FNM – Drafting Shadowmoor May 31, 2008
Posted by Norm in Draft.Tags: Demigod of Revenge, Draft, Magic: The Gathering, Midnight Banshee, MTG, Reaper King, Shadowmoor
add a comment
Last night, I was able to make it to my local shop for some Friday Night Magic. This is my first Shadowmoor draft competitively so I was a little nervous about my ability to draft a competitive deck. My fears were put aside when during pack one, pick two I was handed a Demigod of Revenge. After picking Midnight Banshee pick one I felt pretty good about the rest of the draft. I wasn’t able to get anything else of major note. I did pull an early mid pick swans out of one deck (I rarely hate draft but there was the off chance of splashing blue). Anyway I was set pretty well in Red and Black. I could have splashed some green mana but it was unnecessary. I only felt I was lacking red burn and black flyers. Otherwise I felt like I did ok.
My first two matches went very quick with me going 2-0 both times. My deck just preformed at a superior level. Basically turn 5ish Demigod and I always had the right answers to the threats. One cool play of note during game one, my opponent had a Prismatic Omen on the board and played a turn five Reaper King letting me know he had many scarecrows in his library. On my next draw step I pulled a Smash to Smithereens, suck on that Reaper King.
But matches three and four turned out to be teh suck for my deck. Match three was a race in game one that I lost, and I was mana flooded in game two. (So frustrating because that was the match against the guy who went 4-0 and I felt I could have beat him if ya ya you get it). The final match I kept a dicy hand game one that didn’t go anywhere and again I just got beat game two.
So I finished 2-2 and surprisingly came in third place out of 10 and won a random Pendelhaven.
Looking for Eventide May 30, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual, Eventide, Spoilers.Tags: Eventide, Magic: The Gathering, Shadowmoor
1 comment so far
If anyone comes across Eventide spoiler information before I do please pass it along. I just did a quick search of my key sources and there doesn’t seem to be much info out there yet. Either I am looking in the wrong place or Wizards is keeping a really tight lid on this expansion set. In what seemed to be a never ending flood of Shadowmoor spoilers I am hungry for what is next. All I could find was the same info as on my previous Eventide post.
First Shadowmoor Type 2 May 29, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.Tags: Essential Magic, Faeries, Magic: The Gathering, MTG, Shadowmoor, Type 2
3 comments
So I’m working on my first Shadowmoor Deck that is Type 2 legal. Because I haven’t been collecting as much as I usually would I’m really behind the competitive edge, in terms of cards I own. The Deck Builders Merfolk deck in my previous post really has me thinking Merfolk, but I really want to play some of the cards I already own for fun.
So I found something that fits my goals and I will modify a bit. The original Deck List is here found on Essential Magic. Basically Faeries and a few tricks. I’m going to go play test in a bit.
Any thoughts?
UPDATE
After playing a few games here are my thoughts:
Glen Elendra Liege is nice but really only pumps most of my guys 1/1 not both. I need to add more black blue guys or trade the Leige for Bad Moons. I would do this for speed with the bitterblossom. Maybe I could work in Wasp Lancer or Sygg.
Not sure about Inkfathom Witch. Nice ability though.
I like Faerie Harbinger but I dont have much to search for in the way of bombs. If I dont have the land for Oona I probably would go for Glen Elendra Liege.
One major hole in this build is no removal. So I’m thinking Nameless Inversion. Although I did set aside a few copies of Peppersmoke and Shreakmaw. Something I could search for with the Faerie Harbinger.
Not So Casual: More Deck Builders May 27, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.Tags: Carthwolf, Deck Builders, Deckbuilders, magic, Magic: The Gathering, MTG
add a comment
For those of you who are looking for something more serious to play or are just tempted by more powerful decks. Here are two more videos from my favorite MTG video source on youtube, Carthwolf and Deck Builders.
In this installment he is going over a Merfolk deck to be used at Protour Hollywood.
Magic: the Gathering Online May 26, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.add a comment
I’m looking into getting into MTGO. I’ve got access to a PC (not my first choice in an OS) and finally downloaded the software. I couldn’t create a new account today for some reason, I’m assuming the holiday, but I’ll keep you posted if I get into it.
Does anyone know how I can get a decent new account code with some credits on it? Or the best way to get into MTGO in general. Any advice would be appreciated.
Shadowmoor Artifacts pt 2 Scarecrows May 26, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.Tags: Artifacts, Grim Poppet, Lockjaw Snapper, magic, Magic: The Gathering, Pili-Pala, Reaper King, Scarecrows, Scrap Basket, Scuttlemutt
10 comments
Part of my Shadowmoor exploration, here is my review of selected Scarecrow cards. Found on the full visual spoiler. I was really excited about the idea of an all Scarecrow deck when the Shadowmoor spoilers were slipping out. Ever since I’ve reviewed the Scarecrows in depth I’ve learned that this creature type can be splashed at best in a competitive Type 2 format. Otherwise I have a few ideas with changelings that basically revolve around the Reaper King.
On the whole I think Scarecrows cost to much to be really worth it. Aside from Lurebound Scarecrow, Painter’s Servant, Pili-Pala, and some of the color relevant guys most of the scarecrows just seem to cost to much.
Grim Poppet
I think that this is probably the most powerful Scarecrow short of the Reaper King. But a 7 mana guy that is only a 1/1 when it comes out is really awkward in my opinion. I think this rare should cost 4 mana and if it did it would be a much better card.
Lockjaw Snapper
I like this guy especially if you are using -1/-1 counters as a theme of control. Because of the lower casting cost I see this guy as much more playable than the Poppet. But again still a lot of mana for a 2/2. The Wither ability almost makes it worth it.
Pili-Pala
Overall a decent card with three abilities (technically two) and for two mana is a bargain. Flying for two mana on any card is standard, untap on a flyer (or any evasion ability) is really strong in by opinion. I consider untap and adding mana a two for one. While you might need to untap when you don’t want to play any mana abilities or spell. I still think it is super strong one of my favorite of the Scarecrows.
Scrap Basket
I see this being an OK late pick in limited. Especially if you are playing with creatures who thrive off of multiple colors under your control. Otherwise this was an annoying card that showed up too often in the box I shared with some locals.
Scuttlemutt
I hate to sound like a broken record, but finally a Scarecrow who feels balanced. Two good abilities at a fair mana cost. Stronger than an elf and will help speed up your 5 mana drop game changer.
Back from the Equator May 26, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.Tags: Belize, magic, Magic: The Gathering, Oasis, Shadowmoor
add a comment
Hi all I’m back from Belize. Rocking and ready to play some Magic. Last night brought a quiet little night of Magic where I was playing with my modest collection of Shadowmoor cards to date. I am looking forward to building a deck that utilizes blue control and a deck with a -1/-1 theme.
I’m going to Belize May 17, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.Tags: Belize, Magic: The Gathering, Shadowmoor
add a comment
I’ll be out of the country in Belize this next week. Getting ready to go has been busy so that is why I’ve been lacking on the posts the past few days. Also don’t expect anything new while I’m out of the country. Unless I can find some wifi I’ll be completely offline.
When I get back I’ll continue right were I left off and I’ll have my first deck in Standard with Shadowmoor.
See you in a week.
FYI May 15, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.Tags: Add new tag, magic, Magic: The Gathering, MTG, Sca, Shadowmoor, Shadowmoor Scarecrows
add a comment
So I know you all have been following my Shadowmoor series on selected cards. Next is Artifact Scarecrows. Highly anticipated I know. I’ve been busy lately and I haven’t had time to properly put this post together. So I’m afraid you will have to wait a day or so.
Also know this. The box of Shadowmoor I ordered should be delivered tomorrow and unrapped by this weekend. So keep an eye out for my unwrapping recap.
ps. Next week I am going on vacation. So I’ll be away all week and not playing Magic. Unless I can find a FNM in Central America. I’ll keep you posted.
Shadowmoor Artifacts pt 1 May 13, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.Tags: Artifact, Gnarled Effigy, Illuminated Folio, magic, Magic: The Gathering, Trip Noose, Umbral Mantle
6 comments
Part of my Shadowmoor exploration, here is my review of selected artifact cards. Found on the full visual spoiler.
The Shadowmoor Artifacts have a cycle of color matters static ability cards as well as an exciting new creature type, Scarecrow. There are so many artifacts in this set so I’m going to split up my artifact review into Scarecrow Artifacts and regular artifacts. First, general artifacts because I know you want the Scarecrows more.
Gnarled Effigy
This was an OK card for me in limited. I would have much rather had cards that gave Wither to all my guys, Corrocive Mentor. But I was able to eliminate or mitigate threats.
Illuminated Folio
I think this is a great cheap way to draw cards. Reveal the same two lands every turn you have a great way to reiterate your colors and keep the advantage.
Trip Noose
In the world of untap finding a way to tap a guy is a good thing.
Umbral Mantle
This was a great ability when people weren’t used to untap. I was able to attack and leave a guy tapped until my opponents attack phase. Opps my guy is bigger and blocking. This also worked well when attacking without blockers.
