AuthorTim Aten

What’s that you say? You want to see what one of the best Limited writers in the game has to say about Champions of Kamigawa? Well wait no longer, as Tim details his White pick order today, discussing every single card in the color, and chiming in with his own opinions on where you should be drafting Cage of Hands, Kitsune Blademaster, and Kabuto Moth. The Limited PTQ season begins this weekend, so if you want to get a jump on the competition, this is the place to start.

Join Tim today, as the man many Magic Pros have called”the best writer in the business”, completes his tale of victory and defeat at the 2004 Worlds. Also, be sure not to miss his new”Barnecdotes” section, in what might just be the funniest Tim Aten report ever!

So after last week’s fake-out, Tater-Hatin’ Tim Aten is back this week to tell you why Japanese players are tough opponents, how nice guys finish (at least against him) and to fill you in on almost all of the happenings at the 2004 Magic World Championships. Hop on board, kids – it’s going to be a wild ride.

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… actual strategy, in the form of the top 20 most underrated cards in MD5 Limited. The order is based on the disparity between how good people think a card is and how good it really is.

The Fifth Dawn picks plus the draft recap.

Thunderstaff is soooooo underrated and soooooo good. Cards like it and the aforementioned Fatespinner and Sun Droplet seem innocuous enough, and you often don’t realize that they defeated you until after the match is over. Thunderstaff ended up being key in several games this draft. One-power creatures do nothing and two-power creatures are as worthless as one-power creatures; since these comprise the bulk of one’s draft deck, Thunderstaff provides virtual card advantage by neutralizing multiple threats at once.

Game One: Osyp is, simply put, a national treasure. His outlandish tales and bubbly personality are the envy of the whole Magic-playing community. As has been said before, women want him, and men want to be him. Osyp’s deck is Red/Green with like, you know, guys I guess? And some spells? Lands too, I think. This game, he kills Glissa and plays a haste guy, kills Tangle Golem and plays a haste guy, then plays another haste guy. Since I am incredibly non-masterful, I actually, somehow, did not win this game. I can think of at least two people who would have won it, but I’m not gonna name names. I don’t want to make anyone blush.

Wayfarer’s Bauble
This card is excellent. It’s a non-Green mana fixer, it’s a much-needed Myr replacement, and it’s perfect for giving that extra counter to your Sunburst cards. Additionally, it’s a one-mana artifact, which means it is enhanced by certain tutor or graveyard-retrieval effects. If you see one of these later than third pick, consider yourself a lucky man. Or woman. Or Ziegler.

Reading this article is hazardous to your health, your mom’s health, and will outright kill your dog. It is not recommended for children under eighteen, pregnant women, people with heart problems, or those taking Viagra. In fact, we wouldn’t recommend reading it at all, except for the fact that it’s a Tim Aten article. Proceed with caution.

The grand finale of Tim’s adventure, written in a style to soothe the savage beasts, and make you think Tim’s ego is smaller than your own.

Cuddly Bear Tim Aten shows his smoother, softer side, as he pleasantly recounts the events that took place at Pro Tour: San Diego. He sends this 17th place report out to all the lovers in the room…

Aten goes gangster in Part 1 of his epic Pro Tour San Diego recap. Do not miss this episode, as Tim drops plates on your ayass, biatch!

Person 1: Who are you teaming with for the Grand Prix?

Person 2: John Pelcak and Gadiel Szleifer

Person 1: Who?!

Person 2: They’re, um, children.

Person 1: What the hell are you thinking? Why not team with good people?

Person 2: They’re good. We’re gonna do fine. Just you wait.

This week we’ll be exploring the valuation of Darksteel cards in Limited before the topic becomes an anachronism. I’ll also be spewing forth the usual randomness you’ve all come to know and love and deliver some predictions for Grand Prix: DC.