News: Dark Ascension Event Decks Fully Spoiled
Quick news for all you Event Deck fans- the pair for Dark Ascension were spoiled right on schedule this morning over on the mothership. Some interesting inclusions, but don’t take my word for it- have a look for yourself!
Innistrad Booster Battle Packs… and a Giveaway!
If running one giveaway wasn’t enough, my latest QS piece has another! Today’s article was inspired by a reader here who remarked how he wished there was a Booster Battle Packs release for Innistrad. For those who missed the last go-round, Booster Battle Packs are a gateway product to Limited play released for Magic 2012. Wizards made a pool of ten different “packets” of five cards- four commons and an uncommon- two for each colour. Each player gets two packets semi-randomly, and they get a booster to pull five more cards out of to make a complete ‘mini-deck.’
Not only does today’s piece update the product for Innistrad, giving you ten similarly-themed packets to play with, but I’m also giving away the finished product!
Dark Ascension: Monstrous Surprise Review (Part 1 of 2)
When Innistrad was released, it stamped its identity from the outset with its selection of Intro Packs, resulting in a wonderfully evocative quintet. The tribal call was put out with Spirits, Vampires, and Humans each getting their own deck to showcase their latest incarnations. The flashback mechanic was given space on the stage with Eldritch Onslaught, and morbid had its turn with the somewhat disappointing Deathly Dominion deck. The other two significant innovations were left out- dual-faced cards were too complicated, and the curses just weren’t enough to carry a deck (much like imprint in Scars of Mirrodin).
News: Announcing the Blog behind the Blog
Just a quick note here to let everyone know that we’re now on Tumblr. For those of you who aren’t familiar (and that included us until recently), it’s a “micro-blogging” site that allows for no-frills posts and prose. We’ll be using it occasionally to highlight Magic-related thoughts and information that we’d like to share, but don’t really fit the format on the main site.
For instance, our current posts include envisioning what the perfect Magic podcast would look like, and answering a Lament reader’s emailed inquiry about the best White Weenie theme/intro decks ever. Going forward we’ll be sure to talk about the site itself, some projects ahead, and some of the “gritty, behind-the-scenes goings on” of Ertai’s Lament. It’s a little less formal… and a lot more personal. There’s even a handy little Ask feature that lets you submit any questions you might like to see answered.
For those inclined, stop on by. If not, that’s okay too!
Dark Ascension: Swift Justice Review (Part 2 of 2)
Our second run-out for Dark Ascension sees us testing the Boros-coloured Swift Justice. With some disruptive ground game and a few aerial threats, will it mete out retribution to Jimi’s Dark Sacrifice? Only one way to find out!
Ertai’s Lament on Gathering Magic…with a Contest!
Hello precon fans and deck tuners of all ages! As the voice of the preconstructed community grows, we have some exciting news- we’ve been picked up by Gathering Magic, a site which needs little introduction. Today’s piece is a meddling of the Relentless Dead intro pack, filled with Zombie goodness. If you’re so inclined, why not head on over, have a look, and let them know if you enjoy having precon content over there as well.
While you’re at it, make sure you enter the giveaway we’re holding to commemorate the event. On the line is a Relentless Dead intro pack, and all the cards added to it to make the finished deck.
A moment of thanks as well, for this would never have been possible without the support of the precon community, without which we’d still be toiling away in isolation, posting articles to a field of crickets.
News: Dark Ascension Event Decks Announced!
Today on the mothership, at the good ol’ Magic Arcana, the names and images of the two upcoming Event Decks were announced.
Gleeful Flames: Mono-Red aggro/burn
Spiraling Doom: Green/Black undying/beats
The decks won’t be out until 24 February, and we’re already looking forward to getting our hands on them!
Dark Ascension: Swift Justice Review (Part 1 of 2)
Taking its name from the guild representing the military and constabulary force present in the endless urban sprawl of Ravnica, Boros decks- those comprised of Red and White- are one of the more common archetypes amongst preconstructed Magic. Since the introduction of the Intro Pack, we’ve seen a wide variety of them already, and that’s not even counting those amongst the previous precon product, the theme decks.
Dark Ascension: Relentless Dead Review (Part 2 of 2)
We’re excited to return to the world of Innistrad after a few months’ break, once again immersing oursevles in the heavy flavour and top-down design of the set. What better way to kick thins off than with a duel between two our our favourite archetypes? With me being Relentless Dead, I’ll be up against Sam, who’s opted for the Red/Green Monstrous Surprise.
Dark Ascension: Relentless Dead Review (Part 1 of 2)
When Wizards introduced the lore of Innistrad, any Vorthos worth their salt who had been playing the game for the past three years could be forgiven for rolling their eyes. A disappearing angel, they might well have said, well, here we go again.
Ertai's Lament 