Ertai's Lament

Mercadian Masques: Tidal Mastery Review (Part 2 of 2)

Today we head to the ocean city of Saprazzo, home to many of Mercadia’s Merfolk. The Tidal Mastery deck looks to establish control on the battlefield, then grind out a victory. Will the song of victory be in the air, or will Jimi drown it out with a Rebel’s Call?

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Mercadian Masques: Tidal Mastery Review (Part 1 of 2)

Thus far we’ve focused on Mercadian Masques and the perception it- rightly or wrongly- has acquired over the years thanks to its lack of formally named mechanics. History has not been kind to the set, as the fact that it was openly mocked by flavour text on a Magic card, Un-set that it was. As we’ve also noted, the set was marked by a decidedly lower power level than the previous Urza Block. For fans of the Weatherlight Saga, however, this was a set not so easily dismissed.

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Mercadian Masques: Rebel’s Call Review (Part 2 of 2)

Jimi and I are taking a break from sorting cards- and what better way to relax than to play? We’re ready to put Rebel’s Call through its paces, and to offer some opposition Jimi’s selected Disrupter. Can the Rebels work together to carry the day?

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Mercadian Masques: Rebel’s Call Review (Part 1 of 2)

“Just like all of you,” wrote Mark Rosewater back in 2005 in response to a volume of mail about Saviors of Kamigawa, “R&D learns about the game as time goes on. And part of the learning process is the occasional mistake.” In this case, the mistake was about keywords- particularly the keyword sweep which he conceded should never have been keyworded in the first place. This was precisely the opposite problem that had plagued Mercadian Masques five years prior. Read more

Mercadian Masques: Disrupter Review (Part 1 of 2)

What’s in a name, asked Juliet, in a line that would become nearly as famous as the play itself. Young lovers divided by their warring families, the temptation to cast aside the burden of names must surely have called to Romeo and Juliet. “That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” Had this ended well for them, this might have instead found itself a member of Shakespeare’s lesser works. Instead, a reconciliation is only found once the “star-cross’d lovers” have died, each by their own hands. As it happens, a desire to put aside the baggage of name didn’t end so well for Wizards, either.

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