I'm genuinely surprised just how much hate for amulet bloom is being spouted by the commentators. I realize the deck isn't the most popular out there but saying things like "this is a match between good and evil" seems questionable. They don't necessarily have to be impartial but it still feels extreme.
I interpreted their comment as meaning Bloom is the clear evil not because it ought to be banned but because the zoo deck was a brew (or, at least, not a top 10 deck). They could have said the same thing if it was zoo vs jund.
What kind of horrible things do you think might happen if Mental Misstep were unbanned? I'm thinking it's a nice way for any deck to counter Amulet of Vigor. Also seems like a sweet card against a variety of things - Delver, Thoughtseize, Goblin Guide, Aether Vial, Expedition Map, Signal Pest, Slippery Bogle. But despite being live against so many decks, not every deck would want it. The most linear decks would not have room for it.
If the FNM is large enough, offering two separate tournaments with different prize support / entry fees would work nicely. See the difference in skill level on Magic Online between 8-4 and "Pack Per Win" drafts. Taking into consideration pops' point, this would also cater to skilled players who feel like just messing around with a silly brew one week or to budding players who feel like dipping into shark infested waters, without being chained to their past performance.
I'm not looking forward to more overcosted removal that is justified by having "Scry 1" stamped on it. It's a fine mechanic but I'd like to see more Magma Jets and fewer Rage of Purphoros.
I like encouraging interactivity. They should think up strange versions of Protection like "Protection from converted mana cost 4 or greater" where some removal still works and some creatures can still block but the ability is relevant.
I have a feeling the new Scroll Thief will be overpowered. Scroll Thief was already quite good.
I would pass the goyf, however, my decision is determined by the extra value of being on camera. A stamped foil goyf sure is a unique and high value card that comes with a story to tell, but there is also uniqueness in the moment of making the decision on camera. If I pass the goyf, I get immeasurable respect from other pros and fans around the world. It would be the ultimate display of restraint and commitment to strategy over value. Let someone else sell the goyf; it will always be known as the goyf that I opened and passed. Being a legend is worth more than a few thousand dollars.
On the other hand, it is tempting to be an even greater legend and still win the draft despite raredrafting. But that's risky. Ironically, in terms of how many badass points you get, passing the goyf is the correct "value" decision because you will be a man of godly restraint whether you win or lose.
~ B
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant permanent
Whenever a creature dies, you may tap or untap enchanted permanent.
This started out as wanting a combo with Forbidden Orchard and the enchantment that gives all tokens -1/-1. But it's also nice to let people tap permanents too in case some hero decides to build a Contaminated Ground deck.
I may just be bad at brewing decks, but something I've noticed in my many failed attempts to brew is that the presence of already very fast noninteractive decks like Affinity, Infect, and Bloom makes it quite difficult to justify playing a noninteractive deck yourself because you only beat those decks when you are faster than them, and unless you break the format, it doesn't get much faster than turn 2 Amulet and turn 3 Affinity kills.
are you bat***** crazy? I love that design to death, sign me up to play UR storm next tournament, complete with faithless looting and extra gas by way of mad mana. This card is busted six ways from sunday and should never see print. If it does, John Finkel top 8's the next modern pro tour. With UR storm. I'm calling it now.
Look buddy, I've spec'd in 10 copies of Past in Flames online. Somebody's got to buy these duds.
I don't know if it's worth the tradeoff, but compared to Sylvan Caryatid, Utopia Tree loses a point of toughness and hexproof and gains the ability to attack suited up with a Sword.
Then again I'm not sure why you wouldn't just run 4x Birds if that were important...Maybe you like the Hexproof?
^ Because they want to save juicy reprints for future sets. If each set has too many valuable reprints then players may get their fill one year and skip some years when they are already satisfied. Whatever cards are removed from one printing add to the selling point of the next. The goal is not to make the best deal for the customer, but to make the deal just good enough that they are hooked year after year.
In reality people may be disappointed enough that sales are hurt. I'm just trying to get in their heads.
Enchantment
When Race War enters the battlefield, each player chooses a creature type.
Creatures of the chosen types get -1/-1.
I interpreted their comment as meaning Bloom is the clear evil not because it ought to be banned but because the zoo deck was a brew (or, at least, not a top 10 deck). They could have said the same thing if it was zoo vs jund.
I like encouraging interactivity. They should think up strange versions of Protection like "Protection from converted mana cost 4 or greater" where some removal still works and some creatures can still block but the ability is relevant.
I have a feeling the new Scroll Thief will be overpowered. Scroll Thief was already quite good.
On the other hand, it is tempting to be an even greater legend and still win the draft despite raredrafting. But that's risky. Ironically, in terms of how many badass points you get, passing the goyf is the correct "value" decision because you will be a man of godly restraint whether you win or lose.
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant permanent
Whenever a creature dies, you may tap or untap enchanted permanent.
This started out as wanting a combo with Forbidden Orchard and the enchantment that gives all tokens -1/-1. But it's also nice to let people tap permanents too in case some hero decides to build a Contaminated Ground deck.
Look buddy, I've spec'd in 10 copies of Past in Flames online. Somebody's got to buy these duds.
Sorcery
Add RRR to your mana pool.
Madness 0
And in general I would like to see lots more playable Madness cards. I hope it's a returning mechanic soon.
Edit: Alternative version that is closer to printable but less fun in the time before it gets banned:
Mad Mana RR
Sorc
Add RRR to your mana pool.
Madness R
This leads to less fun time with turn 1 Looting into free mana and also doesn't interact with Goblin Electromancer. What could possibly go wrong?
Then again I'm not sure why you wouldn't just run 4x Birds if that were important...Maybe you like the Hexproof?
In reality people may be disappointed enough that sales are hurt. I'm just trying to get in their heads.