Duel Decks- Zendikar vs Eldrazi: Eldrazi Deck Review (Part 1 of 2)
Is she or isn’t she?
At time of writing, one of the biggest areas of speculative debate centers around what the unspeakable horror at the heart of Innistrad’s woes could be. The previews of Shadows of Innistrad are upon us, and one of the theories with the most traction is that it’s Emrakul, the third Eldrazi titan and the one whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
Oath of the Gatewatch: Vicious Cycle Review (Part 2 of 2)
Departing the benighted plane of Innistrad for a moment, we’re back at the besieged one of Zendikar. When we last looked at Vicious Cycle, we found a sacrifice-style deck with some intriguing synergies. Of course, what looks good on paper doesn’t always play well, so we’re put it to the test. Joining me is Phil, piloting Concerted Effort, the White/Green support deck. Read more 
Duel Decks- Blessed vs Cursed: Cursed Deck Review (Part 2 of 2)
It’s time to take Duel Decks: Blessed vs Cursed to the battlefield to see how it plays out, after having taken a close look at both decks. Joining me is Phil, taking the role of Innistrad’s Blessed. Let’s see how this first clash shakes out. Read more
State of the Site – March 2016
Back on the first of January, I posted an article here called the “State of the Site.” IIt was the first of its kind, as well as the last- later updates for one reason or another I moved to a Tumblr page, long gone to weeds.
Since I haven’t given a site update in awhile, I thought I’d take a few minutes today to do so, even if 06 March isn’t quite as exciting as a New Year’s Day. Read more
Oath of the Gatewatch: Surge of Resistance Review (Part 1 of 2)
“May you know the joy of finding an untapped design vein.”
So Mark Rosewater, head designer of Magic: the Gathering, concluded his column of 21 July, 2014. Entitled “At All Costs,” the feature looked at all of the different cost-reduction mechanics available in the game of Magic. In many cases, such as using life as a currency for mana, much of the design space has already been mined, from Snuff out to Dismember. That isn’t to say it won’t be used again, but it’s not entirely new.
Duel Decks- Blessed vs Cursed: Cursed Deck Review (Part 1 of 2)
As the previews for Shadows over Innistrad begin to be unveiled this weekend, it’s not hard to see that flavor- always a crucial component of Magic sets- once again comes to pride of place. There was something about the original Innistrad, released in 2011, that ignited the imagination of many, and we see cards already making a callback to the ideas and troped of its predecessor. Notice the art of Relentless Dead, picking up where Endless Ranks of the Dead left off. Or the Delver of Secrets/Insectile Aberration finding its maturity in Aberrant Researcher/Perfected Form.
Duel Decks- Blessed vs Cursed: Blessed Deck Review (Part 1 of 2)
While most of the research I do comes from articles on the internet or firsthand experience, every now and then a little firsthand research goes a long way. The latest entry in the Duel Decks series has tweaked the expected pattern, established in 2012, where you have a Spring planeswalker-based product followed by an Autumn theme-based one.
With the change to the block structure that began with Battle for Zendikar, it appears that the Duel Decks were themselves caught up in the roil. Read more
Oath of the Gatewatch: Desperate Stand Review (Part 2 of 2)
It’s game time! I’ve been keen to put Desperate Stand through its paces following the disappointment from Battle for Zendikar, and at last I’ve got my chance. Standing between me and glorious White/Black victory is Phil, who’s going for the surge angle with Surge of Resistance. Can cohort carry the day? Read more
Duel Decks- Zendikar vs Eldrazi: Zendikar Deck Review (Part 2 of 2)
We’re back to the plane of Zendikar, but taking a step back just for a moment from the Oath of the Gatewatch reviews. Today we return with the Duel Decks: Zendikar vs Eldrazi, and have our first playtest. Joining me at the table to champion the Eldrazi is Phil. Read more
Oath of the Gatewatch: Vicious Cycle Review (Part 1 of 2)
Nearly four years ago, we reviewed a deck called Slaughterhouse from Avacyn Restored. It was a deck that played in a space we’d seen before with preconstructed Magic, although not commonly. Following in the footsteps of Mirrodin’s Sacrificial Bam and Coldsnap’s Beyond the Grave, we summarized this style of deck as follows.
The objective of these decks is simple- take advantage of permanents that don’t mind dying to feed ones that reward you for when they do. Towards that end, many of its cards involve sacrifice and sacrifice outlets, along with the fodder that drives the deck forward.
If we were to summarize the objective of today’s Oath of the Gatewatch deck, Vicious Cycle, we could do no better.
Ertai's Lament 