I suppose Black Sun's Zenith could be a meta call. If you've got a lot of Affinity or Pod running around, it it useful. It also puts itself back into your deck so you can reuse it. I'll try it out and see how it works.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a sign we are going back to the back-and-forth discussions about card prices being too high vs Magic is an investment/expensive hobby. *grabs popcorn*
But anyways, I agree that speculating is a lot different than what it used to be prior to the digital era. I doubt cards increased by 500% overnight (Teferi, anyone?)
Well, considering the reason for prices being where they are can basically be traced to those reasons, the thread is bound to get there sooner or later.
But you're right, let's get back to prices. For instance, what in the hell is Disrupting Shoal still doing at ~$7-$8? When was the last time anyone heard anything about this card that was mentioned by one higher-level player once and then never again?
Well, that's what I'd call a serious problem. Modern was meant to be more accessible than Legacy right from the get go, in areas of card availability and supply, events, staple reprints, and, yes, price. Hard as it apparently is for some here to believe, price is a part of accessibility. I feel like the numbers we're seeing in Modern right now is some measure of overhype. These skyrocketing prices are bound to grind the format's growth to a halt sooner or later(and personally, I'm thinking sooner).
Is everyone "entitled" to play the top-tier decks without paying higher deck prices? No, I suppose not. But that doesn't mean crazy-high prices are somehow completely okay. There's a tad too much speculation going on in a game(and format)that's meant to be played, and not invested in.
I had previously had a different decklist here that was relatively unfocused and, while it excelled with versatility, it wasn't good enough at any one given thing to hold up properly. As a result, I shifted the deck in a more control direction, and improved the manabase somewhat. Hopefully this is the last time I have to do an overhaul large enough that it makes logging all changes next to impossible.
Removal:
-Act of Authority-Deals with annoying artifacts and enchantments, functions REALLY well when used in tandem with Venser, the Sojourner.
-Day of Judgment/Supreme Verdict/Rout/Cyclonic Rift-All of these clean up troublesome boards pretty well. Given that I do occasionally go on the beatdown route, I prefer not to have too many more board wipes, though the number needs testing.
-Shattering Pulse-Repeatedly hates on artifacts. Buyback is so much fun.
-Path to Exile/Swords to Plowshares-Basic W removal. Gets rid of most threats pretty quickly and effectively.
Card Advantage:
-Blue Sun's Zenith/Sphinx's Revelation-Large, flashy, draw X spells. Revelation is a huge help to stay alive, especially late game when I can do it for greater numbers.
-Rhystic Study-Either your opponents will lose a not-insignificant amount of tempo paying that extra 1(mostly useful in early game), or you will have a very powerful draw engine, especially in a multiplayer game. Both seem fine to me. Oh, and there's no ruling that states I have to constantly remind people of the trigger, so I give a few reminders initially after it hits. If people forget it after that, that's their own fault.
-Consecrated Sphinx-I don't think I need to say much about this. If you like your deck in your hand, run this sphinx.
-Tomorrow, Azami's Familiar-Lets you decide specifically what cards you want whenever you draw. Makes Nekusar, the Mindrazer really sad.
If there are any other specific cards anyone is wondering why I'm playing, just ask and I'll add it. Otherwise, the breakdown will be slowly updated.
Honestly, I feel like it's a bit of both. People are gobbling up the supply of staples while the season is on, which is driving the prices up. That said, the idea that prices will go right back down to their preseason levels after this season is over is probably just wishful thinking.
And at this point, I feel that a: if you had wanted to get a set of Tarmogoyf, it really isn't worth the expense, and b: fetchlands are approaching the levels of being not worth the expense. Wizards has the ability to reprint those, possibly even in a future standard legal set. In the meantime, it might be time to(and I know this sounds like heresy, but just think about it for a second)consider trying to craft manabases that don't use fetchlands.
Every hobby costs money, yes. As I said, I am not advocating for free Magic cards. What I am saying is that there is some serious issues with the card pricing of Modern(and every organized format besides limited, now that I think about it). It's unlikely anyone's going to expect you to spend $1,000 buying stuff in, say, LoL before you can have any serious chance at succeeding at an event with any level of competitiveness.
Just make small investments that can yield huge reward.
I got 4 or 5 sets of Serum Visions at around 50 cents each. Now im flipping them for sets of shocks I needed. And someday when shocks are expensive as hell and serum visions isn't (I kept an extra set in case) I will have made a huge reward.
Honestly, if people here read this statement and think there is absolutely nothing wrong with the way Modern is working out right now, I will have lost all faith in the playerbase.
I think the idea of a cheap modern format and cheap cards is a horrific idea to be honest. I don't care if you think im lying, but I would not play magic anymore should a massive reprint ever happen to control prices. Id sell out and invest my money in something else.
Magic(and other HOBBIES, for that matter)was never meant to be something you invest in. It was meant to be something you play. If you think you're "investing" in Magic, I strongly suggest you keep your day job and think about investing in something a little less volatile. The stock market, maybe. I don't exactly want EVERYTHING to be 50 cents each, but the prices they're at now are ridiculous. You can point me towards numbers from recent events to try to refute me, but I would have to ask: how many of the people who have been going to these events had most or all their staples before the price spikes?
This is a card game, people. It's not real estate, it's not gold, it's a card game. Card games are not for investing, they're for playing. If you ride your money on the value of Magic cards, you are not investing. You are gambling. There is a huge difference.
Both affordability and availability make up accessibility. Suppose all our Modern staples were 5x more expensive than they are right now(which, I suppose may not be far of a leap for some), but there are also 5x more of them in circulation. Would you consider Modern strictly more accessible simply because there are more cards available? I wouldn't. I don't get this mentality that basically says "suck it up and pay up" to everyone who thinks these price spikes are getting at least slightly out of hand, some of these spikes on cards that don't even wind up being played but some pro mentioned on their blog. I'm not advocating for every deck to be >$100, but I also don't want Modern to just be Legacy: Modern Card Frame Edition.
Stoneforge Mystic: tutors for one equipment, cheats any equipment in
Birthing Pod: can tutor and cheat in creatures during each of its' controller's turns(conditional, but can usually be handled)
Also, Pillage would be nice, but like we're ever gonna see that.
Well, considering the reason for prices being where they are can basically be traced to those reasons, the thread is bound to get there sooner or later.
But you're right, let's get back to prices. For instance, what in the hell is Disrupting Shoal still doing at ~$7-$8? When was the last time anyone heard anything about this card that was mentioned by one higher-level player once and then never again?
And I still go by my "when in doubt, Birthing Pod" principle for creatures.
Is everyone "entitled" to play the top-tier decks without paying higher deck prices? No, I suppose not. But that doesn't mean crazy-high prices are somehow completely okay. There's a tad too much speculation going on in a game(and format)that's meant to be played, and not invested in.
This post will be used for changelogs and recording any requested card evaluations.
Journeyer's Kite-->Shattering Pulse 4-9-2014
Boros Guildgate-->Sacred Foundry 4-8-2014
Plains-->Clifftop Retreat 4-8-2014
Izzet Guildgate-->Steam Vents 4-8-2014
Azorius Guildgate-->Sulfur Falls 4-8-2014
I had previously had a different decklist here that was relatively unfocused and, while it excelled with versatility, it wasn't good enough at any one given thing to hold up properly. As a result, I shifted the deck in a more control direction, and improved the manabase somewhat. Hopefully this is the last time I have to do an overhaul large enough that it makes logging all changes next to impossible.
1x Numot, the Devastator
Creatures - 13
1x Snapcaster Mage
1x Archaeomancer
1x Phyrexian Metamorph
1x Nobilis of War
1x Dominus of Fealty
1x Hypersonic Dragon
1x Warden of the Eye
1x Sun Titan
1x Deadeye Navigator
1x Mindwrack Liege
1x Isperia, Supreme Judge
1x Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius
1x Drogskol Reaver
Enchantments - 6
1x Rhystic Study
1x Propaganda
1x Detention Sphere
1x Fervor
1x Leyline of Anticipation
1x Sphere of Safety
Planeswalkers - 5
1x Jace, Architect of Thought
1x Chandra, the Firebrand
1x Ajani Vengeant
1x Ral Zarek
1x Venser, the Sojourner
Artifacts - 6
1x Tormod's Crypt
1x Sol Ring
1x Elixir of Immortality
1x Darksteel Ingot
1x Jeskai Banner
1x Gilded Lotus
1x Day of Judgment
1x Supreme Verdict
1x Rout
Instants - 31
1x Path to Exile
1x Swords to Plowshares
1x Lightning Bolt
1x Cyclonic Rift
1x Shattering Pulse
1x Reverbrate
1x Boros Charm
1x Lightning Helix
1x Oblation
1x Ghostly Flicker
1x Electrolyze
1x Jeskai Charm
1x Return to Dust
1x Warleader's Helix
1x Psychic Spiral
1x Prophetic Bolt
1x Counterspell
1x Dissolve
1x Dissipate
1x Stoic Rebuttal
1x Dream Fracture
1x Faerie Trickery
1x Render Silent
1x Double Negative
1x Counterflux
1x Rewind
1x Dismiss
1x Opportunity
1x Blue Sun's Zenith
1x Aurelia's Fury
1x Sphinx's Revelation
1x Reliquary Tower
1x Encroaching Wastes
4x Plains
1x Vivid Creek
4x Island
4x Mountain
1x Sacred Foundry
1x Temple of Triumph
1x Clifftop Retreat
1x Plateau
1x Wind-Scarred Crag
1x Hallowed Fountain
1x Temple of Enlightenment
1x Glacial Fortress
1x Tundra
1x Tranquil Cove
1x Azorius Guildgate
1x Nimbus Maze
1x Steam Vents
1x Temple of Epiphany
1x Sulfur Falls
1x Volcanic Island
1x Swiftwater Cliffs
1x Mystic Monastery
1x Command Tower
1x Reflecting Pool
Removal:
-
Act of Authority-Deals with annoying artifacts and enchantments, functions REALLY well when used in tandem with Venser, the Sojourner.-Day of Judgment/Supreme Verdict/Rout/Cyclonic Rift-All of these clean up troublesome boards pretty well. Given that I do occasionally go on the beatdown route, I prefer not to have too many more board wipes, though the number needs testing.
-Shattering Pulse-Repeatedly hates on artifacts. Buyback is so much fun.
-Path to Exile/Swords to Plowshares-Basic W removal. Gets rid of most threats pretty quickly and effectively.
Card Advantage:
-Blue Sun's Zenith/Sphinx's Revelation-Large, flashy, draw X spells. Revelation is a huge help to stay alive, especially late game when I can do it for greater numbers.
-Rhystic Study-Either your opponents will lose a not-insignificant amount of tempo paying that extra 1(mostly useful in early game), or you will have a very powerful draw engine, especially in a multiplayer game. Both seem fine to me. Oh, and there's no ruling that states I have to constantly remind people of the trigger, so I give a few reminders initially after it hits. If people forget it after that, that's their own fault.
-
Consecrated Sphinx-I don't think I need to say much about this. If you like your deck in your hand, run this sphinx.-
Tomorrow, Azami's Familiar-Lets you decide specifically what cards you want whenever you draw. Makes Nekusar, the Mindrazer really sad.If there are any other specific cards anyone is wondering why I'm playing, just ask and I'll add it. Otherwise, the breakdown will be slowly updated.
Strategy:
(detailed explanation coming soon)
You, sir, have my curiosity. I've been trying to get this deck together without fetches myself. How'd you work the manabase?
And at this point, I feel that a: if you had wanted to get a set of Tarmogoyf, it really isn't worth the expense, and b: fetchlands are approaching the levels of being not worth the expense. Wizards has the ability to reprint those, possibly even in a future standard legal set. In the meantime, it might be time to(and I know this sounds like heresy, but just think about it for a second)consider trying to craft manabases that don't use fetchlands.
Honestly, if people here read this statement and think there is absolutely nothing wrong with the way Modern is working out right now, I will have lost all faith in the playerbase.
Magic(and other HOBBIES, for that matter)was never meant to be something you invest in. It was meant to be something you play. If you think you're "investing" in Magic, I strongly suggest you keep your day job and think about investing in something a little less volatile. The stock market, maybe. I don't exactly want EVERYTHING to be 50 cents each, but the prices they're at now are ridiculous. You can point me towards numbers from recent events to try to refute me, but I would have to ask: how many of the people who have been going to these events had most or all their staples before the price spikes?
This is a card game, people. It's not real estate, it's not gold, it's a card game. Card games are not for investing, they're for playing. If you ride your money on the value of Magic cards, you are not investing. You are gambling. There is a huge difference.
Birthing Pod: can tutor and cheat in creatures during each of its' controller's turns(conditional, but can usually be handled)
Just going to leave that here.