Casual Magic

I’ve been reading and hearing a lot about “The Cube” lately. While I haven’t participated in one, yet, this looks like a great fun format. If you are unfamiliar with the cube go to cubedrafting.com.

One exciting element to the cube is that anyone can make one. The size of your play group will dictate the size of your cube and you can add whatever cards you want for a cube draft.

I’ve been following The Fugitive Wizard as they have built and tested a few cube variations.

Part of my Eventide exploration, here is my review of selected blue cards, found on the full visual spoiler. 

Banishing Knack
I love the art work on this card. Thank little guy casting a spell against all odds really summarizes the game of magic to me. I like the art so much I’ll give you the link to artist Howard Lyon’s website.

I only wish that this card had retrace. I think it would be worth two mana then.

Dream Fracture
An eye for an eye?This is basically a Cancel that gives each player another card in hand. I don’t think this is a bad card since it will keep the game moving. You could counter one of your own spells drawing two cards… Again good art here (Ha, I only just noticed it is Howard again). 

Glamerdye
In a color matters world this card has the potential to be a great tool. However I do see this as a more casual card than something in constructed. However it could be a nice little surprise in draft or limited.  

Glen Elandra Archmage
Here is a very interesting creature. a 2/2 flyer with the ability to counter 2 noncreature spells. I for one haven’t been playing much of Faeries lately, so I don’t know if this is good enough for the competitive Fae decks.  However I would like to put this in some casual decks for bit of good old fashioned control. 

Inundate
And I said nonblue goes home. This might cost a lot but it beats creatures that cannot be destroyed as well as shroud.

Tonight I had to forgo a draft event with the Arcane Order, but I was able to organize an impromptu Rochester Draft later in the evening. Since I need mostly cards in Morningtide that is what we used for all three packs. Unfortunately there were no major bombs opened but we did have a solid group of commons and uncommons. I stuck with a Red/Black warriors, elementals and goblins strategy that worked out rather well. My main creature type was warriors and I was able to get a good group with changelings and Brighthearth Banneret.

The basic combat strategy was to do damage in smaller increments until dropping Boldwyr Intimidator who basically was my win condition. I had a lot of removal for limited and was able to kill my opponents creatures as they became threats. 

Rochester Drafting is fun especially when playing with friends in a not so competitive setting. While we didn’t do much talking (because it was kind of late) this draft format provides the opportunity to talk about card strengths and weaknesses.

The New York TImes reported today that Hasbro plans to increase the price on most of its prodcts. That would include Wizards of the Coast and Magic: the Gathering. While the article didn’t list Wizards or Magic specifically I wouldn’t be surprised to see prices increase with Shards of Alara. I’m not happy at this prospect because Magic is an expensive enough hobby as it is. 

If you are interested in the full article click here.

Part of my Eventide exploration, here is my review of selected white cards, found on the full visual spoiler. 

Flickerwisp 
I really like this card because of its casting cost and power/toughness. Once Flickerwisp is already in play it’s triggered effect will go off doing something cool with one of your creatures or removing a potential threat for the turn. I think the 3/1 is a good p/t because of the flying ability. A better magic  player than me always said a 2/2 with flying for 3 mana is a good card (in limited). Yes this is a little weaker but unless your opponent has something to deal with flying they will have to use one of their spells to take care of this guy. Solid card in my book. 

Kithkin Spellduster
Not the strongest card we see in white but an interesting bit of enchantment control. This guy is going to keep coming back and is a flyer to boot. The casting cost is a little high but for a common I can deal. 

Patrol Signaler
I really like this card. With how easy it is to make Kithkins bigger his ability is easily relevant. I think the biggest hurdle is the 1/1 toughness. Also if you are able to take advantage of this guy early he can help you keep cards in your hand if you are able to tap and untap for a guy.

Recumbent Bliss
So recumbent as the illustration might suggest, lying down. Another interesting fact is that there are recumbent stones found in the UK. I don’t know if that is of any relevence to the naming of this card, but turning a creature to stone or making it lye down while you happily gain life is a great card in my book. This reminds me of Faith’s Fetters from Ravnica. 

Suture Sprite
I like this creature it feels well rounded. Too bad it isn’t a Kithkin Spirit, then we might really have something on our hands. The artwork is cool too. It is like a menacing spirit but helpful, kind of makes Casper look like the little pest he really is. I mean who did Casper ever regenerate.

I’ve got to point out a point out an early look at Shards of Alara on Lorwyn Unleashed. CopySix’s quick look starts out with some artwork spoilers and quickly turns into spoiler speculation when he translates a bit of text from an Italian source. I’m glad someone among us is bilingual. 

What has me most intrigued is the DRAGONS! We haven’t seen serious dragons since Timespiral Block and most of those were hard to play. A set revolving around this type of world will be very cool and exciting indeed. I will say one of my favorite cards of all time is Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind. I didn’t start playing Magic until the end of Ravnica Block so I really haven’t had much experience with this creature type. So we’ll see how this all plays out.

Once again as info about Shards leaks out please let me know so I can share the wealth. 

I apologize for dropping off the face of the blogosphere but life has gotten in the way of my casual magic the past two weeks. As I promised I am working on my Eventide reviews as I type this so look for them to start this week. A couple of things before I get back to Eventide. 

Block constructed tournaments are coming up. I’m planning on playing at our local event in August. I’m wondering two things. Does anyone want me to focus on that the next few weeks leading up to the regional competitions? And secondly, if you are planning on competing what are you playing and why? I’d love to get a good conversation going about block. 

Finally, block constructed causal will be in full swing after next weekend when we all get to add Eventide to the mix. What interesting decks are you playing? I know Noggles look fun (more on them in a sec). I’ve been struggling to make a Scarecrow deck that isn’t slower that a bad Kamigawa deck. So what are you playing that is really fun. No need for whole deck lists (unless you’ve got them ready), but please share. If I start to get a lot of great deck list ideas I maybe able to feature one or two a week, which could lead to prizes and competitions here on Casual Magic.

Just a quick post so Technorati can know I own this blog.

Technorati Profile

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the Eventide Full Visual Spoiler click here. I’ve been going through it and I’m getting ready to do my usual feature on each color (and color pairing).

I’ve got to say that the artwork is really amazing. Hats of to Wizards on the great creative and art direction. 

I’m working on my prerelease recap. The only trouble is I haven’t had much time on my hands since Saturday. In the mean time check out this comic from UG Madness. 

or for some serious block constructed thinking on Eventide check out Josh Silvestri’s article on Star City Games.