It's asinine to please the minority and save face when you've got a majority market begging you to change a misguided policy.
Hear hear Spekter! I would love to get into more formats, but I am hindered by a decision that was set in place when I when I was 8. Some people say that those who dislike the Reserve List are just jealous they didn't get on the bandwagon in time to make money, but I didn't even know Magic even existed until just over a year ago. I feel like I am being unduly punished for my ignorance. In other words, just because it took me so long to discover the game I now love, I can't experience it in all of its myriad forms.
Here is a question: Is Legacy/Vintage perhaps even harmful to WOTC?
Suppose a newcomer to the game is taught MTG using powerful Legacy decks. Will the player want to stay with the game?
Now suppose the same newcomer sits at a table with "non-format" casual decks. Will the newcomer prefer this experience to a session with honed Legacy decks? I've seen spikes try to teach the game with poor results. "So why do I want to play this game?"
Like I said before, there's nothing to stop them from making some cool "strictly betters".
The eternals could disappear and it wouldn't matter to me.
From the perspective of a player who only started playing the game with the release of M10, I don't really understand how Legacy could harm Wizard's playerbase. All of the new players I know have never even see a vintage/legacy deck, much less played with one. I even learned how to play standard from a Spike and it didn't deter me. In fact, it wasn't until I had played Standard for a while that I even became interested in other formats. Of course, this is all anecdotal.
In addition, Wizards is a business. I would think that the amount of money spent by Legacy players would certainly offset the loss of players introduced to the game by Legacy formats - they obviously don't buy the cards from Wizards, but they are more likely to spend more on Magic products than a new player is. When I first began to play, I thought spending $50 on a FTV set was ridiculous. Now I am desperately trying to preorder FTV: Relics, and I just play standard and EDH. FTV: Relics is even more appealing to a Legacy player because they are all cards that can be played in their format.
To close, I think that this decision by Wizards is the wrong move. If I ever wanted to play Legacy competitively, this ruling pretty much cements that I will never have the funds to be able to. It also screws over quite a few of my EDH decks that are hurting for Dual Lands. I don't really see this decision benefiting anyone but the second-hand retailers and those who stockpiled Reserve List cards.
So here are the first cards I am comfortable showing off. I know that I need to work on color matching, but I think the strokes aren't too noticeable. What do the card altering pros think? I am open to constructive criticism (but be gentle!) The cards are listed in the order that I have done them: Dawnfluke - Steppe Lynx (unfinished) - Inner Fire - Sparkmage Apprentice (unfinished)
I am new to EDH, and want to build a deck around Teysa. I have steadily been collecting quite the pile of cards that could go in this deck, but I am having trouble deciding what would be the best choices. I was wondering if I could get some opinions/insight on what cards should be included. I would like it if the deck could function as both a duel and multiplayer deck. Here are the possibilities:
The new Magic graphic novel, "Path of the Planeswalker," has a brand-new story included that is pretty much Part 2 of webcomic "The Journey to the Eye." Discussion of this story, titled "Awakenings" can be found here: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=210066.
This article by Lauren Lee at mananation has some good insight into establishing "positive" rapport with your opponents, instead of "negative" or "neutral" rapport. While this may seem like a minor thing, most people enjoy playing with individuals who are more positive and friendly! As an added bonus, if an opponent trusts you, he or she is more likely to make play mistakes, remind you of play triggers, and be more susceptible to any misplay suggestions. The article is here: http://www.mananation.com/magic-walkthrough-making-psychic-connections/.
Also, while playing Enchantments like Silvotral suggested may work until they are destroyed, your opponents (at least in my experience) are going to be annoyed that you tried to prevent them from attacking, thus ensuring that they attack you as soon as that enchantment is gone. The reason behind this is simple: people like having choices, and when an option is forbidden, it is that option looks that much more inviting. So, in effect, what you are doing when you play the aforementioned enchantments is making yourself *more* of a target, not less. EDH is much more political than other formats. It seems important to keep in mind that you can't always play the cards that are the most effective or dangerous and still win, because it is the very act of playing those cards that makes you a target.
The best place to buy supplies is your local art supply store. Michael's is okay, but they typically have a bad selection of good art supplies and the people who work there are clueless about art; usually. All the big box craft stores are this way. You are going to get a better experience at most local shops just because they are usually picky about their hiring process. If those aren't appealing options and you can't buy locally, there are a ton of online art supply retailers that I have dealt with before. Most transactions with Utrecht, Jerry's Art-a-rama, Dick Blick, Daniel Smith, and Cheap Joes have been good. I have had problems with all of these in the past too, but I have probably spent close to $20,000 at these stores, so it's bound to happen.
Thanks for the tips Galspanic. I really appreciate the time you spent answering my question. Having frequently been a victim of Michaels' poor selection and staffing ignorance, I figured it would best to ask here before I wasted a trip (and probably a good chunk of cash). It sounds like I should look for Golden, and if Michaels does indeed have they have them, how expensive they are. Seems like I also need to be on the lookout for this special Airbrush frisket paper. It might just be easier to order online!
Another question: where is the best place to find supplies? Should I just go to a craft store like Michaels, or is it best to use a specialty online retailer? If an online retailer is best, does anyone have any suggestions?
Hear hear Spekter! I would love to get into more formats, but I am hindered by a decision that was set in place when I when I was 8. Some people say that those who dislike the Reserve List are just jealous they didn't get on the bandwagon in time to make money, but I didn't even know Magic even existed until just over a year ago. I feel like I am being unduly punished for my ignorance. In other words, just because it took me so long to discover the game I now love, I can't experience it in all of its myriad forms.
From the perspective of a player who only started playing the game with the release of M10, I don't really understand how Legacy could harm Wizard's playerbase. All of the new players I know have never even see a vintage/legacy deck, much less played with one. I even learned how to play standard from a Spike and it didn't deter me. In fact, it wasn't until I had played Standard for a while that I even became interested in other formats. Of course, this is all anecdotal.
In addition, Wizards is a business. I would think that the amount of money spent by Legacy players would certainly offset the loss of players introduced to the game by Legacy formats - they obviously don't buy the cards from Wizards, but they are more likely to spend more on Magic products than a new player is. When I first began to play, I thought spending $50 on a FTV set was ridiculous. Now I am desperately trying to preorder FTV: Relics, and I just play standard and EDH. FTV: Relics is even more appealing to a Legacy player because they are all cards that can be played in their format.
To close, I think that this decision by Wizards is the wrong move. If I ever wanted to play Legacy competitively, this ruling pretty much cements that I will never have the funds to be able to. It also screws over quite a few of my EDH decks that are hurting for Dual Lands. I don't really see this decision benefiting anyone but the second-hand retailers and those who stockpiled Reserve List cards.
1x Teysa, Orzhov Scion
White Token Generators
1x Darien, King of Kjeldor
1x Cloudgoat Ranger
1x Luminarch Ascension
1x Twilight Drover
1x Conqueror's Pledge
1x Captain of the Watch
1x Sacred Mesa
1x Storm Herd
1x Spectral Procession
1x Knight-Captain of Eos
1x Mobilization
1x Decree of Justice
Black Token Generators
1x Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder
1x Plague of Vermin
1x Skeletal Vampire
Card Draw
1x Necropotence
1x Mind's Eye
1x Greed
1x Phyrexian Arena
1x Skullclamp
1x Sensei's Divining Top
Token Buffers
1x Death Pit Offering
1x Coat of Arms
1x Glorious Anthem
1x Silver Seraph
1x Leyline of the Meek
1x Mirror Entity
1x Ajani Goldmane
1x Wrath of God
1x Decree of Pain
1x Day of Judgement
1x Austere Command
1x Martial Coup
1x Hallowed Burial
1x Hour of Reckoning
1x Bane of the Living (mini-wrath)
Spot Removal
1x Attrition
1x Unmake
1x Prison Term
1x Swords to Plowshares
1x Path to Exile
1x Faith's Fetters
1x Crib Swap
Life Gain
1x Invincible Hymn
1x Beacon of Immortality
Reanimation/Graveyard Hate
1x Debtors' Knell
1x Necromancer's Covenant
1x Karmic Guide
Enchantments
1x Darkest Hour (combo potential?)
1x Grave Pact
1x Karmic Justice
1x Replenish (brings back all enchantments)
1x Idyllic Tutor
Mana Fixers/ Mana Generators
1x Phyrexian Altar
1x Ashnod's Altar
1x Grim Monolith
1x Gilded Lotus
1x Orzhov Signet
1x Scuttlemutt (sub-par replacement for Painter's Servant)
1x Darksteel Ingot
1x Journeyer's Kite
1x Weathered Wayfarer
1x Eternal Dragon (plainscycling)
1x Black Market
1x Land Tax
1x Tithe
1x Expedition Map
1x Ghost Council of Orzhova
1x Avatar of Woe
1x Xathrid Demon
1x Archdemon of Unx
1x Angel of Despair
Lands
1x Emeria, the Sky Ruin
1x Springjack Pasture
1x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1x Caves of Koilos
1x Mistveil Plains
1x Orzhov Basilica
1x Temple of the False God
1x Eiganjo Castle
1x Flagstones of Trokair
1x Tainted Field
1x Fetid Heath
1x Polluted Mire
Other Possible Additions?
Dimir House Guide Transmute tutor?
Dimir Machinations Transmute tutor?
Brainspoil Transmute tutor?
Profane Command
Abeyance
Pentarch Paladin
Too Expensive
Sword of Light and Shadow
Godless Shrine
Also, while playing Enchantments like Silvotral suggested may work until they are destroyed, your opponents (at least in my experience) are going to be annoyed that you tried to prevent them from attacking, thus ensuring that they attack you as soon as that enchantment is gone. The reason behind this is simple: people like having choices, and when an option is forbidden, it is that option looks that much more inviting. So, in effect, what you are doing when you play the aforementioned enchantments is making yourself *more* of a target, not less. EDH is much more political than other formats. It seems important to keep in mind that you can't always play the cards that are the most effective or dangerous and still win, because it is the very act of playing those cards that makes you a target.
Thanks for the tips Galspanic. I really appreciate the time you spent answering my question. Having frequently been a victim of Michaels' poor selection and staffing ignorance, I figured it would best to ask here before I wasted a trip (and probably a good chunk of cash). It sounds like I should look for Golden, and if Michaels does indeed have they have them, how expensive they are. Seems like I also need to be on the lookout for this special Airbrush frisket paper. It might just be easier to order online!