Probably not good enough still, but the infinite loop with whatever that enchantment is that does a ping when a creature enters the board? The red one...
Polyraptor already had an infinite loop with Forerunner of the Empire. Key difference here is that Forerunner is a "may" ability, and Marauding Raptor is not; it just happens infinitely, unless there is some other way to stop it. Most definitely a bit janky for Modern, but definitely going into my Dino Commander deck (where the original combo already lives).
The problem (if one feels there is one) is not what deck's a person can play, but as I alluded to, do they enjoy the decks they will have to play against.
I think that is an underlying concern that people are skipping over.
Outside of Humans, Spirits, and UW, I can't say I really look forward to playing against pretty much anything else listed above "lesser tiers." Many create really awful play patterns and wildly swingy games based upon who has the right hate card in the top 7-10 of their library. Shrug. I guess I would be less frustrated if I could at least play with a deck I loved rather than one I simply tolerated. Alas.
We who get hung up on specific play patterns, are almost certainly the minority.
I can definitely say that I have more fun in long, intricate, back and forth games in which game decisions have incremental impact and lead towards a winning or losing position. Nothing is more boring than either steamrolling an opponent to a fast win or getting steamrolled in a fast loss. It feels empty, pointless, and makes me question why I waste my time wanting to play. If I cared about my win/loss percentage, I would be playing Dredge or Hogaak, but I think those kinds of play patterns are incredibly boring, and games generally boil down to "Did they draw X hate card? Yes/No. Did I draw answer to X hate card? Yes/No" with little more in terms of meaningful game decisions, besides mulliganning to the stuff you need.
Meanwhile WOTC still thinks discarding a card is somehow disadvantageous.
For extra fun in the practice room, don't concede because you dont like the matchup.
If for example I Mulligan to 4, and have no meaningful interaction, or any meaningful clock, and the matchup is miserable, I move on with my life and go to the next match. My time and my sanity aren't worth stumbling through miserable Magic just for the sake of doing so. I rarely actually concede that early, but I have definitely done it, usually to a big Mulligan, and an explosive start from the opponent. Depending on the deck I might play a game 2 and on. I like to play games for fun, not to punish myself with misery and frustration.
A deck that powers out things without paying, and you can never advance your own board so you are going to lose to inevitability. Granted, I'm playing next to 0 Magic right now anyway, but card advantage isnt the issue, a free negate is meaningful.
With a 6 month old, I get to play in paper maybe once every two weeks. I've been jamming a lot of MTGO now that summer is here, I'm no longer teaching, and pretty much spending time at home with the little one. And as I said a couple pages back, I don't pay money for leagues, so nothing has made my play experiences in Modern feel better than simply conceding miserable match after miserable match until I eventually stumble into fun games of Magic. Most recent glorious blast from the past was some stubborn fun-loving old folk jamming Jund, and it was awesome.
If I'm going to prioritize a main deck card, I would prefer Veto or Pierce. I think both of those are better and more versatile than Force. Seems fine in the side, but far from "modern's saving grace on a pedestal" that people make it out to be. I didn't realize that was so damn controversial.
But then you complain the whole time about how unfair is Modern. A living contradiction.
I think it's not good enough because only being free on opponent's turn and not hitting creatures is a big deal. Yes, it's "better" than some other options, but its drawbacks are glaring when they arise.
Edit: To clarify, this card basically trades out with any copies of Negate that a deck is playing. I don't think it's better than Veto in decks that can cast it, because Pact of Negation is played in many combo decks as protection, and the likelihood of absolutely needed to counter something on T1 or 2 on the draw is a worthwhile risk for uncounterable, IMO. If you don't, then you don't have an LGS full of combo decks running Pact of Negation.
Force has its place, but it has been wildly underwhelming every time I saw it in hand. I will likely run 0 main and 1-2 side. Assuming I don't just outright sell them. $30 a piece? Meh.
I don’t see how a card’s cost has anything to do with competitive talks.
My decision to run 0 main and 1-2 side has nothing to do with cost, it's because I don't feel it is a card worth playing. I'd rather have $30 back than watch extra copies sit unused in my trade folder. Not sure how you get anything else from that comment.
Force has its place, but it has been wildly underwhelming every time I saw it in hand. I will likely run 0 main and 1-2 side. Assuming I don't just outright sell them. $30 a piece? Meh.
(at least, if people start using 3-4 Force of Negation between main and side instead of being cute with Dovin’s Veto).
I think between the two, the "cute" spell is Force, not Veto. I've been jamming lots of UW on MTGO the last few days, and Veto frequently feels good (especially in the face of Pact of Negation decks, and those running their own Force). Out of every game and every match, there was only one instance where I wish I had a Force, and I ended up winning the match 2-1 anyway. Force is greatly overrated and in no way is worth its cost. At least in my experience.
WoTC reprinted Leyline of the Void. Could this mean they want Hogaak to stay in modern?
They have long since shown they are OK with the level of graveyard abuse, and do not see any current decks as a problem. They will likely hand-waive off Hogaak, just like they do Neoform. Unless it takes like 4+ Top 8 slots in back to back to back GPs thanks to London Mulligan, then maybe they might pretend like they care about all the fast combos and GY abuse. They'll share some stern words, and tell us "help is on the way in upcoming sets!" Meanwhile innocuous, fair, and considerably less powerful cards continue to rot on the banned list.
How do you play Hoogak in turn 2 without involving high Dredge cards? Sounds as plausible as playing 4 Hollow Ones off a Burning Inquiry. Even with dregdge cards, I doubt it is anywhere close to Dread Return in power level.
I've been watching Fiery Islet every day, it went down to 17.99, but the market is still hoping it kicks off, I dont see it and am holding on to buy any.
I can tell you that my pre ordered box is still in the mail. I assume others may still be waiting for theirs as well. Market will see more of them soon enough.
Polyraptor already had an infinite loop with Forerunner of the Empire. Key difference here is that Forerunner is a "may" ability, and Marauding Raptor is not; it just happens infinitely, unless there is some other way to stop it. Most definitely a bit janky for Modern, but definitely going into my Dino Commander deck (where the original combo already lives).
And you're thinking of Impact Tremors. Also works with Purphoros, God of the Forge.
Outside of Humans, Spirits, and UW, I can't say I really look forward to playing against pretty much anything else listed above "lesser tiers." Many create really awful play patterns and wildly swingy games based upon who has the right hate card in the top 7-10 of their library. Shrug. I guess I would be less frustrated if I could at least play with a deck I loved rather than one I simply tolerated. Alas.
I'll look into Pauper. Delver looks gas.
I can definitely say that I have more fun in long, intricate, back and forth games in which game decisions have incremental impact and lead towards a winning or losing position. Nothing is more boring than either steamrolling an opponent to a fast win or getting steamrolled in a fast loss. It feels empty, pointless, and makes me question why I waste my time wanting to play. If I cared about my win/loss percentage, I would be playing Dredge or Hogaak, but I think those kinds of play patterns are incredibly boring, and games generally boil down to "Did they draw X hate card? Yes/No. Did I draw answer to X hate card? Yes/No" with little more in terms of meaningful game decisions, besides mulliganning to the stuff you need.
Meanwhile WOTC still thinks discarding a card is somehow disadvantageous.
I think there are far too many people who just hate fun. And would choose to be miserable if it meant adding a few % points to their win rate.
With a 6 month old, I get to play in paper maybe once every two weeks. I've been jamming a lot of MTGO now that summer is here, I'm no longer teaching, and pretty much spending time at home with the little one. And as I said a couple pages back, I don't pay money for leagues, so nothing has made my play experiences in Modern feel better than simply conceding miserable match after miserable match until I eventually stumble into fun games of Magic. Most recent glorious blast from the past was some stubborn fun-loving old folk jamming Jund, and it was awesome.
I think it's not good enough because only being free on opponent's turn and not hitting creatures is a big deal. Yes, it's "better" than some other options, but its drawbacks are glaring when they arise.
Edit: To clarify, this card basically trades out with any copies of Negate that a deck is playing. I don't think it's better than Veto in decks that can cast it, because Pact of Negation is played in many combo decks as protection, and the likelihood of absolutely needed to counter something on T1 or 2 on the draw is a worthwhile risk for uncounterable, IMO. If you don't, then you don't have an LGS full of combo decks running Pact of Negation.
My decision to run 0 main and 1-2 side has nothing to do with cost, it's because I don't feel it is a card worth playing. I'd rather have $30 back than watch extra copies sit unused in my trade folder. Not sure how you get anything else from that comment.
Has there ever been a period of Modern you weren't optimistic about? I can't actually recall.
I think between the two, the "cute" spell is Force, not Veto. I've been jamming lots of UW on MTGO the last few days, and Veto frequently feels good (especially in the face of Pact of Negation decks, and those running their own Force). Out of every game and every match, there was only one instance where I wish I had a Force, and I ended up winning the match 2-1 anyway. Force is greatly overrated and in no way is worth its cost. At least in my experience.
They have long since shown they are OK with the level of graveyard abuse, and do not see any current decks as a problem. They will likely hand-waive off Hogaak, just like they do Neoform. Unless it takes like 4+ Top 8 slots in back to back to back GPs thanks to London Mulligan, then maybe they might pretend like they care about all the fast combos and GY abuse. They'll share some stern words, and tell us "help is on the way in upcoming sets!" Meanwhile innocuous, fair, and considerably less powerful cards continue to rot on the banned list.
There's an excellent post on reddit about the deck, specifically including opening hand and mulligan decisions. https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/bym9rr/79_winrate_serious_discussion_about_mh1_hogaak/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
I can tell you that my pre ordered box is still in the mail. I assume others may still be waiting for theirs as well. Market will see more of them soon enough.