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?
Battle Decks- Tatsurion vs Razorkinder: Tatsurion’s Deck Review (Part 2 of 2)
Having now reviewed both of the Battle Decks on their own, it’s time to pit them up against one another and see if Tatsurion’s deck can deliver! Serving as opposition is Sam, who’s shuffling up Razorkinder’s collection of 40. Here are the notes from our clash.
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.
Magic 2013: Sweet Revenge Review (Part 2 of 2)
This is it, our final game for Magic 2013- the next time we touch these decks will likely be in the Preconstruced Championships next Autumn. We found the two Event Decks to be great fits and foils for one another… would the same hold true with the decks having changed hands?
Battle Decks- Tatsurion vs Razorkinder: Razorkinder’s Deck Review (Part 1 of 2)
One of the most intriguing differences between Magic and Kaijudo comes in the realm of combat. Magic’s combat is wave-based. To attack, you send your army screaming and charging en masse, presenting a puzzle for your opponent who then has to determine if/how to allocate their defensive options. Barring a Relentless Assault-type effect, you have one shot at it then you’re done. Other games like World of Warcraft and Kaijudo tend to simulate a more individually driven approach. Your attackers each get their moment to impact the flow of the game. As we’ll see today with Razorkinder’s deck, that opens up a whole new swath of design space.
Magic 2013: Repeat Performance Review (Part 2 of 2)
We’re back with our continuing Magic 2013 coverage as we unwrap the Event Deck boxes and prepare to do battle. cross the table from me sits Sam, shuffling up the flashback-heavy Sweet Revenge. For my part, I’m ready to go with a deck that’s nearly all creatures, Repeat Performance. Two decks, virtually the mirror opposite of one another. Which strategy will get the upper hand?
Magic 2013: Sweet Revenge Review (Part 1 of 2)
As we mentioned in our review of Sweet Revenge’s sibling, Repeat Performance, one of last year’s models attracted a level of criticism that was surprisingly sharp given the value of the cards within the box. Magic 2012’s Vampire Onslaught made quite an impression with a playset of Dismembers, a couple of Go for the Throats, a pair of Bloodghasts, and a Kalastria Highborn, but the discontent was more broadly applied. With a full twenty-five cards in the main deck coming from sets soon to rotate out of the Standard environment- either Zendikar block or Magic 2011- the ticking from the clock of obsolescence was particularly loud. But if we were to think that this would spell the end of the “encore” decks- one lust hurrah for a battle-tested strategy while it’s still capable of being run- we’d need to think again.
Battle Decks- Tatsurion vs Razorkinder: Tatsurion’s Deck Review (Part 1 of 2)
“I believe one of Richard Garfield’s most innovative creations when he made the game of Magic,” once wrote Magic head designer Mark Rosewater, “was the color wheel. The color wheel is the one thing that ties together all the flavor and mechanical aspects of the game. To me, it is the heart of Magic.” Indeed for all that the game of Magic: the Gathering has changed over time, one of the few absolute constants has been the colours of Magic. After all, why mess with a winning formula?
Ertai's Lament 