Good deck, I like it. I think that the Certarch is a wonderful idea here, steady cheap tep down. Also, I agree with your choice of spell pierce over turn aside. There's just no way this deck can cut through reliably enough with out a decent response to those early game Memerocides aimed at your Vines.
Cancel and Celestial purge do 2 different things. You cannot respond to the Cancel with Fling since the creature spell has not resolved yet, and therefor is not in play to be sacrificed. You can respond to a Celestial Purge with fling however, and Celestial Purge will fizzle due to not having a legal target.
I've been testing this on Workstation for a bit, and from what I've found, this new extended is a lot of fun. I played all of the sets extensively, and this allows for a more comfortable feeling with the cards. Fae still dominate, but it just isn't that difficult to board against. As far as breaking into the format, just try out some cool cards, and build to them. The main archetypes are still good places to start, Teachings, RDW and 4CControl still see some nice plays, also dredge is still viable, and watch out for it, its not bad.
OK. I get it much better now indeed. I personnaly have no problem with Magic trying to get as much people as they want into the game as long as it doesn't mean changing the way Magic is designed as a whole. If Magic satys Magic as we know it, new players will either stay if the concept attracts them still after a few months while others will quit. All in all people interested in the game will remain the same. Younger players? So what? Are you so mad about playing against noobs (that are vital to the game) or are you afraid of loosing to these younger players? I personally see no problem either way. Magic didn't start by being popular with 30 years old players, I'm pretty sure.
IF these new products are a reason why your local scene doesn't get enough "regular" products, then yes, I can very well understand your complaint. What remains to be known is what exactly acts as factors towards the lack of these regular products. I think we should first find those reasons, and then act against it, instead of butchering the new products cause it just happened to start existing at the same time as these problems.
Innocent until found guilty, right?
And really, if there is ONE product we shouldn't complain about, it is this beginner toolkit. This kind of things have always been missing, and are certainly much better beginner products than what they gave us with those 2-players deck bundles of past core sets. It is begginer friendly AND it actually learns how to build a deck. I think it is a very nice move and maybe the best "new product" all around.
As far as new players go, I dont have much problem with them, and I do encourage new people to discover it, but I do worry that they are come into the game at such a time were Wizards is catering to them. Maybe its an old fashioned way to look at it, but I think that these new players are probably going to be attracted to the simpler aspects of magic, and have a skewed view of the game. I love magic because its more complex than games such as Yu-Gi-Oh and Duel Masters and is over all a more mature inviroment. As far as fear or loathing to new players, I get beat enough by kids to know that its not age thats defining skill here. I agree that this is probably the best starter product (second only to intro packs, a TCG staple.) that they have come out with in the past few years. But as far as pointing the finger at these causes of shortages, I seem to remember (I really wish I had a source here) that wizards stated somewere that this was a result of the current economic instability in the world, and especially here in the states. If thats the case, I would assume that cutting back sales would save money. But we havent seen any slowing in these new products being released. My last straw I think was that Archenemy announcement. It has absolutely no effect on game state, and is only going to be bought be a few players, mostly big multiplayer buffs. We've gotten so many new products but seen no drag in printing quality or stock amount for them. I would assume that this means they are devoting more resources to them than actual product. To be honest, I wish we could just get some straight answers and some inside info on why tese problems are occuring, because if it isnt because of these newer products, I'll be first to apologize, but if it is I think they need to take a look at whats more important to them, preserving the game, or money; and we all know how thats gonna be answered...
And Bitsy, I appreciate your input from the YGO side of this. I havent played in about 6-7 years, and even then it was only at a casual/local level. Its good to know this. It almost shocks me that Konami could be milking their players like that. I generally feel a slight distaste that wizards is milking me, but no more than I do from video game companies and R.J. Reynolds cigarettes, but if thats actually true, then I would like to wonder how they can do it. Would it be a difference in locataions? Hasbro being based in the U.S. and Konami being based in Japan. Come to think of it, I dont really know how Japan is being affected by this economy, any Japanese players able to enlighten me?
These new products are either for casual or for collector players. It doesn't affect any meta (other than your own casual scene) in any way. It is absolutely not a necessary buy to keep "in touch". And it is only other printings of cards/booster packs that already exist, I don't see what it can possibly change to the game....
What the hell is all this nonsense about Yu Gi Oh? Sorry but there you're just trolling. Nothing to answer to that.
Concerning printing and stock order: do you have any kind of proof that the new products have anything to do with lower quantities of printed set cards?
Did the so called shortages harm you in any way? Maybe for 2 or 3 months, for a core set? I' pretty sure the pain was unbearable.
We have a right to complain, yes. But when there is something to complain about. If these new products don't interest you, than don't buy it, since it won't change anything to the game at all. And if someone wants to complain that newer products=sets shortage, then bring some proof, please.
What Im trying to point out is that magic is catering to newer players. I know that, monetarily, this is a good idea, but I feel that they are also shunning the more competitive players by printing these things when they are having these shortages. As for the lack of stock, this has been an issue in my area, and from what I've gathered, many other places too (see RancoredElf's similar complaints on page 11). Have they harmed me? No. Have they constricted my ability to obtain product? Yes. My store has had to start limiting the number of players that can enter for drafts (Obviuously no bueno. I dislike 5 people pods in limited) and even release events simply because they arent getting their stock. This is usually, of course, right after a new set is released and makes getting into the newer set difficult without going to a Wizards-hosted event such as Prereleases. But on that note, and Im not sure if this happened other places, but it did happen here, our prerelease for WWK was delayed about 5 hours because they didnt have product. If this is reaching as far as events that are hosted by Wizards themselves, I think it needs to be adressed. It's cool to print these new products, do I wish I had this when I started? You bet your ass I do. But they need to prioritize first. They are getting away from what the game is about to sell things that absolutely have no effect on the game its self. If these didn't take up reasources and time to make, or if Wizards subcontracted to have these made (Which they could be doing, who knows) then I would full heartedly support them. But as it is, untill I see a pick up in this area, I will damn these new products.
And about the Yu-Gi-OPh crap, that was just for comedic relief. I actually am pretty pissed about this, and I had to make the jive that Magic, if all they do is attract younger and newer players, will turn into Yu-Gi-Oh, which I absolutely dispise. Just wanted to say it.
Little bit better?
Also, a similar, but slightly diferently focused conversation can be linked to from the quote in my Sig.
These, sound like just another product that wizards is pushing to get new players. The way this is looking, older players are going to start to quit (Either they cant get product, or the quality[such as the recent ☺☺☺☺ ups in WWK] is below what they accept)
This will only be seen as a massive shift in the player base, and in about 3 months We get this as an Arcana:
Announcing! MTG is now just called Yu-Gi-Ohnotagain. Oh and Jace wears a hedron around his neck and says ☺☺☺☺ like "By the power of the original planeswalkers, I need to draw a ponder."
Seriously, Wizards needs to stop printing this jenk and start making sure that they can fill prior obligations, such as set printing and stock orders.
Mark poole is actually really nice about signing things. He was at WWK Pre-release here. I got 10 islands and my playset of Ponders signed. It would have been more but I didnt know he was going to be there.
I took 4th in my event. The sealed pool I got was pretty jenk for rares, but I did get an Emeria Angel and a Talus Paladin; both of which I used extensively in a W// ally build. About the only thing I really needed to get more of was removal. Oh, and the only reason I took 4th instead of second was because I had a match loss for tardiness. XP still not bad.
Im pretty sure you cant. The legendary rule works with SBE and no one can do anything with those. If they really are sacked cause of state based effects then no, you wouldnt be able to.
"We regretfully announce the discontinuation of the Magic: the Gathering collectible card game. The last few iterations did not perform to expectations in the past few years, and Hasbro is moving in a more cost-effective direction for its analog games."
"Oh wow, what sets did so bad that Hasbro had to pull the plug?"
"Vanguard, Planechase, Archenemy, Duel Decks, Duels of the Planeswalkers, MTG Tactics, From The Vault, and Premium Deck Series did not meet our financial obligations."
"But those aren't Magic expansions."
"SCHWEIGEN!"
"._."
Ill clean this one up when I can. But honestly, this thing fails for me for the reasons stated above. WoW has now capitalized on something that Magic doesnt need, but is apparently going to get. I've played that WoW raid thing and to be honest, it took freaking forever. I hated it.
ou've played Magic one-on-one. You've played it in a free-for-all. But have you ever wanted to just throw down the gauntlet against all your friends at once? Have you ever wanted to take on the whole world and show them who's boss? Well, now you can! Archenemy is the first "One vs. Many" multiplayer product. With a deck of twenty oversized cards to beef up your favorite deck, you'll be ready to face off against as many of your friends as your kitchen table can hold. Two? Three? Twenty? Bring 'em on! Here you rule!
On June 18, become the Archenemy. There will be four different game packs, each one with a 60-card Magic deck featuring eight rares, and a 20-card oversized deck.
POOF! 4GGG
Sorcery
Rebound
If this spell was cast using Rebound, put a 8/8 Elephant token with trampl into play.
Technicaly free, if you like waiting a turn for your creatures
As far as new players go, I dont have much problem with them, and I do encourage new people to discover it, but I do worry that they are come into the game at such a time were Wizards is catering to them. Maybe its an old fashioned way to look at it, but I think that these new players are probably going to be attracted to the simpler aspects of magic, and have a skewed view of the game. I love magic because its more complex than games such as Yu-Gi-Oh and Duel Masters and is over all a more mature inviroment. As far as fear or loathing to new players, I get beat enough by kids to know that its not age thats defining skill here. I agree that this is probably the best starter product (second only to intro packs, a TCG staple.) that they have come out with in the past few years. But as far as pointing the finger at these causes of shortages, I seem to remember (I really wish I had a source here) that wizards stated somewere that this was a result of the current economic instability in the world, and especially here in the states. If thats the case, I would assume that cutting back sales would save money. But we havent seen any slowing in these new products being released. My last straw I think was that Archenemy announcement. It has absolutely no effect on game state, and is only going to be bought be a few players, mostly big multiplayer buffs. We've gotten so many new products but seen no drag in printing quality or stock amount for them. I would assume that this means they are devoting more resources to them than actual product. To be honest, I wish we could just get some straight answers and some inside info on why tese problems are occuring, because if it isnt because of these newer products, I'll be first to apologize, but if it is I think they need to take a look at whats more important to them, preserving the game, or money; and we all know how thats gonna be answered...
And Bitsy, I appreciate your input from the YGO side of this. I havent played in about 6-7 years, and even then it was only at a casual/local level. Its good to know this. It almost shocks me that Konami could be milking their players like that. I generally feel a slight distaste that wizards is milking me, but no more than I do from video game companies and R.J. Reynolds cigarettes, but if thats actually true, then I would like to wonder how they can do it. Would it be a difference in locataions? Hasbro being based in the U.S. and Konami being based in Japan. Come to think of it, I dont really know how Japan is being affected by this economy, any Japanese players able to enlighten me?
What Im trying to point out is that magic is catering to newer players. I know that, monetarily, this is a good idea, but I feel that they are also shunning the more competitive players by printing these things when they are having these shortages. As for the lack of stock, this has been an issue in my area, and from what I've gathered, many other places too (see RancoredElf's similar complaints on page 11). Have they harmed me? No. Have they constricted my ability to obtain product? Yes. My store has had to start limiting the number of players that can enter for drafts (Obviuously no bueno. I dislike 5 people pods in limited) and even release events simply because they arent getting their stock. This is usually, of course, right after a new set is released and makes getting into the newer set difficult without going to a Wizards-hosted event such as Prereleases. But on that note, and Im not sure if this happened other places, but it did happen here, our prerelease for WWK was delayed about 5 hours because they didnt have product. If this is reaching as far as events that are hosted by Wizards themselves, I think it needs to be adressed. It's cool to print these new products, do I wish I had this when I started? You bet your ass I do. But they need to prioritize first. They are getting away from what the game is about to sell things that absolutely have no effect on the game its self. If these didn't take up reasources and time to make, or if Wizards subcontracted to have these made (Which they could be doing, who knows) then I would full heartedly support them. But as it is, untill I see a pick up in this area, I will damn these new products.
And about the Yu-Gi-OPh crap, that was just for comedic relief. I actually am pretty pissed about this, and I had to make the jive that Magic, if all they do is attract younger and newer players, will turn into Yu-Gi-Oh, which I absolutely dispise. Just wanted to say it.
Little bit better?
Also, a similar, but slightly diferently focused conversation can be linked to from the quote in my Sig.
This will only be seen as a massive shift in the player base, and in about 3 months We get this as an Arcana:
Announcing! MTG is now just called Yu-Gi-Ohnotagain. Oh and Jace wears a hedron around his neck and says ☺☺☺☺ like "By the power of the original planeswalkers, I need to draw a ponder."
Seriously, Wizards needs to stop printing this jenk and start making sure that they can fill prior obligations, such as set printing and stock orders.
You sir, are getting a spot on my sig.
We play every life loss is a shot, but your game sounds like it would get me much more messed up.
On June 18, become the Archenemy. There will be four different game packs, each one with a 60-card Magic deck featuring eight rares, and a 20-card oversized deck.