It’s Release Week on Magic Online, and that means one thing… Planar Chaos Sealed Deck! In today’s Online Outlook I share four complete Release Week cardpools, and the decks I built. I’m looking for your input… come share your views in the forums!
It’s a funny old time for Magic Online. The metagame has shifted to incorporate Planar Chaos, but nobody has had any real access to the cards. You can buy them, and play them in Constructed events… but you can’t play Sanctioned Limited (until 9am tomorrow). So, while the true MTGO Metagame remains in limbo, I’ve turned my back on Premier Event results, to take a little look at Premier Event playing….
With blisterguy toddling off to a retirement home in the sun, it’s now my turn to tread the online boards and act out your MTGO metagame fantasies. This first article takes a detailed look at both the Standard and Extended online metagames this past week, and interviews a high-placed finisher in a 4x Extended event. Looking for the electronic edge? Look no further!
It’s that magical, Magical time of year. A time for reflection, for introspection, for looking back at the passing year with a carafe of mulled wine and a whimsical eye. The gold envelopes are ready, and the nominations are in. The mics have been tested, and the entrees have been served.
Pray silence please… for the 2006 StarCityGames.com Awards.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Battle Royale articles scheduled for publication today have been delayed until Friday’s update. Be sure to check back tomorrow to read all about Jeroen’s latest challenger. I promise you, this round will see fireworks…
So-called “straight” Counter-Burn strategies haven’t been popular in a while. Let’s face it: the tools weren’t there! Countermagic was neutered, and while the burn has always been available to set the world ablaze, both lifegain and efficient creature beats served to stymie the archetype. Nowadays, however, we have a few more arrows to our bow… And so I refine a potential U/R deck over the course of three builds, playing each against U/G Beats, Rakdos, and Solar Flare to see how they shape up!
Today’s edition of the SCG Daily will take a look at all the slivers available for Time Spiral Standard play, and throw out a first-pass aggro sliver build as a bonus to those hardy enough to wade through to the end.
As a bonus, there’s another installment of the SCG Daily coming later today! See inside for details.
For today’s thousand words, I’m gonna take a tiny peek at triple Time Spiral draft. In particular, an archetype that could prove to be one of the true contenders when the excrement collides with the revolving propeller-style cooling aid…
A new week, a new Daily run.
“But it’s Tuesday!” I hear you cry. Well spotted. Have a lollipop.
I’ve a mixed bag planned. Today, some talk of Time Spiral Sealed. Tomorrow, some talk of Time Spiral Draft. Thursday, it’s Constructed’s turn. And something fun for Friday, which I think you’ll all enjoy. Those of you with souls, at least.
In the last round of the Battle Royale, I beat Talen Lee and his mana-heavy Rome deck. My cheap Glare deck drew everything it needed, while Talen drew land after land, game after game. For this round, against Evan Erwin, I wanted to play the same deck… but I couldn’t.
So I beat Talen… big deal. To be honest, there was no winner here. Mana issues can cripple the mightiest fighter. Still, the deck performed well enough… wanna see how?
As the creator of Battle Royale, I suppose it’s time I put my money where my mouth is… Thing is, I’ve very little money, and my mouth is usually crammed with food. Ah well, at least I can put up a struggle when pressed. Talen Lee, bring it on!
Craig (me) finishes his (my) report on English Nationals 2006. When we left him (me), he (I) was poised at a precarious 5-2 after one day of play, looking to pose a strong challenge for a Top 8 spot. This concluding article deals with every match of Day 2, including an epic five-game final. Highs, lows, some startling and entertaining plays… and a mulligan to three.
After two consecutive English Nationals failures, Craig went to the 2006 tournament with a self-confessed “good feeling.” That good feeling was enough to send him to the top of the standings and see him crowned the last English National Champion! Indeed, his win was so mighty he began referring to himself in third person. (Seriously, how am I meant to introduce this with any dignity?) Part one of his entertaining – and long – report is within!
American and Canadian Regionals have been and gone… where do they leave the metagame? As the decklists slowly trickle in, Craig examines the numbers to produce an overall metagame breakdown. Which strategies were successful? Which were failures? In Standard tournaments to come, where should you lay your hat? This article provides the lowdown on the fluctuating Standard scene post-Dissension, and is ideal preparation for those attending the StarCityGames.com Amateur Challenge at Heroes Con!
