The latest installment in Raph’s saga to get to Pro Player Club Level 5, Raph edges closer to his goal by flying all over the world once again! In France, he attends the French Team Cup and tells you the biggest mistake you can make in Two-Headed Giant. Then it’s off to New Jersey, where he cracks a solid card pool for Sealed and finally breaks a long-running curse. And what happens at Yamagata? Read on!
Not only do you get the lyric musings of one of the best tournament report writers out there, but also you get a rundown of the best archetypes in Time Spiral Draft (hint: they all share the same color) and why they’re so crazily insane. All that, and a Top Five music list? What more could you ask for?
I’ve got another Standard deck to look at today. If you’re not running the crazy storm creation, I would definitely recommend this one to you. It’s a take on Pat Chapin’s “Flag Burner” that Richard Feldman and I developed…. And if you’re going to play Old Glory colors, this is the way to go.
What should I play at Worlds? I have been studying the Standard Metagame for quite some time, and I know that the best time to choose a deck, as far as being familiar with it is concerned, is as soon as possible. However, I also know that the metagame is a changeable and fickle thing, and therefore I knew I wasn’t going to decide on what deck I am going to play until roughly *checks watch* nnnnnow. But far as what I can expect to face at Worlds, the best indication is going to come from what has been played on Magic Online up until now… So let’s check out the Standard Premier Events Top 8 recap.
In the week before Worlds, the U.S. Nationals team stayed at my house and playtested. When they saw that I got assigned a stint as substitute drafter, the reaction was unanimous: “I wanna do one!!” Thus, for these, the first three days of Worlds, you can catch a glimpse of the drafting styles of the skilled magicians who are representing our country. Then, if you’re not impressed, you can call your bookie and put all your money on the Netherlands. First up, we have Ben “The Future of American Magic” Lundquist…
Dan Paskins makes a timely return to StarCityGames.com… with Worlds just around the corner, the King of the Red Mages breaks down the Goblin Empty The Warrens deck for Standard. In fact, he’s so consumed by the flame that he touches on the Extended build too! Still undecided about what to play at your next Constructed tournament? Why not take the honorable path and beat down with the little Red men?
Yesterday, Stuart brought us his views on U/W drafting in Time Spiral. Today he returns to the Constructed fold, in perfect time for Worlds. The UK’s premier deckbuilder analyses the coming Extended metagame, and offers a few gauntlet decks for your consideration…
Oh, man, I have discovered the deck. I mean, this thing has not lost a single game out of the hundred-plus games I’ve played. It doesn’t matter if the other deck is aggro, control, or combo, Pro-Tour-winning or rogue. I can’t wait to show you this Blue-Black deck featuring…
With Mr Hoaen off galavanting around the world, top-eighting Grand Prix tournaments left and right, the brave Mr Aten steps into the “Drafting With X” breach until the grumpy Canadian’s return. Tim will be presenting a draft a day, sharing picks one through forty-five, and adding his own brand of lyrical commentary at the end of each article. For a more in-depth critique of his process, be sure to visit the forums!
I’m presenting to you — my very special friend — this article-series-of-as-yet-undetermined-length, a Standard casual cold buffet, roughly resembling Chris Romeo’s smooth and tender operatings. In other words, just to throw out my entire audience with the bathwater, the series is casual without being particularly budget-oriented. But hey, it has “fairies” in the title! Fairies! I know that I love it.
Zac continues his examination of a new and intriguing deck in Standard. Looking for a break from the norm? Then try this out for size…
After last week’s disappointing card pool, this week The Ferrett cracks a stellar collection of power – so much so that it’s more trouble figuring out what to leave out! How do you trim a grouping of solid removal, good mana fixing, and decent (if high-end) critters to all fit inside one winning deck?
Stuart Wright is primarily known for his Constructed prowess. That said, while his sixty-card ability trumps his forty-card play, Stuart’s Limited skill is by no means the red-headed stepchild of the relationship. Today he brings us his personal pick orders for the ultra-aggressive Blue/White draft archetype, plus some sample decks and a few play examples. Stuart has had a lot of success with this color combination… can it work for you?
Sean’s personal report from the trenches of Grand Prix: New Jersey is well written, entertaining, illuminating, and fun. While he didn’t make Day 2 play, he came close enough to taste it. With game walkthroughs, cardpool and deck information, and anecdotes galore, this is one report that you don’t want to miss!
With Mr Hoaen off galavanting around the world, top-eighting Grand Prix tournaments left and right, the brave Mr Aten steps into the “Drafting With X” breach until the grumpy Canadian’s return. Tim will be presenting a draft a day, sharing picks one through forty-five, and adding his own brand of lyrical commentary at the end of each article. For a more in-depth critique of his process, be sure to visit the forums!
