Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012: Blood Hunger Review (Part 1 of 2)
The last time we saw Sorin Markov, at least in a Duels of the Planeswalkers sense, he was leading a pack of ravenous, savage Vampires into battle with Master of Shadows, an Expansion Pack 3 construction from Duels 2009. No longer relegated to “expansion” status, Sorin has found himself upgraded to a release-day role with Blood Hunger– and what a difference two years have made!
Duels of the Planeswalkers (2012): Unquenchable Fire Review (Part 2 of 2)
Chandra’s ready for action as her deck is up first for the playtest. Serving as opposition is Sam, who’s piloting the artifact-heavy Machinations. Can Tezzeret’s latest deck be the Firebrands undoing, or will his artifice burn alongside his ambitions?
Duels of the Planeswalkers (2012): Unquenchable Fire Review (Part 1 of 2)
Just as last year was the “Year of Firsts,” we’ve selected a theme to weave throughout our preconstructed coverage this year as well. This time around, we’ve made the leap to digital, as this is the year of “Duels of the Planeswalkers.” Thus far we’ve looked at the decks of the entire original 2009 release, from the base set to all three expansions. Today we pick up where we left off, a tale of a two-year pause.
The Top Five: James Arnold
Welcome to the first installment of a new occasional feature on Ertai’s Lament! On The Top Five, we ask members of the Magic community what their five favourite preconstructed decks are, and why. We’re delighted to have as our inaugural guest James Arnold, known on twitter as @thatguyJames2. James has a regular feature on Gathering Magic, has his own site dedicated to his incredible design work, and was the creator of the delightful graphic we had for the Grand Final of the 2007-08 Preconstructed Championships.
Here is James’s Top Five- and matching banners he created just for this!
Magic 2010: Firebomber Review (Part 2 of 2)
It’s our final match before we leave Magic 2010. Will Firebomber take the win, or is it Sam’s day for glory as she pilots We Are Legion?
Magic 2010: Firebomber Review (Part 1 of 2)
As we’ve seen in the previous Magic 2010 reviews, this was a set that changed a fundamental aspect of the game. The core set as it had existed for much of the game’s history had been remade, with new cards and functional reprints appearing for the first time. Mythic rarity and planeswalkers were introduced. Players were treated to a pre-release experience, heretofore reserved for new sets. Even the distribution of the set was touched, as new 6-card mini-boosters became available.
And in the largest change of its type since a decade earlier in Sixth Edition, the rules were given an overhaul as well.
Magic 2010: Death’s Minions Review (Part 2 of 2)
The power of the grave is mine to command as I field Death’s Minions in our playtest. Opposing me at the table is Sam, who’s piloting Presence of Mind. Can she dominate in the air, or with the grave be her resting place as well?
Magic 2010: Death’s Minions Review (Part 1 of 2)
Pop quiz! What do the following cards have in common?
Reads: Meddling Rakdos Revelry
The third Intro Pack from Dragon’s Maze gets the Meddling treatment over at Gathering Magic today! Come see why this might well be the hardest meddling yet!
Magic 2010: Presence of Mind Review (Part 2 of 2)
Now three decks in to the Magic 2010 Intro Pack reviews, can we keep the streak going? This has proven to be a much more enjoyable environment than we initially though, with quick-paced games that don’t bog down. To see how the base-Blue Presence of Mind works, Sam challenges me with Nature’s Fury. Force or craft, which prevails?
Ertai's Lament 