Portal Second Age: The Nightstalkers Review (Part 1 of 2)
There isn’t a great deal to get folks riled up in Magic’s introductory releases. The cards tend to be fairly low-key and introductory-level, though here and there you find a few that have broken out into general competitive play and command a pricetag to match (see: Grim Tutor). Indeed, you might almost say the most notable thing about Magic’s attempts at beginner-level versions of the game is that they aren’t all that notable. This isn’t meant to be unkind, but they are competing for attention in a richer, more dynamic environment and outside the circle of Magic’s Armchair Historian Society (of which we’re a proud, card-carrying member), there’s just little to keep them in the public eye.
Portal Second Age: Nature’s Assault Review (Part 2 of 2)
We’re back with another round of Portal Second Age action, and this time I’m piloting the mono-Green Nature’s Assault. Sam’s selected The Nightstalkers, based around the cruel and wicked denizens of Dakmor Swamp. Can the forces of nature see it through?
Portal Second Age: Nature’s Assault Review (Part 1 of 2)
As mentioned in our previous review, Portal Second Age followed a year later in the footsteps of Portal, which was designed as an introductory-level product for entry to the game. In an effort to bridge the gap between “Magic: the Gathering” and all other games, Portal’s designers stripped away much of the creative trappings that gave the game much of its flavour.
Portal Second Age: Goblin Fire Review (Part 2 of 2)
It’s our opening clash with the Portal Second Age decks, and while we’ve had a good look through we’re not quite sure what to exepct. How much fun can 40-card constructions filled with sorceries and a high proportion of plain, vanilla creatures be? As it turns out… plenty.
Portal Second Age: Goblin Fire Review (Part 1 of 2)
It is often true that the harder a thing is to accomplish in life, the more indelibly etched into your memory that endeavour will be. Approaching my fourth decade of life on this earth, my ‘memory filing cabinet’ is too stuffed full to make a full accounting of the smaller things, but certainly some of life’s greater challenges stand out. Having two hours to clean and sanitise the house after an all-night illicit party before Mom gets home, for instance.
Onslaught: Bait & Switch Review (Part 2 of 2)
This is it, our final visit to the world of Onslaught- at least until we return at some point in the future to look at Legions. I’ve got one of the more unique and intriguing Theme Deck’s we’ve seen in awhile, Bait & Switch, while Sam hopes to dash my hopes with the Beasts of Devastation. Will subtlety and synergy take the day, or will brute force see me off?
Onslaught: Bait & Switch Review (Part 1 of 2)
“How did planeswalkers come to be if they weren’t planned?” wrote Mark Rosewater in a piece announcing the new card type leading up to the release of Lorwyn. “The way that many cool creative things come to be: by happy accident.” Originally, planeswalkers weren’t meant to be included in Lorwyn, but they were a confluence of two independent pressures. As it happens, they came together at the right time and place, and from that meeting the planeswalker was born.
Onslaught: Ivory Doom Review (Part 2 of 2)
We’re back to Onslaught, and ready to go with the second half of the set’s review. I’ve sleeved up Ivory Doom, a White/Black tribal Cleric deck (and the object of our most recent giveaway), while Jimi’s ready with Celestial Assault. Clerics against Gustcloaks…who will have the edge?
Onslaught: Ivory Doom Review (Part 1 of 2)
When Magic: the Gathering launched in 1993, nobody could have known that the game would become what it is today, nearly two decades later. It is a testament to Richard Garfield’s vision that the game has endured in a state of static flux- something of a contradiction, to be fair. But how else could you cataegorise the fact that while the core essentials of the game have more or less remained unchanged, it is a game itself of constant change?
Win a Copy of Onslaught’s Ivory Doom!
Some contests- like our Gathering Magic/Return to Ravnica Meddling cycle require a little bit of patience to win, since we’re not picking a winner until all five decks have had their turn at center stage. Others, however, are much quicker! We’re pleased to announce another comment contest giveaway for a new, sealed copy of Onslaught’s Ivory Doom, a Black/White Cleric tribal deck.
Ertai's Lament 