Critical Miss: #24

[sl0th]

I can recall the last time I tried to play Magic. Well not really it was 2004 and I've had a lot of alcohol since then. But I made some Green deck and thought it was okay then I played against my friend's red deck (one out of eight decks). Maybe it was brown, it was some colour that was the polar opposite of green. The moral is he kicked my ass before I had 2 monsters out and as with first time I played Guitar Hero (1) I said "F--- this game!" And never played again, Magic that is not Guitar Hero. You have to know how play guitar hero/rock band if you have nerdy friends because pretending to play is easier than really playing!

It's not that I don't like Magic, I just don't like playing a game where you can't ever beat the friend that got you started on it but I guess it's slightly more fair than DnD.

 

[TraderJimmy]

I really enjoy your series. Have seen all of them so far.

It's nothing 'special' in terms of style or whatever (barring the art style, which is a little quirky, I'm talking setting, general theme of jokes etc.), but it's fantastically executed.

Is Grey's Corner new? I don't remember seeing it before. It kind of reminds me of the penny-arcade front-page 'news' rambles, which might be a bad thing, just thinking long-term. But this one was definitely relatable. I remember using a death deck almost completely full of rats, and a light deck that had a wall of light (0/5, I think it forced creatures to attack it), Something's Blessing (+3/+3, flying), and something that made it invincible - hey, it was a long time ago! - but yeah, they were terrible decks that sometimes did awesome things. Loads of fun. Once I started getting good decks together, I quickly grew bored with the limited permutations possible at mid level play - dread to think what high level was like. I gave away several shoeboxes of the things, and sold a couple more for some charity event.

It was fun while it lasted, tho.

 

[Karousawai]

Also, tournament decks aren't expensive. There are always the cheap one that's like 150-200 to make, and the most expensive you can go (if it's even still viable) is 700 for a deck that goes out of its way to play the most expensive cards. That's for Type 2 where you generally need new stuff every set; older decks are more expensive assuming you need dual lands but they never change.

Way to go defending the elitist and expensive tournament decks. 150-200? For a deck that might be relevant for a month, maybe two? Christ I bought both my ally decks for under £30 and I've had fun with them since zendikar, and the red/white one actually does not bad against some archtypes. Its people like you that make me understand why my missus won't play at prereleases. Magic pros are the enemies of fun sometimes.

If anyone wants a laugh look up the price for a playset of baneslayer angel or jace, the mind sculptor on ebay.

 

[Godavari]

I do feel kind of bad because they prove those people who've been whining about power creep for the past few years like nine different flavours of right.

Some of them just stray into complete bullshit territory. Especially when combined with everyone's favourite fatty dropper, Elvish Piper.

True, though I think people often dismiss or forget about some of the crazy stuff in older editions. There are some very powerful cards like Balance "I'm resetting the game for 2 mana." Though almost every deck I construct now includes Enchantment destruction to deal with 2011 core set Leylines, those are annoying as all hell.

Oh God yes. Leyline of sanctity [http://magiccards.info/m11/en/21.html] may as well read "Players with red or black decks may not win the game."

I [http://magiccards.info/query?q=diabolic+tutor&v=card&s=cname] beg [http://magiccards.info/query?q=leyline+of+punishment&v=card&s=cname] to [http://magiccards.info/query?q=kargan+dragonlord&v=card&s=cname] differ [http://magiccards.info/query?q=obsidian+fireheart&v=card&s=cname]. These are all in my Red/Black deck.

 

[The Wooster]

Also, tournament decks aren't expensive. There are always the cheap one that's like 150-200 to make, and the most expensive you can go (if it's even still viable) is 700 for a deck that goes out of its way to play the most expensive cards. That's for Type 2 where you generally need new stuff every set; older decks are more expensive assuming you need dual lands but they never change.

Way to go defending the elitist and expensive tournament decks. 150-200? For a deck that might be relevant for a month, maybe two? Christ I bought both my ally decks for under £30 and I've had fun with them since zendikar, and the red/white one actually does not bad against some archtypes. Its people like you that make me understand why my missus won't play at prereleases. Magic pros are the enemies of fun sometimes.

If anyone wants a laugh look up the price for a playset of baneslayer angel or jace, the mind sculptor on ebay.

As I recall, people on the various MTG forums call him 'Jace the Money Scalper.'

His flavour text reads "Fuck your kids, you can't afford college."

 

[Firia]

I shed a tear of joy for my Magic the Gathering days. Back when Lightning Bolts were 3 damage for 1 red mana, birds of paradise were highly coveted, and my blue/black counterspell deck was a thing of beauty.

I imagined the seagull was a bird of paradise with fire-breathing enchanted on it.

You know, they reprinted Lightning Bolt and Birds of Paradise in the 2011 core set. Both of them can still kick ass - Lightning Bolt especially so when you have a pair of these [http://magiccards.info/query?q=fire+servant&v=card&s=cname] in play.

Yeah, someone quoted me to tell me that Lightning Bolts are back. I had no idea! I thought they were so over powered (really, 3 damage for one red as an instant? AWESOME) that they were phased out. I wouldn't be surprised if they were rare (I figure uncommon, at least) now.

That is a mighty fine beast there. I'm not sure I'd have a place for it in any of my old decks. My red decks were fast and furious. I had a goblin deck wherein nothing cost more than 2 mana to play, and could drop a player in 4 to 5 turns. If I wasn't playing a goblin every turn, I was doing it wrong. Lightning bolts were strictly a support spell for me. I'd use them to kill creatures that stood in my path, or that dared to attack me. The only time I'd lob one at a player was as a finishing move. Not even then, if they were playing blue.

(The reason why that critter wouldn't have a place in many of my decks would due to the high cost of it. While its special ability is undeniably badass, it would take at least 5 turns to put out, and fall to the first lightning bolt on the field. To maintain its longevity, I'd need more equally badass critters, and/or buffing enchantments. That would bump it to a 6th turn creature, at least. But which time I'm in my endgame. Still, miiiiighty fine ability, that. )

 

[Firia]

I shed a tear of joy for my Magic the Gathering days. Back when Lightning Bolts were 3 damage for 1 red mana, birds of paradise were highly coveted, and my blue/black counterspell deck was a thing of beauty.

Bolts have been back for over a year, rejoice!

For reals? I thought they were phased out due to being overpowered. I've always thought I was sitting on a trove of classical gold mines. Oh well.

They're absolutely everywhere now. Birds of paradise not so much but they've been replaced with the similar but better/worse depending on your colour, Llanowar Elves who are so numerous they come with boxes of cereal. In my opinion it's a better card when combined with the absolute mana humping horseshit that is elvish archdruid.

Birds of Paradise were great depending on how they were used. One green for a 0/1 flying creature that when tapped produces one of ANY color?! They could have asked us to pay one green and one colorless, and it'd still be reasonable. As it is, it's badASS! Yeah, getting one in the late game is just fodder for the masses. But right at the go, it can accelerate a deck from fast to hyperdrive. With the right enchantments, they can even be turned into effective combatants-- though they were never intended to be that way on my decks. Merely bonuses.

Round one; Play bird of paradise.
Round two; Play firebreathing.
Round three; Attack (assuming they have no aerial defenses).

If the player used a lightning bolt to bring your seagull Bird of Paradise down, then you're not really out anything big, but they're down one Bolt. It's still win win. And even if they have a flyer, let that thing block, and let your bird tear it up. Creature down, you still win. If it doesn't block, you're eatting life points, and that much closer to winning. BETTER win!

 

[Firia]

BAH! Pardon the double post. Sorry bout that.

 

[Volafortis]

some [http://magiccards.info/query?q=pathrazer&v=card&s=cname], of [http://magiccards.info/arc/en/123.html], the [http://magiccards.info/roe/en/7.html], cards [http://magiccards.info/roe/en/4.html]

Have fun against all [http://magiccards.info/query?q=Spawnsire&v=card&s=cname] of [http://magiccards.info/roe/en/4.html] my [http://magiccards.info/roe/en/6.html] Eldrazi [http://magiccards.info/roe/en/12.html] cards [http://magiccards.info/roe/en/7.html]. And thats not even counting my drones and spawn swarms. Which are devastating with cards like Rapacious One [http://magiccards.info/roe/en/162.html] and Broodwarden [http://magiccards.info/query?q=Broodwarden&v=card&s=cname], supported by a Raid Bombardment [http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Raid%20Bombardment] or two.

 

[Godavari]

I shed a tear of joy for my Magic the Gathering days. Back when Lightning Bolts were 3 damage for 1 red mana, birds of paradise were highly coveted, and my blue/black counterspell deck was a thing of beauty.

I imagined the seagull was a bird of paradise with fire-breathing enchanted on it.

You know, they reprinted Lightning Bolt and Birds of Paradise in the 2011 core set. Both of them can still kick ass - Lightning Bolt especially so when you have a pair of these [http://magiccards.info/query?q=fire+servant&v=card&s=cname] in play.

Yeah, someone quoted me to tell me that Lightning Bolts are back. I had no idea! I thought they were so over powered (really, 3 damage for one red as an instant? AWESOME) that they were phased out. I wouldn't be surprised if they were rare (I figure uncommon, at least) now.

That is a mighty fine beast there. I'm not sure I'd have a place for it in any of my old decks. My red decks were fast and furious. I had a goblin deck wherein nothing cost more than 2 mana to play, and could drop a player in 4 to 5 turns. If I wasn't playing a goblin every turn, I was doing it wrong. Lightning bolts were strictly a support spell for me. I'd use them to kill creatures that stood in my path, or that dared to attack me. The only time I'd lob one at a player was as a finishing move. Not even then, if they were playing blue.

(The reason why that critter wouldn't have a place in many of my decks would due to the high cost of it. While its special ability is undeniably badass, it would take at least 5 turns to put out, and fall to the first lightning bolt on the field. To maintain its longevity, I'd need more equally badass critters, and/or buffing enchantments. That would bump it to a 6th turn creature, at least. But which time I'm in my endgame. Still, miiiiighty fine ability, that. )

Bolts are actually at common. I find it insane, but then again, it seems somewhat necessary, since white has become the answer to red with cards like Leyline of Sanctity [http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=204993], Goldenglow Moth [http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=208295], Ajani's Mantra [http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=204987], and Ajani's Pridemate [http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=205065]. I went to a draft the other night where a guy got 4 copies of each of the latter three. He didn't win, but he sure kicked my ass straight to the curb. White is a serious contender in most tournaments I go to, actually. Especialy since this [http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=198524] came out last year. I mean, damn. And people say Eldrazi was the height of the power creep.

I can understand why Fire Servant wouldn't fit. A lot of old decks worked really, really fast. I think this card is viable in a red deck these days because there is a correlation between the power creep and the mana cost of cards. I've never seen a modern red deck kill in 4 turns. Mine, as it stands, wouldn't even stand a chance of doing that. I'm not sure if a goblin deck could work out that problem. I have never constructed a "swarm" deck such as goblins, elves, or slivers, so I don't really know. : |

 

[Ursus Astrorum]

...

...

Singles ordered.

Seagullus comes.

 

[Mysnomer]

Wow, really? That's the worst attitude towards mtg I've ever seen. I can't play kitchen table types because they're so bad at the game... don't know resource management, think that "living the dream" decks actually win, etc. I've got no problem playing casual formats like EDH but it'd still be no fun if your opponents don't get that 2 for 1s are good and all that.

Also, tournament decks aren't expensive. There are always the cheap one that's like 150-200 to make, and the most expensive you can go (if it's even still viable) is 700 for a deck that goes out of its way to play the most expensive cards. That's for Type 2 where you generally need new stuff every set; older decks are more expensive assuming you need dual lands but they never change.

EDIT - omg people are talking about Sliver Queen and Elvish Piper like they're viable in this thread... *facepalm*

Nice man. The smug sneering at the end there really helped make your point about how fun tournament games are.

Ooh, I was warming up to reply when I stumbled onto your post. So elegant and effective. It's beautiful.

On topic: my "innocent play" that sets in motion the doom clock is not playing a land on my first turn so I can discard an Akroma, in my reanimator deck. That is, if I don't get Swamp, Dark Ritual, and Buried Alive.

 

[tetron]

I had this card called the Sliver Queen that basically mades tons of little 1/1 cannonfodder. Everybody was like "oooh, scary" until I played an Overrun.

There is no greater sense of satisfaction than killing all three opponents in a 4 way duel in one turn thanks to a horde of 1/1 Slivers.

Au contrair: 5 way match, everyone but me has a massive amount of monsters out, and I play a card that takes control of all of them. I laughed as I overkilled everyone else in one fell swoop.


OT: I thought buffing the crap out of a single seemingly useless monster and winning was the spirit of MTG. But then the only times I've ever played are when my friends want me to.

 

[Zannah]

I do feel kind of bad because they prove those people who've been whining about power creep for the past few years like nine different flavours of right.

Some of them just stray into complete bullshit territory. Especially when combined with everyone's favourite fatty dropper, Elvish Piper.

True, though I think people often dismiss or forget about some of the crazy stuff in older editions. There are some very powerful cards like Balance "I'm resetting the game for 2 mana." Though almost every deck I construct now includes Enchantment destruction to deal with 2011 core set Leylines, those are annoying as all hell.

Oh God yes. Leyline of sanctity [http://magiccards.info/m11/en/21.html] may as well read "Players with red or black decks may not win the game."

Only the annoying red and black decks, those deserve it ;P

 

[jasoncyrus]

Have to admit I've never played magic but I very easily got the joke...mostly because I' a similar nasty person when I used to play YGO. Most of you might not get this since magic players tend to think they are better than YGO players (or at least the ones i've run into do).

But yeah....3x E-hero wildheart on the field by turn 2 will get you hated for life.

 

[Housebroken Lunatic]

In the next turn the Welkin Tern is given a Loxodon Warhammer, a whispersilk cloak and firebreathing.

I hope he get's the whispersilk cloak AFTER firebreathing and the Loxodon Warhammer abilities have resolved, because if the cloaks equip ability is resolved first, the other cards won't be able to target the creature in question.

(I guess some gaming rules never truly leaves the mind).

I used to play MTG, both in casual and competitive levels. Sadly the competition sort of destroyed the fun of the game for me. Because after too many tournaments and competitions, casual play just seemed like wasting time or at best wee used to test out new tournament decks of ones invention. And even if you tried to create "fun" decks, you obssesively started to think in tournament play terms and tried to optimize the fun idea into a bastardized monster.

I guess that's why I quite playing. Can't say that it left me friendless though, since many of my friends were into the same thing, and during the tournaments held at our local gaming shop everyone involved had a lot of fun, despite the competititive mindset.

I guess it was because most of the one who came knew eachother from before. Tournaments tend to become a lot more impersonal when they ara "big" and people show up from all ovwer the country to play in them. When you do that the other competitors just becomes obstacles you have to climb over rather than people.


Since then, I've been kind of bored with MTG. Sure I've joined in a few draft tournaments staged by friends, but I haven't felt the urge to get back to the hobby.

I've actually been more interested in the "LCG"-format that many games produced by Fantasy Flight Games adhere to. In the LCG:s (Living Card Game) you can play competitively, but you don't have to go through the business of buying ridiculous amounts of booster packs with the hope of getting the most expensive and useful cards in the game. In the LCG-model, you always know which cards you get with each expansion, and they don't run out of legality either (all cards can be used, it's just that FFG releases more and more expansions with new cards).

That to me seems a lot more fun when everyone have the same opportunity o build any kind of deck they can think of, rather than the one willing to invest the most amount of money always tend to win since they actually think it's a good deal to pay ridiculous prices for rare cards.

My main skepticism towards it is the nature of the games themselves. I mean, if the game isn't complex enough, you'll eventually reach a point where "new" cards are completely redundant, because there's already a card for every concievable occasion and idea. And since everyone have an equal access to each and every card, eventually certain "unbeatable" decks will be constructed and the game will freeze at that point.

However, if a game is complex enough with enough aspects and ways to win to it, it could go on for a lot longer. It was that impression I got from playing Vampire: The Masquerade TCG. It was insanely confusing at times, and was a lot more hard to just break down and analyze like Magic: The Gathering. The downside is of course that it will scare away the newbies with more casual mindsets since they have to develop a real passion for the game if they ever wish to become adept players of such complicated games.

 

[Housebroken Lunatic]

Only the annoying red and black decks, those deserve it ;P

To adopt the role of an ex tournament player for a moment:

Neither of the colours in magic: the gathering is more "annoying" or overpowered than the other. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, and it all bottles down to how you choose to play with each colour, and which tournament format you play.

 

[Nautical Honors Society]

Critical Miss #24

Even well done videogames pale in comparison to the real world crushing of friends.

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Grey's corner
when compared to some [http://magiccards.info/query?q=pathrazer&v=card&s=cname], of [http://magiccards.info/arc/en/123.html], the [http://magiccards.info/roe/en/7.html], cards [http://magiccards.info/roe/en/4.html] in my deck.

I would say that Eldrazi's are fearsome, but every single time that me or my friends has ever gotten one on the field it is dead in one turn since we will do anything to destroy it. Annihilator is very annoying.

I myself use a DoT black and white Orhzov deck from Ravnica guildpact. It is very good since I gain life as you lose life periodically. Then I play cards like these.

Image this when I have 55 life...and I have 2 of these cards [http://sales.starcitygames.com/cardsearch.php?singlesearch=Storm+Herd]

Or when I get this on the field...can be a bit annoying [http://sales.starcitygames.com/carddisplay.php?product=40196]

But it is really the little cards in my deck used together that make it great, those are just some standouts.

My friends and I determine who has a "good deck", by how annoyed they make us feel, the more annoying and frustrating, the better.

OT: Oh yea, clever comic everyone has one of those cheap fliers they can build up. So fun!

 

[Nautical Honors Society]

Wow, really? That's the worst attitude towards mtg I've ever seen. I can't play kitchen table types because they're so bad at the game... don't know resource management, think that "living the dream" decks actually win, etc. I've got no problem playing casual formats like EDH but it'd still be no fun if your opponents don't get that 2 for 1s are good and all that.

Also, tournament decks aren't expensive. There are always the cheap one that's like 150-200 to make, and the most expensive you can go (if it's even still viable) is 700 for a deck that goes out of its way to play the most expensive cards. That's for Type 2 where you generally need new stuff every set; older decks are more expensive assuming you need dual lands but they never change.

EDIT - omg people are talking about Sliver Queen and Elvish Piper like they're viable in this thread... *facepalm*

$150-$200?

Even $700 for a deck of cards!?

Haha I built my deck for probably about $50 and it rips people apart.

But hey who knows? You could probably beat me, I am just a lowly kitchen table player who likes to have fun with his mates.