Urza’s Saga: The Plague Review (Part 2 of 2)
It’s our third clash of four for Urza’s Saga, and this time Sam’s back with Sleeper, a White Weenie variant that makes full use of a range of sleeping enchantments. I’m in with The Plague, which puts all of its eggs in a single Pestilential basket. Which deck will come out ahead?
Urza’s Saga: The Plague Review (Part 1 of 2)
Although we hinted at the failings in the block helmed by Urza’s Saga in our opening review of Tombstone, thus far we’ve focused mainly on the positives of the set. Although held up as a classic example of Melvinism (in other words, devoid of flavour), cycling was a successful mechanic that has returned throughout multiple sets (coming back in Onslaught and Alara blocks, as well as the obligatory reprint in Time Spiral). Echo is a mechanic that Mark Rosewater has stated will likely be seen again. Growing and sleeping enchantments have reappeared in various guises, and contributed to making the memorable Sleeper deck. But in spite of his, in a sense we’re just avoiding the elephant in the room, for Urza’s Saga introduced more than its fair share of problems, too.
Urza’s Saga: Sleeper Review (Part 2 of 2)
After the previous lackluster playtest, Tombstone is something of a persona non grata in the house. Just as we take note of the strongest of decks, so do we of the opposite of the species, since every deck in essence gets a “home and away.” Sam bites the bullet and slides Tombstone out of its box, ready to do battle against the mono-White Sleeper.
Urza’s Saga: Sleeper Review (Part 1 of 2)
If you looked carefully at our review of Tombstone, you might have noticed a tiny wee fib embedded in the review. Like the best fibs, the degree of veracity largely depended upon your perspective, but this was more of the kind of fib that’s more of an incomplete rendering of the truth rather than any factual inaccuracy. In the review, we called Urza’s Saga “something of an ‘enchantments matter’ set.”
Something?
Urza’s Saga: Tombstone Review (Part 2 of 2)
It’s playtest time! Sam’s eager to tear in to the Red/Green echo-centric Special Delivery, while I’m ready to give Tombstone a run through its paces. Who will claim opening glory in our Urza’s Saga review?
Urza’s Saga: Tombstone Review (Part 1 of 2)
If you’ve been with us throughout 2012, you may recall we’ve dubbed 2012 to be the “Year of Firsts,” covering events such as the first set with Theme Decks (Tempest) to the site’s first full Block review (Mirage)- itself a first as the first set to have digital-only Theme Decks designed for it. As it happened, things took an unpleasant turn as we tackled the sunlit world of Lorwyn. Although we had high hopes for the first ever set that contained five Theme Decks, it was not to be- the set overall failed to live up to expectations for a number of reasons. Today’s set finds itself notable for having accomplishment on both sides of the ledger- many successes, sure- but also some very grave failings.
Lorwyn: Elementals’ Path Review (Part 2 of 2)
Our trip to Lorwyn has been surprisingly disappointing thus far. Now on our last deck, can the five-colour Elementals’ Path follow in the footsteps of Merrow Riverways and help redeem the set? Or will it just be the final nail in the coffin. I was joined by Sam, who was piloting the selfsame Merfolk. Here are the notes from our match.
Lorwyn: Elementals’ Path Review (Part 1 of 2)
Although beyond the scope of what we cover here, Lorwyn introduced one of the most seismic shifts ever witnessed in the game with the introduction of the planeswalker card type. Hinted at in Future Sight, it had indeed originally been intended to release with that set but had been pushed back. Although somewhat incongruous (a pack of Humans on a plane that featured no Humans), it left an immediate mark on the game and has been a critical component of it ever since.
On the other hand, the rest of the set’s many mechanics have been decidedly less so. Read more 
Lorwyn: Kithkin Militia Review (Part 2 of 2)
I’ve got Sam squaring up on the other side of the table… fresh cups of tea steeping… and she’s shuffling up Elvish Predation. It’s time to take the Kithkin into battle, but will teamwork be enough to counter the threat of endless hordes of Elves?
Lorwyn: Kithkin Militia Review (Part 1 of 2)
With today’s deck- Kithkin Militia- we are now four decks deep in Lorwyn. Every one of the five has seen play now, if not as hero than at least as foil while they await their turn under the microscope. We’ve had a chance to see the set’s themes and mechanics, and how the environment plays out. In light of that, we’d like to pause and take stock of the set. On the one hand, we have our long anticipation of playing the set- it’s been near the top of the list for as long as we’ve run the site. On the other hand, we have the criticisms of the set by R&D stalwarts Aaron Forstyhe and Mark Rosewater which were woven through our introduction to Elvish Predation. The question remains: is Lorwyn really a failure?
Ertai's Lament 