Magic 2013: Mob Rule Review (Part 1 of 2)
One of the interesting facets of the five new legends introduced in Magic 2013 is the degree to which they represent a build-around-me archetype. This stands in fairly stark contrast to what has come before, namely the legend-led Theme Decks of Tenth Edition, and certainly represents a deeper integration of gameplay and strategy.
Magic 2013: Sole Domination Review (Part 2 of 2)
First introduced in 2008’s Shards of Alara, the exalted mechanic has been dusted off and given a fresh coat of paint! Now moved into the “religious” colours of White and Black, we’re about to find out how it actually plays out. For opposition, Sam’s back at the table with the White/Blue Path to Victory.
Magic 2013: Sole Domination Review (Part 1 of 2)
A rotating card pool. Multiple new sets each year. A Standard format which evolves and adjusts each Autumn upon rotation. At its core, change is bound up in the heart of Magic. In our last review, we discussed how the advent of Magic 2010 marked a milestone in Magic’s history, a major turning point for the design philosophy of Core Sets. It should not be surprising, then, that the game has hardly sat still since then, with other innovations being introduced. Indeed, we would see the first of these the very next year.
Magic 2013: Depths of Power Review (Part 2 of 2)
And we’re off! The first playtest for the new slate of Magic 2013 decks is here, and it promoses to be quite the clash! I’m piloting the instant/sorcery-centric Depths of Power, looking to see if its synergies can be harnessed together to make a whole greater than the sum of its parts. Serving as opposition is Sam, running Wild Rush, a Green beaters deck with a splash of Black.
Magic 2013: Depths of Power Review (Part 1 of 2)
With its release in July of 2009, Magic 2010 revolutionised the Core Set format. For the first time since Alpha/Beta, you had a Core Set that didn’t consist entirely of reprints, but rather intorduced entirely new cards to the Magic landscape. In addition, the biennial release schedule was changed over to an annual one, allowing Wizards greater ability to tune and adjust the Standard metagame as well as keep players’ appetites whetted. It was a risky approach, but with the luxury of hindsight and history we can see that it has well paid off.
Perhaps lost in the shadow of this period of innovation was the previous Core Set, Tenth Edition.
News: M13 Intro Pack Decklists Revealed!
If you haven’t already, head on over to the mothership for today’s Daily Arcana. This time around Wizards has jumped out early with the decklists for the Intro Packs of Magic 2013, and they’re ready for inspection!
News: M13 Intro Packs Revealed!
Today on the mothership, we’re been treated to a look at the upcoming Intro Packs (as well as the Fat Pack contents). The last time we saw legendary creatures in a core set was Tenth Edition, and a legendary creature anchored each of that set’s five mono-coloured Theme Decks.
Whispers of the Muse: Julián R’s Vampire Onslaught (M12 Event Deck)
Welcome once again to Whispers of the Muse, the occasional series where a reader submits a deck they’d like some advice on, and we turn it over to you, the community! Our letter this time comes from Julián R, who had this to say:
Whispers of the Muse: Christopher G’s “Blood and Fire”
We’ve had a number of Whispers of the Muse submissions as of late, and the preconstructed community has been offering up some great guidance! The next deck to go under the scalpel today is Magic 2012’s Blood and Fire, the deck built around the returning bloodthirst mechanic.
Magic 2012: Vampire Onslaught Review (Part 2 of 2)
Alas, all good things must come to an end, and with Vampire Onslaught our time with Magic 2012 has finished (until next season’s Preconstructed Championships, that is!). As mentioned in our final review of Illusionary Might, the M12 Event Decks have proven to be quite popular in our house, and Jimi quite reluctantly stepped aside this time to give Sam a shot with them. Although Blue isn’t usually one of Sam’s preferred colours, the idea of cheap and aggressive beats is right up her alley. On the other side of the table, I am piloting Vampire Onslaught. Here are the notes from our three games. Read more 
Ertai's Lament 