Magic 2013: Repeat Performance Review (Part 1 of 2)
Since the advent of the Event Deck for last year’s Mirrodin Besieged, the decks have come under a steady drone of criticism for their content. This is to be expected, for whenever Wizards sticks a fixed group of cards in a box and slaps a pricetag on it, the playing community immediately begin assessing it. Indeed, it’s the very principle that this site was founded upon, and it makes for an engaging and healthy debate. From the outset we’ve held a critical eye on the Event Decks as Wizards fine-tuned the product after launch, watching it go into its mono-coloured aggro phase as a hedge against its rarity caps, and have been delighted to see the growth of the product beyond that. What we haven’t touched on yet aside from a rather general manner is the other charge leveled at the Event Decks: that they are unrepresentative.
A Planeswalker’s Guide to Kaijudo
In the aftermath of the immediate success of Magic: the Gathering in 1993, a number of other Collectible Card Games (CCG’s) hit the market in an attempt to capitalise on the burgeoning interest in the medium. Up until then there had certainly been card games found in the gaming market, but these tended towards what is known as the Limited Card Game (LCG) model- buy a game, and you get all the game’s cards. It was one of creator Richard Garfield’s enduring contributions to the genre that he crafted a game that drew its inspiration from the sports card market- booster packs that had only a small quantity of the available cards. Clearly, the formula worked.
Magic 2013: Path to Victory Review (Part 2 of 2)
This is it- our final game for the review cycle of Magic 2013’s Intro Packs. Although we’ll be back soon with the Event Decks, this is as pure as it gets for the release itself. I’ll be piloting Path to Victory, after giving it a thorough going-over two days ago. Joining me at the table is Sam, who is eager to see if she can succeed with Mob Rule where I had failed before.
News & Notes 7/26/12: M13 Event Decks and… Ads?
In case you missed it, the Magic 2013 Event Decks had their contents spoiled on the mothership this week. There’s been plenty of chatter about them, so if you haven’t already head on over and take a look! They’re coming up right around the corner and will release on 03 AUG.
A quick note as well about the advertising you may have noticed appearing on the site… Read more 
Magic 2013: Path to Victory Review (Part 1 of 2)
In the pantheon of names we’ve covered as we wend our way through the history of Magic: the Gathering via its preconstruced decks, Matt Cavotta is one we’ve not touched upon but that might be recognisable to players of different eras. Presently the Senior Creative Art Director, those who attended or otherwise watched the Magic panel at the most recent San Diego Comic Con would have seen him discussing the topic of art (and Dwarves) in the game.
Magic 2013: Wild Rush Review (Part 2 of 2)
Green fatties get their turn in the spotlight as Wild Rush goes in for the playtest. Sam’s at the other end of the table, readying her life counter. All that stands in their way is the mighty Sole Domination deck, packed with exalted. It dismantled its opposition during its playtest… whose aggression will prove the greater?
Magic 2013: Wild Rush Review (Part 1 of 2)
For as long as there’s been a game, players have been attracted to swinging in with giant creatures, or “fatties” in the common parlance. For all one likes to have decks with scads of intricacy and shenanigans, for many there is a certain satisfaction at taking something massive and turning it sideways, putting the opponent under pressure to find a solution or die trying. Indeed, it was just this sort of enjoyment that led Wizards to create the Beatdown boxed set, back in 2000.
Magic 2013: Mob Rule (Part 2 of 2)
Halfway through Magic 2013, and it’s time to look at the deck from a certain shady underworld figure in Ravnica. To give my deck a run for its money, Sam’s back with Depths of Power, the Blue/Red deck featuring Talrand, Sky Summoner.
Magic 2013: Mob Rule Review (Part 1 of 2)
One of the interesting facets of the five new legends introduced in Magic 2013 is the degree to which they represent a build-around-me archetype. This stands in fairly stark contrast to what has come before, namely the legend-led Theme Decks of Tenth Edition, and certainly represents a deeper integration of gameplay and strategy.
Magic 2013: Sole Domination Review (Part 2 of 2)
First introduced in 2008’s Shards of Alara, the exalted mechanic has been dusted off and given a fresh coat of paint! Now moved into the “religious” colours of White and Black, we’re about to find out how it actually plays out. For opposition, Sam’s back at the table with the White/Blue Path to Victory.
Ertai's Lament 