few points of damage away from cinching the win. With two other critters in play, if you topdeck into this late-game, you're six mana away from dealing 4 damage. Or if you happen to have this out early and it dies, recycle it to your hand during your opponent's turn.
Yes, these things won't happen too often, but as a silver bullet, it's nice to have options when you need them, and Tymaret offers it.
EDH:
Now we're talking. Even with a small body, it'd make an okay Commander since it can rack up 21 damage pretty fast in conjunction with tokens and other small critters like goblins and zombies...which its colors provide in spades. Will build around this starting now
That said, there IS a certain lack of unity with the whole set. Not a whole lot of "theme" to it, rather, there's just a mess of different mechanics that Wizards tried to cram in. As much as I enjoyed the trip back to Ravnica, I hope they never have to do this ever again. 10 mechanics is just too much. Some of them even feel forced. Print normal cards without the gimmick, there's a way to make them fit into the setting's theme without relying on keywords too much.
Creatures battling it out with each other attracts new players, who are more often than not "Timmy" kids. Just ask Vanguard and YuGiOh. But what those card games don't have is the flexible card design that Magic has. So I guess keeping the first and original card game healthy and accessible to "Timmy" players ensures its place as the "go-to" place for beginners, and will remain their home for a long, long time.
Yessir
Now why didn't I think of this earlier? Actually, the most straightforward way to build around Jared is to just keep on spamming cheap critters early on, slapping Rancor on them, they die and make Jared better, or he can just fling em, and then he can just wear Rancor himself to smash through chump blockers. I like. Sounds like a recipe for a budget deck with a one/two-of Jarad as your expensive card, although I really can't imagine him breaking the $15 barrier. He's cool and all, but not that good to be a chase. Plus, he comes out of a precon. And with a mana cost like that, not everyone will be keeping him.
You're right, although from a thematic perspective, those two could "potentially" be in conflict. Like Azorius vs. Gruul, polar opposites. Maybe the RTR storyline could give rise to new rivalries that future Duel Decks can feed off for ideas.
Izzet just happens to sport a very popular and self-absorbed dragon who plays a pivotal role in the storyline of Ravnica--and has influenced the actions of other popular planeswalkers.
Golgari will always be associated with what turned out to be a broken mechanic when played in the right deck, Dredge. Its also the traditional color of The Rock, a popular aggro-control archetype.
Take those two together and you could probably have a Duel Deck that actually sells. I think. Haha.
I wouldn't be opposed to Orzhov Vs. Dimir though. A corrupt church that controls businesses vs. a covert organization that controls information trade. I can totally dig that.
What has changed since then? Well, the frequency and speed of unofficial spoilers, that's obvious. I've been around long enough to attest to the edge we once had, especially at the height of R_E's power. BUT suffice to say, MTGS has always had more unofficial previews than any other site, give or take. We are the underground, true, and that makes us unpopular to other serious players and sites. Yet for those who have stayed long enough like me are still prudent enough to acknowledge the good and the beneficial things this site provides.
Of course, I also acknowledge the decline, but for the most part I just take it all in stride and continue to appreciate what's there. There were many trolls then, and there are still many trolls now. I never (rarely) visit the Gutter because I do not have anything to gain from there, and have never posted there, but I give it to those who want to go there often because it probably helps them.
I believe that the diversity of MTGS is what keeps it alive. But if it will be the very cause of its natural death, then let it be so. I love this site enough to care about what happens to it, but I also know that this site will only remain for as long as it is needed. We can lobby for changes and upheavals to the site to make it better, and that is all good, and I will be supportive of it. But if we cannot, then that's just the way it is. When the day comes that MTGS is no longer needed, people will stop coming. I believe I will keep on visiting until the very last day of this site's existence.
I don't see it happening though. MTGS is simply evolving. And of course there will be dissenting opinions. But as an ordinary citizen of this site, all I can do is proactively participate within my capabilities, which is to:
1.) Regularly visit relevant threads to read content (Rumor Mill, Standard, Budget, EDH)
2.) Contribute whenever I can with real discussions on the topics
3.) Lighten up the mood when things get too serious especially in the Rumor Mill at my own personal expense of infraction
I am privileged to be a relative unknown on this site despite my longevity. I break my silence for a few moments to voice my opinion, and my opinion is that this site is not perfect, it is evolving, and I believe good things will come to it if only we keep on making positive personal contributions. No sweeping changes are necessary, I think, because as a casual site, there are things that cannot be taken too seriously such as structure and order. That's the job of the mods.
Now should the mods evolve into a dictatorship and start banning and kicking and warning indiscriminately, well, that's the way it is. If the community dies, another will just pop up. The reason I came here is to appreciate what's here, not gripe about what it should be. Given the chance to do something, of course, I would take it. And I am taking it. By being a good citizen: contributing, appreciating, and supporting newer members by being nice to them. The moderators can only do so much, and they cannot control behavior.
Do I miss the old days when writers like RMS Oceanic (EDIT: Corrected. RMS DID just write THAT one epic article about those with special needs and Magic) would awesome articles? Do I miss the times when R_E would put it all on the line just to get us information we don't deserve? Yes, yes, I do. But that's all in the past. We have now. We have thriving, non-elitist sub-communities in Budget. See the new players there. Relish the raw, untested ideas and give them a try if you want. Its not for everyone, but for those who want it, it is theirs to take.
Peace, everyone.
And with more hotsauce
But seriously. I really will put four of both. Hopefully we can have another green mana dork that can produce any color of mana just so I can flash Tracker's Instincts without needing to put real Islands. Its just too good to pass up. And if you end up revealing more than one critter, the rest are discarded. And Mulch needs no further explanation.
EDIT: Should I point out where that little girl came from? Or would that ruin everything?
And that the preview card art sucks. Glad to know that we at least get the one where he's posed like he's addressing the Roman senate or something.
So here we have a budget Pod deck that makes use of another oft-overlooked card I discussed earlier, Seance. Birthing Pod is one of those inexpensive build-around-me rares that we need to look out for in RTR. Not only that, but also card interactions with obscure cards that, given the proper treatment, timing, and a little bit of luck, can blow out the game wide open. Thanks for the story Aazadan!
Trust me...I want some land and creatures in my hand, some in the graveyard. So I'll be glad to use FOUR of BOTH